Don’t Yell at the Customer: THE ABC’S OF CUSTOMER SERVICE


 
 
A-APPRAISE the customer’s need(s).
 
B-BEHAVE politely and professionally.
 
C-CARE about the person and their concern(s). Pretend if you must.
 
D-DOTE on them.
 
E-ENJOY the interaction as much as possible.
 
F-FAKE it if you must, but FLOW in friendliness.
 
G-GRIN! Yeah, I said it.
 
H-HEAR the customer. Humble yourself. Don’t assume you know.
 
I-INTERPRET their inquiry/observation/concern/praise/comment/etc. for what it’s intended to be.
 
J-JOKE. But be careful not to go too far #inappropriate
 
K-KNOW your job! And your coworkers’ roles! The customer sees you all the same.
 
L-LOOK at the person talking to you! Eye contact is necessary for making a connection in this culture.
 
M-MAINTAIN a helpful demeanor and vocabulary.
 
N-NARROW down what the customer is looking for. #efficiency
 
O-OPTIMIZE your team and your knowledge and experience to OPTIMIZE  your customer’s experience.
 
P-PRETEND you care! Seriously, if you must, pretend! (see ‘C’) #act
 
Q-QUESTION if necessary for clarity. Better to clarify than to guess wrong.
 
R-REPEAT what you think you heard so you can be sure. Again, certainty is better than guessing amiss.
 
S-SMILE. It helps you sound better and look better. (see ‘G’)
 
T-TALK to the person talking to you. No awkward pauses.
 
U-UPGRADE. Always where possible, do something extra for the customer.
 
V-VERIFY that what you are doing is what they are wanting done.
 
W-WORK! No matter how nice you are, it’s no good if you don’t do the work.
 
X-eXPLICATE. A detailed plan of action well communicated goes a long way.
 
Y-YIELD to your customer. Don’t impose. Don’t over talk. Acquiesce. Concede. YIELD.
 
Z-ZOOM!  Be fast, efficient, quick, and ZEALOUS.