Customer service refers to the service-oriented approaches a business uses to encourage a personal one-on-one relationship with past, present and future customers.
They’re the actions professionals take to nurture those relationships with patrons and establish a sense of trust and loyalty between both parties.
Without a good set of customer service skills, your chances of achieving long-term success in your profession of choice could be damaged.
Examples of good customer service skills
- Smiling and conveying a positive, welcoming attitude.
- Getting to know your customers by name.
- Encouraging customer feedback.
- Not using technical acronyms or jargon during conversations with customers.
- Making customers feel comfortable and respecting their definition of personal space.
- Keeping your composure and remaining calm — especially when customers are upset or emotional.
- Never ignoring customers — no matter how busy you are!
- Responding promptly to verbal requests, written correspondences and emails from customers.
- Not interrupting customers when they’re speaking to you.
- Practicing empathy when customers have a bad interaction with your business.
- Offering to handle problems personally when customers present you with their concerns.
- Not taking customer complaints personally and using their critiques as an opportunity to consider making potential changes that could improve your business.
- Never arguing with customers — even when they’re in the wrong.
- Making customers feel special and treating them like seeing them is the highpoint of your day.
What qualities show good customer service
Any business professional who wants to excel at providing good customer service needs the following attributes:
- Analytical-thinking skills
- Communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Leadership skills
- Negotiating skills
- Patience
- Problem-solving skills
The benefits of practicing good customer service skills?
- Long-term repeat customers
- Increased sales
- Expanded business opportunities
- More motivated workforce
- Good reputation in the business community