Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is essential for employees to provide outstanding service?
What is essential for employees to provide outstanding service?
What does the RATER model stand for?
What does the RATER model stand for?
When dealing with customers, what is essential for employees to know?
When dealing with customers, what is essential for employees to know?
How do employees build a foundation of knowledge?
How do employees build a foundation of knowledge?
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What should employee learning be managed by?
What should employee learning be managed by?
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What is important for ensuring knowledge is customer-focused?
What is important for ensuring knowledge is customer-focused?
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Why is it important to update product and service knowledge?
Why is it important to update product and service knowledge?
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What is one method to ensure knowledge is up to date?
What is one method to ensure knowledge is up to date?
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What is an effective way to bring employees together and display current, new, and future products or services for internal as well as customer-facing employees?
What is an effective way to bring employees together and display current, new, and future products or services for internal as well as customer-facing employees?
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What can managers do to set an example to their teams in terms of increasing their knowledge?
What can managers do to set an example to their teams in terms of increasing their knowledge?
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What is one way to make a wait in a queue feel shorter?
What is one way to make a wait in a queue feel shorter?
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Why is it important to use a customer's name when they are a regular customer?
Why is it important to use a customer's name when they are a regular customer?
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What is an important aspect of providing outstanding service?
What is an important aspect of providing outstanding service?
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What can be used to track who has and hasn't been briefed on new information?
What can be used to track who has and hasn't been briefed on new information?
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What can be done to ensure everyone has the knowledge required?
What can be done to ensure everyone has the knowledge required?
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What can employees do when they return to the workplace after attending external training programmes?
What can employees do when they return to the workplace after attending external training programmes?
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Why is the first impression important in customer service?
Why is the first impression important in customer service?
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What can be uploaded to an organization's intranet to provide employees with relevant supporting information?
What can be uploaded to an organization's intranet to provide employees with relevant supporting information?
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What is the primary benefit of being courteous to customers?
What is the primary benefit of being courteous to customers?
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What is the result of a sales representative speaking confidently?
What is the result of a sales representative speaking confidently?
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What does confident body language convey to customers?
What does confident body language convey to customers?
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Why is it important to end an interaction on a positive note?
Why is it important to end an interaction on a positive note?
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What is the result of not meeting customer service expectations?
What is the result of not meeting customer service expectations?
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What is one of the skills that underpin the RATER model?
What is one of the skills that underpin the RATER model?
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What is one characteristic of an outstanding representative?
What is one characteristic of an outstanding representative?
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Why is efficiency important in customer service?
Why is efficiency important in customer service?
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What do customers want from a service representative?
What do customers want from a service representative?
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What happens when customers feel like their issues are not resolved on time?
What happens when customers feel like their issues are not resolved on time?
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What is essential for providing outstanding customer service?
What is essential for providing outstanding customer service?
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What is the main goal of persuasion in customer service?
What is the main goal of persuasion in customer service?
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What is cross-selling?
What is cross-selling?
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Why is consistent presentation important?
Why is consistent presentation important?
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What are the three elements of face-to-face communication?
What are the three elements of face-to-face communication?
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Why is it important to communicate consistently?
Why is it important to communicate consistently?
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What is the benefit of understanding social styles?
What is the benefit of understanding social styles?
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What are the two dimensions of social styles?
What are the two dimensions of social styles?
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What is the result of combining assertiveness and responsiveness?
What is the result of combining assertiveness and responsiveness?
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Why is it important for customer service representatives to know their communication style?
Why is it important for customer service representatives to know their communication style?
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What is empathetic listening?
What is empathetic listening?
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What is the purpose of reflecting the customer’s rhythm and breathing?
What is the purpose of reflecting the customer’s rhythm and breathing?
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What is the result of communicating clearly and simply?
What is the result of communicating clearly and simply?
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Why is excellent communication important in outstanding service?
Why is excellent communication important in outstanding service?
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What is the benefit of noticing and removing assumptions in communication?
What is the benefit of noticing and removing assumptions in communication?
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What is the role of empathy in service context?
What is the role of empathy in service context?
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What is the result of exchanging pleasantries with customers?
What is the result of exchanging pleasantries with customers?
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Why is building rapport important in service context?
Why is building rapport important in service context?
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What is the purpose of communicating without ambiguity?
What is the purpose of communicating without ambiguity?
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What is the foundation of outstanding service?
What is the foundation of outstanding service?
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How are customer service skills embedded in an organization?
How are customer service skills embedded in an organization?
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Why is a positive attitude important for delivering outstanding service?
Why is a positive attitude important for delivering outstanding service?
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What is an aspect of a positive service attitude?
What is an aspect of a positive service attitude?
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What is the result of a positive attitude in customer service?
What is the result of a positive attitude in customer service?
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How is a positive attitude developed and nurtured?
How is a positive attitude developed and nurtured?
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What can managers do to support new employees in developing customer service skills?
What can managers do to support new employees in developing customer service skills?
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Why is it important to have a positive attitude when dealing with customers?
Why is it important to have a positive attitude when dealing with customers?
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What is an aspect of positive thinking?
What is an aspect of positive thinking?
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What is a characteristic of someone with a positive outlook and attitude?
What is a characteristic of someone with a positive outlook and attitude?
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How can managers engage with new employees to embed customer service skills?
How can managers engage with new employees to embed customer service skills?
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What can happen when a service representative spends too much time with a customer?
What can happen when a service representative spends too much time with a customer?
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What is required to balance time with customers?
What is required to balance time with customers?
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What does a well-ended conversation indicate to the customer?
What does a well-ended conversation indicate to the customer?
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What is patience in the context of customer service?
What is patience in the context of customer service?
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Why is patience important to customers?
Why is patience important to customers?
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What is required to develop patience?
What is required to develop patience?
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What is the result of building patience in customer service?
What is the result of building patience in customer service?
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What is attentive listening?
What is attentive listening?
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What is the result of paying attention to the customer?
What is the result of paying attention to the customer?
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What is the benefit of attentive listening in customer service?
What is the benefit of attentive listening in customer service?
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What is a benefit of positive thinking in the workplace?
What is a benefit of positive thinking in the workplace?
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What is a technique to help employees build and maintain a positive attitude under challenging customer circumstances?
What is a technique to help employees build and maintain a positive attitude under challenging customer circumstances?
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Why is it important to finish customer interactions on a positive note?
Why is it important to finish customer interactions on a positive note?
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What is an advantage of having a positive attitude when dealing with customers?
What is an advantage of having a positive attitude when dealing with customers?
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How can a positive attitude help service representatives?
How can a positive attitude help service representatives?
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What is the result of treating employees as customers?
What is the result of treating employees as customers?
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What is an important aspect of providing outstanding service?
What is an important aspect of providing outstanding service?
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What is the benefit of talking well of others, including the competition?
What is the benefit of talking well of others, including the competition?
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What is the result of using positive language when interacting with customers?
What is the result of using positive language when interacting with customers?
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What is the benefit of managing internal dialogue when dealing with challenging customers?
What is the benefit of managing internal dialogue when dealing with challenging customers?
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Study Notes
Providing Outstanding Service
Knowledge for Outstanding Service
- Employees need to have the right knowledge to support customers, including:
- Technology and systems to ensure accuracy and timeliness (Reliability)
- Product and service understanding (Assurance)
- Knowledge of where to find things (Tangibles)
- Interpersonal skills and complaint resolution procedures (Empathy)
- Organization, systems, services, and product expertise (Responsiveness)
- Ensuring employees have the knowledge:
- Well-designed induction program
- Ongoing learning and feedback from managers
- Regular corporate training interventions (e.g., workshops, online learning)
- Reviewing training objectives to focus on customer needs
- Keeping knowledge up to date:
- Product and service updates communicated through various channels (e.g., team briefings, intranet)
- Conferences, online training, and external training programs
- Encouraging reading and continuous learning
- Managerial example-setting
Skills for Outstanding Service
Minimum Requirements for Good Service
- Smile and eye contact to create a welcoming atmosphere
- Greeting customers by name to personalize the experience
- Giving customers undivided attention to ensure they feel important
- Being courteous, calm, and confident in customer interactions
- Demonstrating confident body language (e.g., upright posture, relaxed demeanor)
- Looking professional and well-groomed to reflect positively on the organization
- Ending interactions positively to leave a lasting impression
Additional Skills for Good Service
- Building a rapport with customers through positive attitude, friendliness, and attentiveness
- Efficient service that is quick, accurate, and patient
- Excellent communication skills, including active listening and clear, simple language
- Empathetic listening and understanding to meet customers' unique needs
- Patience and calmness in handling customer issues and complaints
- Ability to balance time with customers to ensure each feels valued
Efficiency in Service
- Balancing time with customers to ensure each feels valued and heard
- Managing time effectively to avoid wasting customer and employee time
- Good time-management skills to resolve issues efficiently and courteously
Patience in Service
- The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, problems, or suffering without annoyance
- Staying calm, listening actively, and understanding customers' issues
- Explaining complex issues simply without being simplistic or condescending
- Giving customers time to understand and resolve their issues
Attentive Service
- Paying attention to customers' needs and watching for opportunities to meet them
- Responding well and providing solutions to customers' expressed and unexpressed wishes
- Active listening to fully understand customers' unique requirements
- Empathic listening to accurately understand customers' feelings and concerns
Empathy in Service
- Sharing and understanding customers' feelings and perspectives
- Accurately naming customers' emotions and showing understanding
- Building rapport through easy, friendly conversations
- Empathic listening to fully appreciate customers' unique requirements
Excellent Communication
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Clear, simple, and unambiguous communication to avoid misunderstandings
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Communicating effectively to build trust and rapport with customers
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Persuasion techniques, such as cross-selling and up-selling, to improve customer experience and sales
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Non-verbal elements, such as tone of voice and facial expressions, to consistently convey the message### Communication Style and Customer Service
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Authenticity is key in customer interactions; if a representative doesn't believe in what they're saying, it will be apparent to the customer.
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Knowing one's communication style and adapting to the customer's preferred style can improve communication and rapport.
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There are four dominant patterns of behavior people use to communicate with others, which can be measured and identified using models such as the Social Styles Model, DISC Model, BEST Model, and DOPE Model.
Social Styles and Communication
- Social style refers to an individual's preferred style of communicating, and different people prefer different styles.
- Understanding social styles can help individuals improve their communication and know themselves better.
- Social styles can be classified into two dimensions: assertiveness and responsiveness.
- Combining these dimensions results in four social styles: Driving/Eagle, Expressive Peacock, Amiable/Dove, and Analytical/Owl.
- There is no right or wrong social style, and understanding one's own style can help improve interactions with customers.
Embedding Customer Service Skills in an Organization
- Customer service skills can be embedded in an organization through regular training, communication, and development activities that link behavior to organizational values.
- Mentoring, coaching, and knowledge transfer practices can support this embedding process.
- Training new employees in basic customer service expectations can help them understand what is expected of them and how to meet these expectations.
Attitude for Outstanding Service
- A positive attitude is important for delivering outstanding service, as it shows that a representative cares about the customer and wants to achieve a positive outcome.
- A positive service attitude includes paying attention to detail, ensuring basics are correct, and being friendly, committed, attentive, and helpful.
- Rude and incompetent staff are the number one reason customers leave organizations.
- A positive attitude is evident from the first interaction with a customer and can be demonstrated through tone of voice, words, and presentation.
Positive Thinking and Attitude
- Positive thinking means taking on life's challenges with an optimistic outlook and trying to make the best of potentially bad situations.
- Individuals with a positive outlook approach challenges looking for favorable results, make the best of a potentially poor situation, interact with others in a positive way, and use positive self-talk to remain calm during stress or conflict.
- People are wired to respond positively to a positive situation, and a positive attitude can lead to a positive upward spiral that improves customer experience and contributes to the organization's bottom line.
Developing and Nurturing a Positive Attitude
- A positive attitude can be developed and nurtured through skills training and practice.
- Techniques for building a positive attitude include setting the tone, acting as if, using positive language, talking well of others, managing internal dialogue, and finishing positively.
- A positive attitude can help service representatives cope better with stress, improve their psychological and physical health, and build a positive customer approach.
Anticipating Customer Wishes
- A positive attitude can help service representatives anticipate customer needs by opening up their minds to ideas, identifying options, and putting themselves in the customer's shoes.
- A positive, friendly approach can help service representatives observe and approach customers, making them more likely to open up and explain their needs.
- Treating employees as customers can build an organizational culture that is positive, embraces performance, and is customer-centric.
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Description
Identify the key knowledge areas required by employees to provide outstanding service to customers. Learn about the RATER model and its components.