This week is Customer Service Appreciation week and as we all know, customer service can be one of the toughest jobs there is. Dealing with difficult customers and solving problems day after day can be exhausting, but it can also be a rewarding challenge when done correctly. And with studies showing that customer experience will overtake price and product as key brand differentiators in as little as three years, now is the time, more than ever, to make sure your customer service is the best it can be.
But where do you start? You probably have a lot of blind spots when it comes to assessing your own customer service level, because you may see the good intentions behind it instead of the actual results. Plus, customer service can be easy to write off as something you’ll eventually get around to improving when you have the time. But in a time when almost 90% of consumers say they would pay more for a better customer experience, optimizing customer service should be a priority, not an afterthought.
Like most things in business, customer service should have a process — one that is well designed, adaptable, and proven time after time. Falling into the trap of keeping up the same customer service habits you’ve always had, whether they are good or bad, can keep you from realizing the full potential of your customer service department and the positive effect it could have for your company. Sometimes, it’s best to have an outside perspective to shed some light on the potential blind spots you may have.
Check out this quick and practical self-assessment guide from The Art of Service to take a closer look at how your customer service is actually doing. This is just an excerpt from the full guide, but it will help you develop a clear picture of areas that you may be blind to right now, and implement evidence-based strategies that align with your overall goals!
And to all our customer service reps out there — thank you for doing what you do! Your work can often be underappreciated and undervalued, but it continues to play an integral role in how a company relates to its consumers and subsequently, the success of the company overall.
