Dozens of times per week, we’re all either the customer or the customer-service provider—at the bank, work or even the park district. And while everyone can point out examples of awful customer service, there are examples of above-and-beyond service that can help all of us become better in either role. Here are three tips I find useful to provide excellent customer service.
1. Do what you say you’re going to do. This seems simple enough, but it’s often not. How many times does someone say, ‘Let me call you back in 5 minutes’ and you don’t hear back for days? Or what about the common situation of promised information that never arrives? This is where everyone involved can turn the given situation into a win-win.
2. Exceed expectations. While I lean toward the Midwest standard giving a check to the newly married bride and groom, my raised-in-the-South wife doesn’t want any part of it. So for her friends she buys a gift and for mine I write a check. Recently, she decided monogrammed hand towels were the gift of choice done in his and her monograms in some sort of stacked design that I don’t really understand, but I do know—based on how often she talked about it—was how much the EmbroidMe in Arlington Heights exceeded her expectations. Wouldn’t it be nice to hear about more cases like this?
3. Take a cue from the best of whatever. Be it the best restaurant, best shop or best kids’ sport team—the best of whatever has distinguished itself from the pack, and we can all mimic the traits that would help us become better customer-service providers. My favorite restaurant, Gianni’s not only has the best Italian food in the area in my option, but the servers always make us feel welcomed and important.
What’s your go-to standard for excellent customer service?
About Me:I’m a young attorney who lives in Schaumburg and runs my own law office. My wife, who works in communications promoting eggs, and our pet Wrigley Bear, a 2-year old Vizsla, live in Schaumburg. Want email us? Send us your thoughts and comments to: Therichardsonstake—at—gmail.com.
