Easy Want to Improve Your Customer Service

Want an easy and sure fire method to improve your customer service? Become a student of life. If you're observant, present and willing to learn, life can be a fantastic "coach".

Consider every customer service interaction a learning opportunity. Whether you're on the phone with AT&T complaining about their lousy coverage, or at the movies buying popcorn, be aware of the service you receive. Was your experience positive, negative or neutral (in my opinion, neutral goes into the negative column...if it's not memorable for the RIGHT reasons, it's not positive and therefore it's negative).

Here's an almost irrelevant experience that made a significant impact on me. Driving to San Diego a few weeks ago, I took a toll road. The toll booth operator was there to take money and make change. Not much you can do for "customer service" there, right? Well this particular toll booth operator gave me such a warm and caring smile (notwithstanding the weather was pretty lousy) and wished me a happy day. That reminded me that ANY interaction with my clients or prospects should be done with a happy, helpful and grateful attitude.

Next time you have a customer service experience (as a customer), consider what went right, what went wrong, and what you'll do to learn from your experience. Being more aware will make a world of difference when you're on the business side of the transaction.