You Plan and Organize – After That It's All About Customer Service

You make business plans and preparations… you outline what you're going to deliver to your audience and how. Then you follow through and actually do it. You provide something of value to your customers, something that will make their lives better.

However, even with the best-laid plans and most thorough organization… things can still happen that affect the perfect outcome or delivery of your business product or service.

So what do you do?

What you do after things don't go quite as planned has a huge impact on how your business does as a whole. People will understand that things don't always go as planned, and sometimes there are "hiccups" in business. And they will remain a loyal customer IF you handle these challenges with them in mind.

The best way to figure out how to get past the challenges and keep your customers, is to actually ask them, "How can we make this right for you?". Listen to what they say… and unless it is a totally impossible or outrageous request… make it happen for them.

People want to be heard. If they know you are listening, and actually care about what they are saying, there is a great chance they'll become and remain a loyal customer.

"Customer Service"… two words, huge meaning… especially to your customers.

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Pat and Lorna Shanks deliver the "COOL" Goods and connections to "COOL" People. They provide tips, tools, education and informative sessions with knowledgeable people that enable entrepreneurs, independent professionals and small business owners to attract more clients and make more money. For more "COOL" tips, tools, knowledge and people, go to www.TheCoolestCouple.com or follow us on Twitter.

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Comments

Peter Fuller MBA says:

April 10, 2011 at 9:13 am

Hey Pat & Lorna

So true!

I am currently dealing with a bad customer relationship issue where I am the customer.

It is so bad I am considering writing a blog post about it

Peter
Peter Fuller MBA´s last [type] ..How to Attract your Niche to your Blog – Day 3 of 5

[Reply]
Pat & Lorna Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 6:54 pm
Peter,

Too bad they hadn't read our post first

Thanks!
~ Pat and Lorna

[Reply]

Cori Hughes says:

April 11, 2011 at 9:36 am

Hi Pat and Lorna-
Thanks for posting this. It is so incredibly important to deal with unsatisfied customers and turn them into believers again. Having great customer service can propel you into huge business success and some business owners sometimes forget that. Thanks again.
Cori
Cori Hughes´s last [type] ..It Is Party Time- Official Launch of Socially Savvy!

[Reply]
Pat & Lorna Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 6:48 pm
Cori,

I think we've all experienced the customer end of very poor customer service. It's a cool thing when we are aware of what that looks like and avoid it in our own business. You're right, great customer service is a huge boost to your business.

Thanks so much,
~ Pat and Lorna

[Reply]

Willena Flewelling says:

April 12, 2011 at 7:47 pm

When I saw the yellow smiley with the headphones on, a potential blog title popped out at me.

"Are you listening to me?"

The thought was in the context of personality colours… the way we speak to someone will be more effective if we understand what colour the person is. Not quite what you had in mind in your post, I'm sure, but it's certainly applicable to any relationship. Even if your business is done mostly online, as mine is, our customers are as real as the people we rub shoulders with every day.

Willena Flewelling
Willena Flewelling´s last [type] ..The Sixth Sense- Doorway to Wisdom

[Reply]
Pat & Lorna Reply:
April 14th, 2011 at 7:28 pm
Willena,

Yes, our customers are people and want to be treated as such. The first step is to definitely see them as that… and learn more about them. It's so much easier to relate to them and create great customer service.

Thanks!
~ Pat and Lorna

[Reply]

Karin says:

April 19, 2011 at 4:35 pm

It is not something you hope for, but if an issue arises, it can actually help your business. Provided you handle the situation appropriately, of course. As you guys are saying, customer service of the utmost importance. It can be the absolute best word of mouth. People tend to spread the word if they get the treatment they were asking for (or better).
Karin´s last [type] ..Is this going to cost Google their first place

[Reply]
Pat & Lorna Reply:
April 19th, 2011 at 8:42 pm
Karin,

It's amazing how by turning a "bad" situation into a "good" one for somebody can actually make them more loyal to you and your business. And word of mouth is definitely the top influence in converting prospects into customers.

Thanks!
~ Pat and Lorna

[Reply]

Joana Goldman says:

May 18, 2011 at 3:02 pm

that's a good point. actually i got an idea by reading your post, how i could improve my site and understand my customers better. so thanks for the post

[Reply]

Calli @ Wedding Favors says:

May 23, 2011 at 10:26 pm

Hey Pat & Lorna,

Customer service indeed is very important. I'd like to add a comment on two things: Things don't always happen as planned that is why we have Plan B, Plan C, and so on. One thing I learned during business school was that you should not assume things before you actually see some results. Another thing is that customer service will not only gain you loyal customer but it can help you understand the needs of your target market in general.

[Reply]