I have a problem. And it concerns customer service. I know the economy sucks and people are getting whatever jobs they can, but I believe that customer service is seriously lacking because of it. Customer service jobs are often not highly paid positions, and therefore attract anyone in need of a job-- people lovers or not.
I love good customer service and I am passionate about good customer service. I love giving it, and recently I have realized that I love receiving it. When you get served by an awesome waiter, or speak with someone very helpful on the phone, your day is brighter and you feel lighter. You can tell when someone would rather be talking to Darth Vadar then to you, and that just makes me irritated. Do you understand that I am part of the reason you have a job? Your welcome. Now stop having that sassy/sleepy/annoyed tone in your voice. Even if you are having a bad day, you can fake it, but you choose not to. Recent bad customer experiences have caused Josh and I to swear off Chili's and Mimi's Cafe. We're pretty easy going people, but if you treat us badly, we take the hint, and never grace you with our presence again.
Customer services is essential to the success of a business. Look at Disney and In-N-Out-- always on top of the leader board in all aspects, and I believe it all stems back to their customer service. People are happy to see you, happy to help you, happy to go the extra mile. When someone makes you feel special, you thank them by rewarding them. You can reward them with a tip, your loyalty, your endorsement... all of those things lead to happy employees, more business, more money, and more stability. What a happy cycle!
Dealing with customers is not easy. Everyone knows this-- we've all been on the receiving end of an unrelenting customer, been in the same room as one, or perhaps we have been one! Because customer service is floundering, people think they have to be mean to be heard, or to get what they want. Threats work well, too. I am here to say that nice people, who communicate in a mature fashion, often get more than those with the whiny tantrum. Who wants to reward someone being indignant and belittling? A manager, who just wants you to go away. It is much more valuable to voice your concern in a calm manner, which will lead it to be taken more seriously, and perhaps incur a positive change within an organization.
And that's it for my soapbox! Good customer service rocks. The end. :)
