 |
Delivering the "wow" Factor
Author: Patty Benton  | Posted: 01-07-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 20 | Rating: (57)  (?) 
By Patty Benton
www.moretime4u.org
© 2005 JERPAT Virtual Assistants
“To give real service, you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity.” ~Douglas Adams, Author
In this age of ever-declining customer service, it’s important that we, as small business owners, take responsibility of our customer service skills and really take care of our customers and clients. So what are some GREAT customer service tips to make sure that your customers always feel like they’re number one in your business?
Don’t let the “grumps” invade your business.
No matter how bad your day is going or your week, for that matter, don’t ever let it invade any sort of communication with a client. If you absolutely cannot deal with a customer problem at that moment, let the phone call go to voicemail or let the email sit in your inbox for a moment and take a break. Go outside, get a fresh breath, whatever it takes… When you’re speaking to your client, get a smile on your face and don’t get upset.
Turn the tables.
Go into any situation with a client with the following questions in mind: If this were me, how would I want to be treated? What would I be expecting to compensate me for my time, my unhappiness, etc.? How would I feel?
Be honest with your customers.
Set out what you can and can’t do from the outset of your relationship with your clients. Don’t propose doing things you don’t know how to do and don’t accept assignments you can’t complete or don’t know how to do. If, for some reason, you can’t meet an assigned deadline, be honest with them about why you can’t meet it and ask for an extension. Let them know as early as possible that you can’t meet it and go from there.
Provide alternatives.
If you can’t do something that a customer asks of you, provide alternatives, whether it’s farming some work out to a colleague as a subcontractor or suggesting other professionals altogether. This not only makes customers think you’re an honest businessperson, but it often results in positive word of mouth.
Under-promise, over-deliver…
Whether it’s “padding” the time you quote for a project or giving yourself a cushion on delivery time, always try to exceed their expectations of what you’re doing for them. For example, if you tell them you’re going to have a PowerPoint presentation proofread for them in three days, get it done in two and maybe find some additional clip art/photographs for them to use to “kick it up a notch.”
Record special dates in your clients’ lives and remember them.
Send hand-written notes for birthdays, anniversaries, special dates, etc. And always send hand-written thank-you notes for special gifts or bonuses received from them. While this may seem old-fashioned and a little quirky, it means a lot more to someone than a quick email or phone call.
Follow up with customers.
When you complete a project or order, don’t just leave them hanging until they get your invoice or until they need you again. Follow up with them to ensure that they got what they wanted and don’t need something changed. Be proactive with your clients’ satisfaction levels.
People are more likely to refer you on to their friends and associates if they’re content with your level of customer care than if you deliver a superior product. If your level of dedication and honesty is there, the word-of-mouth advertising is priceless.
© 2005 JERPAT
You have permission to reprint this article electronically or in print, as long as the text and byline remain unedited. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/small-business-articles/delivering-the-quotwowquot-factor-173611.html
About the Author:“Patty Benton is a coach for new entrepreneurs interested in venturing into the virtual assistance industry that is affordable to all, and she has also written an e-book that takes virtual assistants through the process of setting up their business. Visit her coaching site at www.virtualvacoach.com for program details and great business resources. Additionally, Patty is the owner of JERPAT Virtual Assistants and JERPAT Web Design, www.moretime4u.org, which provides affordable administrative and web design support to coaches, small businesses, religious organizations, and realtors. She has also partnered to establish the ministry Acknowledging Christ Together at Work www.actatwork.com.”
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Related Articles
How to Work With a Virtual Assistant
By: Patty Benton | 01/07/2007 | Small Business
What is a Virtual Assistant? Who uses a Virtual Assistant? How much do they charge? How can they complete my work without being in my office? How is a Virtual Assistant more beneficial than someone in my office? How do I know that I can trust the hours they charge and that they won’t share my personal information? How do I go about finding a Virtual Assistant that is a “match” for me?
Marketing Resolutions for the New Year
By: Patty Benton | 01/07/2007 | Small Business
Everyone knows that with the New Year comes the big New Year’s resolutions. Many of us do not set New Year’s resolutions for our business. Get started on your “marketing resolutions for the new year.”
Opening a Business Successfully
By: Patty Benton | 01/07/2007 | Small Business
Opening a business can be frustrating and rewarding all at the same time. Unfortunately many potentially successful businesseses close their doors because they are not prepared for handling all the issues that arise out of running a business. No matter what your reason for opening your business, you must be sure you are prepared to handle any crisis that may arise.
Organizing your Desktop-computer Desktop That Is!
By: Patty Benton | 01/07/2007 | Small Business
Have you ever needed to quickly pull up that file on your computer, but it takes you forever to find it because of the millions of files cluttering your desktop (computer desktop that is)? Get the art of organizing your desktop down so that next time a client calls, you know exactly where their file is!
Simple Marketing Tips
By: Patty Benton | 01/07/2007 | Small Business
Marketing is one of the most important pieces of your business plan. Without marketing, people will not be able to find what your business is about and all your wonderful services. Find some simple tips to get started.
Using Subcontractors
By: Patty Benton | 01/07/2007 | Small Business
Here are some tips to help you get started using a subcontractor to help you find more time to grow your business and make more money.
Customer Dis-service Today
By: Patty Benton | 01/07/2007 | Customer Service
As business owners, we know that if we want repeat business and referrals (both of which are the foundation of growing our business) then we need to include integrity and reputation in everything we do. How can we, as business owners ensure that we are continually moving forward in building our integrity and reputation in a positive light? Actually, if we remember a few simple “rules,” then we can continue to build and grow.
Why Do I Need SEO
By: Patty Benton | 01/07/2007 | Small Business
You’ve gone through the steps of setting up your business, getting all your licenses and insurance in place and you’ve designed your site or hired someone to design it for you…. Now, how do you get people to your site or to choose your site over one of the millions of others out there?
Latest Small Business Articles
Google Adsense : an Introduction
By: upinder singh negi2 | 18/07/2008
For many people, Google's Adsense publishing program is responsible for their very first taste of an online income. It may be pennies and cents but that first time you look in your account and see a credit is an exciting moment.
How to Improve Business Signs Through Digital Printing
By: Joel Owens | 17/07/2008
Business signs have never been easier to do. Thanks to the advancement of technology, including the development of digital printing. This is the time when you have to exhaust the available resources around you and maximize their potentials to work to your advantage.
Profits of Google Adsense
By: upinder singh negi2 | 17/07/2008
Are you a webmaster who needs funds to keep your website running? Or is your website the only way for you to earn income? Whichever you are, for as long as you are a webmaster or a web publisher and you need cash, affiliate marketing may work well for you.
How You Do Internet Business
By: upinder singh negi2 | 17/07/2008
Internet business mastery is something that can be learned from a mentor. The problem with most of us is we think we know everything by browsing the net and try to do something different than what others do.
Journey of Google Adsense
By: upinder singh negi2 | 17/07/2008
As a blogger, I started creating websites that I found personally interesting to me. I found articles that were fun and interesting and posted them for people to read. After all.. people create blogs so they can share their feelings and aspirations.
Memorial Jewelry: Having Your Departed Loved One Close at Heart Through an Urn Necklace
By: sumeetha Gowda | 17/07/2008
There is now a way to have your departed loved one close to you everyday, thanks to the concept of memorial jewelry. Cremation jewelry, remembrance jewelry, keepsake necklace - whatever everyone else calls it, it practically refers to the same thing. It is a piece of jewelry that holds a small portion of your loved one's cremated remains.
Cremation Urns - Preserving the Memory of Your Loved One Forever
By: sumeetha Gowda | 17/07/2008
Many people who have chosen to cremate their loved one who passed away make the mistake of taking the cremation urns for granted. It is very important to remember that a cremation urn is more than just an ordinary container. It is a container which contains the ashes of your loved one - of what has remained after he or she has gone. It will keep and hold the memory of your loved one alive not only for this lifetime but for many lifetimes after yours.
5 Most Important Point When Placing Google Adsense
By: Praveen Kumarii | 17/07/2008
I have been adding Google Adsense to my websites for a couple of years now with great success. It's amazing how adsense earnings can turn into another significant monthly income stream with little effort on your part.
More from Patty Benton
Using Subcontractors
By: Patty Benton | 01/07/2007 | Small Business
Here are some tips to help you get started using a subcontractor to help you find more time to grow your business and make more money.
Simple Marketing Tips
By: Patty Benton | 01/07/2007 | Small Business
Marketing is one of the most important pieces of your business plan. Without marketing, people will not be able to find what your business is about and all your wonderful services. Find some simple tips to get started.
Organizing your Desktop-computer Desktop That Is!
By: Patty Benton | 01/07/2007 | Small Business
Have you ever needed to quickly pull up that file on your computer, but it takes you forever to find it because of the millions of files cluttering your desktop (computer desktop that is)? Get the art of organizing your desktop down so that next time a client calls, you know exactly where their file is!
Opening a Business Successfully
By: Patty Benton | 01/07/2007 | Small Business
Opening a business can be frustrating and rewarding all at the same time. Unfortunately many potentially successful businesseses close their doors because they are not prepared for handling all the issues that arise out of running a business. No matter what your reason for opening your business, you must be sure you are prepared to handle any crisis that may arise.
Marketing Resolutions for the New Year
By: Patty Benton | 01/07/2007 | Small Business
Everyone knows that with the New Year comes the big New Year’s resolutions. Many of us do not set New Year’s resolutions for our business. Get started on your “marketing resolutions for the new year.”
How to Work With a Virtual Assistant
By: Patty Benton | 01/07/2007 | Small Business
What is a Virtual Assistant? Who uses a Virtual Assistant? How much do they charge? How can they complete my work without being in my office? How is a Virtual Assistant more beneficial than someone in my office? How do I know that I can trust the hours they charge and that they won’t share my personal information? How do I go about finding a Virtual Assistant that is a “match” for me?
5 Tips to Successful Time Management
By: Patty Benton | 01/07/2007 | Small Business
Could you do with another hour added to your day? How about 10? Well, unless you are magical, this isn’t going to happen, so you need to learn how to squeeze every second out of your day. Here’s a plan to get you started.
Two Important Keys to a Successful Business-integrity and Reputation
By: Patty Benton | 01/07/2007 | Small Business
As business owners, we know that if we want repeat business and referrals (both of which are the foundation of growing our business) then we need to include integrity and reputation in everything we do. How can we, as business owners ensure that we are continually moving forward in building our integrity and reputation in a positive light? Actually, if we remember a few simple “rules,” then we can continue to build and grow.
|
|
Business 
