All employee contributions make a real difference to customer service

Every single employee customer service contribution matters

In the field of customer service, most expectations are placed on those employees answering the phone or replying to messages via social media or email. Unfortunately, when customers reach out to them, it is often too late in the process, something has not gone according to plan. Whilst we do not dispute the valuable role that dedicated customer service executives have to play in ultimate customer satiffaction, companies must take a much more holistic view and involve everyone in the company to contribute to the delivery of a great customer experience. Every single contribution made by employees matters to customers: product design, manufacturing, packaging, delivery and even efforts made by the finance teams to keep costs under control. When all these contributions are pulled together, one can really achieve a dramatic result, resulting in a fantastic level of customer service.

Customer service attitude

Customer service attitude

Encouraging customers to have the right attitude was probably the aim of the owner of this Spanish restaurant when he placed this board at the entrance of his restaurant. Very valid it is, because customers with an open minded, a friendly outlook and positive attitude tend to obtain the best level of customer service as they are able to connect with the staff looking after them. 

The tables could easily be turned though and applied to the staff working in this restaurant. Many of these "recommendations" could equally be suggested to any customer service team even if their employers might be slightly concerned by some of the assertions such as "work less" and "play more"...

Notwithstanding these limitations, this board illustrate perfectly that good customer service is about team work between customers and people looking after them. The right attitude by both parties will help increase the level of customer satisfaction dramatically and actually result in less work and more play time, unless employers wish to convert this new found harmony into productivity gains.

Customer service culture

Customer service culture

Establishing the right customer service culture is a vital part of any customer service policy and a pre-requisite for delivering the best service possible. Companies want to make sure that their employees behaviours are conditioned by a set of values and beliefs which will protect the interests of all customers during their sales, marketing and servicing efforts. Internal communication programmes are put in place and incentives scheme designed to make sure that the customer service culture permeates everything that the company does. One factor is often missed though as it is also important to adjust the service delivery to regions and countries in which the company operates. Trying to deploy the home culture in overseas market might be perceived to be charming and original for a while but is rarely sustainable. Similarly, using overseas servicing centres for the home market is often prone to cultural challenges. So when next discussing customer service culture, don't forget to include the culture of your customers as a key parameter.