Flexibility

In order to provide great customer service you need to be flexible. The same service does not apply to everyone, the same follow-up is not going to work with every customer.

The same greeting at the counter will not work with every customer. You need to be flexible. You need to read your customer and react accordingly. How ofen are you annoyed by a clerk or counter worker who replies with the very standard and required greeting, thank you for calling _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _. Thank you for shopping at _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _. While these are intended to be nice, they are not customized.

Instead, try, "It appears that you like our _ _ _ _ _ _, have you considered our _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .

You fill in the blanks. It simply means that you should be aware and tuned into your customer so that you can react in a customized way.

Be flexible when it comes to customer service.

Service

We often hear in business about providing great service or serving the customer. To be successful in any business, serving the customer is critical.

I just started listening to an audio program titled "Delivering Knock Your Socks Off Service." Based on what I have heard so far, I like it. There is a lot of practical common sense advice given on the first of five CDs.

Furthermore, I have heard many stories about customer service that should be shared. One that comes to mind frequently is the Wal-Mart cheer. According to the author of "Built to Last," it goes like this. Sam Walton gathered his employees for a storewide meeting and it begins with this cheer.

Give me a W --- W
Give me an A --- A
Give me an L --- L
Give me a sguiggly --- and the people all sqiggle and twist indicating a squiggle
Give me an M --- M
Give me an A --- A
Give me an R --- R
Give me a T --- T

What does it spell, WAL-MART

Who's number one?

(and now here is the key part and my main point for telling you this)

Who's number one?

THE CUSTOMER!!!

In a culture where the customer is truly first, a formula for success is established. No matter what profession you have, there are customers. If you put them first in your planning, first in your attention, and (most importantly) first in service, your company will succeed.