Dealing with Difficult Customers. The Anecdote I wanted to take some time to discuss and explore a topic that we all have experienced. I have over 27 years in the customer service industry, and have crossed paths with almost every type of customer personality, and felt it necessary to share different ways of approaching this specific demographic. How to deal with a difficult customer and still maintain your professionalism. Dealing with difficult customers in the customer service industry requires patience, empathy , and effective communication skills. It's important to listen carefully to their concerns, remain calm, and offer solutions with options to resolve any issue. During my career I've developed different models that have helped to remind me that as a professional my responsibility is to be the best me, that I can be, and, that regardless of the customer's disposition I am here to provide a productive resolution. The LAUGH Method, which I have relied on for many years, has been a valuable tool for me. 1. Listen: Let the customer speak and don't interrupt them. This demonstrates that you value them and concerned about their issue. 2. Acknowledge Their Position:"I understand your frustration" will go a long way in establishing the relationship between you and the customer. 3. Understand: It's nothing personal toward you. They are mad at the situation or may have some other things going on in their life. 4. Guarantee: Assure your customers that you will provide a resolution to their issue. 5. Highlight Value: Emphasize the value and benefits that your services provide them. Remember, offering solutions with options establishes you as a true Subject Matter Expert in your field, and establishing clear boundaries and setting realistic expectations for your customers is critical. Every interaction is an opportunity to turn a negative experience into a positive one. Master de-escalation techniques and always prioritize customer satisfaction. Contact me to discuss why working with Tome' Kelley Consulting will bring you the highest ROI for your customers and employees. #CustomerService #CustomerExperience
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Sharing my experience. In my previous role as a Customer Service Representative , I have had extensive experience engaging with customers through various channels, including phone, email, live chat, and social media platforms. When receiving customer inquiries via phone, I utilized my active listening skills to understand the customer's concerns and provide efficient and clear solutions. I ensured that each customer felt heard and valued, which resulted in positive feedback and high satisfaction ratings. In handling email inquiries, I demonstrated strong written communication skills by responding promptly with detailed and informative responses. I tailored my responses to address each customer's specific needs and concerns, maintaining a professional and friendly tone throughout all interactions. Through live chat support, I was able to offer real-time assistance to customers, resolving issues quickly and effectively. I utilized my multitasking abilities to handle multiple chat conversations simultaneously while maintaining a high level of customer service and professionalism. Moreover, I have experience managing customer interactions on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. I engaged with customers publicly, addressing their inquiries or feedback in a timely manner and ensuring that their concerns were resolved to their satisfaction. I understand the importance of maintaining a positive online presence and how social media can be a valuable tool for providing excellent customer service. Overall, my experience in customer service across multiple channels has honed my communication, problem-solving, and multitasking skills. I am adept at adapting to different communication methods to meet the diverse needs of customers and provide exceptional support across all channels.
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if your career is customer services oriented, let us remind ourselves of simple tips to help us through. 1. Communication Skills: Clear and effective communication is crucial. This includes active listening, articulate speaking, and clear writing. 2. Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of customers helps in providing better support and creating a positive customer experience. 3. Patience: Handling frustrated or confused customers with calmness and patience is essential for resolving issues without escalating tensions. 4. Problem-Solving Skills: The ability to quickly understand a problem and find an effective solution is vital. 5. Product Knowledge: Deep understanding of the company's products or services enables the officer to provide accurate and helpful information. 6. Positive Attitude: A friendly, positive demeanor can improve customer interactions and leave a lasting good impression. 7. Adaptability: Being flexible and able to handle unexpected situations or changes efficiently is important in a dynamic customer service environment. 8. Time Management: Efficiently managing time to handle multiple customer inquiries and tasks effectively is crucial. 9. Attention to Detail: Careful attention to details ensures that customer issues are accurately addressed and follow-ups are thorough. 10. Conflict Resolution Skills: The ability to handle complaints and resolve conflicts in a professional and calm manner is essential for maintaining customer satisfaction. Don't refrain yourself from changing.
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Customer care is another thing I would love to talk about it's simply the services we offer or how we treat our customers before at and after the transaction and the chain keeps on going we all know that repeater customers are key to business growth and development even one time customer they can do a glorious advertisement for the organizations basing on how effective and efficient the customer care was ....it's like love or impression at the first sight which finally gets deeper or leaves an imprint that is memorable in a positive way what do you need for effective customer care in your organization effective communication knowledgeable in the products that you deal in ensure to produce quality work time management is key as customers will need you to work on them as fast as possible listen to them and handle there complaints with care and skill attitude and personality... know how to handle such customers to avoid clashing with them have a better conflict ressolution strategy when it comes to dealing with your customer be honest integrity fight to bring advancement on table each and every single day .....as an organization don't be static Paul let's discuss more
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Communication is an important key in Customer Service. Overtimes as a business owner I have met different kinds of customers, clients who come for business or enquiries about a certain product. This drew me to know that we have different kinds of humans, attitudes and characters.. You might most likely to be irritated by some,get angry 😡 or even ignore a customer but it takes an experienced customer service representative to know how to handle this clients or customers relatively. As a professional customer service representative providing excellent customer service is something that is done consistently. This means caring for my customers and ensuring that every single contact I have with them is always a positive experience. Building relationships with my customers entails that I am to communicate effectively with my customers to know what's important to them,take responsibility for their complaints and anger and doing the extra or going extra miles to providing a solution. Be proactive as a customer service representative and see yourself also a customer who needs a better customer service.
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Why Soft skills are important in Customer Service? Soft skills are essential in customer service because they enable representatives to effectively engage with customers, understand their needs, and provide satisfactory solutions. Here are some key reasons why soft skills are important in customer service: 1. Communication: Effective communication skills are crucial for customer service representatives to convey information clearly and empathetically. Clear communication helps in understanding customer inquiries or issues and ensures that solutions are delivered accurately. 2. Empathy: Empathy allows representatives to understand customers' feelings, perspectives, and concerns. By empathizing with customers, representatives can build rapport, create a positive interaction, and make customers feel valued and understood. 3. Active Listening: Active listening is the ability to fully concentrate, understand, respond, and remember what is being said. It helps representatives to grasp the nuances of customer queries or issues, leading to more accurate responses and solutions. 4. Problem-Solving: Soft skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving enable representatives to analyze situations, identify underlying issues, and develop effective solutions promptly. This is crucial for resolving customer problems efficiently and enhancing their satisfaction. 5. Patience: Dealing with frustrated or upset customers requires patience and emotional resilience. Patient representatives can handle challenging situations calmly, de-escalate conflicts, and work towards resolving issues constructively. 6. Adaptability: In customer service, situations can change rapidly, and each customer interaction may present unique challenges. Representatives with strong adaptability can quickly adjust their approach, communication style, and problem-solving methods to suit different scenarios and customer preferences. 7. Teamwork: Collaboration within the customer service team is often necessary to address complex issues or escalate matters appropriately. Soft skills such as teamwork and cooperation foster a supportive environment where representatives can collaborate effectively to deliver outstanding service. 8. Positivity and Attitude: A positive attitude can greatly influence the customer experience. Representatives who maintain a positive demeanor, even in challenging situations, can uplift customers' spirits, build trust, and leave a lasting impression. 9. Conflict Resolution: Soft skills like diplomacy and conflict resolution are valuable for handling disagreements or disputes with customers in a professional and amicable manner. Resolving conflicts effectively can salvage customer relationships and prevent negative outcomes. These points shows how important it is to have soft skills if you want to be a customer service specialist.
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Customer service can take a little while to figure out. Ensuring that your team is equipped with the correct skills can be a bit of a trial-and-error process… But, when the process has been developed, it’s smooth sailing. 🌊 However, to develop this process, you first need to know what could be going wrong. So, here are some common pitfalls: 1. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 Customers often encounter service representatives who lack answers to basic questions, causing time wastage for both parties, so preparation is key: anticipate potential inquiries and prepare responses beforehand. 2. 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 Failing to offer a sincere apology for any inconveniences caused can be detrimental. Taking ownership of mistakes is key to maintaining that positive rapport with the customers. 3. 𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕 Good listening skills are crucial in customer service, and tending to your customers’ concerns and issues will offer valuable insights. Their feedback is invaluable and provides an opportunity for product/service improvement. Have you previously overlooked any of these points?
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5 Customer Service Tips I’ve Learned From Experience Over the years, I’ve interacted with many customers, each with unique challenges and expectations. Here are five valuable lessons I’ve learned that have made all the difference: 1. Listen to Understand, Not Just Respond It’s easy to jump to solutions, but taking a moment to fully understand the customer’s perspective builds stronger connections. 2. Stay Calm Under Pressure Some situations can be stressful, but staying calm reassures the customer and allows you to approach solutions with clarity. 3. Set Clear Expectations Whether it’s about timelines or processes, being transparent helps avoid misunderstandings and builds trust. 4. Go the Extra Mile A small gesture, like following up after a resolved issue, can turn a neutral interaction into a memorable experience. 5. Learn From Every Interaction Each customer interaction offers a chance to refine your approach. I make it a point to reflect on what went well and what could improve. Customer service is an ongoing journey of growth, and I’d love to hear your thoughts: What’s the best lesson you’ve learned from working with customers?
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*THE IMPORTANCE OF TIMELY RESPONSE* Responding promptly to inquiries, requests, or issues is crucial in various aspects of life, including business, customer service, and personal relationships. Here are some key reasons why timely responses are important: BUSINESS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE 1. Improved customer satisfaction Timely responses show that you value your customers' time and concerns. Increased trust and loyalty Prompt responses build trust and demonstrate a commitment to customer service. 2. Competitive advantage Timely responses can differentiate your business from competitors and establish a reputation for excellent customer service. 3. Reduced complaints and issues Addressing concerns promptly can prevent escalation and reduce the number of complaints. PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS Stronger relationships Timely responses demonstrate that you value and respect the other person's time and feelings. Improved communication Prompt responses facilitate open and honest communication, helping to prevent misunderstandings and conflicts. Increased empathy and understanding Timely responses show that you're actively listening and care about the other person's concerns. GENERAL BENEFITS Timely responses can alleviate stress and anxiety caused by uncertainty or delayed communication. Prompt responses can help you stay focused and productive, as you're not left waiting for responses or chasing down information. Timely responses provide the information you need to make informed decisions, reducing the risk of delays or mistakes.
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I thought to share, Customer Service Techniques. I will be listing out, how to attend to your customers politely and with professionalism. The techniques of effective customer service has to do with what employees say and do with reference to each customer; Above and Beyond the Call of Duty As a Customer Service Representative, when you go extra miles to attend to a customer's needs, It gives the customer a sense of loyalty, It means if the customer is either a rude or calm customer he/she will always come back to patronize your company, that means every human wants to be given ultimate attention and when you communicate so well with them, it gives them an assurance that this person knows this business so well. Admitting Mistakes Every Company wants an honest and open minded individual, this also applies when attending to a customer that is pissed off already, due to the fact that the wrong order was sent to the receiver, and she sent a msg via DM or on the Website to inform you about the error. Firstly, you call the customer and apologize immediately there's no need of narrating what happened, summarize the situation and apologize. Asking if she wants a Refund or The company can make an exchange, If it's the latter. Yes, we can rectify the mistake we will send the logistics to dispatch your item now, and collect the previous order that had an error while packing, This saves the company's reputation and social media fuss. A customer is the lifespan of a business. Appropriate Smiles A warm smile is valuable, When you Welcome a customer to your company, It's always appropriate you put on a genuine smiling face. Hence, the customer will feel welcomed. Also, smiling when a customer is very angry about a situation of how the logistics talked to the customer rudely, it actually sends a very wrong signal to the customer. In such situation your empathy skills should be effective.
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CEO & Founder Tome Kelley Consulting |Training and Staff Development Consultant|Corporate Customer Service Trainer
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