Trusted Advisor Customer Service Blog

Trusted Advisor Customer Service Blog Posts
Written By Jeff Mowatt – (all original content not AI generated)

Who’s Your Customer?

A manager client expressed concern that a few of his employees didn’t seem to get who their customers are. He explained, “They’re attentive to external customers. But when responding to requests from internal customers (co-workers), they’re lackadaisical.” Unfortunately, he isn’t alone. Increasingly, I’m hearing from managers about headaches created when:

  • Employees either neglect to submit documentation needed by other departments, or they do so with inaccurate or incomplete information.
  • People need to ask co-workers repeatedly for the same services or paperwork.
  • Employees are polite with external customers, but blunt – and sometimes insulting behind those customers’ backs – with co-workers.

That’s why one of the first topics we cover in my customer service training seminars is the definition of customers. It’s more than external customers. It’s anyone needing your service; including co-workers. Anyone who thinks they don’t have customers doesn’t get it. And their managers are noticing.

The Most Common Oversharing Blunders

You’ve no doubt noticed the train-wrecks people create for their reputations by over-sharing on social media. Unfortunately, this lack of discretion isn’t limited to Twitter and Facebook. Here are some of the most common examples of customer service indiscretions.

  • Emailing customers with bad news. The tone of an email can inadvertently offend and generate replies that are copied up the ladder; taking more time and involving more people than simply phoning. Better yet, go in-person.
  • Telling the customer about your organization’s internal communication issues, lack of staff, etc. Customers don’t want to hear it and it makes you look bad for staying there.
  • Complaining to co-workers about certain customers. Left un-checked, this boorish behavior becomes the norm. Customers start picking-up the vibe that they’re being regarded with more contempt than caring.

The reminder for all us is to think twice before speaking… or emailing, texting, etc.

Which grows your business more – service or sales?

Jeff Mowatt video, grow your business moreYou and your team members have limited hours in a workday to impact customers and help contribute to overall profitability. The question becomes, which activities pay off the most – trying to sell to new customers through prospecting and networking, or providing exceptional service to your existing customers? Check out this short video where I give you my take on this topic…

Two words to build trust

Jeff Mowatt training tip, two words to build trustContrary to popular belief, remarkable customer service isn't that much about friendliness. It is however, about creating trust. As David Horsager, author of The Trust Edge puts it. "A lack of trust is the largest expense we have." The question becomes, what's the fastest way to create trust with potential customers? Here's a suggestion I share in my seminars. Use these two words more often: "As promised..." In other words, start by making a commitment to the customer - that you will actually keep - such as, "I'll send you that draft within 24 hours." Then when you deliver on that promise, begin with the words, "As promised..." No doubt you're already completing tasks for customers and coworkers. When you start with as promised, it registers with others that you actually deliver. It's a simple way to earn trust and differentiate your service.

How to make your experience stand out

Jeff Mowatt video, make customers experience stand outWhen your products and services are similar to those of competitors, the challenge is how to differentiate yourself without lowering your prices. Check out this short video where I share a tip on how to be noticeably different in your industry.

From Doormat to Diplomat

How to enhance your status in your customer's eyes

It was a lesson in humility I'll never forget. Decades ago my first real job after graduating university was selling accounting systems door to door to businesses. After several days of making little progress, I finally had a manager agree to walk me to his office to hear my pitch. Following him, I said, "Thanks, I really appreciate your time." He turns, scowls at me and asks, "Why, is it not worth my time?" He's dead serious. It occurred to me that I was being too grateful and too deferential to a potential customer.

How about you and your team members? Is it possible that they may be putting the customer on too high of a pedestal? Or do they take the opposite approach and treat customers condescendingly? Employees who interact with customers walk a fine line of diplomacy when it comes to status. As I teach to sales and service teams in my Becoming a Trusted Advisor seminars, our goal is to position ourselves - not as higher or lower status - but equal in status to the customer. We don't want customers to view us as service providers. We want customers to value us - literally - as trusted advisors. Here are 3 easy ways to help make that happen.

Don't you know who I am?

When you or your team members introduce yourselves to customers, do you use your first name only, or do you share your first and last names? These days most people keep it casual and stick to first names only. In terms of status that's a mistake. Instead, when you offer your first and last name it tells customers, "I am comfortable being held accountable. If you have a question, you should ask for me, which is why I'm volunteering my full name. I'm someone important enough for you to know." All that enhanced status comes simply by adding your last name.

Are you talking to me?

A fast way to lose status is to start talking to someone who isn't ready and willing to listen. So before asking customers or coworkers a lot of questions, it's important to ensure you have their full attention. Unfortunately, common attempts to get attention actually hurt our status. Asking someone if they have a minute won't go over well if it's obvious that the conversation will take more than 60 seconds. That's why so much of what I share in my seminars and coaching tools is about being more thoughtful with word choices. Next time you're about to have a serious conversation with a customer or coworker, begin with a simple, "How's your time, are we OK?"

Since we're on the topic of attention, I've been asked by frontline staff what to say to customers who talk sideways to you while chatting on their cell phone. My tip - say to the customer, "I'll take care of you as soon as you finish your call." Then move on to another activity or another customer who's waiting for your attention. They'll finish their call in a hurry. And they'll start treating you less like a servant and more like a professional who deserves respect.

Who's that Know-it-all?

Hopefully, as you build a solid reputation for being dependable and reliable, you'll increasingly be dealing with your company's higher value customers who are making larger buying decisions. Then the question often becomes how do you establish status with a know-it-all? We don't want to get into a competition of who's smarter. Instead, consider using an approach called, you bring/ I bring. You might say to a business owner for example, "You're the expert on running a construction company. My focus is managing risk." In essence, the faster you show respect for your customer's expertise, the more receptive they become to yours.

Bottom Line - That manager decades ago who stopped me cold when I thought I was being polite taught me a valuable business lesson that stuck with me. Certainly, we want to be polite but that doesn't mean being subservient. The good news is changing a few words with customers has two outcomes: 1) customers actually pay attention. 2) They see you more as someone who has something valuable to offer

DON’T put that in Writing!

Mini quiz reveals what your texts, posts, and emails really say about you

Jeff Mowatt article, Don't put that in writing - what your texts, posts, and emails reallys say about youIn today’s workplace employees spend less time talking and more time emailing, texting, and engaging on social media. Ever consider how those messages are perceived by your customers, coworkers, and even by your employer? To ensure your electronic image reflects your best self, take this mini quiz.

1. There’s a big difference in what you officially write at work, vs comments you post online on your own time.
a) True     b) False
Ans: b). While theoretically there may be some anonymity in what you post “privately,” in reality your online presence makes no distinction between your personal and professional image. Virtually anyone can find out what you are supporting, denouncing, or commenting about online. Assume any comment you make about anyone will be read by that person, and possibly by others including your employer and customer. Any image or comment you post that comes across as mean spirited, inappropriate, or biased will hurt your reputation. Think twice before you hit send or post; both at work and at home.

2. Your email subject line most often:
a) Consists of a generic topic ie Anderson account or file 958303
b) Includes an action or a call to action ie Anderson account – yes they received the shipment
Better answer is b). Actions get noticed and calls to action get faster replies. The easier you make it for others to quickly get what you want or what you’re providing (by simply viewing your subject line), the more they’ll consider you to be efficient and easy to work with.

3. Your email signature line includes:
a) Your full name, title, and contact info including physical work address.
b) A generic title only ie “ABC company support service.”
c) There is no signature line when you email from your phone.
Best answer is a) Remember to include your full name and business contact info (even from your phone). The more anonymous you are, the more it appears to customers that you are hiding behind a veil of bureaucracy, and that you are avoiding taking responsibility. Conversely, by volunteering your full name and contact info, you demonstrate that you are comfortable being held accountable. Your stature is instantly elevated.

4. You provide written info in this order:
a) Sequentially - beginning with background info, then providing the conclusion or call to action.
b) Start with your main conclusion or call to action up front, then providing additional background, if needed.
Better answer is b). Get to the point. If you haven’t corresponded recently then it’s fine to start with hope you are well. Then get to the gist of what you’re trying to say. The background stuff if needed can come later. Short emails get read while long email get scanned and forgotten. Keep in mind when you’re communicating up the chain of command that senior managers rarely need or want all the background. When they ask for the temperature outside, they don’t want to know how to make a thermometer.

5. When communicating with customers you tend to:
a) Stick to providing facts about your products or services.
b) Provide products and service facts and how they benefit the customer.
The better answer is b). While in question #4 we stressed the importance of short messages, we don’t want customers to be short changed. To create extra perceived value simply add the words, “So that…” For example, rather than, “We’ll deliver it,” instead write, “We’ll deliver it so that it saves you a trip.

6. When giving someone bad news you:
a) Send a text, email, or letter so you don’t have to deal with their reaction.
b) Pick up the phone and talk to them, or at least leave a voice mail.
c) Go in person and talk to them.
Best answer is c) go in person, followed by b) phone them and follow-up in writing. Giving bad news in writing practically guarantees the recipient will want more information. If they don’t receive that additional info instantly, they’re more likely to either reply with a rant or opt to no longer deal with you, and instead escalate the matter further up the chain of command. You save zero time by writing bad news communiques. The written part should only be a confirmation of what you’ve discussed.

Bottom Line – Increasingly our interactions with customers, colleagues, and even with family members are taking the form of text on a screen. The sheer volume can lead to sloppiness and slipups that result in misinterpretation, hard feelings and even lawsuits. Keep in mind your written messages are permanent records. Since it’s your reputation that’s at stake, take a few moments to decide if you should post. Then use these tips to enhance what you post.

DON’T put that in Writing!

Mini quiz reveals what your texts, posts, and emails really say about you

Jeff Mowatt article, Don't put that in writing - what your texts, posts, and emails reallys say about youIn today’s workplace employees spend less time talking and more time emailing, texting, and engaging on social media. Ever consider how those messages are perceived by your customers, coworkers, and even by your employer? To ensure your electronic image reflects your best self, take this mini quiz.

1. There’s a big difference in what you officially write at work, vs comments you post online on your own time.
a) True     b) False
Ans: b). While theoretically there may be some anonymity in what you post “privately,” in reality your online presence makes no distinction between your personal and professional image. Virtually anyone can find out what you are supporting, denouncing, or commenting about online. Assume any comment you make about anyone will be read by that person, and possibly by others including your employer and customer. Any image or comment you post that comes across as mean spirited, inappropriate, or biased will hurt your reputation. Think twice before you hit send or post; both at work and at home.

2. Your email subject line most often:
a) Consists of a generic topic ie Anderson account or file 958303
b) Includes an action or a call to action ie Anderson account – yes they received the shipment
Better answer is b). Actions get noticed and calls to action get faster replies. The easier you make it for others to quickly get what you want or what you’re providing (by simply viewing your subject line), the more they’ll consider you to be efficient and easy to work with.

3. Your email signature line includes:
a) Your full name, title, and contact info including physical work address.
b) A generic title only ie “ABC company support service.”
c) There is no signature line when you email from your phone.
Best answer is a) Remember to include your full name and business contact info (even from your phone). The more anonymous you are, the more it appears to customers that you are hiding behind a veil of bureaucracy, and that you are avoiding taking responsibility. Conversely, by volunteering your full name and contact info, you demonstrate that you are comfortable being held accountable. Your stature is instantly elevated.

4. You provide written info in this order:
a) Sequentially - beginning with background info, then providing the conclusion or call to action.
b) Start with your main conclusion or call to action up front, then providing additional background, if needed.
Better answer is b). Get to the point. If you haven’t corresponded recently then it’s fine to start with hope you are well. Then get to the gist of what you’re trying to say. The background stuff if needed can come later. Short emails get read while long email get scanned and forgotten. Keep in mind when you’re communicating up the chain of command that senior managers rarely need or want all the background. When they ask for the temperature outside, they don’t want to know how to make a thermometer.

5. When communicating with customers you tend to:
a) Stick to providing facts about your products or services.
b) Provide products and service facts and how they benefit the customer.
The better answer is b). While in question #4 we stressed the importance of short messages, we don’t want customers to be short changed. To create extra perceived value simply add the words, “So that…” For example, rather than, “We’ll deliver it,” instead write, “We’ll deliver it so that it saves you a trip.

6. When giving someone bad news you:
a) Send a text, email, or letter so you don’t have to deal with their reaction.
b) Pick up the phone and talk to them, or at least leave a voice mail.
c) Go in person and talk to them.
Best answer is c) go in person, followed by b) phone them and follow-up in writing. Giving bad news in writing practically guarantees the recipient will want more information. If they don’t receive that additional info instantly, they’re more likely to either reply with a rant or opt to no longer deal with you, and instead escalate the matter further up the chain of command. You save zero time by writing bad news communiques. The written part should only be a confirmation of what you’ve discussed.

Bottom Line – Increasingly our interactions with customers, colleagues, and even with family members are taking the form of text on a screen. The sheer volume can lead to sloppiness and slipups that result in misinterpretation, hard feelings and even lawsuits. Keep in mind your written messages are permanent records. Since it’s your reputation that’s at stake, take a few moments to decide if you should post. Then use these tips to enhance what you post.

Being respectful to INTERNAL customers

Jeff Mowatt, Being respectful to internal customersYou may have noticed that while we are often on our best behavior when taking care of external customers, we sometimes forget how to treat our own coworkers. Check out this 2 minute video where I share a simple tip I learned from my mom and dad on how to improve relationships with coworkers and even with family members.

A Common Website Error that Frustrates Customers

Which would you say describes your organization's website?
a) Our website makes it easy for customers to
communicate with employees in a variety of ways.
b) Our website makes it difficult for customers to
actually talk with our employees.

I believe the better answer is a), yet it's surprising how many managers - sometimes unknowingly - allow b) to happen on their websites.Evidently, many organizations are afraid to be accessible to their customers. Their websites hide or bury their contact information (particularly phone numbers) or don't display an email address. Instead, they insist customers fill in online feedback forms. I understand the cost savings of having customers serve themselves with online information and artificial intelligence chat boxes. But that only works when you execute flawlessly, and customers understand exactly how to find out about, order, and use your products. If this isn't the case all the time, then make it easy for customers to ask questions. Keep in mind that a single two minute phone conversation can often prevent several emails that end up taking 20 minutes of staff time to address. An easy competitive advantage in today's e-commerce planet is simply being more accessible to customers.

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