tools and strategies by professional keynote public speaker

Which of these 2 Phone Greetings will Make the Sale?

Boost Customer Satisfaction with Effective Phone Techniques

Quick – when phoning a company, which of these two organizations would you prefer to do business with? The first one answers: “ABC Auto.” The second answers, “Thank you for calling XYZ Auto, this is Dale.” If you’re like most customers, the second company gets your business.  Three reasons for the second greeting being more impactful:

  1. The person answering volunteered their name, indicating transparency – like they are OK being held accountable. They aren’t hiding.
  2. The second greeting did not add the word, ‘speaking’’  after their name. We want callers to remember our name and be encouraged to volunteer theirs. Since people remember the word spoken last, we want that word to be our name, not ‘speaking’.
  3. For the same reason, we don’t bother adding the useless, “How can I help you?” The caller will state why they’re calling if we let them. And we’ll have more positive energy with our greeting when it’s shorter - especially when we have to say it repeatedly.

Bottom line: when employees are trained on how to properly answer the phone, there’s a good chance in your customers’ minds, your employees are also trained to solve their problems. So simply providing some fundamentals on telephone communications creates an easy competitive advantage. How about your team - could they use a tune-up with customer communications? Let me know if I can assist.

2 Simple Steps to Transform Troublesome Team Members

IManaging Diffuclt Employees video by Jeff Mowatt Customer Service & Sales Speaker and Trainert’s been said that life would be easy – except for the humans! If you’re faced with difficult customers, co-workers, or family members, check out this video where I reveal two keys to motivating difficult people - without creating hard feelings.

Want to Sound more Honest? Say this

Boost your Credibility Instantly

Here’s an easy way to enhance your credibility when you’re interviewed, or when a customer asks you question. Contrast two responses when the customer asks, When will this be delivered?

  • Sketchy reply: “This is a busy time of year for our manufacturer. But they’re still running on time. So it will be there by May 21st.”
  • Pro reply: “It will be there by May 21st.  This is a busy time of year for our manufacturer. But they’re still running on time.”

Notice the difference? When responding, first answer the question directly, then elaborate. Even when your answer is I don’t know, yet. Often when responding to questions, people begin by explaining all the background to their answer, and then eventually get around to answering the question. This gives the impression of skirting the issue; sometimes referred to as sounding like a politician. Answering questions directly and then elaborating gives the impression that you are respectful, transparent, and honest. Big difference for simply changing the order of a few words.

Selling for Grudge Purchases

Most customers don’t enjoy paying for ‘grudge’ purchases like car repairs, insurance, or braces for their children’s teeth. That’s why in this video I share 4 tips for how to make reluctant customers feel better about doing business with you and your team members

Easy Way to Sound more Helpful – even when you’re busy

Boost Your Approachability Effortlessly

How might your customers and coworkers describe the attitudes of you and your team members? Most of us think of ourselves as being generally pleasant. Heavens - any adult with a bit of common sense realizes we are paid to be nice. But our language doesn’t always come across that way to customers. Especially when we’re busy. The good news is there are three little words that make you sound more positive with internal and external customers. (No, they aren’t I love you. That would be weird).

I heard the 3 words phrase when I was a customer at a quick lube oil change place. They were changing my winter tires out with my summers, so while they hoisted my vehicle I needed to wait at reception. At one point an employee arrived and explained they’d be done in 5 minutes. When I thanked her, she cheerfully replied, “Happy to help”.  That simple phrase sounded more helpful than the typical you're welcome. Next time a customer or coworker thanks you, try out the phrase, Happy to help. You may be surprised at how easy it is to sound like you have a great attitude - even when you’re busy.

 

Written By Jeff Mowatt (original content – not AI generated)

Sell More by Saying Less

Four tips to Enhance Trust through Stronger Listening

Over the 30 plus years I’ve worked with teams to enhance their customer service and selling skills, I’ve observed one simple, seldom-used communication skill that builds trust. Those who apply it create stronger, higher-value relationships professionally and personally. The secret? Being seen as a strong listener. Unfortunately, there’s a catch.

Most of us think of ourselves as being good listeners, yet the way we actually communicate may unintentionally come across as dismissive or condescending. Not good. To ensure you’re drawing others in rather than putting them off, here are four ways you can enhance trust through stronger listening.

1. Rethink “Impressive”
Social media ‘influencers’ are often famously self-absorbed. Many video themselves displaying the latest fashion, workout technique, or political opinion. While this may impress in the one-way direction of social media posts, it’s generally obnoxious with one-on-one communications. Imagine a coworker droning on to you about their latest fashion or workout - without ever turning the conversation towards you.

By contrast, we are fascinated when people ask us questions and genuinely seem interested in our responses. Incessant talkers are annoying. Curious questioners are impressive.

2. Actually Listen
Many of us are guilty of simply waiting for the other person to finish talking so that we can finally share our pearls of wisdom. While it’s more polite than interrupting, being silent doesn’t mean we’re genuinely paying attention. Fortunately, there are two powerful words that prove you are a strong listener – sounds like. Starting your response with, “Sounds like…” forces you to paraphrase your understanding of their situation, proving you’re a good listener. You can take that to the bank with the next tip.

3. Punch-up your Proposals
One of the biggest mistakes sellers make with client proposals is giving an overview of what you’ll do/offer and how you’ll do it. The problem is we haven’t confirmed that we fully understand the customer’s unique circumstances. Instead, start your proposals by describing that customer’s issues. For example: “Sounds like your company has a challenge with A, B and C. And the consequence are X, Y and Z. So you’ll need a solution that will address this. That’s where we can assist.”

When you begin your proposals by defining their challenges and objectives, you instill confidence that whatever you propose is going to be tailored to them. That’s a significant step towards building trust and being viewed as a trusted advisor.

4. Make it Easy
Customers don’t need more choices. They’re already overwhelmed with seemingly unlimited choices with an internet search. What customers value, is what I call A.I.D.© “A” – we Analyze all the options that are available. Then “I” – interpret those options based on the customer's unique needs. Finally, “D” - direct them to a possible maximum of three options.

At that point the customer may feel so impressed with how you’ve narrowed their choices, they might simply ask, “What would you do?” Keeping with our theme of being a strong listener, we’d then reply with, “Knowing you, here’s what I’d suggest…” The key is your recommendation is based on what you know of the customer, so it’s likely to be seen as a custom-made solution.

Bottom line – Helping customers make buying decisions is less about being a smooth talker, and more about being a strong listener. Could your team use a training tune-up on their customer communication skills? If so, let’s chat. Then if it looks like a possible fit, we’ll put training package in-writing for you to consider.

 

Written By Jeff Mowatt (original content – not AI generated)

How to Collect From Late Paying Customers

7 Strategies for Ensuring Timely Payment Without Straining Relationships

Ever experience the awkwardness of having to call a customer to remind them to pay their bill? You walk a fine line of diplomacy. Being a pushover won't get the customer's attention. Being too pushy can offend risking losing not only money that's due, but future business as well. Most of the training I deliver for teams is about communicating with customers to create trust. You can use these same trust building principles to gain cooperation with customers who don’t pay. Check out this video where I share 7 tips for getting paid without creating hard feelings.

 

 

Written By Jeff Mowatt (original content – not AI generated)

What are your emails trying to hide?

Have you noticed lately how many suspicious emails seem to arrive with attached (likely virus laden) documents? Hackers claim to either be Microsoft or tech support or announce that our Google passwords are about to expire. The scammers go as far as copying corporate logos to make the email seem legit. No wonder customers are leery about electronic messages. That brings me to you and your emails, and whether they enhance or reduce your credibility.

In my Trusted Advisor Customer Service seminars, we discuss how every interaction, whether in-person or electronically, either enhances or reduces trust. That means in-person we’ll gain more trust by simply introducing ourselves with our first and last names. By sharing our last name, we demonstrate a) we’re important enough to know - establishing status. And b) we are comfortable being held accountable. We’re not trying to hide or remain anonymous.

As for our emails to customers, similarly we sometimes don’t provide enough information in our email signature lines. If we don’t provide our first and last names, title, company name, and physical address and phone numbers, it looks like we may not be who we claim to be. It makes earning customer trust more difficult.

The simple lesson for earning trust faster with customers - when you have nothing to hide in your emails, then don’t make it seem like you’re hiding something. Simply ensure that your signature lines are open about who you are, where your company is based, and how to reach you.

 

Written By Jeff Mowatt (original content – not AI generated)

Say this with your next unhappy customer

Tips to handle angry customers by Jeff Mowatt Customer service speaker, Customer Service Training5 Tips to Handle Angry Customers

In a perfect world, customer complaints wouldn't exist. In reality, there are lots of triggers that create customer frustration. Whether it's delayed deliveries, staffing shortages, or price increases, handling these concerns effectively is crucial - not only for your organization – but also for you and your team’s morale. Check out this short video where I reveal 5 tips for converting angry customers into a raving fans.

 

Written By Jeff Mowatt (original content – not AI generated)

How to Build Trust by Managing Customer Expectations

6 Tips for Reducing Customer Frustration

Are you noticing how customers are becoming more demanding? When managers bring me in to deliver customer service training for their teams, one of the most frequent concerns they share is how customers seem to be angrier, more frustrated, and more rushed than ever. But is that really true?

My experience over the 30 plus years that I’ve been speaking and training on the topic, is that customers aren’t necessarily grumpier. It’s that they occasionally receive service that’s faster than expected, like Amazon’s overnight delivery. And they’re also doing business with organizations like Uber that report real time the driver’s location, and exactly when they’ll arrive. So, customers aren’t necessarily grumpier, but their service expectations are higher.

The good news for managers and frontline staff is we don’t necessarily need to speed up our service; especially when there are staffing shortages and supply chain issues. We just need to improve the way we manage customer expectations. Here are 6 easy ways to make that happen.

1. Opt for Trust over People Pleasing
No one likes dealing with aggressive customers. To avoid confrontations, frontline staff may simply give-in and tell customers what they want to hear. Or employees appease customers with commitments like, “I’ll try” or “I’ll do my best”.  The problem is customers interpret those remarks as promises. And when those promises aren’t fulfilled, we lose trust.

That’s why in our Trusted Advisor Customer Service training sessions, team members learn that we build more trust by saying ‘no’ to a customer - and instead set realistic timelines - than by being wishy washy about commitments.

2. Mention Typical Industry Timelines
Interior designers ordering custom furniture are quick to remind clients about 12 week turnaround times. Factory ordered vehicles generally have months long wait times. So, share your industry average delivery times along with any steps your organization takes to beat that average.

3. Tell – Don’t Ask
A common reaction when a customer or coworker asks you to complete a task is to ask, “When do you need that completed?” Unfortunately, asking that question tells the person that you plan on putting it off as long as possible. Not good. So don’t ask customers or co-workers for their timelines. Instead, proactively offer yours: “I’m on it, and I’ll have it all ready for you by end of business day on Thursday.”

4. Sound Cheerful, not Grudging
The tone of our communications has a surprisingly large influence on customer perception. For example:

  • Rather than saying, “I’ll have to check our inventory and get back to you.”, instead say, “I’ll be happy to check our inventory and get back to you.”
  • Rather than saying, “We won’t be able to get a service person there until Wednesday,” instead say, “We can have a service person there as soon as Wednesday.”

Choosing positive wording over negative helps customers become less frustrated and more cooperative.

5. Aim to Exceed Expectations
When things go wrong and we do indeed mess-up on delivery times, we of course need to fix the problem, and more importantly, fix the relationship. It’s not enough to finally give the customer what they should have received in the first place. We also need to address their frustration and the hassle factor. In some cases that might mean offering a price adjustment or bonus. However, before offering extras we need to find out the customer’s expectation.

You might say for example, “We value your business and we want to do the fair thing. What do you think would be fair?” In my experience most customers become so relieved at hearing this that their requests become minimal. Then you can add a slight extra that exceeds their expectations – without giving away the proverbial store. That’s when customer becomes so thrilled, they become more loyal - not despite the foul-up - but because of it.

6. Dial for Dollars
Often, we jump through hoops behind the scenes to ensure our products and services are delivered on time, but we get little credit for the success. Customers are so focused on their own priorities, that our service becomes background wallpaper; barely noticeable.

So customer-centric organizations incorporate after sales and service follow-up courtesy calls to ensure the customer is happy with solution. It’s also an opportunity to suggest ways the customer can use the product or service to full advantage. Plus, you can plant seeds for additional products and services to augment their purchase. Everyone wins.

Bottom line: Work becomes easier and less stressful for customers, team members, and suppliers when employees learn how to managing customer expectations. How about you and your team? Could they use a tune-up of their customer communication skills?

 

By Jeff Mowatt (original content – not AI generated).

Could your team use a tune-up with their customer communications? Let’s talk! Call us at 1-800-JMowatt (566-9288), or email [email protected]. We’ll schedule a brief zoom call for you and Jeff to chat about your needs. Then if it looks like a possible fit, Jeff will put something in writing for you to consider. We look forward to hearing from you!

 

REDUCE CUSTOMER CONFLICTS

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