What can you do if a customer is reluctant to try a new product? Customer care skills often hinge on being aware of the psychological and social needs of our customer or end-user. In a recent training session, several of the students (client service agents) talked about a user who might sound familiar to you. […]
If a Customer is Reluctant to Try a New Product: How to Support the Reluctant User Read More »
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Client insights and service tips: We don’t normally associate humor with a danger zone. In fact, I think lots of humor is key to living a fulfilling life. When my family gets together, we laugh, giggle, chortle, and guffaw like crazy people and we love it! So, are there times when humor is dangerous? Absolutely.
Call Center Articles: Humor in the Danger Zone: When Jokes Interfere with Our Job Read More »
I’m really excited! The book release party for the new edition of The Compassionate Geek is going to be at Lucid Lounge in the University District. This is the same Lucid Lounge that is host to Nerd Nites and frequent author readings (and they have fabulous cocktails, too). I can’t think of a better place
Book Release: Hobnob with the Elite Geeks of Seattle Read More »
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I recently spoke with a client who is concerned about how some of his staff members speak to CEOs. He owns an IT consulting firm with a variety of clients and is worried about his consultants’ communication skills. His consultants are required to interact with various individuals both on the phone and at client locations. He is concerned that some of the consultants’ language choices are inappropriate for dealing with clients, especially when the client in question is a C-level executive.
How to Talk to a CEO; Professional Communication Skills for the Helpdesk Read More »
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You may have heard the Latin phrase, Primum non nocere, which means “first, do no harm.” Although it’s often associated with the physician’s Hippocratic Oath, the original oath does not include the precise phrase. It is, however, taught in medical schools as part of medical ethics classes and it has an important connotation for those of us who serve end-users and other customers.
Customer Care Training Rule Number One: First, Do No Harm Read More »
When you take a user support call, there’s a specific order for how things should happen. In this post, I’ll explain each of the six steps, in order. I’ve also created this video to help you understand the steps. It includes a demonstration of a support call.
Tech Support Calls: The 6 Critical Steps (Includes Video) Read More »
How’s your empathy quotient? Your ability to empathize may be your most important ability as a member of the I.T. support staff. Empathy means providing caring and personal service. Dictionary.com defines empathy as “the intellectual identification with … the feelings, thoughts or attitudes of another.” Empathy is your ability to truly put yourself in your user’s position so you can understand his/her frustration. Once we truly understand our user’s frustration, fears, and aggravations, we can start the process of delivering a meaningful solution for them. Sometimes it only takes a moment to really understand where our user is coming from. Sometimes it takes several minutes of listening combined with empathetic statements such as “I understand why you feel that way.” or “I’d feel that way, too, if I were in your situation.” Regardless, until you can empathize with your user, you’re not ready to start the technical aspects of the support session. Remember, it may be your technical expertise that solves the problem, but it’s your skill in dealing with people that produces satisfied end-users.
How to Deliver Great Customer Service: What’s Your Customer Empathy Quotient? Read More »