The Small Business Blog

MAY 4, 2017

This can come down to the customer service you provide, from the moment they get in touch or walk through your shop door. Small businesses also usually go hand in hand with local business and local customers. You could offer them a special free gift, if they spend so much with your company.

Purchasing 234

Purchasing Agencies Customer Service Gifts 234

Small Business CEO

MAY 27, 2021

Today’s customer is not merely focused on the quality of a product or service. But they are paying attention to how a brand is treating them before and after the purchase. If customers don’t feel seen and valued, they will drop your brand and move on to a company with better customer service.

Customer Service 66

Customer Service Purchasing Management 66

Success

OCTOBER 19, 2021

It only takes you a couple of hours per day, but your product is great. When starting a new company , you don’t really have a brand image because no one knows you yet. To get started, consider the deepest, lasting values of your company brand. That is, they should reflect your fundamental company values.

Social Media 265

Social Media Suppliers Business Cards Health 265

Small Business CEO

AUGUST 19, 2010

Technology companies are, unfortunately, almost as well known for having poor customer service as they are for their actual products. Shame on us web software companies for allowing an easy-to-fix item like this onto the list! 2. Most cloud app companies are small companies (not large ones).

Customer Service 40

Customer Service Phones Monster Email 40

Service Untitled

FEBRUARY 14, 2013

If you have ever been to the Genius Bar at an Apple store, knowledgeable men and women in blue shirts walk around the store carrying their iPads teaching, explaining, or helping set up appointments about an Apple product. Possibly Related Posts: Is British Airways providing better customer service or are they stalking you?

Customer Service 40

Customer Service Salary Google Expenses 40

Service Untitled

NOVEMBER 12, 2010

There’s nothing more stimulating to get me to pull out my credit card and make a purchase than a particular customer service person who just has that “WOW’ affect. Of course it starts with their knowledge of their product and the initial impression they impart upon us at that very first encounter.

Customer Service 40

Customer Service Credit Card Purchasing Confidence 40

Service Untitled

JUNE 11, 2012

Critics are saying that Google has entered into the customer service arena which in the past directly contradicts their automated tech abilities and less than stellar customer-centric talents. So how does the new program work? To date Google states 50 merchants have signed up for the program. photo by: Daniel Morris.

Customer Service 40

Customer Service Google Credit Card Purchasing 40

Service Untitled

NOVEMBER 7, 2011

Amazon.com’s newest customer service facility opened on Friday with a fanfare of speeches and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The new 70,000 square-foot center in Kinetic Park, West Virginia was described as a “perfect fit” by Vice President of Amazon customer service Tom Weiland. photo credit: Chrysaora.

Customer Service 40

Customer Service 2011 Purchasing Confidence 40

Service Untitled

OCTOBER 16, 2012

That doesn’t happen by chance, but rather this branding is the result of our own personal, repeated experiences and our perceptions of these products or services having been the best. It’s a time where customers are infinitely more demanding and want service on their own terms, and as they perceive service should be.

Customer Service 40

Customer Service Purchasing Lifestyle Mentoring 40

Service Untitled

SEPTEMBER 26, 2011

Personalizing customer service consists of targeting an audience and acting on specific objectives to increase business, build brand loyalty, and attract new clients or customers. Well chosen and thoughtful promotional items can also have an impact on personalizing customer service. photo credit: Ktoine.

Customer Service 40

Customer Service Gifts Purchasing Environment 40

Service Untitled

MARCH 30, 2011

The front line employees are often the representatives who will have to make decisions when it comes to customer complaints, customer questions, and overall customer satisfaction. The art of customer service stretches well beyond the product, the prices, and the reliability of an organization.

Customer Service 40

Customer Service Purchasing Training Budget 40

Service Untitled

MAY 21, 2012

There is no relaxing elevator music where I can work until an agent answers; instead I’m forced to listen to a litany of advertisements offering me more services that might very well call me back to this same maze of customer service mediocrity. So what makes Zappos.com a leader in customer service?

Customer Service 40

Customer Service Social Media 2009 Purchasing 40

Service Untitled

APRIL 15, 2012

Apparently the dinner order wasn’t to the satisfaction of one very nasty gentleman, and as he raised his voice and insulted the young server, everyone in the restaurant and bar area turned around almost snarling with disdain aimed toward the rude customer. So does getting angry and raising your voice get one better customer service?

Customer Service 40

Customer Service Restaurants AT&T Expenses 40

Service Untitled

MAY 16, 2011

In order to make customers happy, we need to be sure our employees are happy, and there is no better way to uphold and maintain a sustainable strategy than by being an excellent role model. The experiences however, remind me of what world-class service can offer. World-class customer service listened to what I had to say.

Customer Service 40

Customer Service Expenses Purchasing AT&T 40

On The Job

APRIL 13, 2016

Most companies realize that customer emotions are key in purchasing decisions or brand loyalty, but it’s something based on gut reactions with little data or science to back it up. For customer experience gurus, however, this can be a bit frustrating. How can they leverage customer emotions?

Purchasing 100

Purchasing Customer Service UPS 100

Service Untitled

NOVEMBER 22, 2011

The same kind of question arises when an organization charges less for a product online than if you actually walked into the store? It seems the company could be shooting itself in the foot when charging more at the mall. For the complete list of Consumer Reports “naughty” and “nice” list, please click here.

Customer Service 40

Customer Service Credit Card Holidays Policies 40

Service Untitled

JUNE 25, 2012

No matter how quickly technology continues to dazzle us with innovative ways to contact our customers, understand new products, or strive to make purchasing convenient and quick, satisfied customers and our future relationships with them are what keeps our businesses growing. Can you think win-win ?

Customer Service 40

Customer Service Credit Card Interviewing Purchasing 40

Service Untitled

JUNE 5, 2012

It’s not that we need surveys to show which organizations step out of the box to ensure a concierge level of excellence so coveted by consumers; organizations like Zappos, Amazon, and Nordstrom essentially offer everyone “fantastic” service. In 2011, over 72.6 Clearly state F.A.Q.’s photo by: Mike Miley.

Customer Service 40

Customer Service Purchasing Equipment 2011 40

Service Untitled

FEBRUARY 22, 2011

Jaguar of North America has just been recognized as a JD Power 2011 Customer Service Champion which means they have excelled in their own industry by delivering superior service to their US customers. According to JD Power, Jaguar is noted for standing out by satisfying customers with new-vehicle sales experiences.

Customer Service 40

Customer Service Negotiating Expenses Social Media 40

Service Untitled

APRIL 21, 2011

Did you ever come home with something you purchased that made you really happy? It was beyond just satisfied; you as a customer were particularly delighted. With that feeling in mind, how can an organization delight a customer? With that feeling in mind, how can an organization delight a customer?

Customer Service 40

Customer Service Budget Purchasing Skills 40

Service Untitled

NOVEMBER 17, 2010

While good reviews about a company’s product or services may build brand loyalty, a problem with a product or service can quickly escalate and get out of control. In the event of a complex crisis, a customer service representative has to intervene and address the problem privately and quickly.

Social Media 40

Social Media Customer Service Facebook Twitter 40

Service Untitled

AUGUST 19, 2011

Today in the Jonesboro, Arkansas Regional Chamber of Commerce presentation, franchised restaurant operator and owner of Chick-fil-A, Mike Fullington explained to his audience how customer service can have an impact on a person’s day and even his life. He places families first, and is a firm believer in strong family units.

Customer Service 40

Customer Service Restaurants Training Purchasing 40

Service Untitled

FEBRUARY 2, 2011

Culture is how an organization operates whether you chalk it up to customs, attitudes, or etiquette. It’s difficult to define because every business has a culture, but how effectively does it serve a company, and if we want to transform our culture can we really do it? Do we want to deliver a better or different product?

Customer Service 40

Customer Service Etiquette Social Media Promotion 40

Allwork

NOVEMBER 6, 2023

So there’s a traditional model and traditionally businesses, larger businesses have leased a property or they’ve purchased it, so they have got much more longer commitment to that asset. So it’s larger companies, more 100 employees where they’re fitting out and managing that whole space themselves.

AT&T 263

AT&T Environment Travel Restaurants 263

Service Untitled

JUNE 21, 2011

.&# So why do they insult us and make us want to throw our phones across the room as we try to make our way through the maze of the company phone tree? Getting through to a real person is the number one complaint of customers who either need help with their service or product or have a complaint. photo credit: CalEvans.

Customer Service 40

Customer Service Phones Agencies AT&T 40

Service Untitled

NOVEMBER 30, 2010

The National Retail Foundation along with American Express listed the top ten retailers for best customer service selected by shoppers in their sixth annual Customers’ Choice Survey. The survey encompassed consumer attitudes toward retailers’ customer service and how retailers promote best practices.

Customer Service 40

Customer Service Credit Card Purchasing Policies 40

Service Untitled

APRIL 23, 2011

Sometimes companies just need to say “no.&# Organizations can’t honor every customer request not to mention that companies do not have unlimited resources even making it possible to never have to say “no.&#

Customer Service 40

Customer Service Negotiating AT&T Purchasing 40

Service Untitled

DECEMBER 20, 2010

Every business is bound to have unhappy customers; there’s always some variable that can go wrong despite all safeguards to make things perfect. Great customer service extends beyond answering the phone after two rings, beyond the twitter and Facebook entries, and even beyond the gentle ego stroking of an already angry customer.

Customer Service 40

Customer Service Social Media Twitter Networking 40

Small Business CEO

NOVEMBER 2, 2010

Each of us has different experiences with customer service; some are good while most that we hear about are just horrible. Businesses, no matter how big or small, need to evaluate how well they are serving their customers. In a very competitive market, business owners cannot just ignore the importance of service excellence.

Customer Service 40

Customer Service Purchasing Policies AT&T 40

Service Untitled

APRIL 5, 2010

Service Untitled The blog about customer service and the customer service experience. with exceptional prices, 24 hour service, 7 days a week, overnight delivery and free shipping on “everything but the baby.&# com ready to run the race for a share of the huge baby market.

Customer Service 40

Customer Service Etiquette Negotiating Clothes 40

Service Untitled

MARCH 22, 2010

Service Untitled The blog about customer service and the customer service experience. And what’s more interesting is that when you visit the store or buy something from the company’s store or website, many of these things are apparent. For example: Easy access displays. Inventory tracking.

Customer Service 40

Customer Service Policies Purchasing AT&T 40

Service Untitled

SEPTEMBER 17, 2010

Service Untitled The blog about customer service and the customer service experience. According to The Australian , the company now plans to spend $100 million over the next four years to improve their customer service.

Customer Service 40

Customer Service Clothes Etiquette 2010 40

Make or Break Moments

SEPTEMBER 2, 2010

I found an article written by Alain Thys that was published in 2007 that says it best: It’s funny that when discussing Customer Delight, most people start talking about customer service. Customer service is what companies do to their customers.

Customer Service 100

Customer Service 2009 2008 2010 100

Make or Break Moments

SEPTEMBER 3, 2010

The sales associate greeted us with a smile, a basket to gather our purchases and the knowledge that you can get a pair of earrings free with the purchase of two other pair. My daughter finally made her selections and I retrieve my checkbook only to discover that I can only write the check for up to $40 of the purchase.

Credit Card 100

Credit Card Customer Service 2009 2008 100

Make or Break Moments

JUNE 4, 2010

A number of references to your company, perhaps some LinkedIn answers, a blog comments or two? Your name and your picture are becoming more valuable than your company name ever could be. Your company name or your personal name? Your company name or your personal name? So have your purchased your name as a URL?

Customer Service 100

Customer Service 2009 2008 Social Media 100

Make or Break Moments

JUNE 15, 2010

He went through 16 hours of unpaid training and had to purchase the sales kit prior to making any money so he is invested in the process. He’s just following the sales pitch; thrilled when anyone makes a purchase. What the customer wanted was irrelevant. I think your “product of the month&# mystery was genius!

Customer Service 100

Customer Service 2009 2008 2010 100

Make or Break Moments

JULY 9, 2010

Maybe that doesn’t seem like a lot of years for some businesses but they are a computer company. Big main frame machines that took up an entire room in a company, cost millions of dollars and required special cooling so they didn’t over heat. Have you looked at the possibility of reinventing what you offer your customers?

Customer Service 100

Customer Service 2009 2008 2010 100