Customer BLISS Begins with a Smile

Monday, October 7, 2013 begins Customer Service Week. Let's kick it off with a smile:

Something as simple as a smile carries a lot of power. You see, a smile is not just seen; it is also heard. Yes, even over the telephone. So, BEFORE you pick up the phone, smile...and keep that smile as you greet your customer on the other end. They will hear it.

But what happens if you don't?

When your customer does not hear an honest, pleasant smile in your voice, then right from the start, you have set some critical wheels into motion; wheels that can throw your intentions off track and cause the whole customer experience to go awry. Even before you find out what they need, your customer may:

• Lose confidence in your ability to solve their problem
• Feel your assistance is insincere
• Get the impression that you're only 'going through the motions' of helping, just to hurry the phone call to an end
• Lose trust 

They can hear all of this in your voice when they DON'T hear a smile.
So, now what happens?

You hear distrust in your customer's voice and no longer want to deal with them...but of course, you must. So you label them 'difficult'...all because you failed to smile. See a pattern developing here? You should. You created it; along with creating more work for yourself because:

• It takes work to regain your customer's trust
• You now need to rebuild your customer's confidence in you and your abilities
• You've presented the idea of incompetence on your part
• Your customer will definitely let others know what they think of you and your service

So now you know what to do to prevent all this: Don't get caught in the act of NOT smiling. 

It was once said by a famous yogi: "Let my soul smile through my heart, and my heart smile through my eyes that I may scatter rich smiles in sad hearts." 

Why not take this to another level and let your 'willingness to help' smile through your voice and 'your voice' smile through any problem your customer may have. Then you will find that:

A Smile gives you power; the power to replace a customer's uneasiness with trust.

A Smile gives you control. Enough to make each of your customer's experiences a great one.

A Smile removes apprehensions and turns them into trust.

Smile...and you have the power to create Customer BLISS by creating BLISS for your customer. Seize that power to make your good service great. It'll only cost you a smile.



~~~~~Tell Tammy~~~~~

How're you putting your Customer BLISS into action? 
Share your plans for Customer Service Week in the Comments section below. We want to hear from you.