It only takes an inch to go the extra mile

There’s a laundry in Glasgow that does a fast turnaround on piles of ironing, carries heavy loads to cars and always has a tin of chocolates on the counter for customers to help themselves.

It may be a small, family business but it delivers an exceptional level of customer service that goes way beyond creaseless shirts.

Customer_Service_2_SmallYes, sometimes it’s the small things that really matter – the sort of things that add a personal touch and let customers know they’re more than just a number.

This is particularly true now so many of the interactions between companies and customers have been switched to automated functions.

“I refuse to use the self-scanning tills in supermarkets because I feel customer service continues to matter,” says Jane Harris.

She runs a small publishing company and says it flourishes because it fosters close relationships between advertisers and customers.

“We want readers to talk to us about our products – its how we get to know them and what they want. Its because of this and the knowledge it gives us that advertisers can be confident we’re delivering the correct audience for their products.”

And that’s where customer service really scores: when a company takes the knowledge gained from small interactions and uses it to refine their big offering.

“It’s about paying attention to the details,” says Tim Gould. He’s built up an online skincare company using feedback from customers.

“Every product we send out is wrapped in tissue paper and there’s a small card inside with the name of the staff member who handled the order. Customers are encouraged to get in touch with comments and they do.

“We also send out small samples of products that haven’t yet been released and the comments from customers become part of development process.”

There isn’t a business or service that doesn’t need a strong customer service ethos built into everything it does and on s1jobs you can find companies of all sizes who need staff to engage with customers on a micro level and use the knowledge they gain to help the business develop.

It’s a simple yet effective formula: be reassuring and understanding and treat every customer as if, right now, they’re the only person who matters. Because right now they are.

 

Would you go the extra mile to make customers happy? Then check out the latest Customer Service vacancies on s1jobs.