Businesses and business needs have significantly evolved overtime. There are very important variations that have arisen with respect to how customers should be treated, giving rise to the most essential debate of whether the customer really is king. Retail in today’s world does not only involve selling products. it has come to more than before, mean giving consciousness to the need to sustain customers. Quality customer service does a lot in separating a company from many its rivals. You could lose huge returns and investments from bad customer service management. It is why some firms create a customer and clientele relations unit to deal with the needs of customers directly and ensure there is customer sovereignty at all times.
It is handy to understand that you would be dealing with difficult customers. The different kinds of customers you may have to deal with could be impatient, intimidating, talkative, angered, demanding or even indecisive.
In any case you would have to develop a strategy for dealing with them professionally
Above all else, note that you can’t control anyone else’s behavior. You have control only over your own actions. Nevertheless, you do have some ability to manage what responses people give to the decisions you take. That should be your focus in dealing with customers. If you lose that ability, you have absolutely lost your hold over the situation and your customer may even bully you.
When a customer is vengeful and determined to make meat of you, stay calm and ask of his opinion on what solutions are best applicable. This puts you in a position where you can relax and allow the customer to think about what was possibly wrong with the solutions you once offered.
Do not be quick to offer solutions. Ask the customer how he would like the problem to be resolved. Offer choices whenever possible. Get control of yourself. Never argue with customers when they are angry, displeased or complaining. If you allow a customer to push your buttons and lose control of yourself, you’ve lost control of the situation. Master the art of coercion and lead even the most difficult customer down a path of reasoning that you develop. You can lose a good customer if you show boredom, irritation, disdain or displeasure.
It is healthy to allow your customer room to vent. Show genuine regret and appreciation of the concerns raised but do not be quick to blame it on your company as it could land you in serious legal waters. The customer wants to be listened to, acknowledged and understood. Use body language to communicate that you’re listening. Maintain eye contact. Show your attentiveness by standing or sitting up straight; lolling or slouching makes you seem inattentive and disinterested. Uncross your arms. This indicates you are listening with an open mind. Let the person talk, and pay close attention. Repeat or paraphrase some of what you hear.
It would only be after a while that even the most difficult customer would understand the price you pay on his importance. He would come around with time.