There’s lots written about improving customer service, what makes good customer service, what is bad customer service. There are courses to improve your customer service, and software to make customer service easier. But before you read or buy into any of that, think about this:
The basic purpose of customer service is to ATTRACT and RETAIN customers.
Customer service is about your customers–those you currently have and those who you would like to have. This is why it is mind boggling that there is any discussing at all about the importance of customer service.
Customer service should be part of the business plan. Anyone who has been to business school knows that business plans deals with threats and opportunities, marketing ideas and budgets. How many business plans consider customer service? Customer service will make or break a business, and yet, it is often not even a consideration in business planning, and is often the target of budget cutbacks.
On WomenEntrepreneur, there is an article entitled Boost Sales With Great Customer Service. Author Pattie Simone writes the following:
If you want a steady stream of business, try being service-obsessed. Take an honest look at what you can do to improve the service you deliver.
Providing great customer service helps to maintain or increase sales. Sales are the lifeblood of any business. So customer service is indeed the most important part of your business. What is your customer service plan?
