Customer Service Information


Client Appreciation - It Means Everything!


Want to know the secret for keeping your clients forever? And what if you could keep your revenue growing by 25 percent every year, because your clients loved the way you appreciated them? In this article, you will learn how easy it is to develop a powerful client appreciation program. Once in place, an appreciation program will forever change the way you operate and manage your business.

Developing a monthly appreciation plan: At the beginning of each month, develop some fun ideas to "thrill" your customers. Start by planning a short brainstorming session with your sales manager, your marketing director, customer service and your sales team, so you can hear their unique insight about ways to make the program a giant success. Their input is critical as each company has its own special client profile, so customize your appreciation plan accordingly. Once your appreciation plan is finalized, provide a written recap for your team so everyone will know exactly what their role will be. Clear communication makes for perfect implementation.

Tip From The Coach: Consider building your client appreciation plan for six to twelve months in advance. This makes for better financial budgeting, a more thoroughly developed appreciation plan, and your team will have the time to evaluate several competitive proposals for each month's theme.

Building appreciation themes: As you consider the theme for each month's appreciation program, start by looking for specific holidays or seasonal times of the year. For example, summer time is perfect for bringing an ice-cold drink to all your clients, as appreciation for their business. Your clients will not care how much you spend on them each month, but they will be very impressed by the way your team shows how much they care. Another appreciation theme, depending on the profile of your clients, might be more educational. For example, have a local computer store give a live demonstration for your clients at your office, focusing on how the Internet can improve their business. Your clients will be thrilled to hear more about this cutting edge technology and the computer store gets to meet lots of potential new customers? a win-win for all. Lastly, hundreds of companies provide all kinds of promotional items you can order in small quantities with your company name imprinted on them, and these items will fit perfectly into your client appreciation program.

Tip From The Coach: Certainly your clients will love the appreciation you show them each month and so will your prospects. If appropriate, include every prospect in your appreciation program. Take this small step and watch your closing ratios double!

Evaluating the success of client appreciation: Start by asking your team to make written notes of any nice comments shared by your clients or prospective new clients. Next, evaluate the number of clients or prospects who attend your educational seminars, as this helps for planning future programs. Of course, monitor your client retention percentages, as this is the critical measurement of how well your appreciation program is working.

Tip From The Coach: Remember, your clients will feel important when they know they are a top priority. Implementing a client retention program will not cost much. But the return on your investment will be significant based on less turnover, happier clients which means more referrals, and more fun for your team. Why? Because The Coach says so! Plus, good news travels fast and so will the sterling reputation you earn with your clients.

Want to hear more about this important topic or ask some additional questions? Fax a note on your letterhead to 435-615-8670 or send an E-mail to ernest@powerhour.com and The Coach will fax/E-mail back to you a free invitation to be a participant on a TeleForum conference call. On this call we will discuss 25 appreciation themes your clients will love.

Author's note: Ernest F. Oriente, The Coach, is the founder of PowerHour® a professional business coaching/recruiting service and the author of SmartMatch Alliances?. He has spent 17,500 hours [since 1995] delivering customized training, by telephone, in leadership, traditional/Internet marketing and sales for fast growing sales companies and entrepreneurial businesses worldwide. PowerHour® specializes in global distance learning by telephone, using their state-of-the-art conference call system for interactive and dynamic TeleForums. Twice-monthly TeleForums link 10-100 executives/professionals/individuals who are geographically dispersed, in a time efficient and profitable format.

PowerHour® is based in Olympic-town?Park City, Utah, at 435-615-8486, by E-mail ernest@powerhour.com or visit their TeleForum website: http://www.powerhour.com. To receive a FREE success newsletter, with subscribers in 74 countries, send an E-mail to: ernest@powerhour.com. Recent PowerHour® articles have appeared in 4000+ business/trade publications and websites.


MORE RESOURCES:

Marketing & Customer Service – NSW Sydney
MuMbrella
This position requires a dynamic person with customer service and marketing related experience. Role is based close to transport and involves leading the service program for our vast client base. We are a small but growing dynamic company that have ...



KeyBank Continues to Receive Industry Recognition for Exceptional Customer Service
MarketWatch (press release)
Greenwich cited Key for overall satisfaction with personal banking, as well as customer service with treasury management, both in the category of Small Business Banking. Key was also recognized for excellence by Greenwich in the category of customer ...

and more »


Business Insider

Customer Service At Big Banks Trumps That of Small Banks And Credit Unions ...
Business Insider
Given that information, we were a little surprised by a new RateWatch study that claims big banks are beating credit unions in customer service. RateWatch sent 120 Intellishop mystery shoppers to banks throughout the country to gauge their interactions ...



Sydney Morning Herald

Customer service still dogs Telstra
CIO Magazine
Telstra chief executive, David Thodey, has conceded that progress remains slow on improving the telco's customer service record, despite making it a top priority in the last 18 months. Speaking at an analyst briefing on the telco's financial results ...
Mobiles prop up Telstra bottom lineSydney Morning Herald
Telstra details benefits of social media service strategyTechnology Spectator
Telstra mobile growth up 11pcThe Australian

all 273 news articles »


Rediff

In Customer Service Push, Microsoft Invests In 24/7, Which Acquires Voxify
Wall Street Journal (blog)
By Deborah Gage People who are forced to engage in online chats with virtual customer service agents–or who are passed from agent to agent without getting their problems solved–are likely to get highly frustrated and take their business elsewhere.
Microsoft Joins Forces with 24/7 for Customer Service SoftwareITProPortal
Microsoft strikes deal with 24/7, promises to 'redefine' customer serviceEngadget
Microsoft Teams Up with 24/7 on Customer Service SoftwareDestination CRM
PCWorld -The Seattle Times -MarketWatch (press release)
all 58 news articles »


What are you saying: Telstra's customer service slowly improving, SA minister ...
Computerworld Australia
If Mr Thodey wants to improve customer service at Telstra, he will need to bring back customer service call centres to Australia. I have never received satisfactory outcomes to billing disputes by talking to reps in the Philippines and going by ...



American Airlines Employees Recognized for Excellence in Customer Service
MarketWatch (press release)
8, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- American Airlines is recognizing its employees around the airline's network for excellence in customer service, specifically measured by improved customer experience and innovative problem solving for the fourth ...

and more »


Pique newsmagazine

Whistler Blackcomb shares customer service secrets
Pique newsmagazine
Madaan explained the importance of hearing the message of customer service and staff motivation repeated. "We all know these things, but it's refreshing your memories," he said. Josh Anderson, guest services co-ordinator at the Squamish Lil'wat ...

and more »


Customer service is key
Leduc Representative
25 at the Best Western Denham Inn was clear: customer service counts. “If you are in business, you are in the customer service business,” said Don Shay, consultant with Accrescent Consulting. With experience in both business and military sectors, ...



'We are all in the business of customer service'
Khaleej Times
“Now customer service is the commercial version of teaching people to take care of each other. The only difference is usually there is an exchange of money involved. But excellent customer service is about understanding what someone else needs and ...


Google News

home | site map
© 2007