Things you all probably know, but may have forgotten:
- "Please" and "thank you" always have been, and always will be, powerful words. Seldom overused.
- "You’;re welcome" is the best replacement for "no problem."
- "Sorry ‘;bout that" is not an apology. It’;s a cliche. "My apologies" is much better.
- A frown is a smile upside down. Stand on your head if you must; but SMILE, darn it!
- You cannot do two things well at once. Pay attention to the call or the customer.
- One word answers on email or in person are considered cold and rude. Three words make a sentence.
- Learn what phrases frustrate your customers. They’;re probably the same ones that bother you.
- When was the last time you sent flowers to someone just because?
- Drop a personal handwritten note to a client and just say "thanks for being a good client."
- "Hey how ‘;ya doing?" is not a great way to start up a conversation.
- Out with friends or family? Put the cell phone away. Talk for 30 minutes. (If you remember how.)
- Email manners? The same as phone and in person.
- The old "don’;t tell ‘;em what you can’;t do; tell ‘;em what you can do" applies to most, if not all, customer interactions.
- Get excited!
- Oh, and smile. That needed to be said twice.