December 12, 2009
December 12th, 2009
Superb customer service is key to make loyal advocates out of your customers.
In this issue:
2. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
What will 2010 bring you?
This year is almost over, and it's always a good idea to look back at what the year has brought. Now, 2009 has been a tough year for many... the financial crisis found its way to the bottom, and I can only imagine how gut-wrenching it is to loose your job, or even your house, because of this turmoil.
I sincerely hope you and your family are safe from harm, and that you stand strong in this hurricane called "Credit Crunch".
Because of this, I have mixed feelings about 2009. For me personally, 2009 has been a great year. My family and friends were horrified when I announced in January that I would leave the security of my job (I use the term 'security' lightly), and become my own boss. But I was really set on giving it a go when times are tough... if I could make it now, I could make it in easier times as well!
Over the years I had learned so many entrepreneurial skills running Customer Service Point (as well as being part of the SBI! Community, more on that later) that I really had grown a burning "Yes!" inside to become my own boss.
Haven't looked back ever since.
What I found is what I already knew: customers love who loves them! The most important philosophy for my consultancy firm is to be straight and honest, offering solutions instead of just pointing out problems.
Customers love it.
It's amazing how many companies out there are mainly taking care of 'number one' (as you may have guessed, the customer is not in first place here). Customers know this. They sense it.
All is well, because I put the customer's needs first. They have told me so. They continue to hire me because of the trust I have built with them. That is what customer service is all about.
The most amazing part is that when I was younger, I was probably the most unlikely person to become my own boss. My internal dialog was that I should be happy to be a 'worker bee'. Management was something other people would be much better at. And 'entrepreneur' was certainly not in my vocabulary.
So what changed? In 2003 I thought it would be nice to start a web site. That web site was Customer Service Point. I built it using a tool called 'Site Build It', and found a wonderful community of friendly and helpful small business people who were running websites as online businesses, or to complement their offline businesses.
Those people helped me believe that I have what it takes. And so 2009 has become my best year yet. Imagine... I thought I just started on a course on how to build a website, and I got a business building education instead (there's a free webinar you can attend. Maybe this is something for you?)
So, what's 2010 going to bring? It looks like the worst of this economy mess is behind us, even though we're not out of the woods yet. But optimism and perseverance will help to put this behind us.
One thing's for sure. The rules for business haven't changed. Customers still vote with their feet. Violate their trust once, and it'll hurt the bottom line. Trust, it comes by foot, and goes by horse.
Wishing you your best year yet in 2010!
Merry Christmas and Health and Happiness for you and your family!
Warmly,
Erwin & Marjan Steneker
CustomerServicePoint.com Info
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(C) 2009, Erwin & Marjan Steneker You may use original articles in Customer Servings, if you attach the following bio (including the link): Erwin & Marjan Steneker are passionate about good customer service, check out their website at http://www.customerservicepoint.com/