Sales and Customer Service
Course:
Business Startup
Course 11: Sales and Customer Service
Foundational principles for providing excellent customer service
- Active Listening & Responsiveness: Understand customer needs and respond promptly. Show empathy and make interactions personalized.
- Consistency & Reliability: Ensure every customer receives the same high-quality experience. Honor commitments, whether in delivery timelines or service quality.
- Clear & Transparent Communication: Set honest expectations for pricing, policies, and service timelines. Provide follow-up and ensure customers feel informed.
- Going the Extra Mile: Small gestures—like handwritten thank-you notes or surprise discounts—can build loyalty. Offer solutions proactively instead of waiting for customers to ask.
Effectively handling difficult customer interactions
- Stay Calm & Professional
- Avoid emotional responses and focus on finding solutions.
- Keep tone and body language neutral and approachable.
- Listen, Acknowledge & Empathize
- Let customers explain their concerns without interruption.
- Express understanding and validate their frustration.
- Offer Practical Solutions
- Propose clear resolutions instead of vague apologies.
- If an immediate fix isn’t possible, provide alternative options.
- Follow Up & Learn From Feedback
- Ensure complaints are fully resolved.
- Implement improvements based on repeated customer concerns.
Practical sales techniques to improve customer retention
1. Personalization & Customer Engagement
- Use CRM tools to track purchase history and recommend relevant products.
- Send special offers tailored to customer preferences.
2. Loyalty & Referral Programs
- Provide exclusive discounts or perks to repeat customers.
- Encourage referrals through incentives like discounts on future purchases.
3. Active Follow-Up & Relationship Building
- Send post-purchase emails or messages to check satisfaction.
- Engage customers on social media and through personalized outreach.
4. Exceptional Post-Sale Service
- Ensure hassle-free returns and responsive after-sales support.
- Educate customers on how to get the most out of their purchase.