Sales and Customer Service
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.