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Mar 5
It's Not What You Say, It's How You Say It

Communication is verbal, but it also includes non-verbal cues.  When GalleryAndrea.jpgcommunicating with customers, of course you always need to be pleasant. However, sometimes it can be challenging - especially when the customer is "being difficult".  That's when you have to turn into an actor and not let your emotions show through. 

Let's face it, not all customers are going to be nice and some just expect too much.  But hey, you gotta do your job.  So, it's important not to project any negative vibes. Non-verbal communication does speak louder than verbal communication.  Customers can see through fake smiles and humurous/sarcastic comments.


7 Comments/Trackbacks




» LEAP to the customer's side from Customer Service Reader
Anyone can be nice to nice customers. There's almost no skill involved in that. What separates the professionals from the amateurs is the ability to manage difficult customers. Customers can be “difficult” (angry, upset, frustrated) for various rea... [Read More]

Maria, I've been watching your blog for about a month now, and I think you should build your own lens in Squidoo. A creature of Seth Godin, it's been my favorite web toy since December. I use it mainly to reference my blog in a manner that allows me to structure my material more logically. It will also help drive more traffic to your blog. And it's free. I think you'd be able to put it to good use. Go to www.squidoo.com to check it out. If you decide to join and use the link below, Squidoo will donate $5 to charity in my name. Kind regards; Leo

http://www.squidoo.com/lensmaster/referral/CSReader

Well actually communication is the 5 senses. As communicating masters we humans rely on numerous inputs to understand or send a message. For instnace in the first 5 seconds of meeting someone you will by watching their body posture, clothes and facial expression decide whether or not to continue beyound the niceties and hellos. Don't forget the handshake it can send a ton on your attitude about yourself and the person your meeting.

Body language is as important as verbal mesages and sends very strong indicators that can either arm a client or disarm them. Studies show that body language is the key factor in all in person communication. So, if your customer is pissed send them a message of understanding without opening your mouth. The next step might surprise you.

Leo,

Thanks for the link - I'll definitely look into joining the "Squidoo" community. It was one of my "to do's" -and you just reminded me!

By the way - Your blog is very resourceful. I'm glad to have found people that I can share my passion with :)

~Maria Palma

Tim,

Thanks for your input. It really is important to make a good first impression. It's important to the business you represent as well as your own integrity.

You can definitely tell alot about a person by the way they do the handshake!

Empathy and understanding customers - or humans for that matter - is so important. You don't know what's going on in the mind of that customer. Maybe a loved one passed away....or they just lost their job...who knows...and it's affecting the way they deal with you. If all you can offer is a genuine caring smile - it could definitely make a difference!

~Maria

Thanks Maria. It would be good I think if we're able to gather a critical mass of customer service advocates there - before it gets crowded. Should you need help, just click on the contact link in my About page: http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/CSReader

» Nice and Good Is Much Better from CustomersAreAlways
Would you rather work for someone good who is nice or someone stellar who is not? That's the question that Liz Strauss asks in a post titled Business Rule 16: Nice and Good. I would rather work for someone who... [Read More]

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