How Important is Customer Service?

For the retailer, good, not-great, customer service will make or break your business. But what about other types of business?

Let's consider a few other industries and discover why customer service is imperative.

Banking: A no-brainer, right? Customer service is the number one reason a person will stay with or leave their bank regardless of the perks other financial institutions offer.

Accounting: You're behind a desk, see very few people other than co-workers, therefore customer service isn't that big of a deal. WRONG. At some point you will encounter a client-even if over the phone! A smile can be heard in your voice so excellent customer service techniques shine through in a conversation.

Insurance Sales & Service: Like banking and accounting, insurance sales staff must possess incredible people skills if they are going to service existing customers and bring in new ones.

Medical technicians: From aides to professionals, medical personnel should be required to excel in people skills. You hear horror stories of doctors with poor "bedside manners," nurses with no compassion and assistants with no personality. When folks visit your facility chances are they are not at their best behavior, therefore you and your staff should be.

Plant or factory worker: Here's a tougher one but good customer service/people skills is a must even in industrial fields. You never know when a customer will tour the facility or someone in upper management will visit.

Law Enforcement: Officers are supposed to be tough guys & gals, right? No need to be nice to criminals. THINK AGAIN! Effective people skills can bring peace to chaos, and calm to an otherwise stressful situation. Of course you have to maintain control no matter the cost, but you can do it pride, honor and dignity and in turn, give the perpetrator the opportunity to maintain a bit of his or hers.

Teachers/Instructors: From the highest to lowest level employee in a learning environment should exemplify good manners and respect to their fellow employees, superiors as well as students. This is especially true of those teaching our children - after all, you may be the only example they see!

Restaurant Staff: This is a biggie! Waiters and waitresses depend on tips for their livelihood, therefore superior people skills are a must.

Many of these listed are service related industries and employees should be expected to maintain a friendly, personable persona. The success of your business depends on it.