Are Your Customer's Satisfied?

Do you monitor how satisfied your customer’s are with the service or product provided to them? If you do great, if not, you definitely need to start. The reason to maintain customer loyalty is obvious, look at all the competition that is in the market place. Customer loyalty to you and your product or service is a key component to maintaining a successful business.

Where to begin? Begin by improving you & your companies listening skills at all levels. Every contact made by you or your personnel via the internet, phone or in person is a potential “Customer Moment” and can provide early indications of potential problems. I mean everybody, from the dock to board room; train yourself and personnel to listen. Listen to what may be considered a trivial or off the cuff comment, document it and discuss internally. These comments may actually become a real customer issue, and if dealt with sooner rather than later will build customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Next, develop a feedback system that supports the collection of customer information and can even provide a response mechanism when required. To implement this system, you will need to assign a person or small team to decide what is best for your business and customer base. You might even engage some of your faithful customers in this project.

Active listening to you customers is not easy at first, but you will recognize the power and monetary benefit of avoiding customer complaints and heading off problems before they escalate. Just remember the last time you were the recipient of poor customer service! Do not fail to act on what you information gained through your customers voice. If additional training is required seek out subject matter professionals and organizations to assist you.

The investment will be worth it, just ask your customers what they think!

Stop! Don’t Go to Your Interview Until You Read This!

You got the interview now what? I’ve got the 10 Basic Tools You
need to have prior to your Interview. I Have a short prep list of
10 *must embrace* tasks for you to complete prior to your 1st
interview.

Task #1 Prepare a portfolio of your professional career.
Highlight the examples based on key words included in the job
description. This will be a good test to see if you really do
have what they are looking for. Or you may need to rework some of
the resume’ information you have to fit the job description in
preparation for the interview. Always include a *behavioral*
example; this has become popular method of interviewing. Here is
a quick link if you’re not sure what this type of interviewing
format is. http://www.quintcareers.com/sample_behavioral.html

Task #2 Research, Research & Research the company. Gather
information, search the web, check online forums and inquire with
other professionals on what the perception in the industry is
well in advance of your 1st telephone or personal interview.

Task #3 Understand and thoroughly investigate the position you
have applied for and are interviewing to get. If there is any
doubt contact the HR professional yourself, do not rely on the
headhunter or service you may be working with.

Task #4 Create as list of questions formed while performing tasks
2 & 3. Write these question out in a manner in which you can
categorically ask and write in the response. This will serve you
in two ways, keep you organized and establishes you organization
and pep skills to the interviewer. Also, if there happens to be
multiple people interviewing any contradictions can be quickly be
brought to light in a positive manner.

Task #5 Research salary ranges for the position. Balance your
perception of self worth vs. the marketplace. Business owners or
HR professions will normally have a number in mind and if you
exceed that number without backup … your out! On the same hand,
do not sell yourself short, you regret it and it may translate to
your job performance.

Task #6 Determine the type of benefits that are important to you
and prioritize each of tam because these may be the keys to
negotiating beyond just the money. Some companies are more
flexible at the beginning with vacation, flex schedules etc.

Task #7 Revisit your questions so you can add to, subtract and
re-categorize as necessary. Yes, this takes time!

Task # 8 Practice answering questions your friends and family
come up with. Nothing is out of bounds because you do not know
what some one will ask. The more you can do this the better off
you will be at it. If you get asked a question that throws you
off, just as the interview to repeat it or you ask the question
back to them.

Task # 9 Dress professionally, men this means a suit or as a
minimum a dress sport coat an, tie and slacks. Women, a pant suit
or appropriate dress/skirt. Overdressing is preferred, it also
shows respect to the people you are interviewing with. You can
not overdress, but do limit jewelry, shine your shoes and be
conservative with the make-up and colors you choose.

Task # 10 You must be yourself, be confident and try to have fun.
Practicing will help you out tremendously in this area.

One tip is that you should also carry a business card with
contact information such as phone number that you will answer and
an email you do check.

If you are looking for some self improvement courses and
programs, one online resource I utilize is Success University.
For just a small donation, you get 14 free days to check out all
the resources, great place. Check it out here:

shortcut2success.subuilder.com