5 Customer Service Skills that Everyone Needs

When it comes to customer service, there are some skills that come in handy, like being a good talker. Then, there are some skills that are crucial. These skills can mean the difference between excellent customer service and mediocre service. Here are five customer service skills that everyone needs.

Patience

One of the most important skills you can have is patience. This can be tricky to master when your job involves angry customers who seem to want help immediately, but at these times, it’s even more important that you are patient enough to get to the root of the problem and solve it properly. Rushing or pushing the customer off onto another department is not good service, so learn how to patiently resolve your customer’s issues.

Keeping calm

When customers are stressed and angry, it can be tempting to mirror their behaviour. However, as a customer service agent, you must be able to remain calm in any situation if you want to best resolve the customer’s problem. Often, an angry customer just needs to ‰Û÷vent’, and if you can keep calm and help them find a resolution, you can turn a bad situation into a positive one.

Great communication skills

Clear communication is crucial to good customer service. One tiny misunderstanding can cost you a customer, so make sure you a clear about whatever you are trying to communicate to your customers. Always re-state important points when communicating with customers and ask if they understand before ending the call.

Product knowledge

Never underestimate the importance of knowing all about the products or services that you offer. If your customer calls with a question or concern regarding a product that you aren’t familiar with, they won’t feel reassured that you can actually help them. Make sure you take the time to familiarize yourself with the products and services that your customers use so you can offer the best support possible.

Ability to handle surprises

Not every customer or every problem will be something you have personal experience with, so it’s important to be able to think quickly and react accordingly. If you can think ‰Û÷on your feet,’ you’ll be better equipped to help every customer.

Visit the Answer 365 blog for more tips and advice on providing great customer service.