Superior Customer Service
Navigating customer service requests can present challenges ranging from the demanding to the downright grueling. Many service reps end their day feeling drained and disheartened. However, there is a silver lining. Intentionally crafting exceptional customer experiences, reps can transform their results and often find customers responding with dignity and patience, almost immediately!
This is the transformative power of Superior Customer Service.
Superior Customer Service Introduction
In This Video
- Patty and Mo talk about the skills from the Superior Customer Service course, what makes them unique, and why they will be a great fit for your Customer Service team.
You’re here because You want your Service Reps to be Better!
Superior Service will be a Game Changer
Complete Customization on Your Calls
You cannot Impress most Customers if all You do is Complete their Request
Finding the “Secret Sauce” is Our Specialty
Remember to Sound Thankful They called You
“One of the most compelling results of applying the skills from the Superior Customer Service program is the service reps’ day actually become easier! And it makes sense. When they work harder and smarter to create more world-class customer experiences, they have fewer customers that want to bully them, and many more customers who thank the reps, praise them and even say, ‘I’m so glad I reached you!’”
Patty Ash
Senior Training & Development Consultant
Call Center Training Solutions
How do You do more? How do You get that better grade? Proactive Service Skills!
Begin with a foundation rooted in authentic care. This is where your journey to exceptional customer service truly commences. It requires proactively honing your ability to engage in enriching conversations. Every representative has the potential to excel with the right skills, dedication, and support from leadership. The essence of Superior Service lies in infusing genuine care into every facet of the service call. This encompasses not just sounding pleasant, but also being practical, swiftly navigating through procedures, and exhibiting sincere empathy towards callers. It’s about transcending the routine Empathy Statement and embodying heartfelt understanding, regardless of the caller’s mood. When a frustrated customer acknowledges your positive impact, saying, “I’m sorry for my frustration; it’s not your fault. You’re amazing!” you know you’re on the right track.
A common pitfall among service representatives is assuming a comprehensive grasp of an issue without delving deep enough or seeking more information. Always prioritize a thorough understanding by posing the right questions. Investing that extra minute initially will significantly trim down complexities later on, reducing the need for follow-up calls from confused customers.
A key principle is to always communicate your actions before executing them. Avoid the misconception that quick fixes without informing customers are more efficient. In truth, customers appreciate being informed every step of the way. An effective approach involves outlining your proposed solutions and requesting their consent before proceeding. This empowers customers and fosters transparency.
If a transfer becomes necessary, frame it positively. Inform customers that the transfer is beneficial for them, as the subsequent agent possesses specialized tools and skills to address their needs more comprehensively. “I’ll need to connect you with our ___ department. The silver lining is that they can analyze your profile in ways I can’t and ensure the optimal solution.”
We called it customization above, but it’s really about finding the secret sauce for your center. How a service rep says what they say makes all the difference. All too often, the service organization is well intended, but they don’t communicate with customers in the best ways. This will inevitably create tension or even frustration on calls. Customers mistreat the reps and the reps “learn” that nothing works, and there is no reason to hope for better days. When we step into a new client engagement, we start by listening to the calls. The calls tell us most of what we need to know to help the client (and the rep). We reengineer the call flow, the way reps talk to customers in a customer-centered, customer-friendly way, loaded with clear, honest and loving communication from the rep. Calls become better quickly!
Rather than merely expressing Empathy, follow it with a simple statement of thankfulness that they called you. “I definitely understand how frustrating that can be, and I’m so glad your call came to me. Let me see how we can help you best.” What customer will not be happy with this agent?
The torment of being stuck on hold without a clear endpoint is universally disliked. Prevent this distress for customers by providing informative reasons for putting them on hold, along with an estimated timeframe. Commitment to adhering to this time frame demonstrates respect for their time and patience.
Did you fulfill the customer’s expectations? Celebrate this achievement. Share the good news enthusiastically: “Terrific news, Mrs. Stevens! We’ve successfully credited your account for the previous transaction. Thank you for your patience as I finalized the details.” Even if a customer faced a lengthy hold earlier, expressing your joy about the resolution can rekindle their satisfaction.
End every call with a clear summary of accomplishments, accompanied by essential instructions or reminders. This leaves callers feeling fully informed, minimizing the chances of unnecessary callbacks. Conclude by conveying heartfelt gratitude, showcasing your genuine appreciation for their time and trust. This final touch cements a remarkable conclusion to your call. By embracing these enhanced customer service practices, you’ll foster an environment of genuine care, transparency, and respect, leaving customers not only satisfied but genuinely delighted with their experience.
“But we’re trying to do these things already. Why will it be different working with Call Center Training Solutions?”
"But we're trying to do these things already. Why will it be different working with Call Center Training Solutions?"
Take advantage of our knowledge and methodology!!
Superior Customer Service
Course Overview
Our course starts with the plan, the strategy and the fundamentals that will make your service organization great at creating world class customer experiences. No more languishing in mediocrity.
Sections / Topics / Skills
- What is “Great Service” and How does that Happen?
- Great Service translates into Profitability!
- Delivering a Proactive Service Response that will create Happy Customers
- Early-Call Techniques that Diminish Late-Call Customer Anger When they are Still Unsatisfied
- Seven Call Moments that Make or Break the Customer Experience
- Activity: Participants choose the best service response, based on the scenario provided
Rapport stands as an essential cornerstone of any customer service call, and its absence is glaringly evident. This module presents a repertoire of potent techniques for cultivating rapport even within challenging service environments.
Sections / Topics / Skills
- Rapport-Busters: What Kills Rapport? (e.g. sounding distracted, asking customers to repeat things they have already said, etc.)
- Empathy: Rapport’s Best Friend
- Activity: Participants demonstrate the correct amount of Empathy for the scenario provided
- Build Rapport by “Rooting for the Customer”
- Activity: Participants demonstrate Rooting for the Customer on simulated calls
- Positive Uses of Rapport Once Established
Single Call Resolution is an integral part of our course. In this module, we will delve into the art of swiftly and efficiently resolving customer inquiries and issues in just one interaction (no calls back into the center days or weeks later from this customer!). By mastering this skill, you’ll not only enhance customer satisfaction but also streamline your workflow for a more productive customer service experience.
Sections / Topics / Skills
- What is true Single Call Resolutions (compared to the Imposters)?
- The Superior Service Formula for Achieving Single Call Resolution
- Establishing Control early on a call
- Better Discovery for Issue Identification
- Active Listening Best Practices
- Proposing your Resolution to the Customer before Acting
- Final Critical Communication with Customers to prevent Callbacks
- Activity: Identify the True Single Call Resolution example from Three Scenarios
- What Happens when we Rush to Resolution?
- Benefits of Asking Questions
- Preparing the Caller for Questions
- Proposing a Resolution and Gaining Customer Agreement
- “Step Strategy” for Issue Identification / Easy to Difficult
- PPro Tips for Mastering the Step Strategy
- Activity: Demonstrate the Step Strategy for Issue Identification including Gaining Customer Agreement
If callers do not understand why they were placed on Hold, they will not be patient or happy when you return to them (they might even be downright nasty). Everyone hates Holds. This module will help agents mitigate problems by effectively discussing the Hold with the caller. The skills follow similar processes, but Transfers are different in that the agent can make a Transfer seem like good news for the customer. A transfer means the customer is going to talk to a representative that can actually help them.
Sections / Topics / Skills
- Why Do Customers Hate Holds and Transfers?
- Hold and Transfer “Never Dos”
- Continue “Rooting” for the Customer during Holds and Transfers!
- Process for Placing a Customer on Hold
- Activity: Participants demonstrate the Holds process
- Process for Transferring a Customer
- Activity: Participants demonstrate the Transfer process
- Defining a Positive Mindset
- Benefits of a Positive Mindset
- Quick Fixes: Eliminating Our Own Negatives
- Activity: Turning Negative Habits Around
- Know Your Triggers!
- Two Great Responses to Negativity
- Be a Good Will Creator
- Maintaining a Positive Mindset Every Days
- Activity: Create a “Tune-Up” Plan
Most courses have a Listening module, but few really change the way agents listen. In this module, participants first learn the causes of poor listening and then learn proven methods for effectively listening on each customer contact. Participants greatly increase their listening proficiency by role-playing the Effective Listening Process.
Sections / Topics / Skills
- Ineffective Listening Approaches
- Active Listening Defined
- Active Listening Pro Tips
- Better Questions Equals Better Listening
- Characteristics of a Quality Question
- Effective Listening Process
- Activity: Participants demonstrate the Effective Listening Process
- What does “Irate” Really Mean?
- It’s Not Personal (and why that’s critical)
- Are We Contributing to their Hostility?
- Quick De-escalation Techniques
- Best Prevention Tip: Sound Great from the Start of the Call
- Process for Responding to Irate Callers
- Activity: Participants demonstrate the Process for Responding to Irate Callers
- Introduction to Customer Loyalty
- The “Obvious” Stuff
- Loyalty through Rapport
- Loyalty through Service Response
- Loyalty through Effective Communication
- Loyalty through Handling Challenging Situations Well
- Loyalty Comments throughout the Call
- Activity: Participants choose best response and demonstrate them from a set of Case Scenarios
- Why Retention Matters
- Alert: Customers are “Ready for Battle” when They Call to Disconnect
- Employ Welcoming Acknowledges instead of Empathy as a First Response
- Process for Saving Disconnect Requests
- Loyalty through Effective Communication
- Loyalty through Handling Challenging Situations Well
Our course starts with the plan, the strategy and the fundamentals that will make your service organization great at creating world class customer experiences. No more languishing in mediocrity.
Sections / Topics / Skills
- What is “Great Service” and How does that Happen?
- Great Service translates into Profitability!
- Delivering a Proactive Service Response that will create Happy Customers
- Early-Call Techniques that Diminish Late-Call Customer Anger When they are Still Unsatisfied
- Seven Call Moments that Make or Break the Customer Experience
- Activity: Participants choose the best service response, based on the scenario provided
Rapport stands as an essential cornerstone of any customer service call, and its absence is glaringly evident. This module presents a repertoire of potent techniques for cultivating rapport even within challenging service environments.
Sections / Topics / Skills
- Rapport-Busters: What Kills Rapport? (e.g. sounding distracted, asking customers to repeat things they have already said, etc.)
- Empathy: Rapport’s Best Friend
- Activity: Participants demonstrate the correct amount of Empathy for the scenario provided
- Build Rapport by “Rooting for the Customer”
- Activity: Participants demonstrate Rooting for the Customer on simulated calls
- Positive Uses of Rapport Once Established
Single Call Resolution is an integral part of our course. In this module, we will delve into the art of swiftly and efficiently resolving customer inquiries and issues in just one interaction (no calls back into the center days or weeks later from this customer!). By mastering this skill, you’ll not only enhance customer satisfaction but also streamline your workflow for a more productive customer service experience.
Sections / Topics / Skills
- What is true Single Call Resolutions (compared to the Imposters)?
- The Superior Service Formula for Achieving Single Call Resolution
- Establishing Control early on a call
- Better Discovery for Issue Identification
- Active Listening Best Practices
- Proposing your Resolution to the Customer before Acting
- Final Critical Communication with Customers to prevent Callbacks
- Activity: Identify the True Single Call Resolution example from Three Scenarios
What happens when we hastily try to devise a solution without an accurate grasp of the customer’s inquiry or primary concern? This can lead to customer frustration, causing them to respond with, “That’s not what I said!” The path to an excellent customer experience becomes extended and demanding. This module introduces the essential Discovery skills, centered around asking the best questions, aimed at discerning the genuine issue and gaining agreement with the customer before attempting resolution.
Sections / Topics / Skills
- What Happens when we Rush to Resolution?
- Benefits of Asking Questions
- Preparing the Caller for Questions
- Proposing a Resolution and Gaining Customer Agreement
- “Step Strategy” for Issue Identification / Easy to Difficult
- PPro Tips for Mastering the Step Strategy
- Activity: Demonstrate the Step Strategy for Issue Identification including Gaining Customer Agreement
If callers do not understand why they were placed on Hold, they will not be patient or happy when you return to them (they might even be downright nasty). Everyone hates Holds. This module will help agents mitigate problems by effectively discussing the Hold with the caller. The skills follow similar processes, but Transfers are different in that the agent can make a Transfer seem like good news for the customer. A transfer means the customer is going to talk to a representative that can actually help them.
Sections / Topics / Skills
- Why Do Customers Hate Holds and Transfers?
- Hold and Transfer “Never Dos”
- Continue “Rooting” for the Customer during Holds and Transfers!
- Process for Placing a Customer on Hold
- Activity: Participants demonstrate the Holds process
- Process for Transferring a Customer
- Activity: Participants demonstrate the Transfer process
The rewards of being positive are enormous. This module shows participants how to stay “upbeat” and prevent negativity from creeping into their workspace. Participants learn powerful strategies for staying motivated along with proven methods for leaving a positive memory for every caller, even the tough ones. The module covers ways to sound great, even when agents are tired or have just ended a difficult call.
Sections / Topics / Skills
- Defining a Positive Mindset
- Benefits of a Positive Mindset
- Quick Fixes: Eliminating Our Own Negatives
- Activity: Turning Negative Habits Around
- Know Your Triggers!
- Two Great Responses to Negativity
- Be a Good Will Creator
- Maintaining a Positive Mindset Every Days
- Activity: Create a “Tune-Up” Plan
Most courses have a Listening module, but few really change the way agents listen. In this module, participants first learn the causes of poor listening and then learn proven methods for effectively listening on each customer contact. Participants greatly increase their listening proficiency by role-playing the Effective Listening Process.
Sections / Topics / Skills
- Ineffective Listening Approaches
- Active Listening Defined
- Active Listening Pro Tips
- Better Questions Equals Better Listening
- Characteristics of a Quality Question
- Effective Listening Process
- Activity: Participants demonstrate the Effective Listening Process
Some callers are going to be hostile, and service reps may even (unintentionally) contribute to their anger. Here, participants learn how to manage and distill the caller’s hostility so that they calm down and let the agent fix the problem. Participants have a paradigm shift as they learn that dealing with hostile callers isn’t an obstacle to their jobs. Rather, it is the most important reason for their jobs.
Sections / Topics / Skills
- What does “Irate” Really Mean?
- It’s Not Personal (and why that’s critical)
- Are We Contributing to their Hostility?
- Quick De-escalation Techniques
- Best Prevention Tip: Sound Great from the Start of the Call
- Process for Responding to Irate Callers
- Activity: Participants demonstrate the Process for Responding to Irate Callers
Companies invest millions of dollars in loyalty programs. This module helps leadership teams convey the importance of Loyalty at every level. Participants learn how important their role is and what they can do on each call to keep customers loyal to your organization.
Sections / Topics / Skills
- Introduction to Customer Loyalty
- The “Obvious” Stuff
- Loyalty through Rapport
- Loyalty through Service Response
- Loyalty through Effective Communication
- Loyalty through Handling Challenging Situations Well
- Loyalty Comments throughout the Call
- Activity: Participants choose best response and demonstrate them from a set of Case Scenarios
Telephone associates can employ the skills from this module to keep callers from canceling. Participants learn common reasons why customers typically cancel as well as proven techniques to get to the root of their concerns quickly.
Sections / Topics / Skills
- Why Retention Matters
- Alert: Customers are “Ready for Battle” when They Call to Disconnect
- Employ Welcoming Acknowledges instead of Empathy as a First Response
- Process for Saving Disconnect Requests
- Loyalty through Effective Communication
- Loyalty through Handling Challenging Situations Well
Pricing
We customize each program to our clients’ needs and goals, so no two prices are the same. Our clients will tell you that our fees are average while our solutions are world class. Here is some information about how we can build your course content and deliver your new training solution.
We customize everything!
See Our Customization Formula here
Delivery Methods: We use all of the following delivery methods, depending on client needs, location and budget. Live, in-person training, Remote training sessions via Teams or Zoom Fully customized video-based lessons Complete e-learning solutions Complimentary Front End Analysis
You want the right solution. We would like to provide the very best, perfectly tailored solution for your needs. Let us listen to your calls and schedule a few meetings with leaders, supervisors, trainers and agents. Let’s discuss your current coaching system. We want to know how your QA and Training teams align with your goals. Once we understand how we can best help, we will send a complete proposal with every step we will take in building your new training package and helping you ignite your center to produce record results.
Contact us today to set up an initial discovery meeting. We can estimate pricing for you, even before we start our analysis work.
Have a small team? If you have just a few reps and a single leader, we can estimate pricing and do a brief analysis of your agents, and send a final proposal very quickly.
"Words Matter! Mo Bellio gets that and always has when it comes to teaching great client experiences and sales. Great content - love the continued focus on leader communication and coaching too. I carry some of those very concepts with me still today."
Mark McCarthy
Nuance Communications
"Great content Mo! I know my teams have always benefited from your courses and training. You’ve made a huge difference with our performance in our sales and service departments for years!"
Safana Alibhai
Long View Systems
"Erica and the rest of CCTS have become an integral part of our sales team. Her dedication to understanding our business and customers made the training she provided extremely applicable. She's been great in dealing with salespeople of all experience levels, from the seasoned vet to the first-time rep. Thank you, Erica and CCTS, for all that you do and for being part of the Diadem Team!"
Michael Manglardi
Diadem Sports
"Really good content Mo, your learnings were always amazing… excited to see the new stuff whenever CCTS introduces it."
Chintan Kalra
Convergys
"Love this content! Your trainings have taught our team so much!"
Tawnia Grone
Autism Learning Partners
"I was recently certified to coach Call Center Floor Management from CCTS and could not be more proud. In 20 years of leadership and leadership coaching, I've never come across a better program for call center managers. The magic of CCFM is in the sheer simplicity and efficiency. Call center managers are generally over-worked and under-experienced, and CCFM gives them simple tools to make the most of their limited time. Without question the best program I've come across."
Nathan Haas
True Captive Insurance
"I had the privilege of working with Mo during his Leadership and “Igniting Sales Performance” workshops a few years ago (I was a Quality Supervisor). His trainings were transformational to how our teams had done our sales approaches from that point on. He also changed the way I deliver my own leadership style, to which I carry these skills with me to this day (e.g., positive reinforcements, formative feedback and two-minute-on-the-fly coaching)."
Gilbert Paul Santos
Foundever
"Mo, you are one of the best! I was privileged to attend many of your Coach-the-Coach sessions and you are a consummate professional! Wishing you continued success!"
Darren Bowden
RSRS Inc.
"The team at Heartland Credit Union appreciates the collaborative approach you provided in our training content creation. You took the time to work with multiple stakeholders, to get a true sense of who we are and the deliverables we wanted from the training. The end product was a customized training track that covered supervisor training, front-line training, skills practice and train the trainer. Attendees were engaged throughout the training and were able to easily relate it to their work. WIN – WIN!!"
Jeremy Stauffacher
Heartland Credit Union
"Have always loved your work, Mo. Exciting you are still putting great content out here for us to take advantage of."
Kellen Brittingham
Deluxe Corp
"As always, Mo, your content and skills are always first class, and we have benefited from your training for years!"
Deepak Joshi
Personiv
"Mo Bellio and his team always have great skills, techniques and tips to help drive the right sales behaviors! And your new webinars sound like great options to leverage"
Gina Narvaez
Telus Communications
"Mo is truly a one of a kind person in every capacity! On a personal level, he is the most genuine, engaging, and warm person you could ever hope to meet. He exudes a positive energy and brightens every group he is a part of. On a professional level, he is knowledgeable, talented, motivating, hardworking and insightful. Working with Mo on our sales techniques has been transformative in the best way imaginable. He has helped me maximize my positive qualities, unlock ones that I never knew existed and has led me to more than double the sales I had made prior to his coaching. I am grateful for his help in my own work and I know that he could unlock great potential for anyone who is lucky enough to work with him!!!"
Jennifer Ashlee
Vertical Rise
"Mo did an outstanding job helping the Client Support Team improve their soft skills! He and his team were super helpful every step of the way - from reviewing client interactions to understanding trends all the way through the launch of live training sessions with 100+ teammates! Mo embeds his knowledge on Soft Skills, Angry User, and Emerging Leader training into the fabric of his training workshops. He also demonstrates his knowledge from his years of call center work experience, and this resonates well with our colleagues, and also our customers! We couldn’t ask for a more knowledgeable, engaged, and professional business partner. Thank you Mo and CCTS!"
Michael Clark
eMoney Advisor
"Erica from Call Center Training Solutions is highly motivated and driven to achieve desired results. Tasks were completed earlier than proposed and even exceeded expectations, which is rare! We worked on call flow development, call scoring & metrics, process improvement, quality assurance and training during our time working together. The team we coached outperformed others month after month. When you have the opportunity to work with Erica, you will see her dedication to her craft and to achieving your company's goals!"
Adrian Cabrera
Cellular Sales
"We have engaged Mo and his team on several occasions to train our reps and floor management. His training content and delivery skills are incredibly effective. Training was topically spot on, fully customized, and with engaging delivery Mo would hold the attention and minds of his audience and affect change. Follow up support and long-term consulting really helped reinforce the messages and sustain success.
I would highly recommend engaging Mo and his group to assist in development opportunities in any call center."
Mike Hartong
Contact Center Director
"Worked with Mo Bellio and his team for years and his content has always been instrumental to our success. This training and their fantastic coaching are bound to make you successful."
Herman Wong
ATCOenergy
"Great insights always, Mo. Really appreciated the opportunity to work with you to optimize call center conversations across a couple of organizations in the past few years. I look forward to doing it again!"
Rob McGowan
McKinsey & Company
"In our partnership, Mo brought a level of positivity to every conversation that completely energized our sales team. He facilitated a course for our team that was not only highly informational and full of great, customized content, but interactive and collaborative. The resources he prepared for us several years ago are used to this day and we appreciate his professionalism every step of the way. Thank you, Mo!"
Grace Griffin
Orthodontic Partners
"These are tough times to sell, so the skills you taught couldn’t have been timelier. Thank you again for helping turn our team into a selling machine!"
Susan Laird
Quadrant Plastics
"It was nice to finally get some training that helped me diversify my coaching methods, to be effective with different types of sales styles, ability and the sales people themselves. Thanks CCTS!!!"
Scott Hill
Sutherland Call Centers
"The guidance and knowledge provided by CCTS has transformed our sales people into a powerful, passionate team! Our sales have increased by over 300% in the last six months!"
Christy Mullins
Platinum Fundraising
"CCTS provided us with a structured and effective coaching formula that we use on a daily basis, and it's adaptable to any new campaigns and situations we run into. Highly recommended for your teams."
Adam Jackson
Telus Communications
"CCTS really knows contact center environments, whether inbound or outbound. I value CCTS as a business partner. They definitely are invested in my success."
Lisa Simpson
Sacramento Municipal Utilities District
"This was the most informative training I’ve ever attended! I’ve shared many of the coaching techniques with the other sales managers, and we’ve seen some pretty incredible results."
Jason Kelly
Answer Financial Insurance
"I had the pleasure of working with Mo to improve our Service process and delivery. His positive attitude and engaging approach made the experience enjoyable for all. He has a very interactive style which makes his coaching memorable. If you are looking to improve your service or just looking to refresh and re-engage your team, Mo will deliver a personalized plan that will fit your organizations needs."
Carrie Santos
Airstron LLC
"I have known and experienced Mo's passion and experience for extraordinary customer service excellence while at Amazon. Mo is a constant professional that has a superior grasp of what it takes to support customers in-person and through inbound/outbound support (contact centers). Because of his strong commitment, delivery results, integrity and overall walk-the-walk of the "Call Center Training Solutions" practices and principles, I contracted Mo to deliver the "Floor Management Training" for two of our global contact centers (US and Europe). End result, he exceeded our expectations! We realized a 25% increase in productivity, 4% increase in first call resolution and a 10% increase in quality. Throughout the training and even post-training, Mo consistently checked-in on the teams he trained to continue coaching and empowering them. I can recommend without any doubt in my mind that if you have a contact center anywhere in the world that you must bring the 'Call Center Training Solutions' to your people (agents/leaders) as your customer experience will never be the same... you will hear the call of consistent extraordinary experiences!!!"
Virginia Joy Smith
Executive Coach - Author
"Mo definitely knows the key to success and how to put it together into a training package so not only agents excel but also their leaders. I wish I had this information years ago!"
Candy Schuyler
Amsterdam Printing
"Mo is a very high-energy person who easily translates written training to every-day situations. Mo's ability to connect with his audience is a huge asset. I highly recommend Mo Bellio."
Carl Brantley
CASA of the Pikes Peak Region
"I've hired Mo several times to provide training for trainers and for my Contact Center to teach floor coaching to the Supervisors. I find Mo to be very easy to work with. He really knows contact center environments, whether inbound or outbound, and understands the pace of business. For his instructor training, Mo absolutely models what he teaches and produces high quality work. I value him as a business partner because he focuses on building long-term, sustainable relationships with clients. He is invested in my success!"
Lisa Simpson
Sacramento Municipal Utilities District
"Mo's training and coaching skill development is as relevant today as it was when we hired him. His programs are part of the foundational curriculum for new hire training we give to reps and first-time supervisors. It's important when conducting behavior-based skill training that the instructor create a safe, fun, endorsing environment for the adult learners to practice. Mo does a terrific job at this."
Bob Bridges
Trainer Coach - Speaker
"Mo and his amazing team always have insightful tips that can be leveraged in many sales environments. Great work!"
Kim Surgeoner
FAQs for Superior Service
Why are so many customer service calls so dreadful?
We consult on many of these and have resources to share in others. All of these can hinder our ability to help you get the most out of your people, so we will help you look at ways to fix these, too.
Customer service calls can be challenging experiences for various reasons. Here are a number of common factors that contribute to the unpleasantness of most customer service calls.
One of the primary reasons customer service calls are dreadful is the excessive waiting time. Customers often have to endure extended periods on hold, listening to repetitive music or prerecorded messages. The frustration and impatience caused by long wait times can sour the entire customer service experience. Many of these customers will take it out on the agent who first greets them. One great solution is to make sure you are staffed properly so fewer calls have long wait times. This takes some time to figure out, but it should be job one in your center, if you are struggling in this area.
Many customer service calls are routed through automated systems, which often fail to understand customer queries or provide relevant solutions. The inability of these systems to comprehend and address customer issues accurately can lead to frustration and a lack of confidence in the company’s customer service capabilities. It does not help that customers push the wrong buttons in their attempt to get to someone live faster, but in the end, a more useful IVR menu is often a great improvement.
Customer service representatives who lack the necessary training or knowledge to assist customers effectively contribute significantly to poor customer service calls. Agents who cannot provide adequate solutions or resolutions, provide incorrect information, or lack empathy can leave customers feeling unheard and dissatisfied. Sometimes, an agent will provide the correct resolution and the customer still gives a bad score on their post-call survey. In these cases, it may be that the rep was competent but not caring during the call.
In today’s globalized world, customer service calls may involve language or communication barriers, particularly when dealing with offshore call centers. Misunderstandings due to accents, language proficiency, or cultural differences can hinder effective communication and result in prolonged call times and frustration on both sides. The offshore site will promise excellent English, but without rigorous training, that just means the reps can communicate to the customer – one way. Often, however, these reps do not understand the meaning and context being communicated by the customer. These customers will feel unheard and can be very frustrated.
Customers often contact customer service departments seeking prompt solutions to their problems. However, when agents lack the authority or ability to resolve issues independently, it can lead to a lack of resolution, multiple calls for the same reason, or frequent transfers between departments. This lack of empowerment can make customers feel unheard, escalate their frustration, and prolong the overall duration of the call.
Another reason why customer service calls can be dreadful is the repetitive and time-consuming verification processes. Many calls require customers to provide personal information or account details multiple times, causing annoyance and wasting valuable time. Customers expect efficient and streamlined verification processes to ensure a smoother interaction. The classic complaint you hear from customers calling their credit card company is, “Why did you ask me to type in my complete card number if you’re just going to ask me for it again?” In these cases, there are simple techniques for preventing the customer frustration.
When customers receive conflicting information from different agents or departments within the same company, it can be frustrating and lead to distrust. Inconsistent responses regarding policies, procedures, or issue resolution can prolong call times and create a negative perception of the company’s customer service.
Customers often seek empathy and a personalized approach when contacting customer service. However, agents who lack empathy or treat customers as mere transactions can exacerbate the negative experience. Failing to acknowledge the customer’s emotions or offer personalized solutions can make the call feel impersonal and unsatisfactory. All of this is covered in our Superior Service program with great strategies to prevent these issues before they occur.
Technical problems, such as poor call quality, dropped calls, or malfunctioning systems, can significantly impact the customer service experience. These issues not only hinder effective communication but also contribute to frustration and dissatisfaction on both ends of the call.
Some call centers rely heavily on scripted responses, which can make interactions feel robotic and detached. Customers appreciate genuine engagement and personalized solutions, and an overreliance on scripts can hinder rapport-building and create a disconnected experience. Training and follow-up support from leadership are critical in this area. This is what we provide through our Superior Service program and Winning Management & Coaching.
When companies fail to provide transparent and honest information to customers during a service call, it can further diminish trust. Concealing relevant details or providing misleading information can prolong the call and escalate customer frustration, leading to a dreadful experience. This is one of the worst ones for service reps. They get stuck in the middle, having to use a scripted, masked response to customers when they know more and have more information they are not allowed to share with the customer.
What are ten things my service reps can do right now
to create better customer experiences?
Here are some actions they can implement right away:
Agents should practice active listening by paying full attention to customers’ concerns and needs. This involves avoiding interruptions, paraphrasing to ensure understanding, and asking relevant questions to gather all necessary information. Active listening helps agents better comprehend customer issues and respond appropriately.
Agents should strive to empathize with customers, acknowledging their emotions and frustrations. By showing empathy, agents can create a more compassionate and supportive environment, which reassures customers that their concerns are being taken seriously.
Treating each customer as an individual can significantly improve their experience. Agents should address customers by name, use personalized greetings, and tailor their responses to the specific situation. This personal touch creates a more engaging and human interaction, enhancing customer satisfaction.
Agents should communicate clearly and concisely, using simple language to ensure customers understand the information provided. Avoiding technical jargon and using customer-friendly terms helps avoid confusion and fosters better comprehension.
Instead of simply reacting to customer complaints or issues, agents can take a proactive approach by identifying potential problems before customers raise them. This can involve providing preemptive solutions, offering relevant information, or suggesting additional products or services that may benefit the customer.
Agents should continuously improve their product or service knowledge to provide accurate and comprehensive information to customers. Staying updated on frequently asked questions, new features, and common issues allows agents to address inquiries confidently and efficiently.
After resolving a customer’s concern, agents should follow up to ensure satisfaction and provide any necessary additional assistance. This shows the customer that their issue was taken seriously and provides an opportunity to address any lingering questions or concerns.
Agents should take ownership of customer issues and see them through to resolution. This means avoiding unnecessary transfers or delays and ensuring the customer feels supported throughout the process. Taking responsibility for the customer’s experience builds trust and confidence in the agent’s abilities.
Maintaining a positive and friendly demeanor, even in challenging situations, can greatly impact the customer experience. Agents should strive to be patient, understanding, and professional, even when faced with difficult customers. A positive attitude can defuse tension and create a more pleasant interaction.
When a customer’s issue cannot be resolved immediately, agents should effectively manage escalations by promptly involving supervisors or specialized teams. Clear communication and regular updates to the customer regarding the escalation process help manage expectations and minimize frustration.
By implementing these strategies, call center customer service agents can take immediate action to enhance the customer experience. These steps contribute to building stronger customer relationships, increasing satisfaction levels, and ultimately fostering customer loyalty.
What role does leadership play in the service environment?
First and foremost, front line leaders are responsible for providing guidance, support, and mentorship to the customer service agents they oversee. They play a crucial role in training new agents, ensuring they understand company policies, procedures, and customer service best practices. Through ongoing coaching and feedback, front line leaders help agents develop their skills, improve their performance, and handle customer interactions effectively.
Front line leaders also act as a direct line of communication between agents and higher management. They convey important updates, changes in policies or procedures, and customer feedback to their teams. By keeping agents informed and engaged, leaders enable them to stay up-to-date and aligned with the organization’s goals and customer service objectives.
In addition, front line leaders play a pivotal role in maintaining a positive and motivated team environment. They foster a culture of teamwork, collaboration, and mutual support among agents. By recognizing and appreciating agents’ efforts, celebrating achievements, and addressing any concerns or conflicts, leaders contribute to agents’ job satisfaction, morale, and overall engagement.
Furthermore, front line leaders are responsible for monitoring and managing the performance and productivity of their team members. They track key performance metrics, such as average handling time, first call resolution, and customer satisfaction ratings, and provide agents with regular performance feedback and coaching. By setting clear performance expectations, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing strategies for growth, leaders help agents achieve their targets and deliver high-quality customer service.
Importantly, front line leaders also serve as a resource for agents when they encounter complex or challenging customer interactions. They can step in to handle escalated calls, provide guidance during difficult situations, and offer solutions or strategies to resolve customer issues effectively. By having experienced leaders available to support agents, call centers can ensure that customers receive the assistance they need in a timely and satisfactory manner.
Ultimately, the role of front line leadership in a customer service call center is crucial to the success of the agents and the overall customer experience. Effective leaders create a positive work environment, nurture agent development, improve performance, and enable agents to deliver exceptional customer service. Their presence and support empower agents to handle customer interactions with confidence, empathy, and efficiency, resulting in higher customer satisfaction, loyalty, and business success.
How do we prevent callers from going Irate? (define true Irate)
Customer service agents can employ several strategies to prevent customers from becoming irate. Here are some effective approaches:
When customers contact customer service, agents should actively listen to their concerns without interruption. Letting customers fully express their frustrations or issues demonstrates that their voice is being heard and respected
Agents should show empathy towards customers’ emotions and frustrations. Demonstrating understanding and acknowledging their concerns helps to defuse tension and create a more positive interaction.
Agents should maintain a calm and composed demeanor, even in challenging situations. Responding to customers with professionalism and courtesy helps to de-escalate their emotions and promotes a more constructive conversation.
Agents should choose their words carefully and use positive language when interacting with customers. Avoiding negative terms and focusing on solutions and assistance can help shift the tone of the conversation and ease customer frustration.
Customers become frustrated when they receive conflicting or incorrect information. Agents should strive to provide accurate and relevant information to address customer inquiries or issues promptly. Clear communication helps to build trust and confidence in the agent’s abilities.
If resolving a customer’s issue takes time or involves complex processes, agents should manage expectations by providing realistic timelines or updates. Transparent communication about the steps being taken to address the problem helps to temper frustration and maintain customer trust.
Instead of simply stating limitations or what cannot be done, agents should focus on providing viable solutions or alternatives to address the customer’s needs. Offering options or suggesting alternative approaches can help alleviate customer frustration and demonstrate a commitment to finding a resolution.
If an agent is unable to resolve a customer’s issue, it is crucial to escalate the matter to a supervisor or specialized team promptly. Informing the customer of the escalation and assuring them that their concern will be addressed by the appropriate personnel can help prevent escalating frustration.
Agents should make it a point to follow up with customers after their initial interaction to ensure their satisfaction and confirm that their issues have been resolved. This demonstrates care and accountability, reassuring customers that their concerns were taken seriously.
Agents should engage in ongoing training and development to enhance their skills and knowledge. Staying updated on product or service information and customer service techniques allows agents to provide more effective assistance, reducing the likelihood of customer frustration.
By implementing these strategies, customer service agents can proactively prevent customers from becoming irate. These approaches promote positive communication, empathy, and problem-solving, resulting in a more satisfactory customer experience.
What is a Better Service Mindset?
A smart mindset for customer service agents involves adopting certain characteristics that contribute to their effectiveness and success. Here are some key traits:
Problem-solving orientation: Customer service agents with a smart mindset approach challenges as opportunities for problem-solving. They actively seek solutions to customer issues, think critically, and use their knowledge and resources to address problems effectively.
By embodying these characteristics, customer service agents can develop a smart mindset that enables them to excel in their roles. This mindset empowers agents to provide outstanding service, build customer loyalty, and contribute to the overall success of the organization.
Smart agents are adaptable and flexible in their approach. They can quickly adjust their communication style, problem-solving strategies, and even their emotions to suit the needs of different customers and situations. They embrace change and are open to learning new skills and techniques.
Agents with a smart mindset possess emotional intelligence. They are aware of their own emotions and can manage them effectively, while also recognizing and understanding the emotions of customers. This enables them to respond with empathy, maintain a positive attitude, and diffuse tense situations.
Smart agents actively listen to customers, focusing on understanding their concerns, needs, and emotions. They give their full attention, ask clarifying questions, and engage in meaningful dialogue. Active listening helps agents provide accurate and relevant solutions while making customers feel heard and valued.
Smart agents have a growth mindset and actively seek opportunities for learning and development. They stay updated on product knowledge, customer service best practices, and industry trends. By continuously expanding their knowledge and skills, they can provide better assistance to customers.
Smart agents possess strong communication skills. They can convey information clearly and concisely, using language that customers can easily understand. They listen actively, ask relevant questions, and provide accurate and timely responses. Their communication builds rapport and fosters positive customer experiences.
Agents with a smart mindset pay attention to detail. They ensure accuracy in their work, double-check information, and avoid making careless mistakes. They understand that even small errors can impact the customer experience, and they strive for excellence in their interactions.
Smart agents prioritize the needs and satisfaction of customers. They put themselves in the customers’ shoes, anticipate their concerns, and go the extra mile to provide exceptional service. They understand that a positive customer experience is crucial for business success.
Smart agents are resilient in the face of challenges and setbacks. They maintain a positive attitude, bounce back from difficult interactions, and persevere in finding solutions. They view obstacles as opportunities for growth and remain focused on providing excellent customer service.
Smart agents understand the value of collaboration and teamwork. They work effectively with colleagues, sharing knowledge and resources to address customer issues. They contribute positively to the team dynamic, supporting and learning from their peers.
By embodying these characteristics, customer service agents can develop a smart mindset that enables them to excel in their roles. This mindset empowers agents to provide outstanding service, build customer loyalty, and contribute to the overall success of the organization.