1. Customer service
I cannot say enough about that. When I go into a business and no one greets me or offers to help me find what I came to their business for, I often leave right away or only buy the one item I came in to buy. A simple hello, can I help you or how are you, goes a long way with me. Another thing to ask is if there is anything else you can help the customer with and really mean it. Look them in the eye when you talk to them. If they come into your place of business more than once, be familiar with and use their name!
I recently changed where I bank because of these things. I had been using my old bank for about 4 years and they never called me by name. I do not even live in a large city so that is no excuse.

2. Manners
If you do not have any, you had better start learning them or teaching them to your employees. Please and thank you go a long way to making and keeping good customer relations. Write thank you cards. Send thank you E-mails. Give small thank you gifts to your first time and long time loyal customers. In today’s virtual world bad manners run rampant and I have to tell you, I am old school, if you want my business you had better not be in with the bad mannered crowd. I am not sure why we have gotten to this point because a simple please or thank you do not take any time and certainly do not cost us anything. They do bring a large return though.

3. Hire a Virtual Assistant
A VA can do all the mundane routine tasks that come up in your office so you have more time for the important stuff, like taking good care of your customers!
Virtual office professionals are independent contractors, clients' do not have to pay taxes, insurance, or any fringe benefits. There is no requirement for office space or equipment, and clients only pay for work performed. Unlike temporary workers, VA's are entrepreneurs and have a vested interest in their clients' success because the engagement often leads to long-term relationships and referrals. Typically, VA's services include executive administrative support, bookkeeping services, concierge services, travel arrangements, desktop publishing, mailing services, sales and marketing support, research and so much more.

You are welcome to use this on your site as long as you link to my site and blog. Thank you
Vicky
http://www.vickysvirtualoffice.com
http://blog.vickysvirtualoffice.com/

Thank you so much for writing this and allowing us to use it on our own site. I meant to write something close to what you have for number three over the weekend for my blog, but got so busy I didn't have time. I will post it up right now, linking back to you, of course :-)

Thanks again,
Loralea

You are very welcome. Glad to help and thank you for the link.

Great article and a great reminder for us all. Customer service has fallen by the wayside. Hopefully your article will light a fire under some people.

Best regards,
Tomesia Ingram

I agree! customer service really can make or break a business! I am very fortunate to have had opportunities to take on positions that gave me excellent customer service experience.

The section on manners was my favorite part. This is something that so many people lack and it's crazy because these are things that are so easy to do. How much is it to say "thank you", send a note, or even a call? Priceless! Great post!!

I think every business needs to remember how important quality customer service is. Without customers/clients we would not have our business.

__________________
Dawn Riley
A Virtual Assistant in Paradise
Our business is about making yours better

Vicky,

You are so right about the manners and customer service it is so important.

But it is up to us, as parents, to teach our children the importance of saying "please and thank you" also then it is a natural progression when they grow up that they will have manners.

__________________
Vicky
www.c-vas.eu