Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Customer Service - Joining the Circle of Strength

 
By: Carolyn Lee, CPRW, CEIP - -

It is most unfortunate that companies have grown to be so large in most cases, that they have failed at investing in their most valuable asset - employees. CEO's have failed to recognize that it is not them alone building the outcome of the business branding and profits. One way or another everything trickles down to the customer. I am not so quick to blame the employees that we encounter making the errors or when they provide poor customer service; although it is extremely disappointing.

It is the employer's responsibility to set the criteria for employees by leading through example. Employees like to feel that they are able to take pride in their work and that what they do matters. With a lack of leadership from the top of the company down to the bottom, there needs to be a combined effort to implement a common focus. No matter where you are working within an organization or what your salary is, they are all employees within the same organizational framework working to fulfill a common goal. When is the last time you actually witnessed this in any organization? If you do find this shared mindset it will be a rare commodity.

With the economy changing, large companies are not necessarily safely holding the same status with prime positioning. Think back to when there were the mom-and-pop shops that provided excellent customer service with a centered focus. Oh, the good old days! Everything evolves in life, and what we are going to find is that there will be many more individuals starting their very own version of a mom-and-pop business model. To ensure their niche within the market they have an opportunity to bring customer service back to the glory days. It is time to learn from history and stake your claim, to improve upon what has been broken to excel within the market, providing a clear focus to a target market with branding.

Not everything can be fixed, but the tide could change course for the better. As a customer it is our choice to use our voice to demand the service we deserve for our hard earned dollars, and to call companies on the problems within their organization to make them accountable. Everyone of us has the ability to commit to making change a possibility. During the course of trying to stimulate an awareness you will encounter opposition as your message falls on deaf ears. Take to heart, you do not have to tolerate a lack of customer service and I encourage you to give your business to a company that understands that their employees are their most valued asset. Also, that you as the customer have value.

To follow a simple basic rule: "Supply and Demand"

When there were many jobs available job seekers had many to choose from, and employers were on the demand end (needing knowledgeable employees). Now there are many more job seekers than there are jobs, and the potential employer is on the supply end being very selective as they hire to fill minimal openings.

The same holds true for those that will start their own business as they weather the storm within this economy. They are empowered and able to promote change. As a customer, let us work together to send a strong message that we are no longer tolerating this type of service. You see, although companies and potential employers might be on the supply end of the cycle for employment, we as customers are on the demand end of business. This happens to be a very strong status within the consumer market.

As job seekers always strive to be the best that you can be no matter what an employer values. Know your own worth, develop your career and be proud of what you are accomplishing.

I.A.M. Resumes
www.IAMresumes.net

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