Empathy – Serve it to your customers

Seth Godin wrote a terrific post this morning about customer service titled, “You’re right!”  He shares his experience of writing a letter to complain about poor service only to receive a letter back from the proprietor that shouts, “You’re wrong!”

Why do business people argue with their customers?

It happens all of the time. Why? What’s the point? Who actually “wins” this argument?

It doesn’t matter who is (technically) right. It doesn’t matter that you can prove that the customer is wrong. What do you have to prove? That you can turn an angy customer into an enraged – and most likely – former customer? What’s your point?

I hope that, by now, you see that the only answer you should give is, “You’re right!”

When you manage a customer complaint by saying, “You’re right!,” you are practicing empathy. Empathy is not sympathy. Empathy is not admitting that you are wrong. Empathy is not capitulation to a customer’s demand(s).

Empathy is saying, “You’re right, that is frustrating.” Or, “You’re right, I can see that you are disappointed.”

Sympathy is saying, “Oh, that’s too bad,” and then walking away from or hanging up on your customer.

Empathy enables you to connect with your customer – on an emotional level. Empathy also validates the customer’s feelings. He or she is angry; they are disappointed; they did not receive what they had expected.

You are saying, “You’re right…” You are not saying, “I am wrong.” You are seeking a solution – together. Even if that solution is to recognize that you should not continue to do business together in the future.

A classic example of the latter comes from the book, “Nuts! Southwest Airlines’ Crazy Recipe for Business and Personal Success,” by Kevin and Jackie Freiberg. The story is on page 269. I first heard Jackie Freiberg relate this story more than 10 years ago and it resonated with me:

A regular customer, one who frequently wrote in to complain, sent a particularly nasty letter to Southwest Airlines. The letter writer complained about their boarding process, their lack of meal service, the lack of a first class cabin, the cheerful attitude of their flight attendants, etc. In short, she complained about everything that Southwest Airlines did and did not do.

The customer service department was not sure how to handle this particular letter so they “bumped it upstairs” to Herb Kelleher, the co-founder and “colorful” CEO at the time. After carefully reading thie letter, Herb calmly wrote,

“Dear Mrs. ____, we will miss you!”

Sincerely,

Herb Kelleher

Great story! Great strategy! Great customer service!

What’s your story? What experiences – or nightmares – can you share with our readers?

Add your comments below.

 

An Engaged Workforce Delivers Extraordinary Results

“People today are saying, ‘teach me, grow me, and if you won’t teach me and grow me I’ll go someplace else.'”

– Sharon Jordan-Evans, Executive Coach

One of the themes at the conference I attended last week was “The Engaged Employee.” Jackie Freiberg, co-author of the business book best-seller “Guts!,” was the keynote speaker. She taught us how to “Blow the Doors Off Service-as-Usual.” The essence of the talk was that you will never be able to provide extraordinary service to your “external” customers (the ones whose business allows you to pay the bills) until you start to grow, teach and empower your “internal” customers (the ones who do the work.)

Employers who are unable or unwilling to “grow, teach and empower” their employees can not remain competitive in the marketplace. Both customers and your workforce demand that you do so. It is expected. They must be “engaged” with you and your business. Otherwise …, as the opening quote states, “(they) will go someplace else.”

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