Procurement Services Companies
As a business in the hospitality industry, you know that one of the most important items that you provide is superior customer service. In the competitive world of hospitality, the level of customer service that you provide is what helps to set you apart from the competition. With that in mind, we’ll take a look at five of the most common customer service mistakes that you want to avoid.
At Source1 Purchasing, we are proud to be the leading Purchasing Services Organization (PSO), with more than $9.5 billion in purchasing power and contractual relationships with more than 1,000 suppliers. We can help you improve hotel customer service by maintaining alignment with your brand standards, growing and strengthening your supplier networks, and controlling quality standards at each of your locations. Contact us today to obtain your free supply chain analysis!
1. Value Automation Over Personalization
While there are many services that can and should be automated to enhance the customer’s experience, there are a number of services that are probably best handled face to face. Just because something can be automated doesn’t mean it should be. Be careful not to underestimate the value of personal interactions and direct contact with your customers. The savings that automation might provide could be undercut by dissatisfied customers. Remember that while some customers might prefer to chat online, others will appreciate talking with a representative over the phone.
2. Failure to Listen
It is very easy to assume that you know what your customers want, but this assumption could lead to major mistakes in your customer service department. As important as listening skills are, they don’t always come naturally, so be sure to prioritize teaching good listening skills across your organization. While your customer service representatives will likely have more direct communication with your customers, it’s important that everyone who represents your business demonstrates excellent listening skills. On that note, determine effective processes that will help your customer service representatives to truly listen rather than simply read from a script.
3. Reactive Rather Than Proactive Approach
If you realize that there is a growing problem in one area of your business as more and more customers complain, then you have already made the mistake of taking a reactive approach to customer service. A proactive approach is one that constantly looks for ways to improve processes and eliminate problems before they have time to appear. For example, take time to brainstorm how to impress your customers from their first point of contact rather than wait to deal with their complaints or problems. By altering your approach in this manner, you will not only make a proactive approach a standard, but you will be well on your way to providing superior customer service.
4. Limiting Customers to One Specific Service Channel
This mistake is a common one that many businesses in the hospitality industry make. In our technologically driven world, it can be easy to assume that all of your customers would rather complete their business online, but this would be a big mistake. Since there is not one channel that all of your customers will want to use, it’s important to give them a variety of ways to get in touch with you. From chat and talk to text and email, the more service channels you provide, the more likely you are to have satisfied customers.
5. Provide Inconsistent Customer Experiences
If you have identified a pattern of customer complaints coming and going in waves, then inconsistent customer service is likely the culprit. When you know you have excellent staff in place who are able to provide great customer service, then the problem lies with consistency. For example, a customer calls one day with a problem and has a resolution within five minutes. The next day, the same customer calls in with the same issue and waits 20 minutes before the problem is solved.
This example highlights the problem with inconsistent service. Your customers want to know that you will be predictable and reliable, which is why it’s imperative to make sure that all of your employees provide consistently great customer service.
Hopefully you found these customer service tips helpful. With all of the services, products, and employees that you strive to manage, it makes sense to utilize the help of a procurement service company to maximize your value through purchasing. At Source1 Purchasing, we can do just that! We’ll also help you leverage your purchasing data so that you can establish benchmarks, set goals, and track your overall program performance. If you’re ready to get control of the products, contracts, and services you need, then contact us today to obtain your free supply chain analysis!
