new years resolution | Customer Service Solutions, Inc.

Seamlessness - Why the Customer Thanked You - 6/23/26


This doesn’t happen enough nowadays, but the employee received a long thank you e-mail from the customer.  A financial services account manager had taken care of the client during a period of time that was stressful for the customer. Life was unexpectedly changing quickly, and personal emotions, additional financial responsibilities, Read more

When to Avoid the Escalation - 6/16/26


The customer calls with a complaint, and the easy thing to do is to escalate it to your supervisor. That may also be the right thing to do, but how do you know when to avoid the escalation? Why You Would Escalate The first thing to consider is why you would Read more

Let’s be Clear on Clarity - 6/9/26


When trying to manage expectations, it’s vital to be clear with the customer.  But what specifically does it mean to be “clear?” Clarity is in the eyes and ears of the beholder, so what may be clear to one customer may be unclear to another.  However, there are some basic Read more

Allow Yourself to Solve a Couple Puzzles Every Day - 6/2/26


Frank had never been a dog owner before, and when he first got Bosco at the shelter, Frank didn't really know what he was doing.  He would try to be a good parent - feed the dog, play with it, take it on walks - but he was doing Read more

Improve with a Purpose - 5/26/26


If you’re reading these customer service tips, you likely want to get better.  You want an idea, a technique, a reinforcement, or a question that helps you improve. But why improve? At some point you may waver on the commitment to improve, because it can take effort, introspection, time, and change.  Read more

Reciprocate the Thanks - 5/19/26


Jasmine had a great experience with the company, and the company sent her a link to provide an online evaluation following the visit.  So, she clicked the link, gave a rating, and made a comment about her experience. The company monitored their online reviews, saw the positive response, and replied Read more

Don’t Skip the Recap - 5/12/26


The playoff hockey game goes on for almost 3 hours.  There’s non-stop action, with plenty of penalties and takeaways and hits against the boards…and a few goals, as well. You didn’t get to watch the whole game because you had other plans, but you wanted to know what happened.  So, Read more

Finalize the Solution with the 6 Step Checklist - 5/5/26


In last week’s Tip, we showed why and how to Use the 6 Step Checklist before Resolving the Issue.  We noted the importance of taking 15 seconds to mentally walk through the Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How to feel confident that you know what’s needed to fix Read more

Use the 6 Step Checklist before Resolving the Issue - 4/28/26


We talk about trying to resolve the issue right the first time, sharing the technique on how to manage the conversation to get clarity on the real issue, need, or goal, and confirming your understanding before moving forward. But what are you trying to clarify?  What are you trying to Read more

Use the Customer’s Words - 4/21/26


The customer is describing a problem on what they call their “computer.” They mentioned that the “screen” doesn’t “move from one page to the other.” They say that the “website’s name is typed at the top,” and it says sample.com with a “line, and then it says ‘home’ after Read more

Have Resolve – 12/31/13 TOW

Posted on in Customer Service Tip of the Week 1 Comment

Are you going to exercise five days a week in 2014? How about giving up non-diet sodas? What about that 3 mile run every day? During the New Year, most people will talk about “New Year’s Resolutions.” Whether we/they make resolutions is one thing, and whether we keep them is entirely something else.

But the idea of “Resolution” or “having resolve” is a great concept. Resolve gets into determination, will, focus, being decisive, and inner strength. Resolve is a quality of many individuals who are great at customer service. Having Resolve means that when there are issues, you’re determined to fix them. You not only know what’s right, but you have the drive and desire (the will) to do what’s right.

Resolve means you have a focus on doing that which specifically needs to be done, and you have made a conscious decision to act. And Resolve is an inner strength that you have that can handle all those people, all those external challenges, all those curve balls thrown your way that can get you “off task.”

As we wade into 2014, keep in mind that there will be many tough tasks that you’ll be assigned. There will be many difficult customer and co-worker conversations and relationships. You’ll have the stretch goals and the physical and emotional challenges. But you can successfully get through those tougher times. You can come out on the back end with a smile and with accomplishment. You can succeed.

You can face the challenges of the New Year, if you Have Resolve.