new years resolution | Customer Service Solutions, Inc.

When You’re the Educator, What Should You Teach? - 1/21/25


The best customer service professionals are also excellent educators.  Not only within the organization, but I’m talking specifically about the role they play as educator with their customers.  With all the self-service options that technology provides, customers often have the opportunity to do things on their own, to investigate Read more

Wrap It Up Right: Why Follow-Up Communications WOW Customers - 1/14/25


Dena had some questions about her water bill, so she looked for answers on the utility’s website.  She didn’t find specific answers, and she really didn’t want to get on the phone with somebody at the time and risk staying on hold.  She had lots going on, but she Read more

From Conversation to Connection: Defining Customer Engagement - 1/7/25


Maggie was sitting in the Service Excellence Training class, and the instructor kept talking about staying engaged with the customer.  Proactively engaging the customer.  Being fully engaged in the conversation. After hearing this same phrase (“engage”) used in various ways, Maggie raised her hand and asked a question probably several Read more

Self-empower for the New Year - 12/31/24


Jeff joined the company, in part, because he loved their approach to culture.  Leadership tried to create an empowerment culture.  They tried to develop an environment where, within certain parameters, individual team members could make a decision and feel confident that they would be supported by leadership. The reality was Read more

2024 Holiday Poem - 12/24/24


I sometimes hear it said That things have never been like this before. That challenges are unique, That stresses seem like more.   I sometimes hear it said That we're asked to do much more with less. That workloads are increasing, And we're resource-constrained at best.   And others often say That things are really very good. That they enjoy those Read more

Is Their Poor Planning Your Emergency? - 12/17/24


Have you ever heard the saying:  Your poor planning is not my emergency. I’ve heard it said often – not necessarily directly from one person to another.  More typical is that I hear it from the person having to drop everything and do something immediately because someone else didn’t think Read more

Empathy Examples for Everyday Situations - 12/10/24


I’ve often said that empathy is the single most important characteristic of people who are great at customer service.  If empathy is essentially “to understand the other person,” it helps so much to have that ability in order to specifically help someone.  To talk to what’s unique about them.  Read more

Tell Them Why You’re Giving Thanks - 12/3/24


Thank you! Merci! Danke! Doumo! Gracias! It seems like every language has a translation of Thank You.  Even though I only fluently speak English and speak Spanish, un poco, I – and probably most of you – have heard some or all of the translations of "Thank You” noted above.  Read more

Refine Your Decision-making Process - 11/26/24


Every day, you make decisions of what to do and what not to do.  And in the world of customer service, often the affected parties are our customers, our co-workers, and our company.  Here are a few quotes to consider when you’re thinking about evaluating and refining your decision-making Read more

Acting on the Guiding Principles for Great Customer Service - 11/19/24


In last week’s tip, we shared 5 Guiding Principles for Great Customer Service.  This week, let’s address what “taking action” looks like on those key principles.  If last week was about what to do and WHY, this week is about the HOW. Engage with Interest: To engage with interest, proactively 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.