Employees are the cause of the most dissatisfaction… Max Effgen, April 8, 2009 More on the Ten Service Myths Having spent a lot of time in various call centers around the world, I have notice a constant. Employees (CSRs) will work to maximize the process or plan to their benefit. This is no different than a Sales Rep figuring out how to maximize… Continue Reading
If complaints are down, customer service is better. Max Effgen, April 8, 2009 How do you measure the effectiveness of customer service? In a traditional enterprise software model, customer maintenance revenue was a great measure of the effectiveness of customer service. In the Cloud subscription-based world, maintenance revenue does not exist. So how do you measure? It is certainly not by measuring complaints. Continue Reading
The customer is always right. Max Effgen, April 7, 2009 It is not whether the customer is right or wrong. It is that every contact with a customer is an opportunity to improve business results and the relationship. To borrow from Steve Yastrow: Is it a slap or a kiss? Are the contacts with the client and customer relationship-building or… Continue Reading
People always prefer talking to people… Max Effgen, April 7, 2009 This is another “myth” that I find puzzling and is just not sound business. Phone calls are more costly than other methods of incident resolution. Plain and simple fact. Most serivce centers have to find ways to scale without increasing headout (i.e. Productivity gains). There are many companies that are… Continue Reading
If you answer the phone the quickest… Max Effgen, April 6, 2009 …that alone is the key to success. I am not sure how this is a service myth for success. Everyone likes a prompt phone answer, but in this day and age that is not always practical. It can even be turned on its head. A client had an issue with… Continue Reading
Wine Max Effgen, April 4, 2009 I am not an oenophile, but I do enjoy a nice wine. Here is a recent discovery that is more than affordable and very good for the sub-$6 price. 2006 Two Vines Cabernet Sauvignon Cheers! Continue Reading
Always exceed customer expectations Max Effgen, April 1, 2009 One of the biggest challenges for sales and service is customer expectations. The needs, wants, and preconceived ideas that a customer has for your product can skew the service experience. These days a disappointed customer can put a poor service experience out to the world instantaneously. Customer expectations start with… Continue Reading
Ten Service Myths Max Effgen, April 1, 2009 Another useful post from Destination CRM Blog. 10 Service Myths 1. Always exceed customer expectations. 2. If you answer the phone the quickest, that alone is the key to success. 3. People always prefer talking to people. 4. The customer is always right. 5. If complaints are down, customer service… Continue Reading
Keep It Simple… Max Effgen, March 29, 2009 Sales usage and/ or compliance of a CRM system can vary widely for many reasons. Some sales talent believe that they personally own the account contacts and are a conduit to the relationship. Some posture and pontificate on compliance and then do not lead by example. Some just don’t like… Continue Reading
Online reads: Michael Lewis Max Effgen, March 25, 2009 Michael Lewis is the fantastic author or Liar’s Poker and Moneyball. His books transcend the subject and offer lessons in innovation, management and leadership. Here are two online reads of his that I have recently enjoyed: Coach Leach Goes Deep, Very Deep and The No-Stats All-Star Continue Reading