Powerful First Impressions Create Great Customer Service ...

In today?s challenging business climate it is back to basics? with powerful first impressions for customer service. In the world of high-tech you can e-mail, fax, send and buy with the click of a mouse. When face to face with a real person, customer service and information is what people want today. Whether you are selling a product or promoting a service the client decides to do business with you or not within the first two minutes. A first impression consists of body language, voice inflection and the words you say.

Body language represents fifty-five percent of a persons first opinion of you. Something as simple as a smile can make a huge difference in your bottom line profit. Negative body language is the stumbling block to a successful first encounter.

* Shifting your feet or body from left to right
* Failure to smile
* An unreceptive attitude
* No eye contact

When you offer a premium product or service, first impressions make the difference.

* Stand straight and use attentive posture
* Smile positively with direct eye contact
* Utilize hands, when necessary, to illustrate a point
* After hearing the clients name, use their name in the conversation to personalize it
* Listen and make your customer feel important

Voice inflection is thirty-eight percent of how a person perceives you. If your voice is high-pitched, lower it. Speaking from the diaphragm gives an impression of clarity, power and authority. An easy method to evaluate your voice quality is to record your business exchanges throughout the day, play back what you?ve recorded, and ask yourself the following:

* Do I sound bored or enthusiastic?
* Do I sound vague or self-assured?
* Do I mumble or enunciate?
* Do I speak in a monotone, high pitch, or use voice range?
* Do I speak too fast, too slow, or apply appropriate pacing?
* Do I ramble on or practice effective pausing?
* Do I speak too soft, too loud, or pleasantly?

Though only seven percent of how people perceive you is determined by the words you use, you can still make a compelling impact. Use words that are visual and influence emotions.

Ask your staff to review a product or service and come up with five significant words to describe it. Create rapport with your client by using positive words. Words like; time-saving, safe, dependable, heavy-duty, durable, cost-effective, convenient, family friendly, a wide range of colors and fabrics, elegant detail. Eliminate words or terms such as; can?t, don?t know, never, maybe, problem, try, or ho-hum responses. Use facial gestures that match what you?re saying. When customers walk into your business, project the total impression of taste, intelligence and personality. When you establish positive first impressions, others around you will catch your enthusiasm, consider you a professional in the field, and value your advice.

Set yourself apart from the competition and increase your profit. The cornerstone of a successful business is to create an ambiance of confidence, to direct your responses toward solutions and project powerful first impressions. Delivering excellence in customer service is crucial in today?s business world.

Source: http://business44.com/2012/02/powerful-first-impressions-create-great-customer-service/

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