The
past year has been traumatic for our community and has been particularly
challenging for the business community, not only with repairs
to the business, but maintaining employees, or in some instances,
finding employees. It has become very obvious customer service
has reached a low point…across the business spectrum. Having
spent the last year working with the business community to get
back into business, the logical next step would be to help them
stay in business. Providing good customer service is the life
blood of any business. As the expression goes, it is cheaper to
keep the customer you have than to find a new one.
Having
an unhappy customer brings more negative public relations to your
business than having ten happy customers. Remember the occasion
when you walked in the store and the clerk was on the telephone
and the deep sighs of exasperation could be heard when the call
was ended and not pleasant comments were mumbled under the breath.
And how did you feel at that moment in time when you were next
in line for service. Did it cross your mind that if the clerk
was that rude with the customer on the telephone, they would be
rude to you as well?
To
assist you with providing excellent customer service and to improve
your business, a customer service program has been designed specifically
for Charlotte County businesses. Anne Schroeder, Institute of
Government, Florida Gulf Coast University, will be the instructor
for “Courtesy Calling”. “Courtesy Calling”
is offered to the business community, at no charge to your business.
Times have been scheduled to cover a cross-section of work schedules.
The
first classes are November 17th, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the
Mid-County Regional Library, Forest Nelson Boulevard and the afternoon
meeting is 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at City Council Chambers in
the Punta Gorda City Hall. The second day is December 7th, 8:00
a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Cultural Center on Aaron Street in Port
Charlotte and the afternoon meeting is 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
at the County Administration Center, 18500 Murdock Circle, Room
119. Reservations may be made by calling 941.743.5372.
This
is a refresher course and will focus on how to treat customers.
You will learn how to use body language, words and phrases to
your advantage. There will be tips on how to handle complaints
and how to work with our ever-growing population of international
guests.
Remember:
the goal is to keep and grow your business. Good customer service
should top the list when you open the door to your business.
Betty Williams is economic development manager for the Charlotte
County Economic Development Office (www.PureEconomics.org). You
can call her at (941) 627-3023 or e-mail her at PureEconomics@charlottecountyfl.com.
