Take a Bite from Apple and Harvest Excellent Customer Service

Within minutes of entering an Apple Store, you will encounter hip and helpful staff members in neat black polo shirts. Their friendly, professional attitude helps you feel at home before, during and after the sale. Apple’s high level of customer service is profitable as well. In my case, when one-on-one training sessions made me 50 percent more efficient in using my new MacBook, I told many people about my positive experience. I also purchased four additional Apple products in the same year.

My Apple Store taught me how profitable good customer service can be. You can have the same results in your own business, and you don’t even need matching shirts.

Respond with Warmth

Every customer inquiry deserves a warm and professional response—just like the response you get at an Apple Store. Cultivate the ability to personalize every contact you make and every question you answer. Strive to make your customer service “professionally friendly” so customers can experience your enthusiasm, warmth and passion.

Listen First and Foremost

Respond quickly to customers even if you only have time to send a quick email letting them know that you heard them and will call back later. Of course, be certain to follow up. Don’t make promises you can’t keep, and never ignore customers. Even if you don’t have anything new to report, you can let them know you’re still working on their case. Most of all, people need to know they have been heard and that you value them enough to get back to them.

Show That You Care

Recently, a friend of mine had a difficult experience at a dentist's office due to an infection. She told me how surprised she was when the dentist called her at home that evening to be sure she was all right. Can you imagine how that warmed her heart? The dentist made the call because he cared.

How can you show customers how much they mean to your business? You could send a card or a birthday email, drop off a "just-because" bonus gift (I love that kind of gift!), deliver tickets to a concert, or simply make a phone call to them. Create time on your calendar every week to follow up with your clients in a personalized manner.

Shape Up While the Economy Turns Down

Competition may get tough in the months ahead, which makes good customer service even more important. People are going to be more selective about when and how they spend money, so they will definitely return to companies who give exceptional customer service.

No matter how you choose to upgrade your approach, do it because you truly care. Customer service should be the cornerstone of your business. Take the opportunity, as Apple Stores have, to offer distinctive customer care. When you truly stand out, the profits will follow.