Impress Anyone as Customer Service Manager

Working in customer service can be a thankless job. There are a variety of situations to handle, ranging from minor to serious. Some can be resolved in a matter of minutes over the phone, while others require heavy discussion and problem-solving face-to-face. It’s enough to rattle even the most dignified and experienced professionals, but there are steps that all customer service managers can take to impress customers and earn their trust. Here’s what you should know.

Work With Your Team

Don’t be known as the manager everyone dreads. While it’s great to be authoritative and exert a sense of confidence and professionalism in all your transactions, you don’t need to be angry or forceful. Instead, treat everyone as an equal; express your expectations clearly to the team. Employees who work together are far more likely to achieve success than those who don’t listen to each other. Moreover, managers can create a sense of camaraderie and belonging that often evades employees. By wrangling the team together and coordinating a group effort that focuses on providing the best possible service, you have a greater chance of impressing customers who come to you with their concerns.

Start Fresh Every Time

It can be tough to separate one situation from the next, especially if you’re bombarded with customer complaints. But it’s important to address each one with a focus instead of allowing previous interactions with other customers to disrupt the way you handle a new situation. Think of each meeting with a customer as an opportunity to fine-tune your customer service skills and use your best tools to arrive at a reasonable solution. There’s a reason you’re the manager—you’re a solid communicator, rational thinker, and a problem-solver who prioritizes the needs of customers above all else, always with a focus on fairness. With that in mind, approach each situation with confidence, and strive to make every experience a positive one for people who come directly to you for help. When you put forth your best efforts, you’ll always leave behind a memorable impression.

Wear the Right Clothes

Your company uniform is a distinctive factor that sets you apart from others. It’s an opportunity to visibly express your authority and set yourself apart from other members on your team. This is important because it allows customers to come straight to you instead of searching in vain when they have a complaint (or a compliment). The quicker you can help someone, the less likely the customer is to be frustrated or feel like their needs aren’t being met.

Unless you’re required to wear custom uniform shirts, you have a few options where your professional attire is concerned. You might opt for a top that is embroidered with your company’s logo to establish a more polished appearance that helps customers identify you right away. Your staff can wear the same type of shirt in a different color, too.

If you’re not bound to a strict dress code, think in terms of polished attire that sets a reserved and serious tone. Remember that customers expect impeccable, results-based service from you. What you wear serves as something of an introduction, as customers generally want to see a manager who is dressed to impress. It helps to look the part because you’ll feel more confident when you’re actually fulfilling your role as a customer service manager.

To that end, think about garments that make you feel most comfortable. You’re likely on your feet for a good portion of the day, so your comfort should always take priority. Never underestimate the value of a great pair of custom uniform work pants in a solid color, for example. It’s a reliable starting point that you can easily pair with everything from embroidered dressy top to a crisp flip-cuff shirt with a button front. Tuck your top in and throw on a blazer to complete the look.

Track Your Performance Results

While the higher-ups are fully engaged in performance and ensuring everyone meets the demands of customers, you can take responsibility for your actions by evaluating yourself periodically. Be honest with yourself—could you have dealt with a frustrated customer better or handled an unfair situation with more poise? Listen to your own manager’s feedback, too; there’s a reason that it’s given, and if you use it constructively, you’re more likely to achieve the types of on-the-job results and success you expect of yourself.