Five tips to turn customer dissatisfaction into a positive experience using the complaint as a strength. How can you improve negative customer feedback and give a positive impulse to customer experience? Don’t ignore complaints, rather try to resolve them as quickly and effectively as possible.
The power of customer satisfaction
In the previous articles in the series of 7 blogs about Delivering the best service, you have read about the power of super promoters with the focus on customer experience and how you can improve your online reputation with the best service. Delivering the best service is not only about improving processes, but also about how you handle complaints and make them work for you. The latest blog gives 5 tips on how to turn a negative customer into a satisfied or even enthusiastic customer.
The importance of complaint handling
A large-scale research by Liveperson shows that the biggest factor for a good customer experience is the quick resolution of complaints (according to 82% of respondents). And according to the PWC research it can lead to a rapid and effective resolution of issues for satisfied customers. If customers are extremely positive about the manner that complaints were handled, 64% of them will tell others. It is therefore important that you take complaints seriously, and always follow up negative customer feedback. On the other hand, for all customers who do file a complaint, there are also customers who keep quiet, but are dissatisfied and won’t want to do business with you again. Try and track down these customers too, and approach them on your own initiative.
1. Show empathy
Listen carefully to the customer and always state that you are sorry that the customer is not happy. Review the situation and summarize the complaint for your customer and ask if that is correct. Then inform the customer that you will do everything to resolve the issue as soon as possible and explain what you are going to do. This way the customer feels heard and is assured that the complaint will be resolved.
2. Include specialists from the organization
Some complaints may be quite complex, and it will be difficult for customer service to assist the customer immediately. If this happens, get a product or service market expert to provide the customer with good answers and assist further. That also inspires confidence in the customer.
3. Respond quickly to complaints
A first-time response is the priority. Empower your employees so they don’t need to go to a manager with every complaint. Solve your complaints within one contact session.
4. Use the same employee for complaint follow-up
Sometimes it is not possible to solve the complaint the first time. Make sure that the customer is always followed up by the same employee. The customer has the feeling that he is being taken seriously and not just being referred from one person to the next.
5. Have active contact with the complainant
Try not only to solve the complaint, but be proactive and make it a challenge to surprise your customers with solutions they did not expect. Scan negative reviews or expressions on social media and approach these customers. You will be surprised at how you can turn these complainants into satisfied or even enthusiastic customers by just showing interest and listening to their story.
If you follow the tips above, chances are that customers will feel more connected to your brand or organization. You have given them the feeling that you care about them and appreciate their opinion. Give your customer experience a positive boost!