| We've come a long way since the days of the | | | | 6) Mind yer grammar. Bad grammar and spelling |
| Pony Express. E-mails, voice mails, and text | | | | make you look unprofessional and take away |
| messages have done an amazing job of speeding | | | | your credibility very quickly. Watch what you say |
| up the rate at which we do business around the | | | | as well as what you email. Avoid phrases like "you |
| world. Information flies back and forth in a matter | | | | guys" or mispronunciations like 'realator' vs. |
| of seconds and we accomplish so much more, so | | | | 'realtor." |
| much faster. | | | | 7) Avoid barbed comments. Always speak |
| But as electronic and high speed as today's world | | | | positively about your company and co-workers. |
| has become, it's still vital to know how to conduct | | | | You want people to be drawn to your |
| yourself in "live" situations. What can you do to | | | | organization, so present your business and staff in |
| avoid looking like a greenhorn as you do business | | | | a positive light. Every business has improvements |
| in face-to-face interactions with clients as well as | | | | to make, but don't degrade your products, |
| with each other? Here are 10 tips on appearing | | | | services or co-workers in front of others. |
| as spit-shined and personable as possible: | | | | 8) Don't poison your neighbor's well. Never put |
| 1) Treat them like people, not cattle. Your | | | | down the competition or speak of them |
| customers want to feel special and cared for, not | | | | negatively. You may think it makes you look |
| like an insignificant cow in the herd. Treat them | | | | better, but it usually has the opposite effect. By |
| like they're your top priority and the most | | | | acknowledging their strengths and professionalism |
| important thing in your world at that moment. | | | | you actually reinforce your own. Bring a positive |
| 2) Look for the whites of their eyes. When | | | | perspective to business rather than a negative |
| meeting with clients, look them directly in the | | | | one. |
| eye. Don't hide behind your computer, fiddle with | | | | 9) Let every cowhand do their job. Respect the |
| papers, or watch everyone who passes by your | | | | professionalism of your co-workers. If they are |
| desk. Direct eye contact indicates openness, | | | | with a client or on the phone, don't interrupt or be |
| honesty and friendliness. It shows you are totally | | | | distracting with overly loud conversations or |
| focused on that person and their needs. | | | | boisterous laughter. Keep your own language |
| 3) Call 'em by name. Everyone loves the sound | | | | clean and appropriate as you interact with or |
| of their own name. When you call a client by | | | | around them. |
| name, they know you've been listening and care | | | | 10) Ride for the brand. Stay true to your |
| enough to remember it. It connects you to your | | | | company's policies and procedures. Occasionally |
| client quickly and makes your interaction much | | | | customers ask for things you can't provide. |
| more personable. | | | | Rather than just saying 'no,' explain why. Once |
| 4) Lend a helpin' hand. Take time for your | | | | clients know the reason, they usually understand. |
| customers. You are probably keyed in to being as | | | | Then suggest what can be done to get them |
| efficient as possible during your workday, but | | | | what they want - authorization from your boss, |
| don't be too quick or short with clients. They are | | | | another resource, or even a referral to your |
| your bottom line, so taking time for them is the | | | | competition. By helping them obtain what they |
| most important thing you can do. Serve them in | | | | want, even if you can't provide it directly, you are |
| every way you can with top-notch personal | | | | still acting with first-class professionalism. |
| attention. | | | | Customers pay close attention to every |
| 5) Keep grinnin'. Be happy about helping your | | | | interaction whether face-to-face, phone, email, or |
| customers. Don't ever act put out when spending | | | | fax. Hold yourself to a high professional standard |
| time with a client. They will sense it and may go | | | | by offering customer service that is personable, |
| someplace where they feel more welcome, like | | | | positive and respectful. With spit-shined |
| straight to your competitor. Serve clients | | | | customer service, you'll make a great impression |
| cheerfully and promptly and they'll keep coming | | | | every time! |
| back. | | | | |