Our goal is simple: build rewarding relationships and deliver results. But the relationships we strengthen are not just those with our clients; we also foster relationships between our clients and their customers.

While coaching the frontline of a client, I was recently approached by a customer who had repeatedly experienced difficulty in receiving reward program credits. He expressed frustration with the company and mentioned he would be using a competitor for his next purchase. Because we were between manager shifts, I acquired his contact information and assured him that the problem would not only be addressed, but resolved, quickly. Prior to his leaving, we spoke briefly about his patronage as the backbone of our client’s success.

The management team immediately contacted the customer and he was 100% satisfied with the resolution. In fact, the customer was so delighted with the way the dispute was handled, he wrote a letter to the organization expressing his renewed faith in the company and his restored confidence that outstanding customer service still exists in America.

The impact you have on your customers revolves around how you make them feel during their limited interactions with you. If you want to positively impact your customers and in the process, move your bottom-line, you need to move your customers through an emotional connection. This is done by the actions of your frontline.

By actively listening to the customer, displaying understanding, sincerity and enthusiasm about his problem, and being responsive to his needs this company was able to not only prevent the loss of a valuable customer, but create a potential customer for life.

- Tom Diaz, Senior Performance Manager, Frontline Performance Group

When an angry customer begins to complain about his or her experience the most important action a frontline representative can take is to listen.

Studies have shown the biggest concern irate customers have is the inability to be heard. Utilizing the following dialogue with a dissatisfied customer will set the stage for a service recovery.

“Before I am able to assist you, I must first listen to what you have to say.”

Establishing a bond with an irate customer that began by listening will set in motion the process for winning the customer over. Remember, to make an error is a very human occurrence. To recover from an error is divine!

Defining a theoretical frontline strategy for high profitability is not a difficult thing to do. Getting people to do it, and do it consistently, is.

In order to optimize sales and service performance, you must embrace three primary areas of actionable focus:

• Creating the Right Environment
• Ensuring the Right Personnel Fit
• Executing the Right Action

Changing behavior and sustaining high-performance sales levels cannot happen by training or effective coaching alone. A whole solution that is effective, efficient and systematically implemented over time is required.

Each of the three elements listed above – Environment, Fit and Action – are interdependent. They feed and build on each other as one element supports the success of the other. The Right Environment makes it easier to attract the Right Fit, which in turn makes it easier to produce the Right Action. Only by addressing all three components will your organization reach its full performance potential.