Marcia Barhydt writes a bi-weekly column for The Brampton News about customer service, as well as being a freelance reporter covering people, topics and events of interest in Brampton. Marcia also writes and edits content of marketing materials for her own clients.
For frequent updates, visit Marcia Barhydt for more information.
Brampton - The Arthritis Society Annual More Than Just Desserts Gala will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2009. Enjoy a fantastic Simply Gorgeous fashion show. Indulge in delicious desserts and hors d'oeuvres. Discover your inner goddess. Bid on incredible silent auction items. Flirt with your future – get an expert reading. Tickets on sale!
Brampton - If you've had a customer service experience, good or bad, that you think is interesting, funny, challenging or awful, let me know about it and I'll write about it so everyone can share your story and my suggestions about how your experience might have been improved by the company at fault. I'll look forward to hearing your stories!
Brampton - I've written before about the value of our loyal customers. I call them our sales force, because their loyalty and their chatter about us to their colleagues, friends and family do exactly the same thing that a professional sales force would do – drive business to our doors.
Brampton - I've read many horror stories about Rogers Communications – Internet, TV, Phone – and I've always been a loyal customer, defending them to all who complained. But now, I have my own Rogers story.
Brampton - We all love getting something free and Reward Programs can also show your customer how much you want her business. When most of us think of reward programs, we think of very large ones such as Air Miles. But reward programs can work for all sizes of businesses – even for a single entrepreneur.
Brampton - When was the last time you received truly personal attention at a retail establishment? Yesterday? Last week? Last month? What's that you say, "Never"? Giving personal attention, even in the busiest times, is a guarantee of customer loyalty.
Brampton - The Merits of Being Up Front with Your Customers: As good consumers, we pretty much know to read the fine print before we sign any contracts or agreements, right?
Brampton - Social networking is a hot item. Websites like Facebook and YouTube have provided a platform for any or all to praise or vent about a myriad of issues, including one's own employer. And the audience is vast, varied and potentially influential. Your company's reputation is a keystroke away from widespread exposure.
Brampton - A colleague of mine was shopping recently at a major chain discount department store and ran into a long list of customer service offenses. Here's a perfect example of how a store manager made a very irritated customer happy and loyal again.
Brampton - A volatile workforce may be a result of your company value system. What are employers doing to warrant such a volatile workforce? Where's the employee loyalty gone?
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