Entry # 2 in my macro-microblogging series.
The Service Recovery Paradox says an effective problem resolution can result in a stronger customer relationship than if the problem never happened. A strictly efficient, time-to-resolve mindset will result in few observable instance of this paradox. But combining timely and effective resolution with soft skills aimed at tapping into these 6 psychological phenomena that drive positive customer behavior will greatly increase the chances of experiencing it.
- Build a relationship by listening, understanding, and taking appropriate action
- Clear memory of the failure by creating a more recent positive emotional memory
- Establish mutual understanding by exhibiting sharing and caring behavior
- Drive customer desire to reciprocate by exceeding customer expectations of the interaction
- Build customers’ trust and confidence in the company through professional behavior
- Implicitly ask for forgiveness by admitting the company’s role in the failure
Still, the best approach is to minimize failures in the first place!
Troy –
As you accurately point out, registering a complaint or problem, and having it addressed and resolved in a proactive, sensitive manner gives any company the opportunity to demonstrate true customer centricity. Much of this value-add, leading to greater loyalty, comes through employee advocates, true ambassadors for the organization. This is extremely important in optimizing customer experiences; and, reflective of how pivotal this element of value delivery is, over 6,300 people have read my CustomerThink blog on this subject in under three months: http://www.customerthink.com/article/linking_employee_behavior_to_customer_loyalty_advocacy
Regards.
Michael