Today is National Customer Service Day!
Well, not really. The National Customer Service Day is actually January 17, but here at transcosmos, everyday is Customer Service Day. Customer service, after all, is a 24/7 thing, especially for global enterprises that cater to different time zones.
In customer service, there is always always something to do. Sometimes the work is bearable, and we go about our day like we can do our tasks with our eyes closed. But there are days when the work load is impossible. Faced with one irate customer after another, and troubleshooting issues left and right, it’s easy to forget why we’re doing what we’re doing to begin with.
So, we put together 7 timeless customer service quotes to inspire you through the week, one quote each day. These are “timeless” quotes because they were spoken by thought leaders from another era, centuries ago, back when there were no help desks and call centers and tech support.
Back when customer service is as simple as serving others.
And yet, no matter how ancient these words are, you’ll find that their very essence remains true and applicable to this age and time. It reminds us to go back to the basics of customer service, the word “service” being the operative word.
As you read each quote, we challenge you to take these words to heart and apply it as you go about your day. Let’s begin shall we?
Find your purpose and know yourself by serving others
Have you ever felt so passionate about something you lose yourself in the process? Mahatma Gandhi suggests that we lose ourselves in serving others. He says that in losing ourselves in the service of others, we find purpose and meaning in what we do.
Not a lot of people thrive in the customer support industry. Truth be told, it’s a job that can get a little dragging sometimes, having to do repetitious tasks everyday. But when you have passion in serving people, customer service can truly become an exciting and fulfilling place to be.
Think about your contribution to mankind
These words were said by a US President, and maybe it doesn’t make sense for an ordinary worker (like us) to think about the welfare of mankind on a day-to-day basis. John Adams challenges us to be grateful for this opportunity of being in the service of mankind.
Whether you’re just answering calls, replying to emails, or serving bagels and coffee, know that you’re making another person’s day a little better and brighter; and collectively, we customer service people are making a huge dent in this world.
Practice leadership by being a good servant
The best leaders are the ones that serve others and put other people’s interests above their own. That said, if you’re in the customer service industry and you love what you do, then you’re in a good position to be a great leader. The reverse is also true–if you want to be in a position of leadership, you have to pass the servanthood test first.
Be happy by making your customers happy
I want to think that by “lifting up someone”, Booker Washington meant making another person happy. Like, lifting up his spirits. We already know what happy customers are capable of doing and how much creating unique customer experience benefits a company. But more than making your company look good, you’ll realize that when you contributed to a customer’s happiness, ultimately it lifts up your spirits too.
Make a difference in ONE person’s life
You can only entertain one customer at a time–one call, one email, one inquiry. So focus on that one person. If you make it a daily goal to make a difference to at least one person, then imagine how many people you would have helped at the end of the year. I couldn’t say it any better than Mother Teresa, so just take her word as it is.
The ones who are happy are those who serve
Now that’s a profound way of looking at whatever job we have. Are you happy doing what you’re doing? Do you feel like you’re doing what you’re called to do? Maybe you come to work to do your job; but what if you try coming to work to serve instead? In a roundabout way, Albert Schweitzer is telling us that the trick to being truly happy with whatever we’re doing is to seek and find the joy in serving.
Survival of the fittest: Be responsive to change
Lastly, take these words from the man from whose Evolution Theory the term “survival of the fittest” was established. And although Charles Darwin wasn’t pertaining to customer service when he said this, being responsive to change is important in “surviving” in customer service. Perhaps in whatever industry.
We have to always be ready for whatever comes our way, ready to adapt, ready to help. Sometimes the task is repetitious but sometimes a day surprises us with unusual customer concerns, unhappy customers, and other work-related challenges. The trick to surviving in such a dynamic industry is embracing change as they come.
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