Customer service - The part of a business's activities that is concerned with
meeting customers needs as fully as possible
Customer Engagement - When customer have a positive experience from their
contract with the business
Customer loyalty - A business's customer make repeat purchase because they
prefer the business's products to those of its rivals
Infromation and communication technology (ICT) - computing and communications
systems that a business might use to help to exchange information with stake holders
Global markets - Made up of customers from around the world
Social media - Involves methods of online communication such as emails
Websites and applications - Share information and help to develop social and professional contacts
Data Analysis - Gathering and examining data to provide useful information that can be used for decision-making
Post - sales (or after-sales) service - Meeting customers' needs after they have purchased a product, e.g. repairing or servicing a product
Premises - the buildings used by businesses - these may include offices, shops and factories
E-commerce - act of buying or selling a product using an electronic system such as the internet
M - commerce - buying or selling a product through wireless handheld devices e.g. smartphones
What is good customer service?
Means to keep customers happy with the
product they purchased, the process of
purchasing and the support received after
purchase
E.g. Curry's offer guidance on the types of laptops available and
match them to the customer's needs
Methods or good service
Reliability - product should do exactly what is expected e,g, car achieves the fuel economy its advertised
Safety - is where some products need to reassure customers about their level of risk e.g. an air bag for a cyclist
Customer engagement - when customers have a positive experience with a business, e.g. a customer is upgraded to first class
Good product information - helps customer make the right decision about whether to buy or not, e.g. use of well trained staff to offer advice on a laptop
Methods of good service
Post sales - service meeting customers needs after purchase e.g. exchanging faulty products without fuss
Premises - need to be clean, easy to find, catered for all customers (disabled access) e.g. a restaurant needs these things
Different methods of payment - Businesses need to offer a range of ways to pay for goods, for example credit card or cash
Managing customers expectations - ensuring customers know what they'll get from the product and customer service e.g. when
customers order food stating a realistic time
Benefits of good customer service
Attracts new customers
Increase profit/what customers spend
Increase market share
Increase customer loyalty
Why poor customer service occurs?
Businesses promise too much
Poor communication
Poor management
External factors (e.g. supplier delays)
The effects of poor customer service
They will not buy from there again
Problems attracting new customers
a loss of revenue and profits
Costs associated with faulty products
ICT and customer services
Websites can give customers
up to date information