Customer service focusing on stateside customers is nothing. In today’s market place where the click of can cost you a satisfied now demands customer service whose entire purpose is to create sustainable customer loyalty. These 7 tips may help you build a process improvement plan of exceptional customer service with the goal to grow customers’ loyalty.

Speak the name of the customer or potential customer
Everyone likes to hear their name. When using this tip, may sure that the spoken name is said directly and with actual sincerity. Just casually speaking a customer’s name, may actually reduce the powerful impact of this tip.
Send a handwritten thank you note
Everyone likes to open a handwritten note. If this was not true, Hallmark would not be in business. Take the time to send a note or even a pre-printed postcard.
Use customer loyalty surveys
Constructive feedback is necessary to develop loyal customers. The use of surveys can be a powerful tool. However, the misuse of customer surveys can have just the opposite affect.
Assess the attitudes of your employees
Recent customer service research suggests that 68% of the customers who do not return do so because of poor to bad attitudes. Do you frequent places where Can’t do attitudes resonate from your interactions?
Evaluate your company policies and procedures
Companies policies and procedures can be obstacles to developing loyal customers. These obstacles can also negatively impact any process improvement strategies.
Establish a process to stay in contact
Technology has allowed companies to be more proactive in regularly communicating with their customers. The challenge here is consistency of the customer relationship management (CRM) process.
Demonstrate the values or non-negotiable behaviors as defined within your strategic plan
Without clearly articulated and share core values by everyone within your organization, developing customer loyalty will be extremely difficult.

These 7 tips are not the only ones to develop a customer service culture where customer loyalty is everything, but they are a start in the right direction.

P.S. These tips presume that you have an executable strategic plan in place and that you are consistently monitoring your strategic plan.

Are you where you want to be? Are you experiencing repetitive customer service challenges? If you could overcome those challenges, what would that mean to your bottom line, your daily productivity or sense of personal achievement?

If you plan to start a consultancy business from home, you need to know how to market your experience acquired through your previous job experience.

The industry you will be serving will be in the industry you are familiar with through your years of work experience. Your network of friends and contacts within the industry will know the quality of your work and will be prepared to employ you as their consultant when they need one.

Listed below are 7 helpful tips to consider before going into the consultancy business:

Marketing. A website is a powerful tool to market your business. It is useful to write good contents about your specialities on your web site to show-case your knowledge and skills to your potential clients. Your website will provide you with the exposure you need, 24/7. Your potential clients will identify you as an expert in your field, and this will provide you with opportunities to take on more clients.
Fee pricing. Do some research into what other consultants in your field are charging and then determine what hourly rate you are going to charge for your service. Careful consideration must be taken when your client only offers you a price for the job, regardless of the number of hours you take to complete the assignment. Don’t be afraid to decline your client’s piecemeal offer if you think that you are not going to make any money out of the deal.
Staffing. Initially you will have to do everything yourself from typing proposals, filing, handling mass mailings and dealing with phone calls. Later, as your business grows, you can employ a temporary staff to help you with the administrative work. As your business grows further, you may consider taking on an associate to help you grow your business further.
Get testimonials. Referrals from satisfied clients are your best testimonials. Referrals enhance your identity and your reputation as a business consultant. Remember to always ask for testimonials from your satisfied clients.
Public Relations and networking. Writing articles for journals or giving talks at seminars will raise your profile and that of your consultancy business. The Public Relations exercises will make you known in your consultancy field and will lead to more business coming your way.
Closing the deal. Before you close the deal, ensure that you understand your client’s job specifications and these are carefully clarified, documented and signed by your clients. Honestly ask yourself whether you have the skills and manpower to deliver your client’s specifications on time. If you are confident that you can do so, you should ask directly for the sale.
Customer service. It is essential for the success of your consultancy business to have good relationship with your clients. This is especially so when things go wrong. Clients don’t want excuses. They want results, and they want them delivered on time. Be honest with your assessment of situations and deal promptly with any shortfall in your work. If the situation needs rectification, be prepared to provide follow-up work or after sales services for free.