Lesson 2 It’s All about Attitude Customer Service Training

After this Lesson you will… Understand how attitude affects all aspects of customer service Understand how attitude affects all aspects of customer service Learn how to maintain a professional attitude Learn how to maintain a professional attitude Learn how stress affects attitude Learn how stress affects attitude Learn Strategies and techniques to manage stress Learn Strategies and techniques to manage stress

Attitude A state of mind or feelings towards a person, thing, or ideas. Attitude is a person’s disposition.

In Customer Service A positive attitude can be most identified with…. Customer Loyalty Customer Loyalty Work Ethic Work Ethic Positive Behaviors Positive Behaviors

Perception The view that an individual has formed based upon fact or opinion. The view that an individual has formed based upon fact or opinion. An individual’s perception is their reality whether accurate or not. An individual’s perception is their reality whether accurate or not.

Attitude is Perception/ Everyone has attitude Attitude is based purely on subjective (Opinion) ideas based on your behaviors. Attitude is based purely on subjective (Opinion) ideas based on your behaviors.

Attitude is Perception/ Everyone has attitude “The best thing you can do for yourself, not to mention others is to maintain a positive attitude. No matter how you feel inside, present a positive face to the world.” (Evenson, Pg. 20) “The best thing you can do for yourself, not to mention others is to maintain a positive attitude. No matter how you feel inside, present a positive face to the world.” (Evenson, Pg. 20) Positive feelings will make your customer more positive and more likely to continue business with your company. Positive feelings will make your customer more positive and more likely to continue business with your company. That is why everyone looks so happy in commercials

Manage Emotions and Act Confidently Emotion – A mental state associated with a wide variety feelings, thoughts and behavior Emotion – A mental state associated with a wide variety feelings, thoughts and behavior Confidence A feeling of self assurance. Confidence A feeling of self assurance. When we control our emotions and act confident, customers are more likely to continue business with your organization When we control our emotions and act confident, customers are more likely to continue business with your organization

The Power of Positive Thinking Self Esteem- Respect or favorable image of oneself (Random house dictionary) Self Esteem- Respect or favorable image of oneself (Random house dictionary) Self Talk- An internal voice inside our head that determines how we perceive every situation. Self Talk- An internal voice inside our head that determines how we perceive every situation. We call this inner voice our “Self Talk”; and it includes our conscious thoughts as well as our unconscious assumptions or beliefs. We call this inner voice our “Self Talk”; and it includes our conscious thoughts as well as our unconscious assumptions or beliefs. Think positively and you will act positively Think positively and you will act positively

Maintaining Objectivity Focus On the Present- Focus on the task at hand: Making your customers happy. Don’t worry about that argument with your boyfriend or girlfriend while you’re at work. Focus On the Present- Focus on the task at hand: Making your customers happy. Don’t worry about that argument with your boyfriend or girlfriend while you’re at work. Emotional Baggage: Not bringing your personal life to work. Leave your emotional baggage at the door. A lot of times working and helping customers will help you keep your mind off negative things in your personal life. Emotional Baggage: Not bringing your personal life to work. Leave your emotional baggage at the door. A lot of times working and helping customers will help you keep your mind off negative things in your personal life. Maintain Objectivity by focusing on what you are dealing with now and focus on facts, not your feelings. Maintain Objectivity by focusing on what you are dealing with now and focus on facts, not your feelings.

Maintain Professionalism Professionalism Display of professional behaviors held by the standard of an organization and the business industry. Maintaining a positive image through: physical self presentation, (dress, hygiene), speech and language, as well as being courteous and polite. Professionalism Display of professional behaviors held by the standard of an organization and the business industry. Maintaining a positive image through: physical self presentation, (dress, hygiene), speech and language, as well as being courteous and polite. Stress Emotional and physical feelings of worry, or tension. Stress Emotional and physical feelings of worry, or tension.

Good Stress Management Techniques Play with a Pet Play with a Pet Go for a walk Go for a walk Talk to a supportive friend Talk to a supportive friend Help Someone Else Help Someone Else Write in your Journal Write in your Journal Read a good book or magazine Read a good book or magazine Listen to Music Listen to Music Watch a Comedy Watch a Comedy Take a long shower Take a long shower

It is important to keep calm even when your customer is not. Just like Ezra.

Bad Stress Management Techniques Drinking Alcohol Drinking Alcohol Doing Drugs Doing Drugs Fighting Fighting Erratic Driving Erratic Driving

Energize Yourself Maintain a healthy balance: Work, play and watch what and when you eat. Maintain a healthy balance: Work, play and watch what and when you eat. Set aside relaxation time. Do something you enjoy every day. Set aside relaxation time. Do something you enjoy every day. Reduce your intake of caffeine and sugar Reduce your intake of caffeine and sugar Avoid alcohol, cigarettes and drugs. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes and drugs. Get Enough Sleep Get Enough Sleep

Resiliency The ability to recover quickly, bounce back from change; physical or emotional.

Resiliency-Bouncing Back When life throws you a curve, don’t complain put your problem- solving skills to work and find the best solution When life throws you a curve, don’t complain put your problem- solving skills to work and find the best solution When there is no solution, deal with the problem to the best of your ability When there is no solution, deal with the problem to the best of your ability Learning a life lesson from your experiences helps you deal with the next curve that come your way. Learning a life lesson from your experiences helps you deal with the next curve that come your way. Lower your expectations about outcomes. When you expect less, you are less likely to be devastated by curves. Expect the worst and hope for the best. Lower your expectations about outcomes. When you expect less, you are less likely to be devastated by curves. Expect the worst and hope for the best. When you lower your expectations, you will become more flexible. Flexible people are adaptable people. In today's fast- forward world, adaptability is a welcome trait. When you lower your expectations, you will become more flexible. Flexible people are adaptable people. In today's fast- forward world, adaptability is a welcome trait. Have a sense of humor and don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself. Have a sense of humor and don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself.

The Customer Service Providers Goals Gratitude – Expression of thankfulness and appreciation. Gratitude – Expression of thankfulness and appreciation. Always show gratitude to customers by thanking them for their business Always show gratitude to customers by thanking them for their business Appreciation Showing recognition and gratitude for a service, or goods. Appreciation Showing recognition and gratitude for a service, or goods. Customers not only show appreciation by saying thank you, they return for more business and refer others Customers not only show appreciation by saying thank you, they return for more business and refer others