Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt CUSTOMER SERVICE/QUALITY Chapter 7

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt “There are only two qualities in the world: efficiency and inefficiency, and only two sorts of people: the efficient and the inefficient.” George Bernard Shaw

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt OBJECTIVES Define productivity and its impact on organizational success Identify and define directional statements Know the various types of plans used in an organization Define the primary business functions and their purpose in an organization Define quality and its importance in business State the difference between a product, a good, and a service Define creativity and innovation Identify and describe the importance of customers and customer service Describe how to handle a difficult customer

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt PRODUCTIVITY IN THE WORKPLACE Productivity: to perform a function that adds value to the company Whatever you produce (output) should add value to the company Productivity at work starts with: –Ethics –Attitude –Goals

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt PRODUCTIVITY IN THE WORKPLACE Directional Statements: create foundation for why company exists and how it will operate Mission Statement: a statement of purpose (what and why) Vision Statement: a company’s viable view of the future (where) Values Statement: standard of behavior (how)

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt PRODUCTIVITY IN THE WORKPLACE Company Strategy Strategy: outlines major goals and objectives and serves as a company roadmap Strategic plan: a formal document that identifies how the company will secure, organize, utilize, and monitor its resources Company resources –Human (employees) –Fiscal (financial) –Capital (long-term investments)

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt PRODUCTIVITY IN THE WORKPLACE Company Strategy Goal: broad statement or aim Objectives: short-term goals (activities) that support a goal; objectives have timelines and are measurable

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt LINES OF AUTHORITY Organizational structure: the way a company is organized Organization chart: a graphic display of the formal lines of authority. –Identifies key functions within the company President Marketing Vice President SalesAdvertising Operations Vice President ProductionDistribution Finance Vice President Accounting Director Accounts Receivable Supervisor Accounts Payable Supervisor Mgmt. Info. Systems Vice President Computer

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt Investors/ Owners Board of Directors President/C.E.O. Senior Management (Vice Presidents) Middle Management (Directors, Managers) Operation Managers (Supervisors, Assistant Managers) Employees Company Structure: Key Titles LINES OF AUTHORITY

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt LINES OF AUTHORITY Management Levels tactical Daily –1 year 1–3 years 3–5+ years operational strategic Supervisors Managers/Directors Executives Employees

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt LINES OF AUTHORITY Major Organizational Functions Divisions: major functions within a business Departments: carry out specific functions within divisions Key business functions –Finance and accounting –Human resource management –Operations –Information systems –Marketing –Legal counsel

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt LINES OF AUTHORITY Finance and Accounting Department: department responsible for securing the distribution and growth of a company’s financial assets –Capital budget: long-term investments –Operational budget: short-term items

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt Human Resources: responsible for recruiting, hiring, training, evaluating, compensating, promoting, and terminating employees Deals with the employee (people) side of business LINES OF AUTHORITY

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt Operations: deals with the production and distribution of the company’s product Information Systems (IS): deals with electronic management of information within an organization Routinely back-up files Empty electronic trash bin Conduct routine virus checks Responsible for reported computer viruses and system problems LINES OF AUTHORITY

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt Marketing Department: responsible for creating, pricing, selling, distributing, and promoting the company’s product –Every employee is a walking billboard for the company Legal Counsel: handles all legal matters relating to the business –Check with company legal counsel prior to engaging in a contract on behalf of the company LINES OF AUTHORITY

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt QUALITY AND THE COMPANY A building, its employees, and the product produced are major elements that define a company, but a company needs customers to succeed Each job in the company has a purpose Do your best at all times

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt QUALITY AND THE COMPANY Important Company Elements Quality Customer loyalty Employee loyalty Profit

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt QUALITY AND THE COMPANY Quality Quality: a predetermined standard that defines how a product is to be produced or a service is to be provided Customers demand quality in the product and from the company’s employees If customers don’t perceive that they have received a quality product, they will not make a repeat purchase

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt QUALITY AND THE COMPANY Customer Loyalty Customers will repeat purchases when they receive value and a quality product Companies want to build brand loyalty with customers Customers will be loyal to a company and its products when quality products and customer service are consistently provided

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt QUALITY AND THE COMPANY Employee Loyalty Employee loyalty: an employee’s obligation to consistently support a company and its mission Do your job and do it well Show respect for company policies, your coworkers, and the company’s customers Promote the company and its products

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt QUALITY AND THE COMPANY Profits Profit: revenue minus expenses –Revenue: money coming in from sales –Expenses: costs involved in running the business The success of a company depends on profit As profits increase, the company can grow

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt QUALITY AND THE COMPANY Product vs. Good vs. Service Product: what is produced by a company; this can be a good, a service, or both Good: a tangible item, something that you can physically see or touch Service: an intangible product, in other words, you cannot touch or see the product

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt TALK IT OUT Identify common money wasters in the workplace

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt WHO IS THE CUSTOMER? Customer: an individual or business that buys the company’s product A company cannot survive without customers Internal customers exist within a company –Coworkers and other departments External customers are individuals who the company serves outside –Customers, vendors, and investors

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt WHO IS THE CUSTOMER?  To create a satisfied customer, you need a high-quality product or service and excellent customer service = Quality Products = Satisfied, Loyal Customers = Profits = Quality Products = Satisfied, Loyal Customers = Profits Quality Employees + Quality Inputs

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt QUALITY When it comes to quality, the expectation of customers is high Customers expect that a product will last Value: when customers believe they are getting a good deal for the price they paid Customers expect value Customers measure product quality by comparing your product to similar products

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt CREATIVITY and INNOVATION Creativity: the ability to produce something new and unique, such as a good, service, or system. A creative person will ask, “what if” instead of being constrained by the barrier of an item’s or service’s original use Innovation: the introduction of a new product, putting a creative idea into action

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE DEFINED Customer Service: the treatment an employee provides a customer –Respect and kindness –Competent: an employee who knows the product his or her company offers –Dependable : an employee who is reliable and takes responsibility to assist a customer –Responsive: an employee that provides a customer personal attention

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE Impressions As soon as a customer comes in contact with a business, an opinion is formed about that business There is only one first impression, so it must be good The appearance of the building and/or employees can be the reason a customer comes to your company in the first place

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt TALK IT OUT What customer body language would indicate a customer needs help and what body language would indicate a customer wants to be left alone?

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt THE IMPACT OF CUSTOMER SERVICE Get to know your customers Excellent customer service is the biggest reason customers return Build a relationship with the customer that will make him or her loyal to you and your business A business needs satisfied customers to not only make repeat purchases, but also to tell others about their favorable experience

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt THE DIFFICULT CUSTOMER “The customer is always right”  The customer may not be right  Although the customer may be wrong, adopt an attitude that the customer is unhappy and do all you can to help the customer solve the problem  Have patience and sympathize with the customer

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt THE DIFFICULT CUSTOMER Tips for Handling the Customer Stay calm, let the customer talk, and listen for facts—let the customer vent for a few minutes, do not interrupt or say “please calm down”; do not take harsh words personally Watch body language—tone of voice, eye contact, and arm movement; if you feel a customer has the potential to become violent or physically abusive, immediately seek assistance Acknowledge the customer’s frustration—say, “I can understand why you are upset”

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt THE DIFFICULT CUSTOMER Tips for Handling the Customer (cont.) Make sure the problem gets solved—try to take care of the problem yourself Know company policy—if a customer challenges a policy, calmly and politely explain the purpose of the policy Expect conflict, but do not accept abuse—if a customer shows aggressiveness or is cursing, politely tell that customer you cannot help until he or she is able to treat you in a respectful manner; if he or she continues the inappropriate behavior, immediately call a supervisor

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt TALK IT OUT If a customer is angry with a raised voice, what would you say to that customer?