How to Improve Your Work Ethic as a Customer Support Representative
People don’t say it often enough, but customer support reps make the world go round. Oftentimes, they are the people that your customers come into contact with when interacting with your business. Good customer service will help customer retention, have a positive impact on your brand, help you establish loyalty, and more. In the customer service world, it can be easy to get burnt out and lose sight of your values though. You have to work to remain productive and stay in a good headspace. Below you’ll find a few ways to improve your work ethic as a customer support representative.
Value of Customer Service Representatives
Customer service reps provide substantial value to the companies they work for. With good customer support representatives on the payroll, there will be an increase in revenue and customer loyalty. Not to mention, the experience they provide customers creates a positive brand image for the organization. Let’s dive into some of the specific ways quality customer service brings value to an employer.
Reflection of the Company’s Values
As a customer service representative, you are essentially a reflection of the organization. Oftentimes, it is hard for customers to really understand what your business does. Usually, they will take whatever information they can find on the internet. Sometimes, the business doesn’t have full control over those details. However, the customer service team has the responsibility of representing the brand and company values when interacting with clients. Without them, there is no way to get in direct contact with your customers.
Encourages Customer Loyalty
Where there is a good team of customer support reps, there will be loyal customers. It is cheaper for companies to retain customers than recruit new ones. When they have a positive customer service experience they are more likely to return. Not only that, but they are also more likely to refer friends and family to the business as well. They will be loyal to the brand because they know it takes good care of its customers.
Provides Competitive Advantage
Good customer service puts your employer ahead of the competition. You want to strive to be the best in your industry. Positive customer service experiences will help set you apart from other organizations in your sector. Truly, a strong customer support team can transform your company into the strongest version of itself. At the end of the day, when people know the company offers good service, they are more likely to do business there.
Increases Company Revenue
Another significant value that customer service reps add to their organizations is the potential for increased revenue. As previously stated, good service will drive more people to do business there. In fact, companies that prioritize customer service tend to see revenue increases of up to 8%. Those with better service than their competitors also perform above average financially compared to other organizations in the industry.
How to Remain Productive & Provide Effective Customer Service Solutions
In truth, customer support reps can drive the success of a business. Unfortunately, that means a lot of work typically lands on their shoulders. They tend to deal with a lot of conflicts and remain busy throughout the day. As you can see, there are many reasons companies want to establish a strong customer support team. That makes customer service a great job and career path to pursue. Every company needs a customer support department.
It can be easy to get burnt out working any job. As a customer service representative, you have to interact with people daily, handle a number of tasks at once, and get results to the customers quickly. Sometimes, this can get overwhelming so you need to have a few tools in your belt to help you remain productive and provide the most effective customer service possible.
Reduce Multi-tasking
Multi-tasking is great as long as it isn’t draining your energy and focus. Many customer support representatives find themselves answering support tickets, taking conference calls, and watching a Netflix series all at one time. Step back and focus on one thing at a time. Even if you feel like you can jump from task to task, it usually takes people around 23 minutes to refocus when they go from one thing to the next. This can cost you a lot of lost productivity.
Eliminate Distractions
Try to eliminate all of the distractions and interruptions that you possibly can. So, if you have Facebook notifications coming to your desktop while you are working, shut them off. Don’t leave your email or any chat windows open while you are focused on a project. You can do this by installing a site blocker on your browser or turning off notifications during your working hours. Other tools can help limit the amount of time you spend on certain sites and monitor where you are spending the most time.
Similarly, if you are working in a coffee shop or another busy area, it may not be the best place for productivity. Instead, set yourself up in a workspace created for you specifically. Have tools to help you do your daily tasks and set up an environment where you can be productive, free of distractions.
Incorporate Walking on Breaks
Taking a walk on your break can help you return to your desk with a different attitude. Oftentimes, a quick walk outside before or after you eat lunch can be enough to reinvigorate you for the remainder of the working day. It is good for your mind and can help you increase productivity.
Create a Task List That Allocates Time to Tasks
Organizing your tasks can also help you remain productive throughout the day. You have a good idea of how much time your tasks generally take you. Allocate specific time slots for completing certain projects throughout the day. This allows you to see exactly when you will need to have your head down working and when you have a little more free time throughout the day.
Reap the Benefits of Increasing Your Workplace Efficiency
When you are more efficient in the work you do, there are a number of benefits you’ll be able to recognize. Your employer will be happy with your work as a customer service rep and you’ll be happier in your position too. Increasing your productivity on the job can help you realize the following benefits as well.
Reduce Stress
Everyone gets stressed from time to time, whether it revolves around their personal or professional lives. People often let stress build-up and prevent them from getting things done throughout the day. A smooth workflow will help reduce stress on the job. When you are putting emphasis on doing things to improve your productivity, you will be less stressed about work. You will meet your deadlines and have less stress around your professional life.
Being more productive on the job will also help you be able to relax more easily. You can take time out for yourself because you know you have taken care of everything at work. Maintaining productivity makes unplugging and relaxing possible.
Improves Your Mood
Because you’ll have a sense of accomplishment at the end of each workday, it significantly improves your mood. The more productive you are, the higher your spirits will be. You’ll be more motivated on the job and happier all around. People often confuse being productive with being busy. On the contrary, when you are productive, you will have more time to attend to your personal needs and desires. This is because you know everything in your professional life has been taken care of.
Career Advancement Opportunities
Last, but not least, taking a job as a customer support representative isn’t a dead-end position. There are plenty of opportunities for advancement. When you provide good customer service and remain productive on the job, it will open up a number of other opportunities for you. When
you maintain your work ethic as a customer support representative, your employers and colleagues will come to know you as someone they can trust. Because they know you are reliable, more professional opportunities may become available to you. Your reputation can take you a long way in the customer service industry.
Find Your Next Customer Service Job with RPC Today
Job seekers looking for customer service representative jobs may have better luck working with an agency like RPC. Our customer service and call center temp agency will help you locate customer service jobs that meet your career goals, values, and salary needs. The team of call center recruiters that work at RPC has decades of experience in successfully placing candidates in customer support rep positions. Contact us to learn more about how we can assist you in your job search in the Dallas, Springfield, Denver, and Tucson areas.