Standard

 

BUS 145   Managing Customer Relationships

Course Description:

This course introduces the basic customer service skills required to successfully interact with both internal and external customers. Topics include: quality service orientation, telephone service skills, customer interaction skills (level I), and customer interaction skills (level II)

  

Competency Areas:

Hours:

 

 

 

Quality Service Orientation

Class

3

Telephone Service Skills

D. Lab

0

Customer Interaction Skills (Level I)

P. Lab/O.B.I.

0

Customer Interaction Skills (Level II)

Credit

3

 

 

 

Prerequisite:

None

Corequisite:

 

 

Course Guide

 

 

Competency

After completing this section, the student will:

Hours

Class

D. Lab

P. Lab/

O.B.I.

QUALITY SERVICE ORIENTATION

4

0

0

 

Identify the customers of insurance companies, the providers of services, and customer service issues facing the insurance industry

 

 

 

 

Explain why corporate culture is important to customer service and the changes needed to establish a customer service culture

 

 

 

 

Define customer perceptions and expectations as well as the criteria that customers use to evaluate service quality

 

 

 

TELEPHONE SERVICE SKILLS

8

0

0

 

Communicate effectively on the telephone with internal and external customers displaying a positive image and attitude

 

 

 

 

Professionally guide and control the conversation while making every customer feel unique and important

 

 

 

 

Exceed customer expectations by listening attentively, responding appropriately, and acknowledging customer’s feelings.

 

 

 

 

Use the call flow effectively (Opening, Gathering Information, and Closing.)

 

 

 

 

Use appropriate skills to meet and exceed the customer’s expectations.

 

 

 

CUSTOMER INTERACTION SKILLS (LEVEL I)

8

0

0

 

Provide complete and accurate information in a timely manner

 

 

 

 

Ensure customer needs are being met

 

 

 

 

Treat customers with dignity, courtesy and respect

 

 

 

CUSTOMER INTERACTION SKILLS (LEVEL II)

10

0

0

Serving the Multicultural Customer

Identify multicultural customers

 

 

 

 

Identify some of the needs and expectations of multicultural customers

 

 

 

 

Describe benefits of providing meaningful customer service across cultures

 

 

 

 

Discuss how cultural values and expectations affect the interaction between the customer service provider and the customer

 

 

 

 

Identify barriers that get in the way of providing exceptional multicultural customer service

 

 

 

Managing the Difficult Customer

Accept conflict as a natural part of service

 

 

 

 

Respond more effectively to difficult customers and situations

 

 

 

 

Recognize and calm angry customers

 

 

 

 

Listen to better understand the problem and the customer’s feelings

 

 

 

 

Express empathy with the customer’s feelings and problems

 

 

 

 

Demonstrate three different ways to agree with customers

 

 

 

 

Apologize effectively when service failures occur

 

 

 

 

Present the customer with options for resolving the problem

 

 

 

 

Suggested Resources

 

Books:

 

None