It’s difficult to build a business on poor customer service, if you’re involved in the related industries, that is. If you’re into production, service, logistics, or shipping, then the efficiency of the operation depends to a certain extent on customer perception. That’s an understatement; you have to prioritize clients on peak periods when delayed service could mean lost revenues. What’s worse is your loss is your competition’s gain. It makes sense to dedicate a department for servicing customer inquiries, complaints, and purchases. A business’s lifeblood can involve a variety of factors, but the pang of regret will hurt when your clients leave en masse and migrate to your competitor, all because you failed to address their concerns.

The Cost of Ensuring Efficient Operations

You’re doing your clients a favor by ensuring efficient operations. One roadblock to this involves a shipping process that’s on the clock, but ensuring the product or service delivers to the standards of quality. Startups should prioritize this before considering an expansion, or else you’ll be swamped with placed orders you can’t cover for in time. Of course, this is easier if you have people enlisted to handle every aspect of the process, with specialized, dedicated tasks. The problem with this setup is in the operations cost. It makes better business sense to hire people who can juggle as many tasks as possible, within reason of course. You can compensate with better pay and privileges; besides, multitasking is the norm nowadays and employees are expected to adapt.

A Real Person at the Other End of the Line

You customers need something tangible at the other end of the line, literally. Automated customer service may seem more efficient and feasible, but many of your clients would think otherwise. Have you ever been put on hold for twenty minutes on the phone, only to be transferred to another person or department? Consider your customers’ patience when your providing added service. You have to prioritize their concerns and complaints in the same manner you put a premium to their inquiries and order placements. Additional manpower comes at a cost but should pay off in the long run with more clientele and great feedback.

You don’t have to handle the customer service hotlines in-house, though. There are plenty of third-party services who’ll take over for you, with trained professionals in-the-know with your company’s profile and offerings. Outsourcing is a byword for better business, and you only have everything to gain if you invest in a virtual answering service that’s efficient and reliable. Do your business a favor and entrust the legwork to professionals who can deliver.