If customer service is the best weapon that a company has in its marketing arsenal, then it follows that the only way to create an exceptional customer service experience is to present consumers with courteous employees that will represent your product or service to the best of their and its ability. But, it goes without saying that maintaining a happy staff is easier in theory than it is in practice.
So how do companies like Apple, Amazon and Southwest Airlines (all of which are renowned for their outstanding customer service) do it? Surprisingly enough, it’s not a giant paycheck. In a recent study, CareerBliss reported that salary is not enough to keep good employees happy. Consider these tips for happy workers before your next staff meeting:
· Autonomy: Even if it’s only perceived, on the whole, employees who feel like they have control over their daily tasks are more productive and more content.
· Build Relationships: Employees who not only like their coworkers, but like and respect their bosses are more motivated in the workplace. Organize retreats, take your employees out to lunch: make them feel welcome. The more connected they feel to the success and decline of the company the more they will want to contribute, and go above and beyond their job description.
· Right Person for the Job: Far and away, employees who like what they do are happier than someone who is making twice the money doing something they hate. As an employer, hiring the right people for your staff is not only central to the success of your customer relations, but if you hire people who are more interested in the interview about the paycheck than the day-to-day tasks you can have a real money waster on your hands. If money is the biggest attraction, retention will undoubtedly suffer.
For more information, visit MSNBC’s website for the 10 happiest jobs in America.
