The world revolves around the internet today. Everyone is connected, all the time and it allows us to send and receive information, packages, letters and correspondence – everything, anytime. This means that there is a high demand for logistics companies that act as the middle man between companies and customers.
The ease and consistency with
which we are all connected to the internet also means that this service is
utilised and people will make last minute purchases – let’s say a birthday
present – that is needed imminently and expect to have it delivered in time. This
means two things: firstly, that there is a niche market for offering
exceptionally fast delivery and secondly that the market allows for a large
number of logistics companies, making the competition very high.
Logistics companies need to offer
exceptional customer service because their role in the transaction is major;
they are nominated by the company selling the product to deliver it to the
customer in the same condition that the product left the original company and
in a timely manner no less. This means they are accountable for the condition
of the product and so must have a well populated customer service department to
handle all enquiries. Accidents and misunderstandings do happen and while some
of these will be the logistics company’s fault it may just as much be the
product provider’s fault or indeed the customers’ looking for an easy return –
whatever the reason, the chances are the customer will call the logistics
company looking for an answer.
The customer services assistants
populating this line must be able to deal with angry customers, the most common
reason for customers to contact a logistics company is to complain either about
the lack of the delivery, delay in delivery or condition of the product upon
arrival. Therefore the customer service assistants need to be able to offer
explanations for all of these scenarios in such a way that pleases the customer
but also maintains a positive business front for both the logistics company and
the product company. No employee can be seen to be bad-mouthing any company,
particularly not their own or a partner company but the repercussions of
implying that a customer is in the wrong can be devastating.
The rise of the internet means
that logistics companies are vertebrae in the backbone of society but society
also demands choice and high customer service. Everything boils down to options
and to stay ahead of the game in any division of the market, it is important to
offer high quality customer service because there is too much choice –
customers can move companies at the drop of a hat.
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