Last updated on Apr 17, 2024
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Stay Calm
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Acknowledge Limits
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Seek Support
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Provide Timeline
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Follow Up
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Document Learnings
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Here’s what else to consider
Navigating the waters of customer service can sometimes lead you to uncharted territories where you're unsure of the answer to a customer's question. It's a situation that can be daunting, but with the right approach, you can turn it into a positive experience for both you and the customer. The key is to maintain professionalism, show empathy, and ensure the customer feels heard and valued, even when you don't have all the answers at your fingertips.
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- Eduardo Capp A seasoned entrepreneur with a proven track record of delivering innovative solutions and driving business growth.
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- Pablo Alonso Growing luxury brands through intentional digital solutions.
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1 Stay Calm
When faced with a question you can't answer, remaining calm is crucial. Your demeanor sets the tone for the interaction. By staying composed, you convey to the customer that you are in control and capable of finding a solution. It's important to listen actively to the customer's query, showing that you value their concern. Acknowledge the complexity of their issue and assure them that you are taking their question seriously. This initial response can build trust and patience, which are essential as you work towards a resolution.
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- Eduardo Capp A seasoned entrepreneur with a proven track record of delivering innovative solutions and driving business growth.
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1) "Honest upfront! Let's find the answer together." (This emphasizes transparency and collaboration)2) "My apologies, I'll research & get back to you ASAP." (This acknowledges the limitation and offers a solution)
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- Pablo Alonso Growing luxury brands through intentional digital solutions.
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Maintaining composure when encountering an unanswered question is paramount. Your demeanor influences the customer's perception of the interaction. By remaining calm, you demonstrate control and competence. Active listening and acknowledgment of the issue's complexity convey genuine concern, fostering trust and patience. This initial response lays the groundwork for resolving the query effectively.
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- Amitesh Surve Manager I (Team Manager) @ Amazon
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If you can't provide an answer to a customer's question, it's important to be honest and transparent. Let the customer know that you're unable to answer their question at the moment, but assure them that you'll do everything possible to find the information they need. Offer to escalate the issue to a more knowledgeable team member or provide alternative solutions, such as directing them to relevant resources or offering to follow up with them after further research. Thank the customer for their patience and understanding, and ensure them that you're committed to resolving their query to the best of your ability.
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- Vinod Kumar Collection's Team Leader | Business-to-Business Collections Specialist | Debt Recovery | Payment Negotiations | Relationship Management | Skip Tracer |
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One time at work, a customer asked me a question about a very specialized topic that was beyond my expertise. Instead of guessing or providing potentially incorrect information, I acknowledged that I wasn't familiar with the topic and suggested they speak with a certain department who might have more knowledge in that area. The customer appreciated my honesty and was directed to someone who could better assist them. one thing which i felt useful was Transparency and honesty are invaluable in customer service. It shows integrity and a commitment to providing the best service possible. This approach can strengthen customer relationships and contribute to a positive overall experience.
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In the journey of customer service representatives, it's common for them to encounter situations where they lack answers to over half of the customers' inquiries. As a result, the tone of the representative may come across as lacking confidence, potentially leaving the customer with the impression that the representative isn't sufficiently knowledgeable or capable of addressing their concerns. Customers might struggle to articulate their questions effectively, placing the on-duty representatives to navigate these situations adeptly. Maintaining composure can be pivotal for representatives in regaining their confidence and effectively addressing the complexity of the customer's issue or inquiry.
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2 Acknowledge Limits
Honesty is always the best policy in customer service operations. If you don't know the answer, it's important to admit it rather than providing incorrect information. Assure the customer that while you may not have the answer immediately, you are committed to finding it. This transparency builds trust and respect. Customers appreciate honesty and are usually understanding when they know you are working diligently to help them.
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Throughout the customer service journey, representatives may encounter situations where they lack immediate answers to address customer inquiries. Therefore, it remains paramount for representatives to uphold honesty when interacting with clients. From my own experience, maintaining transparency and integrity with clients has not only allowed me additional time to resolve issues but has also fostered trust. Furthermore, embracing the truth can alter one's perspective towards work, enhancing their approach and attitude.
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- Skarlet Chávez Construyo relaciones estratégicas entre clientes y organizaciones, creando propuestas de valor mutuamente beneficiosas.
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Lo peor que podemos hacer en ventas es mentir, ya que esto hará que el cliente desconfíe del producto o más tarde cuando lo utilice notará el desperfecto.Lo mejor es practicar "La venta verdadera" SIEMPRE.
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- Jacklyne Akiror Mbabazi .M.
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Always remember you cannot have all the answers in the world for each question, but having the confidence to acknowledge this instantly is most important. -Apologise to the customer that you can't offer the correct solution at that moment but will surly research, get the appropriate answer and revert within a given time frame. - use all your resources(colleagues, company reading material, etc) to get the best answers for the queries posed- get back to the customer as soonest as possible, give them the feedback, ask if your response has helped if yes bravo if not, ask how better way you can help, I.e need for escalation etc..
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- Virginia Mnindwa Ready to organise your work flow and to increase productivity by saving 10+hours during the week, Save time with a Virtual Assistant.
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The following are some steps you can take if you don’t have immediate answers to customers questions, stay calm and composed do not fumble nor panic , cause that can turn off your customer, Acknowledge that you do not know everything let the customer that you will revisit the question and give feed back not forgetting the time when they will be updated.
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- Muhammad U. LinkedIn Top Voice | Manager Customer Support | Client Retention, Business Development
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If you can't provide an answer to a customer's question, it's important to be honest and transparent. Acknowledge the customer's question and let them know that you will do your best to find the information they need. Offer to research the issue or escalate it to someone who might have the answer. Ensure the customer that you are committed to resolving their inquiry and provide a timeframe for when they can expect to hear back from you. Following up promptly with the requested information or update is crucial to maintaining trust and customer satisfaction.
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3 Seek Support
You're not alone in the customer service process; there's often a team or resources at your disposal. When you encounter a question that stumps you, reach out for support. Whether it's consulting a coworker, supervisor, or a knowledge base, taking the initiative to find the answer demonstrates your commitment to the customer's needs. Inform the customer that you will consult with a team member or resource and get back to them with an accurate response as soon as possible.
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- Pushkar katyal Assistant Manager at AO Smith India Pvt. Ltd.
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Customer service is always a team gameThere certain things which can be handle with expertise some with experience and some with specific approvals which might take time.It always to keep customer aware of what's in ur limit and one should always seek time to further discuss with other team members maybe higher in rank to answer to the query.
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- Skarlet Chávez Construyo relaciones estratégicas entre clientes y organizaciones, creando propuestas de valor mutuamente beneficiosas.
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Esto es habitual cuando se está comenzando a conocer un producto. La solución es tan simple como tener un grupo de apoyo, ya sea por Whatsapp o herramientas internas, donde puedan aportar en resolver dudas e inconvenientes, así creamos además un repositorio de ayuda.
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- Burtea Alin Catalog Manager B2B at HP
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Utilizing available resources and seeking support for challenging questions shows dedication to customer needs. Informing the customer about consulting for accurate responses reinforces trust and commitment to quality service.
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- Breanna Mills-Tullis Seeking new opportunities
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In my experience, being honest with customers is the best way to go! Communicating that you do not know the answer but will go and seek support to find the solution. In every career there is an opportunity to learn and strengthen our weaknesses.
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- Susan M. Phlebotomy, Laboratory, Medical Assistant, Underwriter, Loan Processor
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I feel that if you do not know how to help or answer something specific you should always reach out. You can find out that answer or solution from a colleague or coworker. Sometimes you may not have all information but now you know and can remember for the next time it’s asked.
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4 Provide Timeline
It's essential to set realistic expectations for when the customer can expect an answer. Give them a specific timeline for when you'll get back to them, whether it's a few hours or a couple of days. This not only manages their expectations but also gives you a clear deadline to work towards. Make sure to follow up within the promised time frame, even if it's just to update them on your progress. This shows reliability and dedication to resolving their issue.
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- Arpita Tripathi Senior Service Executive | Certified Soft Skills and Corporate Trainer
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- It is best to ask for a permission to provide a detailed response to a customer's query. Even if you know the answer, having more information can give you an advantage.- Take the time to conduct thorough research and reach out to colleagues for assistance when you need more detail. Make sure to respond within the agreed time frame.
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5 Follow Up
Following up is a crucial step in ensuring customer satisfaction. After providing an answer or solution, check in with the customer to confirm that their issue has been resolved to their satisfaction. This step can often be overlooked, but it reinforces the idea that their concerns are important and that your service extends beyond just answering questions. It also provides an opportunity for additional support if needed and leaves a positive, lasting impression.
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- Breanna Mills-Tullis Seeking new opportunities
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I agree following up is a great way to possibly answer more questions and receive feedback on your communication skills. Maybe the diction used to answer the question confused the customer. This provides us with additional feedback to improve performance.
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6 Document Learnings
Each unanswered question provides an opportunity for growth and improvement in customer service operations. After resolving the customer's issue, take the time to document the question and the answer you found. This not only helps you learn, but also creates a valuable resource for your team. By recording this information, you contribute to a knowledge base that can improve efficiency and consistency in handling future inquiries, ultimately enhancing the overall customer experience.
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In my experience, thorough documentation of any issues, questions, or bugs is essential. This practice enables management to precisely understand resolutions. It's equally crucial for new hires to have access to this documentation. As a support manager, I consistently document queries by either establishing a knowledge base or requesting the content team to create instructional videos. These resources serve as valuable references for both clients and internal staff. Documentation significantly reduces the number of unresolved queries and ensures that representatives can provide meaningful responses to customer inquiries.
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7 Here’s what else to consider
This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?
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- Blessing Emmanuel Certified Accountant
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Here are a few tips:- Acknowledge the customer's question: Let the customer know that you understand their question and that you are working on finding a solution.- Offer alternative solutions: If you can't provide an answer to the customer's question, try to offer alternative solutions.- Escalate the issue: If you are unable to resolve the customer's issue, escalate the issue to a supervisor who may have more knowledge and authority to resolve the issue.
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In addition to staying calm and seeking support from team members, you can also escalate the issue to the relevant hierarchy for proper review and better solution.
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