How can you create a customer service career development plan that maximizes your strengths?

From my experience, you have to build relationships with people and connect with them. One key skill that is is needed is to listen to them. Every person love talking about themselves. Listen and respond to what they are talking about, it is the key to connecting with your customers.

First Evaluate your existing customer Experience skills and strengths through self-assessment or feedback from peers/managers. Also Define specific goals to enhance or leverage your strengths further in customer service. Seek training, workshops, or courses that align with your strengths to refine and amplify those skills.

Recognize your strengths by contemplating your skills, attributes, and experiences, taking into account both technical abilities (hard skills) and interpersonal skills (communication, empathy, problem-solving).

I developed my initial customer service skills whilst doing a part-time job with Bejam (now Iceland Frozen Foods) in the mid 1980's. It was a very basic job, and we had basic equipment. But, the customer was "King"; we treated everyone with respect and good manners. I was lucky in that I learned how to keep a calm demeanour, to be empathetic with people, to think on my feet, and keep things simple in my thinking, how I spoke to people, and my deeds. I have carried those principles, and the way I conduct myself in all situations, through everything I've done. Recently, I've had to adapt, because the business landscape, and my outside interests (volunteering in the community), are continually developing.

Based on my experience I would recommend: - Identify your strengths – what makes you stand out in customer interactions? - Set clear goals aligned with your strengths. For example, become the go-to expert for complex customer challenges - Invest in continuous learning. If communication is your strength, consider a public speaking workshop - Seek mentorship. Learn from mentors' experiences, gaining insights into how they leveraged their strengths for career advancement

One thing I've found that is helpful is having a career path and development plan in place. Also having a mentor to answer your questions and give you further insight into how to reach your goal is very helpful. Let your manager know what your goal is and how you are working towards it so they can help to prepare you for the opportunities that become available for you. Above all, be confident and belive in yourself because if you show you can do it, you will!

In my experience being a retail assistant and doing door to door direct sales really opens up your world to communication and interaction as well as building your resilience to rejection which is part of any business! Intelligent handling of this one aspect brings success at the next level!

Establish both short-term and long-term career objectives by outlining your aspirations for the next 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, and beyond.

I'm still hoping to find the role that will keep me moving along. Being a father to a teenager changes my perspectives on life all the time, as do continuing global developments. I hope my next role gives me the chance to keep growing, developing my skills and learning new ways. If it means a change of direction and something brand new then I'll embrace that change. I want to refresh my professional life if possible.

Putting your career into perspective and how you believe in yourself is positive and powerful. Aligning yourself with the right mindset tribe is valuable. Having a mentor that will guide your life goals is important and a great asset.

In my experience, Align your goals with your values. For you to have long-term success need to find out what you are passionate about and what you would gladly suffer for as well. understand your strengths and personality type in order to thrive in a certain industry. We can often get cut up on just paying the bills but to thrive in the long term. Stepping out of your comfort zone in order to explore more of a career path is needed. It needs to be an industry that your heart desires.

Dismantle your objectives into smaller, achievable tasks, each with its own deadline. Prioritize these tasks according to their influence on your career advancement.

If the career path is customer service, then each level of management has progressively more tools where they can say "yes" or "no" to a customer. However, the goal is to leave each and every customer satisfied, whether they are given a "yes" or "no" to their issue. example: A father and daughter have been waiting in line for a roller coaster for 1 hour, 90F, father has had a few adult beverages... at the end, the child is too short... The father is willing to fight to get on the ride. Do you say yes or no and accept all consequences? Decide at which leadership level you want to be a part of to deliver the best answer and then build skills necessary to express the right/best answer. At what heat can you accept and do the right thing?

The process of improving customer service skills involves exploring different career options that align with your objectives and strengths. This step involves conducting in-depth research on the various roles, industries, or sectors that require customer service skills, and understanding the expectations, requirements, and prospects associated with each option.

I recently suggested to my wife that I apply for certain jobs. She suggested I didn't, because the options in that field (which she already occupies) are too limited. She's never said it before, but experience has made her wise. I'm attempting to either re-establish what I've been doing for some time, or re-invent myself. I believe my customer service skills are still excellent because I'm a "team player"; a "people person"; which is strange because a lot of my roles have been "Back Office". However, I worked for Marks & Spencer for some years on the shopfloor (I took a career break from financial services). My customer service skills were excellent, but they wouldn't support me moving up, because "I was in a long queue."

Have fun with this. If you want to do something different, go with it. Pick a path that brings you professional achievement, and personal happiness. Be wary of any negative influences. If you can ignore them, or even get rid of them, it's all the better.

I would analyze my current state. Then define my career goals. Next step would be to check skill gap and train myself in those gaps. I would build a profession network around my industry. Also check for mentorship and coaching.

I must admit, I've only met a few people who appear to have used an "action plan". Many of them were managers, but some came off their own plans due to unforeseen changes in their life, and some unexpected professional issues. On reflection I can see where I could have changed something. However, some things have happened to me on a personal level which have occurred because I erred a bit from the original "action plan". In my view, I've had to be adaptable, and sometimes take what was offered, rather than follow a path that was predetermined.

I don’t think it has to be this intricate. Only step into customer service if you already know how to provide great service. Take what’s natural, combine it with lessons leaned (both successes and failures), and make adjustments as needed. Once you know the secret sauce, create processes that ensure each part is addressed. This will lead to consistent elevated experiences delivered to the clients. Be ready to become the Voice of the Customer so that others in the company don’t lose sight of the reason they have that service or product.

Every interaction with a client is an opportunity to showcase your skills and talents to assist them. By putting forth your best effort of listening and completing their requests, you are using that opportunity to your advantage to also offer them things they may not even realize they need such as a package for their insurance to round out their account, ask for positive feedback or a referral, etc. By helping the client, you in turn can also help yourself to reach your goals and be successful. It's a win-win situation for your client and yourself.

Customers are Not Always Right. But, treating them with respect is right. A good Customer Service person understands this important differentiation.