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CHAPTER FIVE. Listening to the Customer. L EARNING O BJECTIVES. Describe four listening steps Actively gather and provide information Recognize internal & external obstacles to listening Develop listening strategies Create customer relationships. WH Y I S L ISTENING I MPORTANT?.
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CHAPTER FIVE Listening to the Customer
LEARNING OBJECTIVES • Describe four listening steps • Actively gather and provide information • Recognize internal & external obstacles to listening • Develop listening strategies • Create customer relationships
WHY IS LISTENING IMPORTANT? • Primary means to determine needs • ¾ of 129 managers (74.3%) = passive/detached • White-collar workers = 25% efficiency
WHAT IS LISTENING? • Primary means to gather information • Active process
CHARACTERISTICS OFGOOD LISTENERS • Empathetic • Understanding • Patient • Attentive • Objective
CAUSES OF LISTENING BREAKDOWN • Personal obstacles • External obstacles • Additional obstacles
PERSONAL LISTENING OBSTACLES (1) • Biases • Psychological distracters • Physical condition • Circadian rhythm • Preoccupation
PERSONAL LISTENING OBSTACLES (2) • Hearing loss • Listening skill level • Thought speed • Faulty assumptions
EXTERNAL LISTENING OBSTACLES • Information overload • Other people talking • Ringing phones • Speakerphones • Office and maintenance equipment • Physical barriers
ADDITIONAL LISTENING OBSTACLE • Customer language barrier • Customer disability • Customer communication skill level
Customers seek others You miss key details You have to ask to repeat Unsure of action required Customer’s question your listening Daydreaming/dis-traction Miss nonverbal cues Incorrectly answer questions POOR LISTENING INDICATORS
LISTENING STRATEGIES • Stop talking • Prepare yourself to listen • Listen actively • Send positive nonverbal cues • Do not argue • Take notes • Ask questions
INFORMATION GATHERING TECHNIQUES • Open-ended questions • Closed-end questions
OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS • Identify customer needs • Gather a lot of information • Uncover background data • Uncover objectives • Give customer opportunity to speak
CLOSED-END QUESTIONS • Verify information • Close an order • Gain agreement • Clarify information
ADDITIONAL QUESTION GUIDELINES • Avoid criticism • Ask positive questions • Ask direct questions • Ask how you can serve