Winning is all about your people

With so many banks I visit listening to sound, perfectly commercially sensible advice from management consulting groups and hurtling towards a digital future, I am left wondering whether, in the rush to save money on distribution, banks are missing a trick.

The reality I see, and it's backed up by report after report, is that, if we fast forward 5 years, most banks will have the same, or similar back office systems, digital service offer and products. Therefore, surely, these organisations should be concentrating on their brand and the experience this delivers to customer. It is Richard Branson who says that companies need to focus on their staff and in doing so, they will win... because engaged and happy staff will serve customers better. This past week, I have experienced this fist hand, where customer service excellence has won the day. In Dubai, where I live, we have two Uber type services, one is Uber, the other is called Careem. I had a bad experience with Careem, complained and immediately received a refund on my journey. Quick, professional and really customer focused. The company realise that by focusing on their staff and empowering them to make the right decisions for their brand, they will win. And they have... I am writing about my experience and now the 15,000 of you out their who read my blog know. Careem = Customer Service Excellence. Here are my 10 tips for creating a culture of customer service excellence: 

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Ensure your staff understand your brand, it's mission, vision and values and what it means to them in their everyday work

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Put your people first and empower them to make decisions in the best interests of the brand

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Do not de-sensitise your connection with customers by over using digital channels

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Make every interaction with customers meaningful and personal to them

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React quickly to problems

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Remember to celebrate successes

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Be prepared to say sorry - People understand we are all human and sometimes we make mistakes

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Be natural - do not read from scripts. Know your business and speak with authority on it

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If you're not sure, ask someone for help. Customers also understand this and will accommodate it

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Listen to everything your customer says and take time to properly understand it before responding