Introduction Datatronics is a worldwide, high-performance supplier of integrated resource planning solutions to many global companies. Datatronics products include products used for telecommunications, industrial controls, medical, power supply, automotive, and computer supplies. This case study assignment explores key issues and role of customer service, with respect to the US branch of the company located in Romoland, CA. It includes a comparison of customer service and customer satisfaction. Joel McGivern is the Chief Information Officer, while Matt Rubenzahl is the head of customer service center, North America. Matt is required to evaluate the status of customer service at Datatronics and provide recommendations to the Joel, the company’s CIO. The firm’s organizational chart is shown next. Figure 1. Organizational chart Key Issues Despite being a smaller company than Datatronics, E-ZRP managed to outperform Datatronics in the quality of customer service. The key issues for this case study, which form the basis of the recommendations that Matt will present to the chief information officer, are founded on the drastic differences that exist in the customer service arrangements between Datatronics and E-Z RP. The areas of difference include the customer service philosophy, service representatives, link to developers, organization, training, tiered support, performance metrics, technology, and the hiring criteria of customer service representatives. At Z-Z RP, customer service representatives are considered a valuable part of the IT and business teams. The philosophy at E-Z RP is that the customer service enables improved products. The CSRs are highly skilled and knowledgeable on the company’s business and products. The CRS... ... middle of paper ... ...n, these adjustments, while increasing the company’s ventures and the size of the customer base, will reduce the call volume, which will drive down the costs incurred. The ultimate goal is to increase customer satisfaction while improving the company’s revenue and reducing costs. The strategy is a source of the company’s competitive advantage. Conclusion Datatronics can enhance its revenues and customer satisfaction by improving its customer service. Problem areas identified include the company’s philosophy, technology, service representatives, organization, performance metrics, training, and recruitment criteria. Matt should consider proposing changes as long as he does not overhaul the way Datatronics does business. For instance, the company should enhance its CSRs training, hiring criteria, philosophy, and technology, especially with respect to its IVR system.
Zeithaml, V., Parasuraman, A., & Berry, L. (1990). Delivering quality service: balancing customer perceptions and expectations. New York, New York: Simon and Schuster.
The customer support and customer service functions are more than departments; they are part of an essential strategy for growing your business. In the modern business climate, customers expect answers to their questions immediately. When the right information is available anytime, from anywhere in the world, customers are more likely to have a positive experience, thus customer loyalty will be increased. It is a known fact that the cost to obtain a customer is ten times higher than to maintain and keep existing customers. (Gouran, Dennis, W.E. Wiethoff, & J.A. Doelger. (1994). Mastering communication. 2nd ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.) Not in Reference Pg.
Since the customers in this industry are not price sensitive, having a competitive advantage is vital for firms. Hill-Rom considers customer service is its reputation, thus gives significant value to its customer relationships. In addition, its variety of products gives high competitive advantage to the
Comcast Corporation is a company that specializes in cable networking and high speed internet access for residential and commercial customers. “Comcast Creates More Than 5,500 New Jobs as Part of Multi-Year Customer Experience Transformation” (Comcast.com, 2015). I spent a total of three years working for them in a call center atmosphere before relocating my family. This job was one of my most memorable and enjoyable mainly because they followed the management practices which allowed everyone to function efficiently. Nominally “The primary function for most call centers, also known as ‘inbound’ call centers, is to receive telephone calls initiated by customers. Inbound call centers typically spend 60–80% of their budget on staff members who handle phone calls” (der Horst, et al., 2012, 435). My days were spent with between eight to twelve hours a day attached to a desk and phone system monitoring all aspects of job performance. Comcast “today announced a new, multi-year plan to reinvent the customer experience and to create a culture focused on exceeding customers’ expectations, at all levels of the company. The plan centers on looking at every decision through a customer lens and making measureable changes and improvements across the company” ...
Williams, P. & Naumann, E. 2011, "Customer satisfaction and business performance: a firm-level analysis", The Journal of Services Marketing, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 20-32.
1.1 Explain the value of customer service as a competitive tool Customer service is valued as a competitive tool by many organisations. It gives you the ability to gain customer loyalty while meeting the customer’s expectations. Staff will have the skills and knowledge that will provide a competitive edge. Most organisations are known for the quality of their customer service. This means that they are known for good customer service or poor customer service.
Providing great customer service and having the ability to retain customers require consistency in delivering the anticipated services. Customer service encompasses having the ability to provide a service or product to customers by means in which it was promised. However, there are times when unforeseen circumstances may occur, resulting in customer service breakdowns. Understanding the effectiveness of customer service relations provides the assurance needed to handle complicated service related issues. A well qualified customer service representative has the acquired skill to effectively defuse a potentially damaging service related matter. Service recovery influences customer retention and improves customer satisfaction.
Dean, A. M., & Rainnie, A. (2009). Frontline employees' views on organizational factors that affect the delivery of service quality in call centers. Journal of Services marketing, 23(5), 326-337.
a) Good customer service is a critical component of a quality product. Collier (2011) states that service needs to be consistent, continuous, thoughtful and available. These are crucial in meeting and exceeding customer expectations. Collier also continues on to state that staff providing customer service must have appropriate skills, knowledge and personal attributes to execute a high standard of service. These skills have been identified by Collier as listening skills, punctuality, courtesy, integrity and grooming. The skills and qualities identified are reflected by the five key components of customer service tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy. The five components have been provided by the SERVQUAL service measuring
Also the objection to meet high customer service has depleted a company’s capability to separate itself from its competitors. These factors help find new and different ways in creating a competitive advantage for a company.
Over the past few years, the increasing dynamism and competition in the business operating environment has led to a lot of changes in how the companies conduct themselves with respect to its customers. Customers being the focal point of revenue; manufacturers are increasingly taking interest in being focused on customer satisfaction by delivering the products and services on time.
...stomer service is essential in any organization. Its importance has positive implications on the business. Having an excellent customer service will motivate the organization’s employees. This will result in a win-win situation because a happy employee is a productive employee. When a motivated employee helps customers he/she will ensure that the customers are satisfied in a way that exceeds their expectations. These customers will then go out in to the public and share their experience with friends who will eventually patronize the business. In the long run the business gains more customers and increases its profits. Therefore, every organization should attempt to implement and preserve an excellent customer service strategy. This will give the organization a competitive edge above other organizations and establish a reputable image every business entity long for.
Customer service is constantly evolving. A few decades ago, businesses considered customer service an unnecessary expense. Now, companies view it as a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Research reveals that “80% of CEOs believe they deliver a superior customer experience, but only 8% of their customers agree”.
Consumers are concerned not only about a product breaking down but also about the time before service is restored, the timeliness with which service appointments are kept, the nature of dealings with service personnel, and the frequency with which service calls or repairs fail to correct outstanding problems. In those cases where problems are not immediately resolved and complaints are filed, a company’s complaint-handling procedures are also likely to affect customers’ ultimate evaluation of product and service quality.
MASSAD, N., HECKMAN, R. & CROWSTON, K. 2006. Customer Satisfaction with Electronic Service Encounters. International Journal of Electronic Commerce, 10, 73-104.