Ruby

MARCH 5, 2024

Yet despite this, a contradictory phenomenon seems to be happening at the same time: many people feel that customer service is, in general, getting worse. In a world where one bad experience can cause a customer to call it quits, you’d think the opposite would be true and that customer service would be getting better.

Customer Service 52

Customer Service Small Business Technology Computer 52

Ruby

SEPTEMBER 12, 2023

Customers hate IVR, but it’s still used because businesses view it as a cost saver. The people vs. customer service technology Not only does IVR send the wrong message, it puts your business at higher risk of losing potential customers. We’re here to tell you that is not always the case!

Customer Service 52

Customer Service Technology Problem-Solving Computer 52

Ruby

DECEMBER 6, 2019

Why personal connections make all the difference in customer service People are tired of bots and interactive voice response systems (IVR). They want—and increasingly, they expect—to be able to call or chat with a business and speak to a live, friendly human being. This isn’t only about customer experience for big-name brands.

Customer Service 52

Customer Service Sales Technology Small Business 52

Ruby

FEBRUARY 1, 2024

What makes a company’s customer service special? Maybe more importantly, what causes customer service to miss the mark? And where does your business fit into all this? That knowledge formed the basis of one of our most popular articles, Ruby’s customer service audit checklist. Take the quiz.

Customer Service 52

Customer Service Small Business Technology Training 52

Ruby

JULY 19, 2020

But, even in this era of automation, focusing on the human element of your business can be your most valuable tool in impressing potential and current customers alike. In fact, 66% of customers think that a company’s customer service reputation is a critical factor while making a purchase decision.

Customer Service 52

Customer Service Purchasing Technology Software 52

Ruby

AUGUST 16, 2021

That three-letter word is one of the most meaningful and rewarding things you can hear from a customer or client. It reflects the amazement someone feels when your customer service exceeds their expectations—when your business truly connects with them. And those “wows” could be the key to your business’s growth.

Customer Service 52

Customer Service Purchasing Problem-Solving Small Business 52

Ruby

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023

So…you were willing to pay a bit more money—even after the fact —in exchange for stellar customer service. Most consumers are happy to give a little extra when they receive service that exceeds their expectations. In fact, the same principle holds true for customers in non-dining situations, too. Who doesn’t?

Customer Service 52

Customer Service Sales Small Business Networking 52

Ruby

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Small businesses don’t just survive adversity, they often thrive in it. When a global health crisis caused many small businesses to close, newly formed American companies contributed to a historic peak in new job opportunities. It was a bleak time for all businesses, but small ones seemed disproportionately impacted.

Small Business 52

Small Business Problem-Solving Customer Service Banking 52

Ruby

OCTOBER 21, 2022

, you know the thrill that comes with running a small business. So do we—and so do the 32 million other entrepreneurs working tirelessly behind the scenes to help their customers and communities. It’s time for small business to steal the show. But not everyone is ready for their company close-up. Break a leg!

Small Business 52

Small Business Customer Service Flexibility Flexibility 52

Ruby

OCTOBER 5, 2023

If you’re planning to launch a small business or scale an existing one, either way, you need cash. Here’s a rundown of the top lending avenues to check out: Bank Loans/Lines of Credit – Bank loans and lines of credit are a tried-and-true method of getting money for your business. Why do you have to spend money to make it?

Small Business 52

Small Business Banking Customer Service Security 52

Ruby

OCTOBER 10, 2017

This article was originally published on July 14, 2017 on Manta – Small business marketing solutions helping millions of businesses get found by more customers. Approach every communication with your customers as an opportunity to spark a connection, gain their trust and earn their loyalty. Original article.

Customer Service 52

Customer Service Correspondence Problem-Solving Purchasing 52

Ruby

APRIL 30, 2024

Small businesses can make major strides without spending a fortune—or changing a single aspect of the products and services they market. Many small businesses don’t have the budget for a full-time receptionist or call handler. In today’s era of personalization, consumers don’t like to feel like mere customers.

Small Business 52

Small Business Customer Service Sales Advertising 52

Ruby

FEBRUARY 20, 2020

Customer service skills—every business needs them, but not every customer service professional has them. That’s a shame, because in this day and age, customer service skills are more important than ever. Customer service is the key differentiator for any business , regardless of size or industry.

Customer Service 52

Customer Service Mentoring Problem-Solving Sales 52

Ruby

FEBRUARY 5, 2021

For small business owners, choosing the right customer engagement solution has never been more important. And with so many new technologies and customer trends to keep track of as a business owner, it can be difficult to know which of your business investments is going to end up paying off in the long run.

Small Business 52

Small Business Customer Service Problem-Solving Prioritization 52

Ruby

JANUARY 20, 2023

And while some are harmless or easily debunked—no mother will mind if you step on that crack—others can get in the way of running your business. Nowhere is this truer than in customer service. Through millions of calls and chats , we’ve learned what customers and clients truly need, want, and care about.

Customer Service 52

Customer Service Learning Small Business Communication 52

Ruby

NOVEMBER 9, 2023

It happens during the third of five stages of small business development—the success stage! Growth is the goal for most small businesses. All too often, businesses hire the best people they can afford for some roles, then try to save on areas they deem less important. They hate seeing a business that’s in disarray.

Small Business 52

Small Business Advertising Customer Service Training 52

Ruby

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

Once you’ve been doing something long enough, letting go of certain parts of your small business can feel like letting a small piece of yourself go. Customer communication can be one of the toughest to hand off. After all, it’s a big part of what makes your business, well, your business.

Customer Service 52

Customer Service Small Business Onboarding Training 52

Ruby

JULY 14, 2023

Somewhere, there’s a giant box stuffed with crusty old business ideas that don’t work anymore. As 21st-century business owners, you’re supposed to “think outside” that box because not every small business fits neatly into a traditional mold. For businesses, it can pay huge dividends, too! Woody and Buzz.

Small Business 52

Small Business Creativity Consulting Problem-Solving 52

Ruby

JULY 19, 2023

For small businesses, these rapid advancements can come at a cost: You may know AI could potentially provide a competitive edge, but how can you apply it—ideally without compromising the customer experience? Empathy-based social skills Great customer service is usually high on empathy.

Small Business 52

Small Business Software Creativity Customer Service 52

Ruby

JULY 10, 2020

When did customer service become so complicated? From Google to Yelp to Aunt Irene, everyone and everything has an influence over a customer’s thoughts and behavior. As a result, customer service is more challenging—and more important—than ever. What are the most important customer service skills?

Customer Service 52

Customer Service Advertising Training Technology 52

Launch Work Places

NOVEMBER 27, 2023

Running a business can feel like trying to juggle a million things at once, which is why leaders and managers need to find the right strategies and support to meet their goals. An essential piece is finding online tools for small business owners that help optimize efficiency , productivity, and communication.

Small Business 52

Small Business Software Customer Service Communication 52

Ruby

NOVEMBER 16, 2023

One of the most important aspects of any small business is receiving incoming calls. But not every business has the luxury of a dedicated team member monitoring the phones during the workday—not to mention all the calls that come in after-hours. Luckily, there’s no shortage of call answering services out there to assist.

Small Business 52

Small Business Delegation Customer Service Training 52

Insperity

AUGUST 1, 2024

These might include: Developing leaders and managers Improving onboarding and acclimation of new hires Transferring institutional knowledge to reduce the impact of attrition/turnover of staff Boosting retention Enhancing customer service With clear insights into the need behind the mentoring effort, you’ll be better able to gauge success.

Mentoring 206

Mentoring Onboarding Leadership Software 206

Insperity

OCTOBER 21, 2014

For example, in a customer service environment, a manager might listen in on a customer call for quality assurance. Click here to learn how our HR outsourcing services assist small businesses like yours retain top talent. Need some support retaining top talent? Insperity can help.

Sales 147

Sales Coaching Customer Service Small Business 147

Insperity

JANUARY 18, 2018

Because the burden of proof for FLSA compliance lies with the employer, not the employee, it’s vital for businesses to maintain accurate records related to hours worked and wages paid. It’s not uncommon for small businesses to have informal work arrangements, incomplete or non-existent job descriptions, or no employee handbook at all.

Legal 180

Legal Insurance Salary Maintenance 180

Tanveer Naseer

NOVEMBER 11, 2011

I’m pleased to announce that I have joined in partnership with Sprint to highlight and share some of the valuable content being provided on their new small business information and community site, Business on Main, which can be found on the MSN Network.

Customer Service 89

Customer Service Small Business Networking Consulting 89

Insperity

MAY 13, 2014

Enhancing customer service. Small businesses can benefit greatly from mentoring because it’s relatively cheap compared to formal training and development programs. More effective onboarding/acclimation of new hires. Knowledge transfer when employees retire. Boosting retention. Getting more bang for your buck.

Mentoring 127

Mentoring Training Customer Service Leadership 127

Insperity

FEBRUARY 3, 2011

As a small business, you probably won’t need to offer such a large scale plan. A provider that caters to large businesses may only offer big business retirement plans. How is the retirement plan provider’s customer service? You could end up paying for features you don’t need. What’s it going to cost?

Planning 101

Planning Small Business Legal Catering 101

WellSteps

DECEMBER 17, 2024

RELATED: Discover the WellSteps Small Business Program Wellness Case Study Success Stories This wellness case study illustrates, in short, how Derby Recreation Commission has built a program that fosters a culture of wellness, achieves high employee engagement, and serves as a model for its community.

Prioritization 89

Prioritization Small Business Catering Customer Service 89

Ask a Manager

NOVEMBER 22, 2021

Our customer service policy is posted on our website, but does not explicitly mention that we do not accept cancellations or offer refunds. Our internal policy is that when a cancellation is requested we tell the customer their order has already shipped and therefore cannot be cancelled.

Customer Service 67

Customer Service Problem-Solving Small Business Retail 67

Success

MARCH 15, 2022

The first mistake that entrepreneurs make is not recognizing that growing a business is all about sales. Adding customers and selling more to existing customers are the only ways to grow your business. Entrepreneurs and small businesses don’t struggle because they lack a good product, a good service or a good solution.

Sales 105

Sales Delegation Customer Service Construction 105

Ruby

OCTOBER 13, 2021

Speaking of the size of your business, let’s take a closer look at how different operations can leverage the benefits of a needs-based approach: Benefits for small businesses Small businesses are anything but small when it comes to their impact on people’s lives. Check out the guide. We help with that too.

Small Business 52

Small Business Customer Service Sales Purchasing 52

Ruby

FEBRUARY 18, 2020

Like most owners, you’re too busy running your business—serving customers or clients, fulfilling orders, managing employees, and getting work done. Some companies have receptionists or customer service professionals on staff to pick up the phone (at least during business hours ). The best part?

Customer Service 52

Customer Service Small Business Sales 52

Vantage Circle

JULY 29, 2022

Typical Customers: Small Businesses. Mid-size Businesses. Typical Customers: Small Businesses. Mid-size Businesses. Typical Customers: Small Businesses. Mid-size Businesses. Typical Customers: Small Businesses. Mid-size Businesses.

Payroll 98

Payroll Onboarding Small Business Software 98

Ruby

OCTOBER 4, 2022

Here are a couple of key takeaways from this post that small business owners should be aware of: The U.S. In fact, some small businesses may question if these statistics are relevant to their specific industry or market. If your business is looking to offer bilingual customer service, don’t do it quietly.

Customer Service 52

Customer Service Small Business Communication Learning 52

Vantage Circle

JANUARY 2, 2025

List of the Best Free Scheduling Software in 2025 When I Work : Perfect for SMBs, featuring an easy-to-use mobile app and employee self-service options. Buddy Punch : A simple and user-friendly platform for small businesses, combining scheduling and time tracking. Customer Review “Some oversights/missing features.”

Software 105

Software Payroll Small Business Reporting 105

Ruby

MAY 7, 2024

How do virtual receptionists make life easier for one-person businesses? Small businesses = tight budgets. Virtual receptionist services are specifically designed to boost efficiency and save time and money. “IVR Enhancing business image Having a receptionist answer your calls projects a professional image.

Customer Service 52

Customer Service Small Business Equipment Sales 52