Customers expect certain things when they walk into a business, and those with the highest level of service will know how to identify those expectations and meet them to the customer's satisfaction.
However, this process is not as easy as it sounds – customer expectations are a dynamic feature that ebbs and flows regularly in accordance with a wide range of factors. However, when expectations are not met by the performance of your customer service representatives, customer dissatisfaction is the result.
Customer Expectations + Service Performance = Customer Satisfaction
The quality of your customer service is almost wholly determined by your ability to meet your customer expectations. You can have the greatest service team, but if your customers perceive their needs are not being met, your service reputation suffers.
By the same token, companies that don’t spend much time worrying about customer service – but manage to meet customer expectations consistently – are perceived as offering good customer service.
Service quality is largely determined by customer's perception, which is why meeting customer expectations is an essential part of the process.
Identifying Customer Expectations
Because customer expectations are an ever-evolving process, it can be very challenging to know precisely what those expectations might be. The best course of action is to take the question directly to your customer base through a variety of customer service research techniques.
Have customer’s complete surveys about your products and service. Provide incentive for them to complete that survey, such as entry into a drawing for an enticing prize. Next time you see a customer, ask