Customer Service Information

Doesnt Anybody Work Here? Nametags Impact Employee Communication


Walmart was the first business to require all its employees to wear nametags. (There's a surprise!) Sam Walton created this initiative because he wanted his customers to "get to know the people they bought from."

But the value of employee nametags spans far beyond getting to know people, it's all about being approachable. So whether you work in retail, hospitality, food service or sales, to wear a nametag is to be on stage. To be on stage is to be ready to serve your customers. And to be ready to serve your customers is to do your job effectively.

Here are several ways nametags will help your employees maintain an accessible, comfortable business environment.

Accessibility
I have a bad habit of putting too much hot sauce on, well...everything. Recently, after I wolfed down a Tobasco covered bite of my cheeseburger, I realized that I desperately needed a refill of ice water to regain feeling in my lips. My server walked right by, but unfortunately I failed to get his attention because I didn't know his name. Why? You guessed it: he wasn't wearing a nametag! No water for me! Fortunately I chugged down my date's ice tea.

Tip # 1: A nametag makes it easier for customers to gain the attention of an employee from whom they need service. Without it, the customers will either find someone else to help them, or won't get what they need.

Comfort
Imagine you walk into a store. You browse the aisles for a few minutes and decide that you'd like to speak with a sales associate. You look around, see a few people, but nobody appears to be an employee. After wrongfully asking and embarrassing a few strangers who don't actually work there, you get frustrated and leave the store. As you walk out the door, you complain, "Darn it! Doesn't anybody work here?!¨

Tip # 2: The most important rule in retail is to "make a friend in thirty seconds." The quickest and surest way to do this is to inform and remind customers of your employees' names. This promotes self-disclosure and creates comfort in the conversation. And when you put your customers at ease, the sales process will be more personable.

Synergy
Have you ever started a new job and didn't know everyone's name until the third month? Or what about the organization for whom you've contributed ten years and still don't know the name of that curly haired girl from the second floor? Let's face it: people are terrible with names. It's the single context of human memory most apt to be forgotten.

Tip # 3: Especially for organizations with hundreds of employees, nametags for your teammates will only ease their pain and contribute to a synergized workplace.

Ambassadors
Another invaluable benefit of nametags is that they will transform your employees into ambassadors. It will make them walk their talk. Ask people who work in real estate, they wear nametags every day! Some agents even wear two nametags: one on their shirt and another magnetized to the side of their car! Now, silly as that looks, remember this: everyone will know that Shirley is a representative for Gundaker.

Tip #4: A nametag immediately identifies an employee as an ambassador of the company. As such, it keeps her accountable for her behavior while she wears it and promotes good word of mouth for the business.

Branding
Your nametag is just like your company's billboard. Except it's free and people will actually look at it for more than four seconds. So, when customers or clients work with your employees, they will be exposed to your logo, colors and brand identity. As a result your nametag turns into an effective medium for free advertising.

Tip #5: A well designed nametag will constantly keep your company's brand, logo and corporate culture in the minds of your customers and prospects. Because it's not who you know, it's who knows you.

Fun
Nametags are fun. Kids like them. Adults like them. They promote friendliness in the workplace and foster a sense of community. And people want to spend their money in places, on items and with people that are welcoming and approachable. Next time you walk into Borders, take a closer look at one of the employees' nametags. Often times their lanyards will have stickers or pictures of their favorite books on them.

Tip #6: Employees who wear fun, memorable nametags will also show the customers that their business is fun and memorable.

Tag, you're it!

  • Do you want to maximize the approachability of your employees?
  • Do you want your customers to feel comfortable?
  • Does your business value synergy among its employees?
  • Will free promotion, both personal and graphical help promote your business?   
    MORE RESOURCES:

    North American Retailers Underperforming in Customer Service ...
    MarketWatch - 11 hours ago
    the leading provider of multichannel customer service and knowledge management software on-premise or on-demand, today published its 2008 international ...
    Study Finds Companies Lacking in E-mail Customer Service TMCnet
    all 13 news articles


    Service-now.com Flys Past 200th Customer Milestone With Signing of ...
    Trading Markets (press release), CA - 11 hours ago
    Today, we are proud to announce Red Robin as our 200th customer." Service-now.com is the pioneer of on-demand IT service management software. ...


    Stewart Title Company -- Illinois Division Announces Two New ...
    MarketWatch - 2 hours ago
    In the position of Manager of Customer Service, Kirin will be the expert in providing magnificent customer service to Illinois patrons, through services ...


    WhatCounts Announces a New Vice President of Services
    MarketWatch - 9 hours ago
    "In the email marketing industry, customer service makes all the difference. I plan to build on WhatCounts' strong foundation by continuing to improve our ...


    V-Tech Solutions Awarded $7 Million+ Contract to Provide Call ...
    MarketWatch - 11 hours ago
    With a diverse client base consisting of commercial, DOD, federal, and state and local governments -- V-Tech Solutions is devoted to customer service and ...
    V-Tech Solutions to Provide Call Center Support Services for US ... TMCnet
    all 9 news articles


    AT&T Tells Us Customer Service Critique Unfair
    Dslreports - 2 hours ago
    "Unlike other states that stop the service clock on nights, weekends, and holidays, Connecticut’s clock runs continuously," says Bloom. "So if a customer ...


    SLI Systems Introduces New Redundant Hosting Architecture to ...
    MarketWatch - 10 hours ago
    SLI Systems has always provided the tools we need to enhance our offering, and their customer service is second-to-none. The addition of the new redundant ...


    Frost & Sullivan Lauds StatCom for Its Hospital Operations System
    MarketWatch - Nov 19, 2008
    ... achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. ...
    Ansell Healthcare Europe Lands 2008 Frost & Sullivan Customer ... International Business Times
    all 15 news articles


    Information for Citi Customers Affected by the California Wildfires
    MarketWatch - 2 hours ago
    Affected customers are encouraged to contact Citi customer service representatives for assistance. Our representatives can direct customers to open branches ...


    Customer service portals spark physician interest, not participation
    Medical Marketing and Media, NY - Nov 19, 2008
    Physician interest in customer service portals like Merck Services and Pfizer PRO is on the increase -- even though actual use decreased between 2007 and ...

    customer service - Google News

  • Article List | Index | Site Map
    All logos, trademarks and articles on this site are property and copyright of their respective owner(s).
    The comments are property of their posters, all the rest is Copyright © 2006 CanadaSEEK.com - All Rights Reserved.