3 TIPS FOR ENHANCING YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE!
Heather, CEO of Pilatespal.com, works with dancers and came across these tips from dance studio owners. Like running a dance studio, Pilates studios come across situations that need some customer service TLC! Read how these two enhance their customer service skills...
Learning to handle complaints and criticism with grace and professionalism is a necessary part of good studio management. The ability and willingness to address dissatisfaction from parents, students, teachers and staff gives you the access to improving services and programs.
Here are three ways to help you solve problems, work effectively on your business, and expand your leadership skills. They are your access to delivering outstanding dance studio customer service.
1) Get comfortable with the on-going process of setting and communicating expectations: On occasion you will fail to meet expectations set by yourself and others. A complaint is often the access to a problem that needs solving. Learn to distinguish between areas that you can and are willing to improve versus a person or problem who takes an unfair measure of your time and energy. Clarify your studio's values, mission, and ethics and use them as a guide to help you address issues effectively. Learn to run your business from your own personal style and not as an attempt to please everyone.
2) Learn how to distinguish feedback from criticism: People will have opinions about every aspect of your business. Learn to listen, evaluate, and respond to people's experience of your business by giving them an adequate opportunity to communicate with you in a constructive way. Use evaluation surveys and structured meetings to address issues and concerns as they arise. Develop emotional fortitude by knowing what you do well and having the confidence to take responsibility for the actions necessary to improve your studio.
3) Embrace your leadership role at the studio: You always have some control, especially in regard to your own response to any perceived criticism or complaint. It takes maturity and experience to accept that you and your studio cannot be all things to all people. Make peace with who you are. Celebrate the wonderful profession and career you have chosen. Do what you do best, gather a great and supportive team who appreciate and respect your generosity, spirit, artistry and commitment. You will gain the trust and respect of everyone at your studio when they know that their opinions and experience matter.
"You deserve joy and satisfaction from all your hard work. Make improvements, implement change, and enjoy success as you listen to and learn from all the people you serve at your dance studio. "
Kathy Blake & Suzanne Blake Gerety
Are the owners of Kathy Blake Dance Studios, Dance Teacher Summit Presenters, Dance Teacher Magazine Ask the Expert Columnists. They are also the co-founders of DanceStudioOwner.com. Article: Dance Teachers Summit.