We have some really good ones for you in this edition; personally, I think some of the best since the information and what you glean from it is easy to understand, to learn from, and to incorporate into your businesses. Not to mention, two of the articles just so happen to come from Forbes, which unless you have lived under a rock, you know that they provide some of the most credible and respected articles. So dive in, roll up your sleeves, take some notes, and make some changes! That way, you can kick some butt at customer service.

You're in it to "make it," so that means you understand the importance of rock-solid customer service. Exceptional service should permeate through your entire organization and be taught to all employees whom are customer-facing.  You can't miss a beat, and if you do, you risk losing customers.  And, retaining customers after you have worked so hard to earn them should be at the forefront of your goals too.  Our articles this week emphasize and focus on both of these points, and then we also give you some lighter reading that has quick hit stats and facts so you stay service-inspired.  Enjoy!

Ah, it's the holiday season—the season of giving and the creation of lasting memories.  With giving that means customers are spending a lot, which heightens stress levels, and also means that these customers are more aware of the customer service that they are receiving.  So we have a gift for you.  We are giving you a present that includes tips for keeping up with the increasing customer service expectations of customers and lessons on how to exceed their increasing customer service needs.  When you unwrap and uncover these basic service strategies you will find that your customers will continue to come back to buy more.  Now, happy holidays to all of you!  We appreciate your readership very much.

According to Wikipedia, customer service is "the provision of service before, during, and after a purchase." It goes on to say that "customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement." We whole-heartedly agree; thank you, Wikipedia, for supporting the messages that we drive home on a daily basis. You know we are passionate about this, and it's no surprise that these "picks," once again, give you solid and unique tips and tricks for executing outstanding customer service. Scoop up your favorites and create your own list of tips—train to them, be consistent with execution, and reap the rewards!