In business, is honesty always the best policy?  Even if being honest results in you turning a customer away from your business?  Being honest with your customers, no matter what the situation, is a customer service skill that we should all embrace and practice.  Here's why...

Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.

- W.T. Purkiser

What does it mean to show consideration?  According to Merriam-Webster, consideration is "thoughtfulness and sensitivity toward others."  It's concern, care, kindness, understanding, respect, sensitivity, and much more.  Consideration is synonymous with respect, so when we are showing consideration for our customers, we are also treating them with respect.  It's taking a genuine interest in your customers.  Do you regularly show your customers that you are considerate?  Do you do your best to take great care of them, their needs, and their unexpressed wishes? 

We have spent the last several weeks mastering the Customer Service Skills List so we can discover opportunities and know how to "wow" your customers. Let's reverse roles and have you remember when you were the customer and you were "wowed."  What did that feel like? Why were you "wowed"? I am willing to bet it was because the service providers and/or customer advocates went out of their way to make a connection with you. They did something to exceed your expectations, and they made the service exchange about you.

A key ingredient to creating a "wow" customer service experience is your ability to be attentive and to actively engage through the use of strong listening skills.  We have to be attentive during EVERY interaction with the customer, otherwise there will be a disconnect between what the customer is saying, both verbally and nonverbally, and what you are doing.  We must give our customers our complete attention so we can truly understand what is being said; simply listening to and hearing what customers say is not enough.  The words being spoken are just the beginning.  You must pay attention to all of the extra, little things.  What about our customers':