Video: Starkville Business Leaders Work to Improve Customer Service Skills

[syndicaster id=’5483576′]

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Black Friday has come and gone but shoppers still have about three weeks to find those Christmas gifts. Local business leaders say now is the time to raise their standards for customer service and employee training if they want their share of the holiday spending dollars.

“There are a lot more shoppers this time of year. More customers to serve,” says Mike Goree, marketing instructor at Mississippi State University’s College of Business.

Mike Goree is a marketing instructor at the MSU College of Business. Goree spoke to business leaders in Starkville about improving customer service especially during the holiday season.

“It’s also very important because there are many new employees, there are seasonal employees and they don’t always come in knowing exactly what to do or knowing what the expectations even of the businesses are,” says Goree.

Goree explained that employees are the face of every business and he emphasized how properly training employees can grow a customer base and lead to more profits.

“I do think we need to do a lot more training than anybody ever does. That’s where we’re at Papa John’s is working to do is more customer service training with our staffs,” says Martha Thompson, with Papa John’s Pizza in Starkville.

Goree also told business leaders that treating employees well, including how well they’re paid, is key to company morale and better customer service from the work force.

“Particularly with this time of year being Christmas and everything, encouraging people, encouraging the employees, letting them know how much we appreciate what they do and the time that they’re taking when they could be with family and friends, to help our store out, to really make us a success,” says Sports Center Manager Bobby Craig.

Goree also had some advice for customers. He suggested that customers approach store employees in a calm demeanor if they have an issue. You’re more likely to get positive results and the service that you deserve.

The seminar was sponsored by the Greater Starkville Development Partnership.