A Complaint Is a Gift: Using Customer Feedback as a Strategic Tool - Softcover

Barlow, Janelle; Møller, Claus

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1576755827 ISBN 13: 9781576755822

Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2008

Synopsis

A customer complaint is the most valuable source of feedback you can receive to improve your business. This new and improved second edition guides you through responding to complaints, taking advantage of when complaints become personal, and how you, too, can complain constructively and effectively.
 
The first edition of A Complaint Is a Gift introduced the revolutionary notion that customer complaints are not annoyances to be dodged, denied, or buried but are instead valuable pieces of feedback—in fact, they’re your best bargain in market research. Customer complaints can give businesses a wake-up call when they’re not achieving their fundamental purpose: meeting customer needs. Complaints provide a feedback mechanism that can help organizations rapidly and inexpensively strengthen products, service style, and market focus. Most importantly, complaints create a moment of truth when a customer who is deciding whether to return can be made even more loyal.
 
Using numerous real-life examples, authors Janelle Barlow and Claus Møller show precisely how to handle complaints in a way that brings benefit to your organization and satisfaction to your customers–even when you have to say no. The second edition features two brand-new chapters on receiving and responding to complaints online; a new section on how to deal with and take advantage of complaints that are directed at your personally; and, turning the tables, a section on how you can complain constructively and effectively. And throughout, the text has been heavily revised, with a wealth of new examples, tools, and strategies.

About this title

From the Publisher

Complaints--the Key to Success

The first edition of A Complaint Is a Gift introduced a revolutionary notion: customer complaints are a valuable feedback mechanism that can help organizations rapidly and inexpensively strengthen products, service style, and market focus. In fact, they're the best bargain around in market research.

Using numerous real-life examples, Janelle Barlow and Claus Møller show precisely how to handle complaints to bring benefit to your organization and satisfaction to your customer--even when you have to say no. The second edition features a new chapter on receiving and responding to Internet complaints; a new chapter on how to deal with and take advantage of complaints that are directed at you personally; and, turning the tables, a section on how you can complain constructively and effectively. And throughout, the text has been heavily revised, with a wealth of new examples, tools, and strategies.

"The first edition of this book was a jewel. This new, completely updated version is even better. The new examples are simultaneously instructive, touching, and entertaining. Research summaries are worth the read alone. They will shake up anyone who doubts the power of listening to your customers."
--Jim Kouzes, coauthor of The Leadership Challenge®

"This book is a gift in itself. The thinking is fresh; the logic, irrefutable; the examples of how to deliver excellent customer service, outstanding. Janelle Barlow and Claus Møller have a uniquely practical perspective on creating shareholder value through putting the voice of the customer at the heart of business strategy."
--Craig Dinsell, Executive Vice President of Human Resources, Oppenheimer Funds Inc.

"The new edition provides even more straight talk on communicating effectively with customers and practical advice for changing employee attitudes toward complaints."
--John Goodman, Vice Chairman, TARP Worldwide

About the Author

Janelle Barlow is president and owner of TMI US. She is the coauthor of Emotional Value, Smart Videoconferencing, and Branded Customer Service.

Claus Møller is the founder of TMI. He has written several books on management, which together have sold more than three million copies.

Edition details

• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1576755827
• ISBN 13: 9781576755822
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 304