The Compassionate Geek: How Engineers, IT Pros, and Other Tech Specialists Can Master Human Relations Skills to Deliver Outstanding Customer Service

A real-world, plain-language how-to guide for delivering amazing customer service to customers and end-users.

Now in its third edition, The Compassionate Geek is the definitive guide for delivering amazing customer service to customers and end-users. Filled with practical tips, best practices and real-world techniques, The Compassionate Geek is a quick read with equally fast results. Each chapter contains a reflection and discussion section to help improve customer service skills. Inside are lots of personal stories and examples of mistakes made and lessons learned in addition to an entire chapter on overcoming personal and professional obstacles. All of the information is presented in a straightforward style that can be understood and used right away. There’s nothing frou-frou, just down-to-earth tips and technical support best practices learned from years of working with technical staff and demanding customers and end-users.

Here’s what you’ll find:

• The four intrinsic qualities of great customer service providers
• Customer service tips on how to say no without alienating your customer or end user
• Best practices for communicating with email, including examples
• Best practices for communicating using chat and texting
• Ten tips for being a good listener
• Two practical ways to keep your emotions in check using emotional intelligence (eq) techniques
• A six-step flow chart for handling customer and end user calls
• Customer service skills to use when the customer or end user is wrong
• How to work with the different generations in the workplace
• Motivational stories of human triumph with reflection and discussion questions
• Techniques for overcoming personal and professional obstacles

All of the information is presented in a straightforward style that you can understand and use right away. There’s nothing “frou-frou”, just down-to-earth tips and technical support best practices learned from years of working with technical staff and demanding customers and end users.

Don R. Crawley, Linux+ and IPv6 Silver Engineer, is a lifetime geek and speaker and author of six books ranging in subject from Cisco to Linux to Compassionate Communication. His focus is on helping IT and other technical staff to master the arts of customer service and communication. He is also President/Chief Technologist of the Seattle-based IT training company, soundtraining.net. He has more than four decades experience working with workplace technology and automation and holds multiple technical certifications. In addition to being a best-selling author, he has spoken before audiences in all 50 states and Canada, plus the United Kingdom and Australia. In his spare time, he plays the pipe organ, watches the ships on Puget Sound, and laughs with his family.