Customer Service icon

Dealing with People - Words to Avoid


You probably realise how the wrong tone of voice and negative body language can cause problems when dealing with other people, particularly customers and staff. However, using the wrong words can also cause problems.

There are certain "trigger" words that cause people to become more difficult especially in emotionally charged situations and they should be avoided. These include:

* Have to - as in - "You'll have to speak to the sales department yourself"

*I can't or you can't - as in - "I can't do anything about that" or "You can't do that"

*I'll try - as in - "I'll try and speak to finance department today"

*But - as in - "I agree with what you're saying but??.."

*Sorry - as in - "I'm sorry 'bout that"

"What DO I say I hear you cry?"

Instead of the words "Have to" which are very controlling type words, why not try - "Are you willing to?" or just a straight - "Will you?."

Can't, can be replaced with - "I'm unable to because?."

"I'll try," which is pretty wishy-washy, can be replaced with something more honest - "This is what I can do" or "This is what I'm unable to do"

"But" is a word that contradicts what was said before it, replace it with - "And" or "However" (which is a soft 'but')

Instead of saying "but" you could leave it out altogether. For example; instead of - "I agree with what you're saying but I can't help you" use - "I agree with what you're saying. The reason I'm unable to help you is??"

At the end of the day the answer to a customer or one of your staff could be -"no"- however, choosing your words more carefully will have a more positive affect on how he or she reacts and ultimately responds to you.

"Sorry" is one of the words to avoid because it is so overused and it's lost its value. Think of the number of times you've complained or commented about something and you hear - "Sorry 'bout that." If you're going to use the "sorry" word then you need to use it as part of a whole sentence - "I'm sorry you've been receiving so many complaints Mary."

Sometimes it's appropriate to use the word 'apologise' instead of 'sorry.' "I apologise for not getting you that information sooner."

For smoother interactions, take care with the words you use.

Discover how you can generate more business by motivating your team! Alan Fairweather is the author of "How to get More Sales by Motivating Your Team" This book is packed with practical things you can do to get the best out of your people. Visit http://www.howtogetmoresales.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Health Tip: Factors That May Aggravate Acne in Women
U.S. News & World Report
(HealthDay News) -- Acne, the most common skin disease, is not a dangerous condition. But it can lead to permanent scarring. Changes in hormone levels ...
Health Tip: Factors That May Aggravate Acne in WomenNewsday (subscription)

all 3 news articles »


Acne Unveils 'Transvestite and Cross-Dressing' Collection
TIME
Acne, the Stockholm-based fashion house known for its high-end denim, has released a collection of shirts meant to merge high fashion and gender-bending. ...



New York Daily News

Acne Launches Transvestite Shirt Collection (PHOTOS)
Huffington Post (blog)
Swedish label Acne, in conjunction with Candy magazine, has launched a collection of three shirts aimed specifically at cross-dressers and transvestites, ...
He/She's got the look: Swedish clothing line ACNE launches shirts aimed at ...New York Daily News
Acne launches range for transvestitesThe Vine
Acne launches a new transexual collectionwallpaper.com
Gawker (blog) -The Local.se
all 6 news articles »


Fashion Week Staff Picks
New York Times
And the DJ Jacques Renault will be at the Acne party at Fashion's Night Out to satiate my second guiltiest pleasure (after Popeye's): disco.” Friday, Sept. ...



Medicis Announces New Patent for SOLODYN(R)
MarketWatch (press release)
The new patent, entitled "Minocycline Oral Dosage Forms for the Treatment of Acne," relates to the use of dosage forms of SOLODYN which provide ...

and more »


PR Web (press release)

New, Exclusive Strength: Tretin-X® 0.0375%(tretinoin) Cream
PR Web (press release)
New strength offers a JUST RIGHT approach for acne patients. Triax Pharmaceuticals, LLC announced today the approval of a new, topical retinoid with an ...

and more »


Fridge fixins for a fabulous face
Marist College The Circle
Spas and salons offer facials that make your skin softer, reduce acne, make pores appear smaller, get rid of blackheads and more. ...



Fashion line aims for androgyny
UPI.com
Fashion label Acne said it teamed with Candy Magazine, a publication dedicated to transvestism, transexuality, cross dressing and androgyny, ...

and more »


Seven Surprising Uses for Baking Soda
GOOD (blog)
Let us be clear: Baking soda is not going to permanently cure your acne or turn back the cruel hand of time. But if you're looking to detoxify your body and ...



The FADER (blog)

Acne Blurs the Gender Binary with a Transsexual Collection
The FADER (blog)
Leave it to Acne to shake things up a bit. In conjunction with Candy, a zine that celebrates transsexuality, they've released this gender-neutral collection ...


Google News

home | site map
© 2009