- Customer service trainings can be adapted to any budget.
- Virtual customer service trainings offer convenience and are up to date with current industry issues and best practices.
- Customer service trainings can improve overall client satisfaction rates and increase your return customer rate.
Since customer service tactics can have a direct impact on sales and profits, it is more important than ever to get proper customer service education to your employees. There are many good, low-cost training programs that are available. Even if you're running a tight ship for your business, there is a program that can fit your budget.
It is essential that your employees have the skills to provide customers with the best experience at your business. This will allow your business to have an edge over the competition. When evaluating the pricing and costs of customer service education and training programs, consider the following:
- Make sure the customer service training program has key elements that will make it worth your money. Courses should address listening skills, conflict resolution and stress management.
- Think about giving one key employee in-depth customer service training. That employee can then develop a customized training program for subsequent hires.
- Review cross-training options that are relevant to your business, such as implementing sales or technology skills.
Consider customer service training software
Customer relationship management software has the same scheduling benefits of online learning but also includes special features like worksheets, quizzes, printable notes and interactive graphics. The cost of software training can start as low as $80 per disc for general customer service training software and go up to $1,000 for highly specialized training.
Save money with online customer service training
E-learning has many benefits besides the low cost. Online training can be done at the pace of each employee, whenever their schedule accommodates it. Some online training programs are taught by live instructors.
Online courses for customer training
Many companies are utilizing virtual customer service training. Global businesses can provide uniform training opportunities no matter where employees are located. Trainings are stored in the cloud and can be accessed by employees 24/7. Further, online customer service trainings have the benefit of being scheduled at different times and dates. This allows for trainings to be completed during flexible times that work with the employees' schedules. Most importantly, online trainings have the capacity to remain up to date. Customer service is an evolving industry, and you want employees to have the latest information they need to improve client satisfaction.
Multiple corporate learning providers have online courses for customer service training. The following are a few providers of online training courses for customer service professionals:
- Alison: The corporate learning provider Alison has hundreds of virtual corporate training lessons and tests. Costs vary, but some of the programs are free. Courses are accredited, the length of the courses varies as well. Basic customer service trainings can be done in under two hours, while more comprehensive courses may be done over a period of several days to weeks.
- The Customer Focus: This online training from the is specifically only for those in the customer service industry. The comprehensive course includes four parts with multiple lessons in each part. At the end of each chapter is a short quiz with a final exam once all lessons are completed. A downloadable workbook is included as part of the virtual course.
- Cornell University: Multiple colleges and universities provide nondegree courses for customer service training. At Cornell University, there are five virtual courses that delve into subjects like practicing leadership in customer service and fostering a culture of service excellence. Programs are taught and developed by faculty from Cornell University and are delivered 100%
Offer traditional customer service training classes
Customer service classes led by actual instructors or consultants can provide up-to-date, industry-specific training. These classes provide materials and valuable training techniques like role-playing, but cost between $500 and $1,500 per employee.
Buy customer service training materials
A low-cost solution for customer relationship training is buying materials to keep on hand that your business can use over and over again for new employees. Spend as little as $100 or as much as $1,000 for customer service training videos, workbooks and audiotapes, but beware, these materials get outdated quickly, so reinvestment may be needed every couple of years.
Ask for input from your employees about customer service employee training and education. Incorporate their suggestions to enhance your customer service training program.
What your employees learn in customer training
The main purpose of customer service training is to teach employees how to improve client relations. According to a 2018 survey, over 90% of customers will decide whether or not to shop with a business due to their customer service.
Customer service trainings teach representatives how to remain patient with patrons while also being flexible and accommodating. The training focuses on fostering positive relationships and working with clients who may have an issue with a product or service. Satisfied customers return to a business and help build a brand.