Ring-Ring – Who’s There?

Caller Communication Styles

Every customer is different in their relationship with us, and in their relationship with wine.  But most importantly, each one is also different in terms of their own behavior and communication styles, irrespective of us.  We get lots of visual clues about this when they are across the bar from us in our tasting rooms.  But how do we figure this out when they call us on the phone?

We all know the Golden Rule – treat others as we want to be treated.  At WISE we believe in the Platinum Rule – treat our customers the way THEY want to be treated.  So that means that we need to quickly assess this during the first moments of the phone call.  Here are the most common kinds of communication styles we encounter and how best to turn them into fans.

The Assertive Customer

How do we recognize these guys?  They are totally focused on results.  They usually talk fast, get to the point, and demand action, spending little time on socializing.  How do we manage them?  If our voice is soft, we’ll need to raise it slightly and pick up the pace.  Stay focused on facts and results.  Be brief and to the point. Do not ramble.

The good news is that they make up their minds quickly and generally don’t need a lot of details to make a decision.  They don’t waste your time.  They get down to business. We can be direct, and it won’t bother them.

Don’t be offended by their lack of rapport.  They are focused on business, not the relationship.  If they seem angry or borderline rude don’t take it personally.  It’s not about us, it’s just their style.  We need to keep our own assertiveness level just below the customer’s, because matching or exceeding it will turn into a competition that never works out well . . . for anyone.

The Angry Customer 

This is less a style than a state.  Angry customers are emotional, so we need to be calm.  Think of the 911 operator during a crisis call, using a confident, calm voice, assuring you that help is on the way, while getting the facts to make sure the problem is understood. The best way to deal with the angry customer is to resolve the issue as quickly and effectively as possible in a calm, cool and collected way.

The Amiable Customer

These customers are friendly and easy to get along with.  They are interested in us, cooperative, understanding and not likely to complain.

How do we treat these guys?  Be friendly and social.  If we are assertive or impatient, we need to rein it in.

Let them talk.  Keep pace of conversation unhurried.  Use “us” and “we” words – “I am sure we can get this right. Why don’t we do this?” Try to keep the conversation on track while ensuring that the callers’ needs are met.

They are fun to work with, but it can be hard to know what they really think, so we need to ask.  Confirm their satisfaction and let’s not take them for granted.

The Expressive Customer

These folks want to be engaged.  They want to participate in, or lead, stimulating discussions.  They are talkative and good story tellers.  They like an audience and they want us to listen.

How do we manage this group?  Share their enthusiasm, but ask closed-ended questions.  Provide little space between points so they can’t interrupt. Keep the conversation focused and get to the point.

These customers are enjoyable, decisive, fun & easy to talk to, but they need to be managed carefully, or they can take up a lot of our time. They can become assertive if their needs are not met.

The Analytical Customer

This group is detail-oriented and likes to work with facts and figures.  They need lots of information to make a decision and don’t want to be rushed.  They may seem unfriendly or uncaring, but they are really just quiet.

Best way to work with these customers is to provide them with a lot of information.  Explain details when necessary.  Don’t rush them and be patient. If we tend to talk fast, slow down and provide time for them to think.  Avoid social conversation.

They are good listeners and they want to be accurate.  They think before speaking and want to hear your explanations.  They won’t waste our time.  Don’t be offended if there isn’t a chance to connect socially.  That’s just not their thing.

It’s definitely worth our time to find out exactly who is on the other end of the phone, so that we can treat them the way they want to be treated.  That’s the road to creating more raving fans for our brand.