Julie Selander is a former colleague from the U of M. I recently came across a presentation she made for the Innovative Educators group, Execptional Front-Line Customer Service in Higher Education.
Selander is the Director of One Stop Student Services, and she had some very useful advice for creating a service culture. As an example, her unit has a goal of being knowledgeable, efficient, empathetic, and friendly. Their basic principles include:
- Understanding customers and their expectations
- Providing accurate, timely, consistent information
- Being professional and courteous
- Delivering what was promised
- Being a problem-solver
Here are some questions she proposed to help you think about service principles and standards in your area:
- Who are our customers? What are their attributes and demographics?
- What are their perceptions and expectations?
- What are we offering them – products, services, and/or resources?
- Do we have the capacity to meet and exceed their expectations? If not, how can we get where we need to be?
As Selander points out, exceptional customer service leads to increased retention, improved graduation rates, a positive reputation for the institution, and more fulfilling work for staff. How can you create and maintain a positive service culture in your team?
Dee Anne Bonebright
Higher EDge 