10 Top Traits for Great Customer Service Whether You Are a Man or a Woman Entrepreneur

Let's begin with a reminder of the principles of customer care and the attributes we all need to have!

10 Top Traits for Great Customer service (whether you're a woman or a man)

1. Transparency

2. Honesty

3. Professionalism

4. Communication

5. Respect

6. Dedication

7. Reactivity

8. Follow-up

9. Feedback

10. Knowledge about customers and their needs

So are women entrepreneurs different then? The history behind the majority of women entrepreneurs is similar. More often than not women decide to set up a business because they have a genuine passion to provide a particular service or they want to develop and market a particular product. Sometimes it is from economic necessity but not as often as you might think but it is interesting that the woman who sets up a business from her kitchen table is somehow not regarded as highly as a man who works from his spare bedroom for two years before buying their first premises.

There is also the internal attitude, how we, as women entrepreneurs, view ourselves and our business ideas. At the risk of over generalising, the following facts hold true for the majority of women who set up in business: They want to build their business over the long term, not just get it up and running and successful and then sell it off and go onto something else They see customer satisfaction to be the cornerstone to this growth They are risk managers rather than risk takers and pay great attention to event he smallest aspect of their business They tend to set up on a shoestring, finding as many ways as possible to do something for no cost/low cost possibly because they know they will not be financed by venture capital or perhaps because they need to prove to themselves that their business will work before they go and ask for help They are highly motivated to succeed and determined not to give up These elements, except perhaps the last one, are not traditionally characteristics of male entrepreneurs. So where does this take women entrepreneurs when it comes to customer service and how does it affect their attitudes towards customers?

Do women treat customers differently from men? Women entrepreneurs see the customer as central to their enterprise and will consistently do whatever it takes to keep customers and add customers, sometimes to the detriment of their families and their health; for example, they will work through the night to get a job finished and may be less able than men to keep the boundaries between home and family life separate. Of course, male entrepreneurs also work all hours when it's necessary but they don't often have the additional responsibility of home and family to take care of which, traditionally, women do.

This is great for the customer, in the short term at least, but the downside of this commitment to customers is that many women entrepreneurs see a need to 'over deliver', to do more than they are being asked to do at the risk of other aspects of their business. Whether this is because of an innate lack of self belief, an upbringing as 'people pleasers' or something else is debatable; it could simply be a genuine desire to offer whatever it takes to keep the customer happy. But it is common that women will accommodate the needs of customers even if this means more effort and less remuneration or will accept tight deadlines and not even think of charging a premium price for the service.

On the upside, women are generally better listeners than men and are genuinely interested in their customers as people rather than /$ signs. So they will really listen to what the customer wants and try to provide it and, as they pay attention to detail, they can provide perhaps the smallest of add-ons which make the difference and help the customer feel an individual. Once customers get used to this, they will go on expecting it so beware the woman entrepreneur who gets so successful that, in time, she puts automatic responders into action to deal with customers- this takes away the personal touch and can result in a dropping off of customer loyalty.

What key lessons do women entrepreneurs need to take on board about customer care?

Choose you ideal client and target market and stick to it - you can't be all things to all people and if you try, you will end up being pulled in all directions. Later you can develop into other marketsBe clear about your boundaries between home and work and stick to themKeep your focus on your customers and confidently deliver what it takes to keep them coming backDon't lose the personal touch when your enterprise gets bigger or you will lose those original customers who supported your business when it started up

Action!

Make sure you have a written customer service policy rather than just something in your head. It needn't be long and complex but should note how you will treat your customers, what you will do if things go wrong and how you will systematically keep in touch with them.

Don't wait! Sign up for a FREE two-part webinar series for women when we will look at the issue of self confidence and how to get more of it. Places limited so book here for a place "Get Confident, Get Going or How to Take Tactical Steps To Build Confidence" https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/855277462 I am a qualified coach, training consultant and careers counsellor with special expertise in women's development and leadership.

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7 Top Tips From the Business Woman of the Bible, Lydia, for Today's Woman of God

Lydia was one of the most successful business women in the Bible. You will find her story in the Bible in Acts 16:14-15. According to Biblical records, Lydia was a business woman who dyed and sold purple cloth, a material used by the wealthy and elite of the day. This meant Lydia worked in a high-priced market with a high-end target market.

But Lydia was more than just a woman who sold luxury goods to the elite and the powerful. From all accounts it appears she was also the head of her household, an employer of others, and a woman of great Christian faith. She was the first European convert to Christianity and the first to establish a church in her home for other Christians. Fellowship times included examples of how to do business and worship as a part of a business woman's day.

As a powerful woman of God, Lydia has much to offer today's Christian business women. Here are seven valuable lessons for women of God from the Bible woman, Lydia.

1. Keep prayer in your daily activities. The bible story of Lydia says she met the Apostle Paul at a place of prayer. She also opened her home to have worship services for others. Keep your priorities in order as a woman of God. Remember to pray unceasingly about everything including your business activities by making prayer a priority activity on your daily schedule.

2. Work to please the Lord. Lydia took her responsibility as a Christian business woman to work "as unto the Lord" very seriously. You can show Christian beliefs through your nature and personality without being pushy or unprofessional. Show Biblical principles through your actions and decisions in your business.

3. Design a powerful company. Lydia was a no-nonsense business woman who built a major company in a wealthy market. Nothing says a woman of God has to play small in the business world. Christian business women should be open to working in all types of industries and not shy away from the potential of going big. If you are pursuing big dreams use Lydia as your role model for growth.

4. Try non-traditional opportunities. By being a successful and wealthy merchant of purple cloth Lydia was in a non-traditional business category during her times. Don't shy away from embracing non-traditional business opportunities. Consider working in fields where few if any woman are already excelling and create new paths to success.

5. Find your balance between work and home. Lydia maintained her household even while running a powerful business. Each woman has to find the way to balance, keeping her home in order while running a business. It might mean downsizing or hiring help. Use your business skills to figure out what works for you to get it all done.

6. Learn to grow your business. Lydia's business was so successful that she had to hire employees. Growing a business means eventually needing to hire help. That help might come in the form of a part time assistants, independent contractors, freelancers or full-time employees. Start in the initial business planning stages to consider how and when you will start to hire help so you can expand your business operations. This creates jobs for others, increases the economy of your area and increases your status and influence as a business professional.

7. Know you can be prosperous. Lydia shows that successful Christian women can be highly prosperous. There's no reason to fear money or to shy away from earning large amounts of money in business. The important key is to keep a check on your heart so money does not become your focus instead of God. Lydia was a business woman in the Bible who prospered while giving all glory to God.

Consuelo Meux, Ph.D., is the Founder and President of the National Association of Christian Women in Business (NACWIB). Do you want to learn more about Bible women and what they have to share with women of God today? Then get my free 26 session ecourse "Business Women of the Bible" at http://www.nacwib.com/. Get access to a complete Master Training System for Christian business professionals at the Training Grounds at http://www.nacwib.com/join

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7 Top Tips From the Bible Business Woman Rahab for Today's Woman of God

Rahab, a Cannanite woman was an entrepreneur who ran a type of hotel business. This woman of the Bible would have been a non-traditional business for women during these days. You can find Rahab mentioned in several areas of the Bible but her main story is found in Joshua 2:1-22. Rahab was a quick thinking business woman who kept her ears open and communicated with her customers. This is how she learned vital information that eventually allowed her to save her life and the life of her family when her homeland was captured.

Rahab's story is a powerful one of a Bible business woman who experienced the grace of God in a dangerous situation because of her wise actions. As a result, she is listed in the genealogy of Christ. She has much to share with the modern woman of God in business. Here are seven tips from the Bible woman, Rahab for today's Christian business woman.

1. Succeed in spite of your past. Rahab was a woman who was given a negative label in the Bible, probably for her lifestyle or other reasons that are not described. Still, she had the courage to successfully operate a non-traditional business. Many women might be labeled with a negative reputation or called names that may or may not be deserved. For some, it can mean pulling back from society to avoid being hurt or ridiculed. But God is bigger than a title or a regretful past. If you have a calling on your life to operate a business, don't let a shaky past keep you from a successful future.

2. Learn to communicate with others. Rahab kept her ears and eyes open while operating her business. When customers came in she watched them; when they spoke she listened as much as needed. That is how she saved her life and the life of her family members. Business women must know how to watch and listen while doing business. Pay attention to others so you understand their professional needs and can gain necessary information for your business.

3. Gain negotiation skills. Rahab knew how to negotiate with tough soldiers in a life and death situation. Having operated a non-traditional business in her city, she had gained skills in making deals with all types of people. Business might require engaging in tough talks with competitors or adversaries. Practice the skills of making right deals so you will be ready to use them when necessary.

5. Be flexible and ready to change. Rahab could have tried to ignore the information she learned about the upcoming attack on her city or refused to believe that the Army of the true God would succeed. Instead she quickly decided to change her comfortable life to respond to what was going to happen. A business woman of God should be flexible. She should be willing to make changes in her life and business according to the leading of God even when it first seems difficult to do.

6. Remember your priorities when things change. Rahab could have saved herself and never looked back. But she had her priorities in order; she remembered her family and saved all of them too. Very difficult circumstances can create a lot of stress. It is possible to forget your priorities during these times if you are not clear on your values. What would you do in the event of a highly stressful situation? A smart business woman thinks through various ways she can avoid being caught off-guard by unexpected events that can happen in business.

7. Use resources you have. Rahab used plants she had on her rooftop do what she promised in protecting the Israelite spies from capture by soldiers. What do you have around your location that might seem useless or without multiple uses? Take a new look at raw materials to see possible creative uses for them or consider creative marketing strategies to get business moving. You might have access to more inventory, ideas and potential than you first imagined to conduct your business in new ways.

Rahab is a woman of the Bible who used strong business skills in a time of trouble. She offers lessons for the modern business woman on how to think quickly when a bad situation seems almost impossible to overcome.

Consuelo Meux, Ph.D., is the Founder and President of the National Association of Christian Women in Business (NACWIB). Do you want to learn more about Bible women and what they have to share with women of God today? Then get my free 26 session ecourse "Business Women of the Bible" at http://www.nacwib.com/. Also, get access to a complete Master Training System for Christian business professionals at the Training Grounds at http://www.nacwib.com/join

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