Negative feedback or positive opportunity

Negative feedback or positive opportunity

Negative feedback or positive opportunity

Feedback is great, but it’s important how it is perceived.

We all like to receive positive feedback and be told we’re doing a great job. But what about when somebody tells you you’re not doing such a great job and that feedback is negative?

Do you ignore it and hope not to hear from them again?

Do you go and make yourself a coffee and pray for the email to delete itself?

Or do you consider it a great opportunity to see where things aren’t going so great in your business (that you may not even have realised), and do something about it?

How do you handle negative feedback?

If you’ve done wrong by a customer, intentionally or not, the important thing isn’t usually the wrong-doing, it’s how you go about fixing the problem. Sometimes what you’ve done “wrong” isn’t actually a mistake, it’s just that the customer may not like it to be done that particular way. For example, if you’ve printed reports back-to-back, when the client prefers single-sided.

If you actively show the customer that you’ve rectified the problem and taken steps for it not to happen again, that customer may not only stay with your business, but will be a passionate campaigner of yours because they can see that you’re trustworthy and committed to them as a customer.

How can you turn negative feedback into a positive opportunity?

Consider if the problem is a procedural problem across the business that needs to be addressed through your entire business. For example, if clients are constantly waiting to hear the progress on their job and you’re getting complaints for the long waiting times. You could consider putting a system in place where you contact the client upon receipt of the job instructions and let them know when the work is scheduled for – clients don’t generally mind if they have to wait for the work to be done, as long as they’re informed of the progress.

Learn more: Documented systems and why they’re important

Or is it something specific for a client like above with the printing of reports – standard business procedure is duplex printing, but this client prefers single-sided. You need to ensure you’ve got a system in place so that this information is captured, and all staff in the business know what is required. Do you have a procedure document for each client? Do you have a “job finalisation” checklist where any special instructions can be recorded?

So don’t be afraid of negative feedback or complaints. Handle all feedback in a positive way and allow it to create an opportunity for your customer service to shine!

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