Do you think you’re funny? Do you have a good sense of humor? An appropriate one?
With all these questions now racing through your mind, who cares.
You are not the one being dissected here. Customer service is becoming a robotic dance between buyer and seller. No emotion, not friendly interaction...nothing.
We recently talked with a company who, on occasion, we call for quotes.
We called and they said, “You haven’t ordered from us lately, so this is a no quote.”
Not once has this company tried engaging with our purchasers, not once has this company engaged in a friendly and memorable dialogue, not once has this company called to ask us how they can best serve us. And lets be honest, they're not funny or entertaining so calling them is rather pointless to begin with. They're not memorable.
What happened to the days when you picked up the phone, laughed, joked and built a relationship. Humor is more than making jokes, it’s having fun and loving what you do.
Today, this “vendor” was tossed in the trash and we’ll make sure to call someone more humorous next time.
5 Benefits Of Humor In Customer Service
Humor is a dying breed in customer service. With greater technology comes distanced human interaction. Humor is necessary, just like smiling. Why do you think Southwest has maintained such a competitive advantage using humor in there customer service practices?
Laughter relaxes the whole body. When you laugh it relieves physical tension and stress. It’s reported to leave your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after. When your customer service agent uses humor it relaxes you and allows you to make the best decision.
Laughter boosts immune system function. When you laugh it decreases stress hormones and increases immune cell function. It also increases infection-fighting antibodies, improving your resistance to disease. So, if your customer service agent makes you laugh and smile, thank them for saving your life.
Laughter triggers a release of endorphins. Endorphins are the body’s natural feel-good chemical. They promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow. Now, thats a heart healthy alternative to drugs. This can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems. Did they just save your life again?
Laughter boosts social skills. Many scientist believe laughter allows humans to connect, bond and communicate with one another. Laughter is a universal means of communication. It’s a great way to connect with many cultures and is the reason “...when you laugh, the world laughs with you, but when you weep, you weep all by yourself.”
Humor and laughing is a natural part of being.
So why are so many companies avoiding this connection between their company and their customers?
I challenge you to focus on people who can make you smile and laugh. It will not only help you during procurement but it just may save your life.