Here's my baker's dozen list of customer service components that are free:



1. Smiling.

2. Saying "I'm sorry", "We're sorry," or "I apologize"

3. Saying "thank you for your business."

4. Saying "thank you for bringing this problem to my attention"

5. Thanking customers for allowing you to fix their problems

6. Listening

7. Sharing important information in a timely manner

8. Giving customers choices

9. Addressing customers by name

10. Making small talk that build the relationship

11. Relating to customers on a human level

12. Relishing your interactions with your customers

13. Enjoying your work

The point is, customer service is about many things, most of them tied to attentiveness, friendliness and empathy. We all have the capacity to employ and deploy customer service to salve our customers' wounds. It's as much a mindset as it is phraseology.

The same skills you employed while delivering newspapers, selling lemonade or Girl Scout cookies as a kid, will hold you in good stead as a sales or service professional. The best things in life really are free. Now pass them on!