If you want to know how to improve your customer service skills, just ask a loyal customer. Your customers can give you the best view point of your business. Ask them about the experience they had with your company. Were they satisfied? Is there something they would like to see improved? Do they have ideas that can help you improve your product or service. Customers, like a road map, can lead you to greater success.

One of the best ways to keep them coming back and sending others your way is to ask how you can better serve them. It can be a little scary, like putting out the suggestion box, you never know what you are going to get. What you are looking for is the feedback of those customers who already have a history with you. They will be open and honest in telling you what they think is great, and what they want to see improved. Let them know that you appreciate the business and their feedback. The challenge for the business owner who seeks comments from customers is being able evaluate the information and put it to good use. Only ask for feedback if you are ready to make changes. You may not use every suggestion, but you need to show that you are willing to make changes. If you have a retail store with one full time employee who gets behind everytime there's a rush in the store, your customers may ask that you get more help during the busy hours. They may tell you how frustrating it is to wait in line for such a long time. You may not be able to afford another full time person for your store, but if you get someone in to help during the busy times, this will let your customers know that you care about what they care about and are willing to solve their problem.

Your customers can help your business grow in more ways than one. Many companies conduct a customer survey by asking them to call a third party number listed on their invoice on a receipt. Since this is becoming a very popular way to get feedback, your customers may see your request as just one more thing to do. However, you can take a different approach. Consider hosting a customer appreciation event or a special celebration. One Financial Advisor, invites his top clients to a special dinner each year to tell them how much he appreciates them, and asks how he can better serve them. Each year his business grows, each year he retains his loyal customers; they look forward to spending a special evening with him to celebrate his success and build their relationship.

Your customers are a valuable resource; following their lead can take your company to the next level and increase business success.