Hanging up on customers

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Here’s a tricky one for the seasoned contact centre professional – how do you hang up on a client? Nicely!

You've given them the right information or you’ve completed the deal but still they want to chat. How do you move on to the next call without offending the customer already on the phone.

The other day one of my colleagues mentioned that they should offer courses to people on how to terminate a phone call. It reminded me of the time years ago when I was at journalism school and a seasoned radio interviewer came to speak to us. I asked him then what he did when the interviewee kept talking long after what they’d said had any relevance. He told me that they gradually turn the volume down so the listener can’t hear them, and move straight onto interviewing the next guest.

So what do you do in your contact centre? Let us know in the comments below.

Categories: Leadership | Recruitment and HR

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2 comments

  • Graeme says:

    I have worked as a CSR and Supervisor in Contact Centres for quite some time, and have always found that saying something on the lines of... "I'm sorry but I have another call coming thought" or, "Oh looks like my supervisor is coming my way to get me on to my next call..." Often something like this doesn't offend the person on the line with you, and more often than not they'll realise just how much of "their" time they have taken up too.

    Added: 3 August 2007, 1:47 p.m. Flag as Spam  |  Flag as Offensive
  • Derek Good says:

    One of the key aspects here is the ability to close a call. Many agents continue the chat because they are waiting for the customer to close the call. A great habit to get in to is to use the trial close apprpriately, eg: "Does that answer your query for today?" - the customer is then obliged to answer a closed question which can lead in to the call close. If your centre has high AHT - look at the training they have on call closing.

    Added: 10 August 2007, 2:56 p.m. Flag as Spam  |  Flag as Offensive
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