abda training module 2: customer service

ABDA Training Module 2: Customer Service

Disclaimer

This Training Guide is meant to provide an overview of the information necessary for new and existing Depot owners on Depot Operations. All owners should read over all documents provided by the previous owner and the Alberta Bottle Depot Association (ABDA).

If you ever have any questions, comments or concerns in regards to any part of the industry, please do not hesitate to contact the ABDA at (780) 454-0400 or at info@albertadepot.ca

Layout

• 10 comprehensive units• Appendixes

Formalizes Customer Service skills*Better Customer Service = more customers = more containers = more $

Unit 1: Industry Summary

Unit 2: What is outstanding Customer Service

• Customer ExpectationsTrustResponsivenessEmpathyAssuranceTangibles

Unit 2 (cont.)

• Outstanding Customer Service Professionals:

OptimisticEnthusiastic Positive attitudeSolution orientedCompetitive spiritPeople orientedInquiring mind Decision-making accuracyCommunication skillsKnowledgeable

Unit 3: Who are your customers?

Two types of customers:• Internal (Depot employees)-Owners-Managers-Lead Hands-Cashiers-Customer Service Reps-Sorters

Unit 3 (cont.)

• External (outside of Depot)1. Consumers2. CSA + CSP3. End-Use Facilities

Unit 4: What do your customers want, need or expect?

• Customer Expectations– Friendly Service– Good Turnaround Time (Jeff’s

timing project)– Accurate transactions

Unit 4 (cont.)

• Creating an environment– Convenient location – Easy access– Ample parking– Friendly service– Good turnaround time– Easy to understand deposit-refund

process– Accurate transactions– Clean, bright, and neat surroundings– Wash facilities

Unit 4 (cont.)

• Operating and Service Standards– Depot Inspections

• Accuracy is key– Mystery Shopper Program

• Counting and Sorting– Depot must sort and count

containers

Unit 5: Delivering outstanding Customer Service

• 2 techniques for analyzing your Depot

1. Service Cycle Analysis (customer’s perspective-p.26)

2. Process Mapping (employee’s perspective-p.27)

Unit 5 (cont.)

• Create Service Standards– What we do?– How we do it?– The way we do it…

Unit 6 (Addressing Challenging Situations)

FocusIdentifyRequestSecureThank

Stress Reducers

• Breathe• Smile• Laugh• Let it out (off stage)• Take a break• Relax• Exercise• Organize• Talk positively

Unit 7: Top Ten Questions About Beverage Container Recycling

1. What is the refund on these containers?

2. Why do beer and pop containers have different refunds?

3. I paid a deposit on the milk container at the store. Why don’t I get a refund?

4. Who pays the bottle depots?5. How did you count those containers so

fast? Are you sure you did not miss any?

Unit 7 (cont.)

6. What happens to containers after they are returned to the bottle depot?

7. Why should we recycle containers?8. What are your hours of operation?9. How do I get my own bottle depot?10.How does the can counter work?

Unit 8: Success Stories

• A couple of changes can really make a difference! This bottle depot operator noticed that it took customers 45 to 60 minutes to return their containers on the busiest day of the week – Saturday. By making two changes, this operator reduced wait times to 10 minutes and increased volume 15% in just one year! What were the changes? Educating the customer how on to count containers so they could count along with staff and offering the customer both walk-in and drive through service.

Unit 8 (cont.)

• Working with hospitality businesses and educational institutions has paid off for this bottle depot. A few years ago, they made a decision to send a truck to collect containers from a small group of customers. Word-of-mouth promotion was very powerful and soon other similar organizations demanded the service too. In the first year, business grew at a rate of $20,000 per month – $240,000 in total!

Unit 9: Maintaining Service Edge

• 2 important questions1. What are we doing?2. How can we do it better?

• Answer– Do research– Analyze processes

Remaining Pages

• Unit 10 – Evaluation• Appendix 1: Operating and Service

Standards• Appendix 2: Process Mapping• Appendix 3: Acknowledgements• Appendix 4: Customer Service Quiz• Appendix 5: Industry Abbreviations