In the wake of the global Covid-19 pandemic, people are interacting less as per health requirements from the CDC. In addition to workplaces adopting hybrid work systems, where employees spend alternating days working from the office and at home.
Understandably, more and more companies are turning to visitor management systems to minimize disease transmission. So, how then can businesses greet and welcome customers without feeling impersonal and detached?
Studies show that social distancing increases social rejection, individuality, impersonality, and the loss of a sense of community. And, even though it is necessary to maintain social distancing for safety reasons, you can still find ways to make customers feel welcomed with a warm greeting.
Greeting them takes the pressure off themselves, allowing them to say why they are there and what they need from you.
Even if your business uses a virtual receptionist, having employees personally welcome customers adds warmth to the brand. Sometimes, a customer will not find it necessary to sign in to the customer check in system if they need to make a quick inquiry.
If you do not have an employee ready to attend to them, the customer may walk out, and you could lose a potential client.
While there is no right or wrong way to greet clients, here’s how you can greet them better:
Assure Them That Their Needs Are in the Process of Being Handled
Capture All Relevant Information
Show Customers That You Recognize Them
Keep an eye out for any customers coming through the door. Have a smile on your face before addressing them. Please introduce yourself and then welcome them warmly. You can include temperature scanning to determine whether it’s safe for them to access the premises.
Have a calm and composed demeanor but still exude warmth. Do not appear over eager, nor should you chat too much. Determine what the customer needs help with, and inform them why you are best suited to help. Maintain proper social distancing and ensure you’re both wearing proper masks to protect yourselves.
Make eye contact with the customer as soon as they enter. Making eye contact establishes a connection between two people and makes you seem approachable.
Once the customer has identified what they need help with, assure them that you are handling their needs. Whether you or a colleague will do so, the customer should know that you are addressing their needs.
It is essential to have all the necessary information. Depending on what products and services your company offers, ask them for information like their names, what they need, and how they found out about the company after the greeting.
Integrate ID scanning to scan and verify driver’s licenses, passports, and company or military ID to quickly capture all identification information.
Speak in a clear, concise tone. Be courteous and understanding of customers who may not speak English fluently. If you greet a customer and realize they do not understand English, look for an employee to help translate.
You hear your marketing department telling you that every touchpoint is a brand-building experience. Well here is your chance to apply that theory.
Make sure your customer check in system reflects your brand imagery, colors, slogan, and general persona. This will reinforce other marketing materials making them more powerful than if you miss making your greeting system a branded experience. Each time the customer hears that phrase, they will quickly identify with your company.
When a regular client walks in, personalize your greeting. You can do so by greeting them by name and asking them questions about products or services they’ve previously used from the company.
Show them that you care enough to remember their name and that you value their business. A touchless visitor management system can quickly help you remember a customer’s name when they step into the premises.
Needless to say, it is not enough to greet customers warmly. Here’s how you can create a great overall experience after greeting them:
Thank them for their visit, and inquire whether there is anything else they need.
Greetings infuse warmth into an otherwise sterile corporate environment. You can easily win over customers’ hearts, set them at ease, and encourage repeat business with a smile and helpful attitude.
Greet them with a warm smile as soon as they set foot into the building, and assign them a competent employee to solve their issues, and you will quickly have multiple repeat customers.