Take Notes
This is part two of my review of my experience at The Bar Method. This post is for anyone who works in customer service, but especially for anyone in the fitness industry.
First off the instructor and co-owner, Amy met every one of my 10 things you should expect from your group class instructor. Secondly, everyone at the studio seemed genuine, down to earth and knowledgeable.
Today I bring you 5 things you can learn from walking into The Bar Method studio in Soho to make yourself a better customer service professional.
- Don’t only ask clients what their name is, but remember their name no matter how many people are in the room.
- Make everyone know that you are the owner. You don’t have to actually be the owner, but act like you have sunk every penny you have into what you are selling. Ownership displays passion, dedication and enthusiasm.
- Be real, approachable and friendly. I can’t tell you how many places I’ve gone into where everyone working there had some sort of attitude or seemed unapproachable.
- Offer personalized correction when teaching/training, but do it with a gentle touch not as if you are calling someone out in class.
- Listen to what your clients have to say and learn something about them. Then use that knowledge to offer them personalized packages when trying to sell. The person at Bar Method, knew that I’m a personal trainer with a lot of fitness commitments. When discussing different package options the sales person acknowledged the fact that I wouldn’t be interested in a monthly unlimited package with all my other working out.
I’ll admit that I am terrible with names… terrible. I’m really motivated to work on learning more peoples names in my classes after seeing Amy so impressively remember everyones name and even some of our last names if there were multiple people in the room with the same name.
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Tomorrow morning I’m heading to Kentucky to hang out with my sister and nephew. Be on the lookout for a giveaway and some other fun stuff on FCITC.
See you guys from the Blue Grass State!
I am THE WORST with names. I chalk it up to a really bad memory or a really significant lack of carbs! HA!
Kentucky?! you’ll be close to me! Well, sort of, and it depends on which area of KY you will be in, obviously. Have fun
I would have trouble with #1 too. I am so bad with names, I think it’s had an effect on my friend-making. I want to remember names, but when I can’t remember Idon’t talk to the person out of embarrassment! While I am not glad you have the same problem, it DOES make me feel a little better because I thought maybe my brain was shrinking. haha
Customer service can make or break a place for me. I’m willing to overlook a lot if you have great customer service. But I’ll walk out and never come back if your customer service sucks–I don’t care if you have the best class/gym/whatever on the planet.
I am so bad with names! This wouldn’t work in a class type situation, but I find that if I write them down after I meet people it helps me remember, I’m a visual person
These are great tips–especially as I ponder a career path that would make them relevant! Customer service is important and can make or break the sale!
I was pretty awful with names until I started working with different groups of kids in college and I had to pick them up fast!
I’m terrible with names too, I even have an iPhone app to try an help me remember people which sort of helps.
Most of my high school/college jobs were large customer service/sales jobs where remembering all customers was impossible, so I just got in the habit of not trying – not good.
Love the ownership tip. It not only displays that you’re passionate, but I believe it helps you do your job better as well!
Places/people that don’t follow these rules will well and truly be left behind. In the US this is a huge thing but noticeably different elsewhere, especially here in the UK. Great post, thanks very much Jess
I love these tips…the reason I stopped going to my Zumba classes was because the instructor was not approachable and made it seem like she was doing us a favor.
Thank you so much for the kind words from everyone here at The Bar Method! We take pride in our customer service, and it’s always rewarding to see when it gets noticed.
For those of you who might be interested in visiting us, we’re currently running a promotion with Bloomspot where new clients can purchase 30 days of unlimited class for only $125. 50% off the normal price!
Details here: http://www.bloomspot.com/new-york/bar-method-soho/. Offer expires at midnight tonight!
That is a very good list. I think we’ve all experienced the unhelpfulness of people who just seem not to care. Most impressive on that list is that the instructor remembered everyone’s names. I cannot for the life of me remember people’s names. I can remember just about everything else they tell me, but not their names. It’s ridiculous really.