Tips for effective customer interaction

I have listed below some tips based on my learnings and experiences with interacting with clients both in person and over phone remotely.

• Listen! - very important.
  
• Talk slowly and clearly
  
• Be clear as to what exactly you want from your customer. Go with an agenda for each meeting. Email the agenda before the meeting.


• Ask direct questions. Don't beat around the bush (helps to know in your mind, what you want from them)


• Write everything down - no information is useless


• Establish good rapport with your client. Important to get your immediate client counter part's trust. Get their buy in on anything. Make them your partner.


• Helps to take them out for lunch. Maybe Indian restaurant.


• Smile more - helps to release tension


• Never bitch about anyone with your client
  
• Treat your customer with respect. but don’t take crap.


• Don't feel shy to ask questions. It is no reflection on your knowledge and experience


• It is very critical to be very positive. One got to believe things will get solved or solution will be found out.


• Don't argue. Ask clarifications politely & nicely with a smile.


• Please don't say something just to please your client
  
  Post Blog
• I happen to get couple more suggestions from Ajeesh Koshy (http://ajeeshk.wordpress.com) in the comment section, which I found quite funny and interesting. I have pasted the same below:
  #Laugh at their jokes.... even if u dont get them
  #If they drive u crazy n u feel like swearing at them, dont stop urself... just put them on mute, n indulge urself...this really helps relieve ur stress... n u remain cool!!! hehe