If you have a customer in front of you, a client on the phone, and a boss who wants to see you, what do you do?
If you have a customer in front of you, a client on the phone, and a boss who wants to see you, what do you do?
(Question ID: 104) Contributor: SimplyMe
This question and its answers have been viewed 4389 times. Submitted on: August 04 2008
Best Answers to the question:(ranked by the quality)
1. SarahKnowsBest - August 05 2008 (Answer ID: 140)
This is the order:
1) Customer 2) Client 3) Boss
Reasons why:
Customer: You absolutely cannot disregard the customer because they have face-time and are directly in front of you. They are the first to be addressed. Next, you help the client on the phone whom you graciously put on hold. And then, to the boss you go!
Your employer cannot get mad because this is a representation of his business; to disregard his clients is poor business performance on his part. Especially in the retail industry, as we all know, is all about CUSTOMER SERVICE.
2. Bubble Gum - August 11 2008 (Answer ID: 214)
The customer in front of you takes priority, your are representing your company - not that you should ignore the client on the phone or your boss either - Tell the client on hold that you will be with him/her shortly and advise your boss quickly of the reasons why you cannot see him/her immediately.
3. Andrew in Atlanta - September 09 2008 (Answer ID: 572)
It would certainly be nice to have more info to go on but that's not the point of the question. So, here goes:
The simple answer is I would give priority to the customer in front of me, then handle the client on the phone and follow up with my boss.
The boss needs to take a back seat as your success dealing with customers and clients is probably a big part of how they are judged.
Another thing to consider is if a co-worker can help out by fielding the phone call. I am a firm beliver in teamwork.
I understand the point of this question is to see how you prioritize and multi-task. However, if I had a customer in front of me, I would make sure that my boss was aware of what I was doing and have any phone calls forwarded or go to voicemail.
4. Mohamed - September 20 2008 (Answer ID: 618)
First attention should go to the customer in front of me and just to excuse him/her for a second to tell the client on phone that I will be back in a minute and put him/her on a hold. And at the end I can see my boss explaining him why I didn’t see him immediately when he called me. And I’m sure that he/she will never be angry on me because I’m representing his company and I must give the priority and attention to the customers and clients.
5. Alice - August 05 2008 (Answer ID: 111)
Ask the person on the phone to hold just one moment, tell the person who walked in to wait just one moment. That gives you time to tell your boss to "please wait one moment, I'll be right with you", go back to the walk-in client, then the person on the phone. This should not take more than one minute.
6. Sade - September 05 2008 (Answer ID: 539)
Address the athe customer in front of you to wait one moment please iI will be right with you. Then take care of the person on the phone. Then take care of the customer in front of you then go to see your boss to let him know that you were caught up taking care of the clients.
7. pcrayton - October 06 2008 (Answer ID: 653)
I agree with answers customer client and then boss. All done in a professional manner.
8. sailergirlga - April 23 2009 (Answer ID: 2004)
How about asking your boss to pick up the phone and help the customer on the phone while you help the customer in front of you. Team work and customer satisfaction all at the same time.
Suggest an Answer to the Question or Make a Comment
If you have a customer in front of you, a client on the phone, and a boss who wants to see you, what do you do?
(Question ID: 104) Contributor: SimplyMe
1. SarahKnowsBest - August 05 2008 (Answer ID: 140)
2. Bubble Gum - August 11 2008 (Answer ID: 214)
3. Andrew in Atlanta - September 09 2008 (Answer ID: 572)
8. sailergirlga - April 23 2009 (Answer ID: 2004)