According to their official website, GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good.GivingTuesday is now a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts, and everyone has something to give.

We can all do something special today, but the whole holiday season can be time to spread a spirit of kindness, be thoughtful and generous, and simply treat others as you would like to be treated (with a smile on your face).As a customer service representative myself, it is important that my service remains in this spirit and goes above and beyond expectations for my customers.Here are four ways to add a little more kindness to your service.

Don’t forget the impact of a handwritten note.Whether it is a thank you or an apology, a handwritten note or letter goes a long way in this digital age.Customers appreciate the personal touch, and taking the extra time to write a note shows that you care.Be mindful of tone.

Even a polite statement can come across “cold” if the wrong tone is used.The way you speak to customers sets the tone (pun intended) for how they view both the company and your ability to help them.Listen.This may seem obvious, but being a good listener is the best way to serve customers.

Listen and determine what the customer needs, and then offer a solution.Acknowledge and learn from your mistakes.If you make a mistake, apologize to the customer and assure them that you will correct it.If you realize that an exchange you had with a customer was not as considerate and helpful as it could have been, reach out to them to make it right.Right now is a great time for customer service representatives to make positive and lasting memories for their customers.

Remember to live in the spirit of kindness (and not just today but all year long) to be the best customer service person you can be.Also taken from their website, here are some ways to participate in this global day of giving.For Individuals – Download this toolkit for ideas, messages you can copy, paste, and share via social media or email, and how to rally your networks and community.For Small Businesses – Learn how small businesses can rally their communities and participate in GivingTuesday.

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