Motivating Customer Service Employees to Deliver Service Quality

Motivating employees is one of a managers greatest challenges. In todays complicated workplace where issues such as competition, technology, downsizing, and reengineering are dominant, organizations must do more than pay well. They need to create a multifaceted human resource model that provides a dynamic, rewarding and empowered environment. Creating an environment that motivates employees to function as effectively as possible is paramount to delivering service quality. Reducing customer defects and retaining customers is crucial to service organization survivability. With higher levels of customer service, greater customer satisfaction will follow. This increased customer satisfaction leads to increased customer loyalty and retention, producing higher sales. Therefore, a sound service quality program contributes to fundamental corporate goals of profitability and survivability. The problem is that most managers underestimate how recognition programs can better motivate employees to achieve business goals. This paper identifies the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that motivate employees to provide desired levels of customer service. It provides a hands-on guide for hospitality operators to follow as they seek to enhance their understanding of how motivating their customer service employees can help to improve service quality. The guide was developed based on existing literature highlighting proven industry examples of how to positively charge employees.