Before I pick on others in our real estate industry, let me say this real listening is a problem everywhere. There have been several studies that show that on average, doctors let patients talk for about 23 seconds before interrupting. Some doctors interrupted after only three seconds. Once interrupted, patients are often times reluctant to go back to their story. In many instances, the doctor suggested something that then altered the patient’s explanation, frequently through the power of suggestion.
When I have a problem with something technical, I generally have done extensive troubleshooting before calling (or emailing) technical support. Usually my call is to confirm my findings and get help with a final resolution. I may even know how to resolve the problem but need the vendor to provide me a file or a replacement.
Now, I understand that the technical support staff have a process and a script that is important. I get that. However, I am amazed at how many times the support specialist does not even listen to the problem correctly. They spout off answers that I know to be clearly wrong, or the right answer to a different problem (just not my problem).
For some products, customer support is initially only available via email or their online website forms. I will describe not only the issue but also how I have tried all of their online instructions and even my own steps to isolate the issue. I may include my own diagnosis if I have one.
What is amazing to me is that it is common that the first response back is usually a generic email with links to the documents I just mentioned in my email; links to answers that I already told them don’t solve my problem. And I am not talking about auto-responders here, I’m talking about an email from a specific support specialist that may be 24 to 48 hours after my initial email.
Either no one read the email or they are just following orders to always send the generic response first. Meanwhile, I’m one to three days into a problem and still have not received meaningful help.
In real estate, I've seen listening problems in every phase and facet of a deal. Interestingly, those who don't listen well seem to be the quickest to complain.
I’m sure you’ve had many similar experiences. So let me ask you this: How well do you, your clients, your broker, and your service providers listen? How do you know? Is your organization one that others use as a good example or a bad example of customer service?
And lastly, if someone was trying to tell you about a problem in your organization, do you know how to really listen? And if you know how, will you?
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