When it comes to customer service, there's nothing like the personal touch for keeping connected to your clients.

Always do your best to answer your phone inside a maximum of a few rings. Be sure to give the caller your name and show a genuine interest in them. No matter how busy you are, don't put across the impression that you don't have time to talk or are pressured to be elsewhere.

Every single one of your customers needs to feel special. If you can convey the fact that you are listening to them and understanding their needs you will help to generate this feeling.

If you use a voicemail message when you are unable to answer calls make sure your message is clear. Always state the date in your message: "Hello, it's Friday the 23rd…" Doing this lets your caller know you regularly check your voicemail and that their message will be heard.

If you also use a mobile or cellphone, use divert services to send calls direct to where you are.

Customers are not minions in your kingdom.

In fact, your business is not designed to be your kingdom at all. Don't laud it over your customers by playing the role of Mr or Ms Big Boss. Remember that it is they who take priority, not you. It is the customers' needs and not your own that come top of the list. Remember the old adage that the customer is always right?

Exceed your customers' expectations .

If you are promising to deliver products or services inside 24 hours and failing to do so, you give the impression of being all talk and no action. Adopt the opposite attitude; don't ever promise anything you do not know for sure you can supply. It is far better to surprise the customer by delivering products early or completing a job faster than anticipated than to let them down with false guarantees.

Ask, "Is it all right to…?".

You should always ask for the customer's consent before:

-calling them by their first name

-sending them email updates

-disclosing their details to another party