Customer Service Management in Africa

Customer Service Management in Africa: A Strategic and Operational Perspective (978-0-367-14337-4, K410515)
"Customer Service is Changing!"
The message of 34 authors featured in Customer Service Management in Africa: A Strategic and Operational Perspective is clear: Today's consumers are no longer 'passive audiences' but 'active players' that engage with businesses at each stage of product or service design and delivery systems. Consumer demands and expectations are also increasingly being dictated by changing personal preferences, enhanced access to information and expanding digital reality. The customer service principles - strategic and operational - advocated by these authors are universal, but particularly compelling as they apply to Africa's unique and dynamic operating environment.
In recognition of the importance of excellent customer service, this comprehensive and well-timed book provides an essential guide on the increasing role of the customer to business success. This book discusses the management and delivery of customer service under seven broad themes: Customer Service as Shared Value, Customer Service Strategy, Customer Service Systems, Customer Service Style, Customer Service Culture, Customer Service Skills and Customer Experience - Advancing Customer Service in Africa.
Central questions posed and addressed include: What is the new definition of customer service management? How should organisations position themselves to create value for customers and stakeholders? How should employees project themselves to align with customer service promises made by their organisations?
Overall, this book provides strategic and operational insights into effective customer service management in Africa. The customer service management concepts, roles and practices outlined, particularly as they apply to the African context, make it an important addition to scholars' or practitioners' reference works.
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Robert Hinson, Ogechi Adeola, Terri Lituchy, Abednego Amartey

Acknowledgements. About the Contributors. Chapter 1 - Introduction to Customer Service Management: A Strategic and Operational Perspective. Chapter 2 - Who is A Customer? Chapter 3 - Defining a Customer-driven Organisation. Chapter 4 - Ethical Customer Service. Chapter 5 - An Institutional Economics-Led Model of Customer Service Strategy. Chapter 6 - Barriers to Implementing Customer Service Strategy. Chapter 7 - Customer Service Systems. Chapter 8 - Application of Digital Technology and Social Media to enhance Customer Service Experience. Chapter 9 - Technology and Social Media in Customer Service. Chapter 10 - Innovation and Customer Service. Chapter 11 - Entrepreneurial Customer Service. Chapter 12 - Leadership and Customer Service. Chapter 13 - Teamwork and Customer Service. Chapter 14 - Customer Service Training. Chapter 15 - Organisational Culture & Customer Service Delivery. Chapter 16 - Cultural Influence on Customer Service Delivery. Chapter 17 - Reward and Recognition Systems in Customer Service Organisations. Chapter 18 - Reward Systems & Customer Service Delivery Among Small And Medium Enterprises In Lagos State. Chapter 19 - Emotional Intelligence. Chapter 20 - Twenty Traits of Customer Service Champions. Chapter 21 - Professional Grooming. Chapter 22 - Presentation Skills. Chapter 23 - Advancing the Services Sector's Potential in Africa Through Customer Experience: A Conceptual Perspective.