Chase Clemons, Head of Customer Support at 37signals, shares his insights on revolutionizing customer support into a core product feature. He emphasizes that great support enhances customer experience rather than being just a cost center. The conversation covers exceptional training methods using case studies and the importance of empowering teams with autonomy. Clemons also discusses the delicate balance between AI and human touch in customer interactions, highlighting the need for genuine communication to build trust and foster customer loyalty.
Viewing customer support as a core product feature enhances customer experience and fosters a sense of community around the brand.
Effective onboarding and ongoing training empower support teams to provide personalized assistance, driving customer loyalty and positive referrals.
Deep dives
Support as an Integral Feature
Customer support is often seen as a cost center, but for many companies, it should be viewed as a valuable feature of the product. By treating support as an integral part of their offering, companies can provide customers with access to a knowledgeable team that understands their specific needs and challenges. For example, at Basecamp, the support team, which has decades of collective experience, can offer tailored solutions based on their familiarity with various industries. This approach creates a more personalized experience, making customers feel as though they are not just purchasing a product, but also gaining access to a community of experts ready to assist them.
Training and Empowering Support Teams
Training new support team members effectively is crucial for maintaining a high-quality experience for customers. At Basecamp, the onboarding process includes hands-on training, case study reviews, and readings that emphasize the importance of viewing support as a feature. This training equips staff with the knowledge to handle customer inquiries with care and insight, allowing them to make independent decisions and judgments. The emphasis on developing good judgment and celebrating successful interactions fosters a culture where support representatives feel empowered to go above and beyond to meet customer needs.
Building Trust Through Proactive Communication
Proactive communication strategies play a vital role in establishing trust between customers and support teams. Encouraging customers to reach out for support during onboarding and throughout their experience ensures that they feel comfortable seeking assistance. By framing support as an opportunity for engagement rather than a burden, companies can foster loyal customers who appreciate the direct line of communication. This builds a foundation of trust that often leads to positive word-of-mouth referrals, further establishing the company’s reputation for excellent customer service.
Customer support is more than just a department — it’s a core feature of any great product. In this episode of The REWORK Podcast, Kimberly Rhodes chats with Chase Clemons, Head of Customer Support at 37signals, about the company's view of support as a product feature. They discuss 37signals' approach to helping customers, the value of ongoing training, and how AI can fit into support strategy without sacrificing the personal connection.
Key Takeaways:
00:37 – Chase Clemons, Head of Support at 37signals
02:12 – Customer Support is a feature, not a cost center.
04:09 – Support should focus on the customer experience
06:36 – Using case studies to train your support team
07:49 – Team members are trusted to use good judgment
09:58 – Maintaining a friendly, conversational tone with customers