Improve Your “Internal” Customer Service to Supercharge Your Career

Understand the Importance of Internal Customer Service

While internal customers have always existed, they were seemingly ignored until the mid-1980s. However, during this period, many experts suddenly realized that internal customers were just as important as those that bought products and services offered by companies.

But, who are these internal customers? Unless you are a one-person company, working out of your dining room in your fuzzy slippers and selling your product in a totally e-commerce environment, your company has internal customers. These are the people and departments that use your services, often on a daily basis, to complete their duties and responsibilities successfully.

Internal customers are not only just as important as the external variety, they are sometimes more important. You are, no doubt, aware that providing excellent customer service is a strong component of successful company operations. You may not, however, be as knowledgeable regarding the key strategic critical nature of offering superior internal customer service.

Fear not. This lack of understanding is often caused by a lack of communication and education by your employer. Although many companies stress the criticality of internal customer service, there are still many that do not. However, consider adopting superior internal customer service as a personal priority, as it can do more than improve company operations.

Providing consistent, reliable, and excellent internal customer service can sometimes supercharge your career. Here is why you may enjoy more benefit than you can imagine.

How High-Level Internal Customer Service Improves Your Career

At first glance, you might believe that there is nothing more important than keeping your customers happy, which improves your employer’s operations, profit, and value. This, of course, should help you enjoy higher compensation, better workplace conditions, and stronger job security.

However, just as important, is the level of internal customer service you provide. For example, assume the EDP, Human Resource, or Accounting Department needs your information and assistance to complete important duties. Providing it enthusiastically and freely, you accomplish at least two personal and professional goals.

1. You have helped your internal customers perform well at their jobs. Have you ever known co-workers that wouldn’t appreciate this effort?
   
   
2. You have made some new friends or strengthened existing friendships within your company. All experienced employees understand the value of having “friends” within the company as they can only help your career.

Think about what you achieve for just a moment. One or more departments—people really—have successfully completed job duties because of your help. Both management and your peers develop added respect for your personal ability, commitment, and efficiency as you willingly helped them achieve goals.

Tips to Help You Supercharge Your Career Through Internal Customer Service

1. You will become recognized as a valuable source of information, knowledge, and assistance to both co-worker and superior.
   
   
2. Demonstrate higher respect for those that share their expertise and information with you. Your obvious appreciation and consideration for the talent, attitude, and professionalism of your co-workers gains you added respect, just as you have given it.
   
   
3. Don’t wait to be asked to share valuable information and assistance. This is often the added feature that puts you “over the top” in accelerating your career with your peers and managers. Of course, you must be careful not to generate a perception that you are a “know it all,” which can become detrimental to your career progress. But, help, offered in a spirit of cooperation, commitment to excellence, and team building can turbo-charge your career track.

Even if you are considering a job change in the future, good habits with one company are good habits with any employer. Should you establish your position as a concerned and valuable internal customer service professional with your current employer, you’ll have the opportunity—and the skills—to accomplish the same objective with a new job.

Your value will not only be real, but will be recognized by all. Being recognized by co-workers and management as a key provider of information and help, increases your perceived value to your company. Regardless of the political climate, potentially restrictive corporate culture, or possible lack of widespread promotion opportunities, you should find yourself at the top of the valued employees list.

Further, whether you are in a hot or a down economy, your name will be prominent in the promotion discussions. As well it should be. You will have proven your commitment and dedication to making yourself and your company the best that it can be.