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Relating to Customers

January 28th, 2010

If you’d like to take up sky diving, would you feel comfortable investing in equipment and lessons from someone who has never jumped? Would you hire Jay Leno to anchor the evening news?

How well does your customer service team relate to your target customer, and therefore, represent your brand? You may take on an energetic teenager as part-time help in the warehouse, but would you also allow him or her to recommend bath aids or lift chairs on your show floor?

Think of the subtleties of the telephone, too. Have you ever called your business and objectively listened to how you’re greeted? That could be a lasting first impression for a new caller.

These customers (or potential customers) have made a conscious decision to contact your HME business. They will have expectations, whether it’s their first contact with you or the 50th.

Some customers are all business; others like to chat. Some know exactly what they want or need; others prefer another trusted opinion.

Put square pegs in square holes; round pegs in round holes. If you have the luxury, match compatible personalities of employees with those of customers. Many of our clients assign employees to specific customers within our HME software.

Personally greet as many customers as you can, even if it’s for a moment. Remember, you and your employees are your front lines for relating to your customers. Be certain that each interaction consistently meets your standards, and more importantly, your customers’ expectations.

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The Experience

January 27th, 2010
Customer Experience

We discussed HME experience as a valuable asset for your (and our) customer service employees. “Experience” also encompasses an overall business dimension.

Many marketing experts discuss “the customer experience” and how it defines your brand. On the other hand, many business owners and managers feel as though they’re giving up control of the business relationship if they allow their customer to define their business.

At the first radio station I’d managed, we identified the target audience we attempted to attract. I sat down with the newly hired on-air staff and asked them to think about one person within that target.

When we finished the meeting, we personified our target listener. We gave her a name, age, family, career, and a home on an actual street in our metro. Our new evening personality even cut a photo from a magazine.

We tacked up the photo and our listener’s name above our on-air studio mic. Our goal was to speak every on-air word in a direct conversation with this single listener.

The audience (and the ratings) responded favorably. We related to our target by allowing our target to control our brand.

Of course, people’s expectations change. (In the radio business, they change a lot!) So, we had to occasionally redefine our target based on feedback from listeners that fit our target.

Not knee-jerk reactions, but slow, cargo ship-like turns kept us on track. You still need to keep a firm hand on the rudder.

You’ve heard the phrase “hitting a moving target.” It’s a challenge that’s worth the effort, because you (and your customer) are always evolving your customer’s experience.

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The Call (Up)

January 26th, 2010
Customer Service Experience

Every minor league baseball player dreams about getting called into the manager’s office. “You wanted to see me, Skip?”

“You’ve worked extremely hard, Son. And now you must catch a flight. Our major league team needs you in uniform for tonight’s game.”

There’s a reason why, with only very rare exceptions, amateur players don’t begin their careers in the major leagues. Players need seasoning, repetition and professional experience at several minor league skill levels before they’re ready to perform at the top.

The same theory exists in our business. If you hire a biller with no HME experience, that person would require multiple layers of education before you could turn her or him loose with your cash flow on the line.

On the HME software side, we start our customer service people in rookie ball. They must work their way up before we ever allow them “in the majors” to pick up the phone and speak with you.

Fortunately, we employ HME-seasoned folks. Some even have user experience with our HME software. These customer service people offer an extremely valuable and unique perspective to our clients.

When you’re hiring, consider who’s been touched by our industry. You may even find that one of your customers would enjoy coming on board with you.

The voice of experience and passion quickly builds trust. What better way to serve your customers?

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Customer (Rather than Lip) Service

January 21st, 2010
Customer Service

It’s like a broken record. When HME providers call me to ask about upgrading to our software, they invariably talk about the lack of customer service they receive from their current software vendor.

They’re obviously frustrated and usually for several reasons. I listen to their pleas about no one returning their calls; restarting their issue at square one with every call; speaking to someone different each time; and, the list goes on.

Any software vendor can claim to have “great customer service.” What some vendors fail to understand is that their customers get to decide whether that statement is true or not.

The proof is in the action. That’s why our customer service team believes that they need to re-earn their reputation with every call.

We’ve also been listening to our customers for more than two decades. With surveys, focus groups, and one-on-one conversations, we’ve allowed them to shape our customer service strategy to meet their expectations.

Next time, we’ll touch on a couple of those expectations and how you may apply them to better communicate with your HME customers.

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No More Uncollected Deductibles

January 20th, 2010

Deductible season. If you’re using the Medicare IVR to check a patient’s deductible level, or even if you’re using an online service, we can make your life easier.

How long does it take you to get the eligibility/deductible information you need? With Web Edition HME Software, you’ll get every detail on your screen within a few seconds!

Maybe you can already do that using another online method. Well, here are three areas where Web Edition’s built-in eligibility software leaves the others in the dust:

+ No telephone, no modem, no time lost in a maze of phone or online menus. You never need to leave your Web Edition HME software.

+ When you’re regularly checking deductible amounts, you don’t want to waste time re-keying all of the same required patient information into other software. We allow you to select a patient from your existing Web Edition customer file, click the Check Eligibility button, and the results display as an easy-to-read PDF in a new browser tab. You can save the PDF locally, print it locally, or …

+ Team your Web Edition HME software with our built-in Document Imaging and the eligibility/deductible results will automatically drop into the patient’s electronic file!

Online instant Medicare eligibility and deductible results are included with your Web Edition HME software at no additional charge. Contact me if you’d like to see how easy it is.

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New Sweater?

January 13th, 2010

This is the time of year that the new Christmas clothing debuts. It can be a little disorienting when you wear that new sweater for the first time.

“Does it fit the way I’d expected? Does the rest of my outfit complement my new sweater? Does it feel as comfortable as I’d expected?”

That’s sort of the stage we’re in with the new cau.com site. We appreciate your valuable input as you take time to contact us about our new look and where you can find familiar information. “Keep those cards and letters coming” and we’ll continue to evolve this site into a very helpful tool for you.

Now for some new projects on the horizon. Very soon, we’ll introduce at least two new features in this space. I invite you to participate, which may take a little thought on your part, but very little time to execute.

Please stay tuned. “Hey, this sweater’s beginning to feel a bit more comfortable already.”

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How’s My Hair?

January 6th, 2010

While programming the FM of an AM/FM/TV in the late 80s — wow, that’s a long time ago — my fellow radio personalities and I used to chide our on air brethren on the TV side. You see, before a newscast, you could always count on their primping at a mirror. Makeup, comb, and hair spray in hand. And that was just the guys!

One of our common lines was, “How’s my hair?” There was usually no response, most likely due to the unflinching concentration on the mirror.

So, “How’s our hair?”

Just like a TV news anchor with a fresh haircut and a sponsored suit, this is a completely revamped presentation for CAU. Except we’re not busy at the mirror. We really are interested to know what you think.

If you have an opinion on our new site look, please leave a comment. Like anything else, this is an evolving process, so your suggestions are welcome, too.

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