So, You're In The People Business: Everything You Need To Know To Win and Keep Customers [Paperback]

Les Schmidt (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Outskirts Press (March 19, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1432702467
• ISBN-13: 978-1432702465
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,027,558 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Les Schmidt is an auto-repair expert, author, speaker, coach and consultant living in Hershey, Pennsylvania. His specialty is teaching communication and people skills, and guilt-free, fearless living.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Book For Everyone!, March 2, 2008

By 

Rod Harrington (Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: So, You're In The People Business: Everything You Need To Know To Win and Keep Customers (Paperback)

At age 25 and with $250 in operating capital, Les Schmidt began his life in business. He thought his job was one of learning the technical aspects of his trade, but soon learned that what was more important were the people aspects.

We know that numerous technical experts fail. Little of their knowledge pays off if they don't know how to deal effectively with people. Schmidt decided to make the best investment he knew of: he decided to invest in himself. He read books, he attended courses, he listed to tapes. He set personal goals for himself, standards of integrity and service. Numerous times he's been commended with awards from his industry. But the commendation Schmidt seems to most appreciate is the respect of his customers. They keep coming back.

This book is the distillation of over 40 years in the customer service field. It's a short course in human nature and effective communication.

Part One of the book points out skills and techniques of interacting with others: really listening, communicating, asking questions, negotiating. Part Two focuses on the control and development of our mind, our emotions and attitudes. Part Three concludes with chapters on final tips and additional resources to help in our personal development.

I'm not in the author's field of work, but I enjoyed this book. It reminded me of things I should remember, the practical aspects of living and working with other people. Yes, I'm a human being: I'm in the people business, too.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The people business book, February 25, 2008

By 

Robert Selden "Bob Selden, What To Do When Yo... (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: So, You're In The People Business: Everything You Need To Know To Win and Keep Customers (Paperback)

People are the most important part of any business. It's the power of realising this that Les Schmidt adequately describes in "So, You Are In The People Business".

The book covers all the really important aspects of customer service - listening, questioning and of course, putting yourself in the other person's shoes. I like the fact that the author describes learning about customer service as a "process" - we are always learning.

Schmidt uses many quotes, personal observations and anecdotes to get the point across. The book is constructed in short chapters, which makes it easy to read.

Recommended for people new to customer service, self-employed or small business owners who need to start training their people in the "people business".

Bob Selden, author What To Do When You Become The Boss: How new managers become successful managers

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Let's all bring customer service back to the table!, February 21, 2008

By 

Lisa - See all my reviews

This review is from: So, You're In The People Business: Everything You Need To Know To Win and Keep Customers (Paperback)

World War II Radio Heroes: Letters of Compassion

Thank you Les! I have long argued that great customer service was dead in this country. With this book you give businesses and people interested in doing better business the tools to revisit the importance of customer service. There are actionable steps that can be implemented within minutes from each chapter. You don't need to spend thousands of dollars to get AND keep customers- its in the service you provide them. This book is a great way to bring people back to the table to understand the importance of SUPERIOR customer service. Superior customer service can take anyone from mediocre to Superstar in no time! You've renewed some of my lost faith. Everyone should read and reread this book!