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These days, businesses can’t survive for long without great customer service.

According to Emily Ballance, M.ED., LPC and Certified Professional Speaker, people have access to more, expect more and if they don’t feel they’re being treated well, they will take their business to other places.

“Secrets of Great Customer Service”, a seminar presented by Ballance, will take place on March 27 from 9 a.m. until noon in the Cole Auditorium at Richmond Community College. The seminar is sponsored by RCC’s Small Business Center.

“Today’s business owners and their employees have to constantly be on their toes,” Ballance said, “They must constantly be thinking about how to attract new customers, keep them happy and keep them coming back. Customer service and customer loyalty are more important then ever in this economy because customers know they can go somewhere else or online for products and services if they want to.”

Ballance said that keeping in close contact with customers, gaining their feedback and quickly remedying any problems is essential.

“In the seminar, we’ll discuss some of the typical reasons why customers leave and what you can do. We’ll look at customer service from perspectives and share stories — the good, the bad and the ugly. Participants will leave with skills to improve customer relationships, build customer loyalty and increase sales,” she said.

Ballance speaks on business related topics at Small Business Centers throughout the North Carolina Community College System. She also presents keynotes and workshops on positive humor and stress management, generations, networking, communication, leadership, and wellness at conferences, events and meetings across the country. She was recently awarded the Certified Speaking Professional designation, the highest earned designation awarded by the National Speakers Association.

The seminar is free and open to the public but there is a $5 refreshment fee for anyone wishing to eat the lunch that will be provided.

The Cole Auditorium is located at 1042 W. Hamlet Ave., Hamlet.

To register for the event, email sbc@richmondcc.edu or call Deborah Hardison, SBC Director, at 910-410-1687.

— Staff Writer Laura Edington can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 18, or by email at ledington@civitasmedia.com.