--- title: Great Customer Service Has No Incremental Cost description: Great customer service costs nothing but delivers immense value. Learn actionable tips to enhance customer experience today. image: https://www.advantexe.com/hubfs/great-customer-service.png --- [![logo-advantexe-150.png](https://www.advantexe.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-advantexe-150.png?width=150&height=123&name=logo-advantexe-150.png "logo-advantexe-150.png")](https://www.advantexe.com) ![blog-banner-2022](https://www.advantexe.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-banner-2022.png?width=973&name=blog-banner-2022.png "blog-banner-2022") ### The Advantexe Advisor Blog - providing a deep and applicable understanding of the system of business. # Great Customer Service Has No Incremental Cost By Robert Brodo | Nov 22, 2024 7:42:44 AM | [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advantexe.com%2Fblog%2Fgreat-customer-service-has-no-incremental-cost%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advantexe.com%2Fblog%2Fgreat-customer-service-has-no-incremental-cost%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advantexe.com%2Fblog%2Fgreat-customer-service-has-no-incremental-cost%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advantexe.com%2Fblog%2Fgreat-customer-service-has-no-incremental-cost%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Great%20Customer%20Service%20Has%20No%20Incremental%20Cost) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advantexe.com%2Fblog%2Fgreat-customer-service-has-no-incremental-cost%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advantexe.com%2Fblog%2Fgreat-customer-service-has-no-incremental-cost%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advantexe.com%2Fblog%2Fgreat-customer-service-has-no-incremental-cost%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) One of the primary tenets of Advantexe’s [Business Acumen training programs ](https://www.advantexe.com/business-acumen)is that in order to be![great-customer-service](https://www.advantexe.com/hs-fs/hubfs/great-customer-service.png?width=400&height=400&name=great-customer-service.png) successful, a business must choose an aspirational value proposition for its customers and be the best at it in its market. There are only three different types of aspirational value propositions; Product Leadership (best product), Operational Excellence (lowest price), or Customer Intimacy (best customer relationships). In choosing an aspirational value proposition, you must then align that proposition through execution which means operational decisions. And there will always be very hard choices. Do we invest in more R&D or do we invest in more customer service training? The aspirational value proposition MUST be the guide to making the decision. If you want to be the product leader, you must prioritize R&D over customer service as a great product will sort of “sell itself” and shouldn’t have a lot of technical and service needs. Of course, it must be a great product even to have this conversation. Which brings me to dinner last night…I am in Melbourne, Florida, also known as the “Space Coast.” We are working with one of our defense industry clients on a high-potential business acumen program. This is our 16th year with this client and it is one of our longest-standing relationships. Having come here for many years, you get to know the really great local restaurants, and many years ago I found a place called [Sands on the Beach](https://sandonthebeach.com/). Sands on the Beach is a little dive bar beach place right out of the movies. The drinks and food are exceptional! Because of COVID, we have been delivering our business acumen programs virtually, but this time we are back live and in person. So, it’s been a while since my last trip to Sands on the Beach. I was so excited to have a couple of my favorite dishes but to my dismay, one of them, the homemade shrimp marinara, was no longer on the menu! The waiter saw my disappointment and then shared that the chef would make it for special customers and since I haven’t been there for a while they would make it for me. From scratch! WOW! And it was amazing. Knowing it would take some time to make, the chef made a homemade spicy garlic marina in a skillet and then threw in the fresh shrimp for about 7 minutes until cooked. He then topped it with some real parmesan cheese, put it under the broiler, and plated it. Served with chips, it was outstanding! ![Shrimp](https://www.advantexe.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Shrimp.jpg?width=600&height=450&name=Shrimp.jpg) **Great Service has No Incremental Cost** I thanked our waiter and the chef profusely. They went above and beyond the call of duty and when I was speaking with the waiter he said something profound, “There is no extra cost to treating our customers well.” How true! No matter what your strategy is, going above and beyond for your customers in pursuit of the execution of your strategy doesn’t impact the Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), Operating Expenses, or any other costs. It is something every single business leader should remember every day. **3 Things You and Your Teams Can Do Today** This experience got me thinking about learning lessons. Here are 3 things you and your teams can do today to increase your customer’s experience with you at absolutely no incremental cost: **Be Active Listeners** - Train your team to actively listen to customers without interrupting, acknowledging their concerns with phrases like "I understand" or "Let me help you with that." - Demonstrating empathy and attentiveness builds trust and improves customer satisfaction. **Customize Interactions** - Understand your customer’s business and their needs and even if it is an “off-the-shelf” solution, tailor your interactions and language in a way that makes the customer feel special. - A personal touch makes customers feel valued and respected, building stronger relationships. **Be Humble** - Don’t take yourself and your solution too seriously. Simply saying "Thank you for your business" or "We appreciate your feedback" can leave a positive impression on customers. - Humility reinforces customer loyalty and enhances their overall experience. In summary, strategic thinking about the value proposition and how customers appreciate the value proposition is an important part of business acumen. Going above and beyond for customers when there is no incremental cost should be part of every business’ culture. I hope you will use these insights and tools to make your business even better.  [![Why Business Acumen Matters ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1153922/ef562d5a-acb6-45df-86ae-098c09e7fcc0.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1153922/ef562d5a-acb6-45df-86ae-098c09e7fcc0)   ![Robert Brodo](https://www.advantexe.com/hubfs/Blogs/rob-brodo-author.png) **About The Author** Robert Brodo is co-founder of Advantexe. He has more than 20 years of training and business simulation experience. [**](https://www.advantexe.com) [**](https://twitter.com/robrodo) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/pub/rob-brodo/0/334/574) COMMENTS ### SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL ### About Advantexe Advantexe is a gold medal winning training and performance improvement organization specializing in the development and delivery of interactive learning journeys using computer-based business simulations as the catalyst for learning and change in the areas of: Business Acumen, Business Leadership, and Strategic Business Selling learning solutions. [ Click here ](https://www.advantexe.com/the-power-of-practice-business-simulations) to learn more ### POSTS BY TOPIC - [Business Acumen (54)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/business-acumen) - [Business Simulation (28)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/business-simulation) - [Business Acumen Skills (25)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/business-acumen-skills) - [Business Strategy (23)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/business-strategy) - [Business Leadership (19)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/business-leadership) - [leadership development (15)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/leadership-development) - [Leadership (5)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/leadership) - [Sales Training (5)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/sales-training) - [Business Simulations (4)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/business-simulations) - [Value Discipline (4)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/value-discipline) - [customer intimacy (4)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/customer-intimacy) - [value proposition (4)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/value-proposition) - [Advanced Business Acumen (3)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/advanced-business-acumen) - [Business acumen tips (3)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/business-acumen-tips) - [product leadership (3)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/product-leadership) - [AI in Learning (2)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/ai-in-learning) - [Artificial Intelligence (2)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/artificial-intelligence) - [Leadership Training (2)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/leadership-training) - [Leading by example (2)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/leading-by-example) - [Psychological Safety (2)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/psychological-safety) - [Talent Development (2)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/talent-development) - [Virtual Learning (2)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/virtual-learning) - [marketing (2)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/marketing) - [Assessment Simulations (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/assessment-simulations) - [Brand Equity (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/brand-equity) - [Business Skills Assessment (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/business-skills-assessment) - [Coaching (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/coaching) - [Critical Thinking (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/critical-thinking) - [Cyber Security (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/cyber-security) - [Economy (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/economy) - [Employee Engagement (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/employee-engagement) - [Finance (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/finance) - [Growth Mindset (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/growth-mindset) - [HR Strategies (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/hr-strategies) - [Negotiations (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/negotiations) - [Social Selling (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/social-selling) - [Stronger Business Acumen (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/stronger-business-acumen) - [Talent Management (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/talent-management) - [Training (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/training) - [Virtual Selling (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/virtual-selling) - [Warren Buffet (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/warren-buffet) - [Workforce Development (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/workforce-development) - [customer service (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/customer-service) - [digital marketing (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/digital-marketing) - [market stability (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/market-stability) [see all](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/great-customer-service-has-no-incremental-cost#) ### RECENT ARTICLES ### POPULAR ARTICLES Search this site on Google Search Google Advantexe Learning Solutions - The Power of Practice 1001 Conshohocken State Road, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428 6108288707 [Copyright](https://www.smartbugmedia.com/inbound-performance-template) by [Advantexe Learning Solutions](https://www.advantexe.com), 2026. All Rights Reserved ### Recent Posts ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/273388/IPT-Files/img/sbm-3ozj5q79luusl8z.gif) ![](https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/934374467/?guid=ON&script=0) ![](https://analytics.twitter.com/i/adsct?txn_id=nxedd&p_id=Twitter&tw_sale_amount=0&tw_order_quantity=0) ![](https://t.co/i/adsct?txn_id=nxedd&p_id=Twitter&tw_sale_amount=0&tw_order_quantity=0) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Robert Brodo", "url" : "https://www.advantexe.com/blog/author/robert-brodo" }, "dateModified" : "2024-11-22T12:42:44.895Z", "datePublished" : "2024-11-22T12:42:44.000Z", "headline" : "Great Customer Service Has No Incremental Cost", "image" : [ "https://www.advantexe.com/hubfs/great-customer-service.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.advantexe.com/blog/great-customer-service-has-no-incremental-cost", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.advantexe.com/hubfs/logo-advantexe-150.png" }, "name" : "Advantexe" } } ```