The Evidence Guide identifies the critical aspects, underpinning knowledge and skills to be demonstrated to confirm competency for this unit. This is an integral part of the assessment of competency and should be read in conjunction with the Range Statement.

Critical Aspects of Evidence

Identifying needs and priorities of customers

Distinguishing between different levels of customer satisfaction

Treating customers with courtesy and respect

Identifying and complying with organisational requirements

Responding to and reporting on customer feedback

Underpinning Knowledge*

* At this level the learner must demonstrate some relevant theoretical knowledge.

The relevant legislation from all levels of government that affects business operation, especially in regard to Occupational Health and Safety and environmental issues, equal opportunity, industrial relations and anti-discrimination

Knowledge of the principles of excellent customer service

Understanding the organisation's business structure, products and services

Understanding the organisation's policy and procedures for customer service including handling customer complaints

Knowledge of product and service standards and best practice models

Understanding the principles of quality assurance

Understanding public relations and product promotion

Consultation methods, techniques and protocols

Techniques for dealing with customers, including customers with special needs

Underpinning Skills

Literacy skills to read and understand a variety of texts; prepare general information and papers according to target audience; spell with accuracy; use grammar and punctuation effectively as an aid to understanding

Proofreading and editing skills to ensure clarity of meaning and conformity to organisational requirements, check for accuracy and consistency of information

Report writing skills to identify and elaborate on customer service strategies; assess information for relevance and accuracy; source additional information as required

Technology skills including the ability to select and use technology appropriate to a task

Problem solving skills to deal with customer enquiries or complaints

Ability to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and physical and mental abilities

Resource implications

The learner and trainer should have access to appropriate documentation and resources normally used in the workplace

Consistency of Performance

In order to achieve consistency of performance, evidence should be collected over a set period of time which is sufficient to include dealings with an appropriate range and variety of situations

Context/s of Assessment

Competency is demonstrated by performance of all stated criteria, including paying particular attention to the critical aspects and the knowledge and skills elaborated in the Evidence Guide, and within the scope as defined by the Range Statement

Assessment must take account of the endorsed assessment guidelines in the Business Services Training Package

Assessment of performance requirements in this unit should be undertaken in an actual workplace or simulated environment

Assessment should reinforce the integration of the key competencies and the Business Services Common Competencies for the particular AQF Level. Refer to the Key Competency Levels at the end of this unit

Key Competency Levels

Collecting, analysing and organising information (Level 2) - to monitor and report on customer services

Communicating ideas and information (Level 2) - with customers on products and services

Planning and organising activities (Level 2) - to meet customer needs

Working with teams and others (Level 1) - in completing scheduled tasks

Using mathematical ideas and techniques (Level 1) - to determine service or product costs

Solving problems (Level 2) - to respond to customer enquiries or complaints

Using technology (Level 1) - to complete allocated tasks

Please refer to the Assessment Guidelines for advice on how to use the Key Competencies

The Evidence Guide identifies the critical aspects, underpinning knowledge and skills to be demonstrated to confirm competency for this unit. This is an integral part of the assessment of competency and should be read in conjunction with the Range Statement.

Critical Aspects of Evidence

Identifying needs and priorities of customers

Distinguishing between different levels of customer satisfaction

Treating customers with courtesy and respect

Identifying and complying with organisational requirements

Responding to and reporting on customer feedback

Underpinning Knowledge*

* At this level the learner must demonstrate some relevant theoretical knowledge.

The relevant legislation from all levels of government that affects business operation, especially in regard to Occupational Health and Safety and environmental issues, equal opportunity, industrial relations and anti-discrimination

Knowledge of the principles of excellent customer service

Understanding the organisation's business structure, products and services

Understanding the organisation's policy and procedures for customer service including handling customer complaints

Knowledge of product and service standards and best practice models

Understanding the principles of quality assurance

Understanding public relations and product promotion

Consultation methods, techniques and protocols

Techniques for dealing with customers, including customers with special needs

Underpinning Skills

Literacy skills to read and understand a variety of texts; prepare general information and papers according to target audience; spell with accuracy; use grammar and punctuation effectively as an aid to understanding

Proofreading and editing skills to ensure clarity of meaning and conformity to organisational requirements, check for accuracy and consistency of information

Report writing skills to identify and elaborate on customer service strategies; assess information for relevance and accuracy; source additional information as required

Technology skills including the ability to select and use technology appropriate to a task

Problem solving skills to deal with customer enquiries or complaints

Ability to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and physical and mental abilities

Resource implications

The learner and trainer should have access to appropriate documentation and resources normally used in the workplace

Consistency of Performance

In order to achieve consistency of performance, evidence should be collected over a set period of time which is sufficient to include dealings with an appropriate range and variety of situations

Context/s of Assessment

Competency is demonstrated by performance of all stated criteria, including paying particular attention to the critical aspects and the knowledge and skills elaborated in the Evidence Guide, and within the scope as defined by the Range Statement

Assessment must take account of the endorsed assessment guidelines in the Business Services Training Package

Assessment of performance requirements in this unit should be undertaken in an actual workplace or simulated environment

Assessment should reinforce the integration of the key competencies and the Business Services Common Competencies for the particular AQF Level. Refer to the Key Competency Levels at the end of this unit

Key Competency Levels

Collecting, analysing and organising information (Level 2) - to monitor and report on customer services

Communicating ideas and information (Level 2) - with customers on products and services

Planning and organising activities (Level 2) - to meet customer needs

Working with teams and others (Level 1) - in completing scheduled tasks

Using mathematical ideas and techniques (Level 1) - to determine service or product costs

Solving problems (Level 2) - to respond to customer enquiries or complaints

Using technology (Level 1) - to complete allocated tasks

Please refer to the Assessment Guidelines for advice on how to use the Key Competencies

Not applicable.

The Range Statement provides advice to interpret the scope and context of this unit of competency, allowing for differences between enterprises and workplaces. It relates to the unit as a whole and facilitates holistic assessment. The following variables may be present for this particular unit:

Legislation, codes and national standards relevant to the workplace which may include:

award and enterprise agreements and relevant industrial instruments

relevant legislation from all levels of government that affects business operation, especially in regard to Occupational Health and Safety and environmental issues, equal opportunity, industrial relations and anti-discrimination

relevant industry codes of practice

Customer needs and expectations may relate to:

advice or general information

specific information

further information

making an appointment

complaints

purchasing organisation's products and services

returning organisation's products and services

accuracy of information

fairness/politeness

prices/value

Appropriate interpersonal skills may include:

using appropriate body language

summarising and paraphrasing to check understanding of customer's message

providing an opportunity for the customer to confirm their request

seeking feedback from the customer to confirm understanding of needs

questioning to clarify and confirm the customer's needs

listening actively to what the customer is communicating

Customers can be:

internal or external

other agencies

individual members of the organisation

corporate customers

individual members of the public

Organisational requirements may include:

quality assurances and/or procedures manuals

goals, objectives, plans, systems and processes

legal and organisational policy/guidelines and requirements

Occupational Health and Safety policies, procedures and programs

anti-discrimination and related policy

access and equity principles and practice

quality and continuous improvement processes and standards

defined resource parameters

who is responsible for products or services

pricing and discount policies

replacement and refund policy and procedures

payment and delivery options

Designated individuals may include:

supervisor

customers

colleagues

line management

Customers' complaints may include:

damaged goods or goods not delivered

administrative errors such as incorrect invoices or prices

warehouse or store room errors such as incorrect product delivered

service errors

delivery errors

product not delivered on time

customer satisfaction with service quality

Customers with special needs may include:

disabilities

language

beliefs/values

religious/spiritual observances

gender, age

culture

age

Opportunities for enhancing quality of service or product may include:

procedures for delivery of goods

returns policy

system for recording complaints

extending timelines

packaging procedures

update of customer service charter

Verifiable evidence may include:

customer satisfaction questionnaires

audit documentation and reports

quality assurance data

returned goods

lapsed customers

service calls

complaints

The Range Statement provides advice to interpret the scope and context of this unit of competency, allowing for differences between enterprises and workplaces. It relates to the unit as a whole and facilitates holistic assessment. The following variables may be present for this particular unit:

Legislation, codes and national standards relevant to the workplace which may include:

award and enterprise agreements and relevant industrial instruments

relevant legislation from all levels of government that affects business operation, especially in regard to Occupational Health and Safety and environmental issues, equal opportunity, industrial relations and anti-discrimination

relevant industry codes of practice

Customer needs and expectations may relate to:

advice or general information

specific information

further information

making an appointment

complaints

purchasing organisation's products and services

returning organisation's products and services

accuracy of information

fairness/politeness

prices/value

Appropriate interpersonal skills may include:

using appropriate body language

summarising and paraphrasing to check understanding of customer's message

providing an opportunity for the customer to confirm their request

seeking feedback from the customer to confirm understanding of needs

questioning to clarify and confirm the customer's needs

listening actively to what the customer is communicating

Customers can be:

internal or external

other agencies

individual members of the organisation

corporate customers

individual members of the public

Organisational requirements may include:

quality assurances and/or procedures manuals

goals, objectives, plans, systems and processes

legal and organisational policy/guidelines and requirements

Occupational Health and Safety policies, procedures and programs

anti-discrimination and related policy

access and equity principles and practice

quality and continuous improvement processes and standards

defined resource parameters

who is responsible for products or services

pricing and discount policies

replacement and refund policy and procedures

payment and delivery options

Designated individuals may include:

supervisor

customers

colleagues

line management

Customers' complaints may include:

damaged goods or goods not delivered

administrative errors such as incorrect invoices or prices

warehouse or store room errors such as incorrect product delivered

service errors

delivery errors

product not delivered on time

customer satisfaction with service quality

Customers with special needs may include:

disabilities

language

beliefs/values

religious/spiritual observances

gender, age

culture

age

Opportunities for enhancing quality of service or product may include:

procedures for delivery of goods

returns policy

system for recording complaints

extending timelines

packaging procedures

update of customer service charter

Verifiable evidence may include:

customer satisfaction questionnaires

audit documentation and reports

quality assurance data

returned goods

lapsed customers

service calls

complaints