Address customer service in the training program for every new employee. Make sure the employee understands the importance of customer service in their job. Customer service training should not only be mandatory for new employees, but a refresher course for all existing employees should be conducted on an annual basis. Include a component geared toward customer service as part of each employee's annual evaluation. Be a leader around your employees, and set an example of excellent customer service.
Words are great but action is a stronger message.
A great learning tool to deal with customer service is for the entrepreneur to have the opportunity to deal with a very difficult customer service situation in front of employees. The entrepreneur can actually demonstrate excellent customer service. Mistakes are going to happen in business. The important consideration is how you treat your customers in this type situation. A good way to deal with this is to admit you or your firm made a mistake, and then ask the customer what you can do to make up for the mistake.