Now this question is something I find myself asking multiple times a day. It’s not limited to within my day job, although that obviously is part of my job description. I find myself using it to communicate with my toddler as well. Sometimes the constant “mummy, mummy, mummy” can become very grating and I have to resort to a more formal tone with her. Generally when I ask her this, she realises that the ridiculous requests are a bit excessive and she then comes out with a more reasonable request. It helps to calm her down when I use this question and it’s a good technique that means I don’t have to actually resort to telling her off.
It’s a question which I use during my working days when I’m in the shop as part of my standard customer service skills. Generally I find that people respond better to a “how can I help you” directed at them when they show signs of looking unsure about something, rather than “do you need help”. The simple change of wording can make all the difference and it opens people up to giving you more information about what they need. If you ask someone “do you need help”, you’re giving them the opportunity to say no. Whereas asking “how can I help you” means that the person(s) responding to your question will, generally, be more forthcoming and give you the opportunity to aid them with what they need. It also means that, in the case of my day job, it often gives me the opportunity to offer them alternative options if what they want isn’t available. Also it can lead to additional options, which in this instance means add-on sales and extra money in the till at the end of the day.
This question is a great way to start a conversation with potential clients. I have multiple services which I offer, so I need a way of ascertaining which of these services a single client needs. They may not necessarily know which of my skills they need, but instead by me asking how I can help them they can respond with “I need help with…”, then I can work out what I would need to do to help them with their problem.
It can be a great tool to use in day-to-day life as well. Especially when trying to deal with people who may be having a tough time. Again with people who may have recently suffered a loss or trauma, asking them if they need help, often they will say no and think they can cope by themselves. When you ask them how you can help them, they are more likely to respond. Even if it’s something as simple as, “Actually, I need milk & bread from the shops but I really don’t feel up to going out”. Be that person to help them out by doing the small things to help. It doesn’t have to be a big deal, sometimes the smallest gestures make the biggest impact.