When it comes to providing customer service, customers want quality, assurance and their requirements met. Companies are committed to providing good customer service. GE (General Electric) is ranked among the best companies with excellent customer service. Their decades-long commitment, training, and quality to customers is how they rose to the top. Meanwhile, AOL is ranked among the worst companies with poor customer service. It is crude statements, unethical directives and shameful quality that explains why they are ceasing their activities. GE's motto, "We bring good things to life" definitely works for this company in gaining new customers, retaining old customers, and increasing profits. Their excellent customer service began during the Great Depression, when the economy was down and customers were not spending but trying to save what little they had. During the Great Depression, when profits were non-existent and many companies were failing, GE reached its potential. . General Electric knew it had to satisfy its customers, listen to what they wanted, and understand the challenges many consumers faced. They developed consumer financing, where the customer could pay for new devices over time. Their goal was to help them build a better house when the economy was in crisis. Over the years, GE also became an investment company, owning small businesses around the world. They have adopted Motorola's management strategy called Six Sigma for Quality in which they promote and train other small businesses. This disciplined training teaches that “high customer satisfaction results in increased market share, revenue growth, and leads to increased profits and improved projects” (Sung Park, 82). A p...... middle of paper ......m customers are through the roof. The company needs to start focusing on key things like customer service and stop worrying about its wealth and profits. They need to start looking to GE for good advice if they want to keep the company alive and retain their customer base. Both General Electric and American Online have different ways of handling customer service. GE ultimately proved that its disciplined management training and three key elements of quality propelled it to the top in customer service. While AOL is left behind, more concerned with the contents of its bank account than the customers it serves. All businesses should know that when customer satisfaction is met, it leads to higher profits. AOL should take this to heart. Customer service is the key to a successful business; this is where it all begins.