For every company, regardless of its line of business, the customer should come first.

That means that customer service is something that should be just as high a business priority as maintaining product quality and preserving profit margins. In many cases, though, businesses seem to be at a loss as to how to equip their employees with the right customer service skills to serve their customers' needs and keep them happy.'

It's not a problem that's confined to small businesses, either. Well-known corporations like Comcast have had more than their share of customer service complaints for years, and have yet to find a way to correct the problem–which includes surveys indicating that consumers would rather deal with the IRS than be forced to contact Comcast.

The reality of the situation, though, is that customer service shouldn't be a topic filled with conjecture and confusion. There are plenty of research and real-world data available businesses could be using to fine-tune their customer service operations, as well as training opportunities that could turn their customer service representatives into the best brand ambassadors money can buy.

To demystify the subject, here's what business leaders need to know about modern customer service methodologies, and how to ensure customer satisfaction.