Final answer:
To address the decline in customers due to unfriendly front-office staff, Mateo should focus on improving customer service by teaching his employees to be quick and courteous in their responses.The correct answer is option a.
Step-by-step explanation:
After observing that Mateo's front-office staff are being unfriendly, the most effective advice would be: Let's teach the front-office employees to respond more quickly and courteously to your customers. This approach is directly related to improving customer service, which seems to be the core issue that is leading to fewer customers visiting the accounting firm.
Drawing from personal experience in resolving customer service issues, this kind of proactive approach can lead to improved customer satisfaction, as seen in the fast-food restaurant example. Training your staff to provide friendly and efficient service will address the immediate problem and enhance the overall customer experience.
Additionally, being professional and resourceful in handling customer complaints, as well as offering exceptional customer service, can lead to increased job satisfaction and advancement opportunities.