Celebrating customers

Customer Service Week is an international celebration of the importance of customer service and of the people who serve and support customers on a daily basis.

It honours and applauds employees who service clients. Employers use this week to reward employees and boost morale.

Training sessions given during the week focus on customer service and teamwork. Some organisations use the celebration to remind consumers of their commitment to providing a positive customer experience.

History

In 1988, the International Customer Service Association came up with Customer Service Week. In 1991, the Customer Service Group became the nationally recognised sponsor in the United States, providing employers with celebration materials and how-to information.

The Customer Service Group also serves as a resource for professionals who want to share plans and ideas for the event.

In 1992, the US Congress declared Customer Service Week a nationally recognised annual event taking place in the first week of October.

Then US President George Bush signed the Customer Service Proclamation of October 8 1992, according to the Joint Resolution for Customer Service Week.

Significance

The significance of Customer Service Week is the intent to raise awareness of the vital role front line employees play in organisations, according to customer serviceworks.com.

When a company celebrates Customer Service Week it reinforces the significance the business puts on providing a quality experience for the consumer. And with many products and services available online, the importance of making the customer feel good has risen to new heights and can make or break a business of any size, according to Peter Hartz, author of The Customer That Breathes.

Traditions

Red and blue symbolise the recognised colours of customer service in the US, according to csweek. com. A puzzle piece serves as the official logo. Participating organisations each have a favourite and unique way of celebrating. A lot of businesses enjoy hosting workshops and invite special speakers for seminars.

Hosting a different theme-party for each day of the week has been a favourite tradition for many employees and employers. Other popular traditions include raffles and games.

Sponsorship

Large and small companies in all industries participate in the annual celebration of customer service.

Since consumers needs are deemed vital to the company’s core values, many organisations use the event to reward front-line employees.

Companies that participate in this celebration also use this week to thank other departments for their support and remind customers of their commitment to client satisfaction.

Celebration tips

Create a positive atmosphere. Several companies hang banners and inflate balloons, even handing out balloons to children of clients.

Also, hosting theme-parties and fun for everyone shows that the business put thought into the celebration.

Theme days work just as well. Let your clients see the great customer service provided to them over the past year by posting stories and testimonials.

Educate employees on ways to reduce stress and reward them for their hard work.

Excellent customer service

In a competitive marketplace, shoppers will patronise businesses that not only deliver on value but also treat them well. Customer service goes beyond the fulfilment of a promise to provide quality service on time; businesses must placate even those patrons who have unjust complaints. In order to build trust and retain clients’ long term, excellent customer service must be at the forefront of a company’s operations.

Keep your word

Trustworthiness is key for excellent customer service. This includes delivering the exact product you’ve promised precisely when you promised it would arrive.