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Customer Service Week

Celebrating Customer Service Week This Year?

Will you be celebrating National Customer Service Week this year? Initiated by the International Customer Service Association (ICSA) in 1988 and proclaimed a national event by the United States Congress in 1992, Customer Service Week is celebrated the first week in October.

According to the ICSA, the purpose of National Customer Service Week is "to create a positive message that lasts all year long and to provide an opportunity to generate an even stronger commitment to customer service excellence.” During the week businesses can fulfill this purpose by:

Rewarding employees for their efforts in delivering quality customer service. Recognizing specific employees for their exceptional customer service.

Increasing awareness of the importance of customer service among employees.

Making sure employees understand that customer service involves all employees at every level of an organization.

Letting their customers know that they are valued and appreciated.

Thousands of companies have celebrated customer week including IBM, Bellsouth, Comcast, Xerox, American Express, Boys & Girls Club of America, General Electric, Home Depot, Benjamin Moore Paints, Merrill Lynch and Verizon Wireless, just to name a few.

How will you commemorate the week? Here are some suggestions.

For front-line employees:

A festive luncheon that would be exciting for your staff.

A daily prize drawing – make it meaningful and fun.

Awards for those who have delivered exceptional service.

Prizes for daily games centered on customer service techniques.

Prizes for daily games focused on product knowledge.

For the entire the organization:

An announcement about the company’s commitment or recommitment to customer service.

A breakfast or luncheon for all departments – seat individuals from various departments together. Have pre- or post-meal activities which allow them to get to know each other better.

Festive company-wide meetings where individuals from all the departments present how they play a role in serving the customer.

A customer service training program combined with a luncheon.

For your customers:

Send a hand-written thank you note.

Send a gift or gift cheque.

Take to breakfast or lunch.

Plan a luncheon for several customers.

For yourself:

Review or create a customer service policy.

Evaluate or set customer service goals.

Assess customer service training needs and plan accordingly.

Plan periodic customer service awards for employees (do not just recognize employees in October).

And finally acknowledge your customer service efforts and celebrate your own successes in a way that is special to you.

For more information about Customer Service Week, including celebration ideas, please visit www.CSweek.com

Donna Satchell, President of STARR Consulting & Training is a speaker, trainer and author. She provides programs in customer service, team-building, time management, public speaking as well as motivational speeches which inspire individuals to live more successful lives. Please visit www.JustGetSerious.com for information about products and services as well as to view videos of Donna’s speeches. Contact her at 770-498-0400 or Donna@JustGetSerious.com.

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