Comment

By Ken Ellis, president of Newport Chamber of Trade

AS STATED in a previous column The Chamber of Trade is about to launch a VIP initiative, (Very Important Patrons) to improve standards of service in Newport.

Representatives from any business which come into contact with the general public can attend the launch which will he held in the Castle suite at the Leisure Centre, Newport, at 6pm on Tuesday, September 9.

Following the launch there will be Train the Trainer workshops for those who wish to support the initiative.

We hope a varied mix of national and independent businesses from shops, banks, pubs and restaurants will get involved to establish best practice and drive standards throughout the city upwards - let's make Newport a pleasure to shop eat, do business and relax in.

This scheme is designed to be an bonus for any customer service training you may already have done, but this will be an opportunity for each business to review their own operation and check on how effective they are at delivering customer service.

There is no doubt that business is being affected by the regeneration work and the promise that in two years' time is fine. But we need to take action now and this is something we can do and take responsibility for ourselves.

Let us not be complacent and think we are doing well, there are lots of companies out there who talk about the importance of delivering good customer service but that's all it is - talk. I'm sure we all have anecdotes of good and bad service experiences, let's make sure your business is the best.

After the frustrations of the road works and parking, all those of us involved in the service industry need to ensure we are delivering the best possible service to our patrons and treat them as VIPs, if you don't then you only have yourself to blame In conjunction with the South Wales Argus we will be running a competition in the run-up to Christmas and beyond, where readers will be asked to nominate the best business and individuals delivering exceptional service and their experiences will be published. Will your business or employee be nominated? It's up to you.

Please support this campaign and let us strive as a business community to deliver exceptional service in Newport.

For more information or to join the Chamber of Trade, or if you wish to give any feedback, please contact Eve Williams on 01633 267306, Ken Ellis on 07966414716 or visit our website at www.newportchamberoftrade.org.uk

11:23am Wednesday 3rd September 2008

Print

Email this

Comment