Thank you for your patience whilst I worked out how to get the piccs onto the new website. Wow! There's so many of them. I hope you enjoy them.
The feedback I've received tells me that those who attended felt the night ran smoothly and everyone enjoyed themselves, some more so than others! Ha! Good for you.
I think that the general feel and vibe of the evening was a great buzz! The excitement and suspense of waiting to find out WHO the winner of each of the 9 categories was and then the Holiday Coast Credit Union perpetual trophy and the special Journey of Flavour and Customer Care outstanding recognition awards. Yes, a bit of suspense created by our MC (a good thing) had us all on the edge of our seats and then ..... Woohoo! ... the winner was announced. Lots of fun!
I can't express enough just how proud and happy the businesses who were named "finalists" are worthy of feeling. The judging process and criteria is the most strict and intense that I've seen for Customer Service Awards. We, the Customer Care Task force, have set these benchmarks deliberately at the high standard in which they are specifically so that people will VALUE being a part of the process and know that they really have done well as Customer Care Champions.
I've inserted into this newsletter a copy of the "Embargoed Media Release" which was emailed to local media after the awards ceremony began last Friday night and which was embargoed until midnight.
I've also inserted a link to the photos taken on the evening by Hydro Photographics. You can purchase these photos by logging onto their website at http://www.hydrophotographics.com.au/.
On that note, I'll leave you all to have a read, browse through the piccs and enjoy!
Thank you all so much for your support in what was a wonderful night of celebrations and fun.
Take care, I'm off on hols (as of COB Friday) until Thurs 21st July so I'll catch up with you all when I return.
Oh yes, we're having an "InSync" event in October and then a Chrissy get together in late November. I'll get back to you all when I have details.
Kind Regards
Rachel Ross
CUSTOMER CARE COORDINATOR
(Keep reading on below) :)
winners announced
customer care service excellence awards
EMBARGOED 12:00am Saturday 2 July 2011
Nine Hastings businesses are among those who ‘do it best’ after being recognised for their commitment to good service at the 2011 Customer Care Service Excellence Awards on Friday night.
Businesses endorsed by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's nationally recognised Customer Care program were showcased before an audience of more than 200 on Friday night at a gala awards ceremony at Panthers.
In its fifth year, the Awards showcase the best of the best in local business and reward exceptional customer service. Awards were presented in 9 categories, and the winners were:
- General Retail – Broadway Shoes
- Food and Beverage Retailing – Modishe Espresso
- Food and Beverage (Non Store) Retailing/Wholesaling – Port’s Mister Whippy
- Health and Personal Services – Emergency ID Australia
- Professional Services - Financial – Holiday Coast Credit Union
- Professional Services – Non Financial – East Port Veterinary Hospital
- Trade Services and Suppliers – Hot Graphics
- Tourism (Accommodation) – Mercure Centro Hotel
- Tourism (Attraction/Entertainment) – Port Macquarie Panthers
In praising the 370 businesses who are now accredited in the Customer Care program, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Administrator Neil Porter said customer service excellence is imperative if a business expects to shine and to stand out from the rest in today’s competitive marketplace.
“Evidence of the program’s success has already been recognised nationally. By recommending and supporting participating businesses we can all further boost the program,” Mr Porter said.
An exciting addition to the 2011 Awards is the introduction of the Inaugural Customer Care Service Excellence Awards "Hall of Fame".
Accredited business who have participated in and been named a category winner three or more times since the inception of the Awards were honoured. They were:
- Angela Lockwood, Sunrise Health Consultancy,
- COMPASS financial management,
- Rydges Port Macquarie,
- Holiday Coast Credit Union and
- Port Macquarie Panthers.
Rob Hamilton was awarded the Holiday Coast Credit Union Excellence in Service to the Business Community Perpetual Award.
Awards for outstanding commitment to the Journey of Flavour and Customer Care programs were awarded to Jon Pitkin, Jons Family Jewellers; Louise Beaumont, Focus Magazine; Kerrie McMahon from World Par-Tea and Kathy Balodis from The Corner Restaurant.
The Customer Care Program was established in 2006 by Council and the Customer Care Task force, with the aim of helping local business and industry achieve 'best practice' methods for customer service.
The program offers three distinct benefits to participants:
- it develops staff skills and job satisfaction
- it helps attract and sustain a business’s customer base which boosts the bottom line and,
- it helps ensure that an impressive level of service is consistently offered to both local residents and tourists when they patronise a Customer Care outlet.
The program is driven by industry through the Chambers of Commerce, the Tourism Association, Hastings Business Women's Network, HBEC and the NSW Business Chamber.
To view photos taken by Hydro Photographics, click hereAlso a big thank you to:
GILLESPIE MEDIA - PLATINUM SPONSOR FOR THE 5TH YEAR RUNNING!
Tom & Nigel, Ash & Beau from In-Phase Productions who have done all the sound & lighting tonight. Another example of a Customer Care business that goes the extra mile for the benefit of the Program.
Linda Robb and Lisa Fraser, Panthers function & event coordinators, who have both been extremely easy to deal with and pleasure for Rachel to work with.
Jim Caine from Port Macquarie trophies for supplying the trophies & engraving them.
Olive Communications & Digital Signs & Printing for the lettering on the "Hall of Fame" honour board.
Janette & Allan Hyde for their support on so many things including the unveiling of the Hall of Fame Honour board.
Our Acting GM, Jeffrey Sharp and Administrator Neil Porter for and their support & contribution to presentations on the night and for their support throughout the whole of the Program.
And to Leslie and Don Williams for their interest and support in attending.
Our Category sponsors:
- Verde Bamboo (Emilee Acheson)
- Hot Graphics (Kylie Morris)
- Graham’s Mechanical Repairs (Garry Graham)
- The Observatory (Chris Denny)
- Port Macquarie Panthers (Russell Cooper)
- Emergency ID Australia (Nicole Graham)
- Cullens Carpet One & Blinds. (Michael Page)
- Moisture Cure (Bob Knuckey)
- Tile Rescue (Kylee Blot)
And to the sponsor of the “Outstanding contribution to the Customer Care Program” award - HCCU.
Port Macquarie Panthers for sponsoring the venue and to Cassegrain Wines for their support of the event.
Thank you to the Task force & Working Party
And last but not least, a really big and sincere thank you to our Master of Ceremonies, Dr Wayne Graham & his lovely wife and assistant on stage Mrs Emmy Graham.
Rachel.