Customer Service Week
Customer Service Week (CS Week) is celebrated annually in the first full week of October when customer-oriented organizations and institutions around the world recognize the importance of Customer Service Excellence in their organizations. Organizations and institutions that participate in Customer Service Week carry out special activities to highlight the importance of great customer experiences to the success of the organization and reinforce a customer-focused culture.
History of Customer Service Week
Customer Service Week celebrations have been running since the late 1980s.[1] In the USA, the US Congress proclaimed the Customer Service Week a nationally recognized event in 1991. The Customer Service Week celebrations have spread across continents and in emerging markets such as UK, Asia, Middle East and Africa. Financial, healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, retailing, hospitality, communications, not for profit and educational institutions, as well as government agencies have participated as a way to highlight the importance of Customer Service.[2]
Participating in Customer Service Week is a great opportunity for organizations to:
- Recognize and appreciate external customers for their custom and loyalty
- Remind customers of their commitment to customer satisfaction.
- Recognize and appreciate staff for the role they play in delivering great customer experiences.
- Reward members of staff who are a great example in serving customers.
- Boost morale, motivation and teamwork.
- Raise company-wide awareness of the importance of customer service.
- Thank other departments for their support in delivering great service to customers and highlight the important role they play in serving customers.
Customer Service Week In Kenya
In Kenya, the Institute of Customer Service (ICS Kenya) first organized for Customer Service Week activities and celebrations in 2012. In 2013, fifty (50) organizations and institutions drawn from both the private and public sectors celebrated the week under the theme "Celebrating the Kenyan Customer at 50". The celebrations were held on 25 to 29 November 2013[3] in order to align with Kenya's Jubilee Celebrations.[4]
Kenya Customer Service Week
The Customer Service Week, 2014 in Kenya was celebrated from 6 – 10 October 2014. The theme for the 2014 celebrations was Celebrate Delightful Customer Experiences – AMAZE, ASTOUND & ASTONISH. Participating organizations could, however, develop sub-themes that align with their service focus.
The 2014 Customer Service Week culminated in an ICS - K's Service Excellence Awards Gala Dinner on Friday 10 October 2014 to acknowledge participants and launch the inaugural Service Excellence Awards in Kenya.[5]
Organizations were encouraged to participate in the 2014 Kenya Customer Service Week to communicate:
- The strategic role Customer Service plays in their organizations
- The importance and value they place in their customers, as well as in their staff who serve customers
- Highlight their commitment and efforts they are making in enhancing their customers’experiences and inculcating a customer focused culture.
The Customer Service Week, 2015 in Kenya was celebrated from 5 – 9 October 2015. The theme for the 2015 celebrations was Listening to Your Customers
References
- ↑ TireBusiness (3 October 2014). "OTHER VOICES: How are you celebrating customer service week?". Crain. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
- ↑ Kiplagat, Eva. "From customers TO ADVOCATES". KIM. Kenya Institute of Management. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
- ↑ Naomi, Kosgei. "Customer Service Week 2013". Standard Media Group. Standard Media Group. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
- ↑ Standard Media. "Kenya At 50". Standard Media Group. Standard Media Group. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
- ↑ People Daily (14 October 2014). "Top firms awarded for customer service excellence". Mediamax Network. Retrieved 14 October 2014.