Is the UK Service Sector fit for champions?
01/07/2008
Customer expectations have never been higher and the UK Service Sector needs to embrace the changes that will be brought about when the Olympics comes to London, 2012. With 500,000 visitors due to step into the UK capital every day during the sporting spectacular, the Service Sector will need to step up to the game and compete against the best.
2012 will open up new economic opportunities and re-skill the UK's workforce. There's a massive opportunity to give the UK a fresh persepctive on improving and enhancing our reputation for customer service excellence. It's important to start the planning and laying the foundations now. The Customer First Standard offers a robust developmental approach to embed those customer-centric principles now.
This is our opportunity to make a real difference to businesses. By 2012, over 12,000 organisations will be proving that they're fit for purpose through their achievement of the Customer First Standard - that's the top 1% of the UK Service Sector. We champion our vision that international customers of our call centres, financial institutions, transport agencies and retailers will leave the UK raving about their positive customer service experience.
Let's learn from the success stories of organisations that have achieved the Customer First Standard and are already creating postive memorable services. For example Think London - an organisation that connects international businesses to London, helping them to set up, succeed and grow, is involved directly in preparing London for the Olympics. They've proved that they're fit for purpose, having achieved the Standard twice to date.
Every organisation has the opportunity over the next 4 years to contribute to changing the way the UK Service Sector is perceived internationally. We need to improve our reputation. In 2012 we need to prove that we can offer high quality services that offer value for money, prove that we listen to our customers and that we consistently go that extra mile to deliver a once in a lifetime experience.
Up for the challenge? Start that training plan by working towards achieving the Customer First Standard today! Don't get left behind!
Author: Vicky O'Connor, Customer First UK
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