Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Times Web Design
Commercial Printing
Rainy River Record
FortFrances.TV
Poll
Businesses urged to take customer service challenge
Monday, 1 March 2010 - 2:17pm
The deadline to register is Friday, March 19.
Milette said the challenge, which is being co-ordinated by Wanda Botsford, will work much like it has in past years.
Any business within the RRFDC’s catchment area—from Mine Centre west to Rainy River, and north to Morson and Nestor Falls—can sign up for the free program.
It doesn’t matter the size of the business.
Milette noted for those businesses that have participated in the past, it is worthwhile to do it again so they can get up-to-date feedback as to how they are doing in terms of customer service.
“We always try to refine the survey to get more and more information out of it because that is the whole point—to get the comments out to the owners,” she explained.
A business has to register itself to participate.
Businesses that sign up by the March 19 deadline will be contacted, and then will be “mystery shopped” in April and May.
Each business is going to be shopped in three different ways, when possible—in person, by phone, and their website will be reviewed if they have one, Milette said.
It also will be noted how “green” the business is, such as whether they offer/encourage the use of reusable bags, etc.
“It’s not going to be part of the scoring. There will be just be comments on the mystery shoppers’ survey so the business can see it,” noted Milette.
“It’s just something they can start being conscious of.”
After the “mystery shopping” is complete, the RRFDC will tally up the results, review the comments, and then pick the top 10 from across the district, also noting honourable mentions.
The winners likely will be announced in late May during the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce’s annual “After Hours” deck party.
After the winners are announced, Milette said all the participants (regardless of how they do) will get access to their performance evaluations so they can find out where their strengths and weaknesses lie when it comes to serving customers.
Last year’s top 10 champions were Cloverleaf Grocery (Emo), Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Fort Frances Clinic Dispensary, Fort Frances General Supply, Northern Community Development Services, Northern Lights Credit Union (Rainy River branch), Northridge Funeral Home (Emo), Revco Carpet Centre, Super 8 Motel, and Wood’s Quality Bakery (Rainy River).
Honourable mentions went to Celeste’s, Crozier Warehouse-Busy Bee Auto Glass, Northwoods Gallery & Gifts, Vianet Internet Solutions, and Warehouse One—The Jean Store.
Those businesses interested in signing up can contact the RRFDC at 274-3276.
By Duane Hicks, Staff writer
The Rainy River Future Development Corp. is gearing up for its seventh-annual customer service challenge—and district businesses can now sign up to participate.
RRFDC officer manager Cynde Milette said those businesses interested in signing up can contact the RRFDC at 274-3276.
Milette said the challenge, which is being co-ordinated by Wanda Botsford, will work much like it has in past years.
Any business within the RRFDC’s catchment area—from Mine Centre west to Rainy River, and north to Morson and Nestor Falls—can sign up for the free program.
It doesn’t matter the size of the business.
Milette noted for those businesses that have participated in the past, it is worthwhile to do it again so they can get up-to-date feedback as to how they are doing in terms of customer service.
“We always try to refine the survey to get more and more information out of it because that is the whole point—to get the comments out to the owners,” she explained.
A business has to register itself to participate.
Businesses that sign up by the March 19 deadline will be contacted, and then will be “mystery shopped” in April and May.
Each business is going to be shopped in three different ways, when possible—in person, by phone, and their website will be reviewed if they have one, Milette said.
It also will be noted how “green” the business is, such as whether they offer/encourage the use of reusable bags, etc.
“It’s not going to be part of the scoring. There will be just be comments on the mystery shoppers’ survey so the business can see it,” noted Milette.
“It’s just something they can start being conscious of.”
After the “mystery shopping” is complete, the RRFDC will tally up the results, review the comments, and then pick the top 10 from across the district, also noting honourable mentions.
The winners likely will be announced in late May during the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce’s annual “After Hours” deck party.
After the winners are announced, Milette said all the participants (regardless of how they do) will get access to their performance evaluations so they can find out where their strengths and weaknesses lie when it comes to serving customers.
Last year’s top 10 champions were Cloverleaf Grocery (Emo), Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Fort Frances Clinic Dispensary, Fort Frances General Supply, Northern Community Development Services, Northern Lights Credit Union (Rainy River branch), Northridge Funeral Home (Emo), Revco Carpet Centre, Super 8 Motel, and Wood’s Quality Bakery (Rainy River).
Honourable mentions went to Celeste’s, Crozier Warehouse-Busy Bee Auto Glass, Northwoods Gallery & Gifts, Vianet Internet Solutions, and Warehouse One—The Jean Store.
Those businesses interested in signing up can contact the RRFDC at 274-3276.
More stories
I was born and raised in
I was born and raised in Fort Frances. I haven't lived there for almost 30 years, but I frequently come back to visit relatives. It's a beautiful little town that I have come to appreciate so much more than when I was a restless teenager who couldn't wait to "escape to the big city". However, whenever I return I am always struck by one thing - the horrible customer service in many of the local establishments. This ranges from the newer big box stores to the smaller independent businesses and right down to the gas stations - I don't know what causes this, perhaps its a general feeling that since there's little alternative these stores/establishments can treat potential customers as disrespectfully as they like. Perhaps it's just a lack of insight into how odious their behaviour is or what really good customer service is like. Whatever the reason, I think your Chamber of Commerce should focus on this.