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National Customer Service Week
October 1-5, 2007
National Customer Service Week is always the first full week of October. Started by the International Customer Service Association in 1988, it has become a national event as proclaimed by the U.S. Congress. According to the ICSA, the purpose of National Customer Service Week is “to create a positive message that lasts all year long and to provide a productive opportunity to generate an even stronger commitment to customer service excellence.”
Each year, thousands of businesses around the world celebrate Customer Service Week. It’s an international event devoted to recognizing the importance of customer service and honoring the employees responsible for the taking care of customers.
The purpose of Customer Service Week is to send a positive message to your customers and to generate a strong company-wide commitment to customer service excellence. Customer Service Week is the perfect time to recognize and reward employees for a job well done.
Whether you work for a small or large company, you can celebrate Customer Service Week with a one-day event or a whole week of activities. Don't miss the opportunity to ignite enthusiasm for customer care.
Tips to help you celebrate Customer Service Week
- Spread the word about National Customer Service Week throughout your organization.
- Announce your celebration plans to your customers and employees through email, newsletters, posters and even voice-mail messages.
- Create a customer-focused theme and make it visible throughout the company. Or challenge each department to come up with its own theme. Here are some theme ideas:
• Smile -- Your Attitude is Showing
• Customers First
• We Care
• Customers Forever
• Spotlight on Service
• Going the Extra Mile
• Let’s Be Loyalty Leaders
- Give each employee a small desk mirror to remind him or her to smile when talking to
customers.
- Create "Extra Mile" or "Positive Attitude" Awards to be given to employees who have been selected by their co-workers for delivering exceptional customer service. Gift certificates make great prizes.
- Give your employees "101 Ways to Build Customer Loyalty" to inspire them to deliver
great customer service throughout the year.
- Kick off the week with a motivational speaker to ignite a spirit of enthusiasm and contagious positive attitudes throughout your organization.
- Send news releases to local media announcing National Customer Service Week and
outlining how your organization is going to celebrate.
- Create special displays, voice mail messages, signs, envelope stuffers, etc. to announce
your Customer Service Week theme and thank your customers.
- Create a schedule of events for the week and post it on the Intranet and throughout the company.
- Invite a group of your best customers for lunch to meet your customer service reps in person.
- Decorate your building with posters, banners, balloons and flowers to create a festive atmosphere.
- Give away free candy bars or cookies to customers who come in.
- Enclose candy kisses or another type of non-perishable treat with every order you ship during that week.
- Send a hand-written thank you note to every customer who orders a product or does business with your company. Have the cards signed by employees throughout the company, even those who only deal with internal customers. Be sure to have them include their title after their signature.
- Surprise your employees with bonuses, gift certificates, and a day off with pay and other unexpected awards to recognize their commitment to customer service.
- Schedule a daily theme or celebration to keep the enthusiasm strong. For example:
• Monday: Kick-off breakfast with a guest speaker
• Tuesday: Pizza party with a funny movie or skits
• Wednesday: Stress-buster session with games, fitness tips and team building activities
• Thursday: Hollywood day. Everyone dresses as their favorite celebrity
• Friday: Trick or Treat. Each department serves up a special treat. Employees receive a treat plate or bag and make the rounds to collect the goodies and meet their fellow workers.
National Customer Service Week Resources
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