Dear Editor
The Battlefords Chamber of Commerce did an amazing job again at this year's service seminar. The volunteers and planning committees have once again shone like stars. The details put into everything ( ladies' washrooms, hot towels for lunch, grab bags) are amazing. At FF2, we are putting together an in store class combined with what was taught at Disney Institute and hope to put on a world class event like the committee did for our staff.
In this day and age we have to be more and more on top of customer service as that is the only way we will not be eaten up by box stores. I also know, unless we plan to serve every customer ourselves, we have to train and empower our staff to be the best they can. We have implemented many of the Disney suggestions as well as Barbara Glanz into the store: birthday cards for staff, family board to display pictures, staff work anniversary hand written cards by myself thanking them for choosing to work at FF2 and the acknowledging the contribution they have made.
We have a FF2 Rocks contest in which everyone can nominate fellow co-workers to win a gift certificate for going above and beyond helping customers and co-workers. Contests in the store to challenge each staff to sell a particular item. A Penny Challange encourages staff to do random acts of kindness in and out of the store. I personally take more time to "catch them doing something right" ( Ken Blanchard contest) and encourage them. I let them know their strengths we will all benefit from and their weaknesses are not weaknesses but opportunities to improve.
I am fortunate because my employer wants to invest not only in the business but in me and my staff. I truly cannot see why an employer or manager would not want to attend opportunities to learn more about customer service. Do they truly feel they have "enough" business. Lots of people think, "Oh no. Not another seminar," but that is sadly a poor attitude, because even if you are hearing the same information all the time it could be presented in a fresh manner or this might be the "moment" it all makes sense. Just being away from the business for the day helps you see all the trees in the forest.
People have to invest in themselves and their business's if they want to get ahead. Sadly the reality is if you do not think you or your business could get better you probably need these classes all the more.
Thank you to the Chamber and committee members for a world class training event. Please do not let the poor turnouts hamper you from having events in the future. Perhaps we will all have to put our creative thinking caps on to figure out how to boost the numbers.
Thank you to the Chamber for in the people and businesses of the Battlefords.
Tammy Ramsay
FF2 Manager
North Battleford
