Happy National Customer Service Week!

Next week, October 6-12, 2008, we celebrate National Customer Service Week as a way to raise awareness of the importance of customer service and acknowledge those who provide it.

This ‘holiday’ is supported by the Institute of Customer Service (ICS) – a not-for-profit professional association whose mission is to “lead customer service performance and professionalism … [and to be] the “touchstone for those whose focus is on the delivery or world-class experiences.” According to the ICS, National Customer Service Week is all about “recognition, reward, informing, team work, morale boosting, and fun.”

OK, this may be perceived as self-serving, public relations/promotion, but so what? I think it’s a great way to recognize customer service as the critical (and often under-appreciated) function it is in most organizations.

To honor National Customer Service Week, here’s what I suggest:

• If you’re an employer – acknowledge everyone in your organization who does a great job of taking care of customers.
• If you’re an employee – acknowledge your fellow co-workers who do a great job in taking care of you as an internal customer.
• If you’re a customer – acknowledge those employees who take do a great job of taking care of you … i.e, in addition to continuing to do business with them, let them know you appreciate their efforts.

Please note: You can be creative in how you express your acknowledgment, but you don’t have to be extravagant about it. A simple and sincere “thank you for all you do” is a great way to show your appreciation.