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Every year, Customer Service Week is celebrated across the globe during the first whole week of October. The weeklong event is a time to recognize and appreciate the men and women who work in customer service. There are many ways to show appreciation for your customer service team during the week.
Related article: What does ‘customer first’ mean?
What is National Customer Week?
National Customer Service Week celebrates the importance of customer service and the contribution it makes to business success. It happens in the first week of October – 2nd to the 6th, and was initiated by the International Customer Service Association (ICSA).
It is essential to have a week where businesses can show their appreciation for their customers and employees who provide excellent customer service The first National Customer Service Week was held in 1992 and has been celebrated yearly since then.
During National Customer Service Week, businesses typically show appreciation for their employees by giving them gifts, hosting parties, or taking them out to lunch. It is an excellent time for companies to show their customers how much they appreciate their business and to let them know that they are constantly working to improve their customer service. The week is also to acknowledge and appreciate the front runners of customer service because the agents are as important as the customers they serve.
Why showing appreciation to customer service teams is important
Customer service week is crucial because it is a time to celebrate customer service’s importance and recognize the people who work in customer service.
It’s no secret that showing appreciation to customer service teams is important. After all, they are the ones who help keep your customers happy and your business running smoothly. But why exactly is showing appreciation to customer service teams so important?
Here are three key reasons:
It boosts morale
Showing appreciation to your customer service team can do wonders for morale. A simple thank you can go a long way in making your team feel appreciated and valued. And when morale is high, your team will be more likely to provide excellent customer service.
It increases employee retention
It’s no secret that turnover rates in customer service are high. American Customer Satisfaction Index shows that the average turnover rate for customer service representatives is 33%. But why is this? One of the main reasons is that customer service agents feel underappreciated. Showing your team members that you appreciate their hard work can help increase retention and reduce turnover.
It shows customers that you care
Your customers will take notice when you show appreciation to your customer service team. It shows that you value your team and are committed to providing excellent customer service. This, in turn, will make your customers more likely to continue doing business with you.
Showing appreciation to your customer service team doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. In fact, it can be as simple as writing a handwritten thank-you note. No matter how you do it, showing appreciation to your team is essential, and whatever your budget, the tangible and intangible benefits will be numerous.
If you have deep pockets, you may go all out by taking your whole team on a fancy trip. But that is not always possible when you have a smaller budget and would instead use the funds on more than one department and for other infrastructure needs. The budget set aside for customer service week will differ based on the size of the company. So, there is no fixed budget to fit in celebrations across industries or businesses.
However, it is simply not alright to ignore the customer service week. Whether small or big, your customer service teams have worked hard and deserve to be appreciated.
This blog explores how you can appreciate your customer service teams and stay within your budget. These ideas may seem simple, but they can be planned and executed well to ensure that every employee in the customer service department feels acknowledged and no agent goes unnoticed.
Here are a few ideas:
Start the week off with a team breakfast or lunch.
It doesn’t have to be anything fancy – even just ordering in some breakfast sandwiches or pizza for lunch can show your team that you’re thinking of them and appreciate all that they do. It is a way of sitting together to enjoy a meal as a treat from the organization. And, because it’s on a budget, it won’t break the bank.
Give out small gifts or prizes throughout the week.
It could be anything from a gift card to a favorite restaurant to a voucher for a free massage. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something that your team will appreciate. If the team is small you can find out their interests in advance and give each team member appropriate gifts. While this may not be possible if the team is large, you can still curate a set of gifts and distribute them through the week.
Include a special customer service training session during the week.
It could be a great opportunity to bring in a guest speaker or to focus on a particular topic that will help your team improve their skills. It will show them that you are willing to invest in them and their professional growth. Nothing shows employees that they are valued more than when an employer invests in their career.
Give employees a day off.
After a long week of dealing with customers, your employees deserve a break. Give them a day off during customer service week or even an extra day off. You can make it a long weekend and let them come back recharged. You may think that this costs the company in manhours and a day without profit. However, you will reap far more when they return to work with renewed motivation and energy.
Plan a fun activity for the team.
Plan a fun activity for the team, such as an afternoon at a local amusement park or bowling alley. One fun activity that the team can do to celebrate customer service week is to have a themed party. It can be a potluck-style party where everyone brings their favorite dish representing their culture. Alternatively, the team can go to a restaurant specializing in a particular cuisine. It is a great way to learn more about the diverse cultures represented on the team and to enjoy some delicious food.
Give employees a bonus.
Give your employees a raise during customer service week if your budget allows. But if it doesn’t fit the budget, you could give them a bonus. A small bonus or gift voucher won’t break the bank, and still, show appreciation.
End the week with a team shoutout and recall customer service success stories. Add handwritten thank you notes for their unwavering support to the organization and to the customers. You can add a team dinner and close the week by appreciating the customer service agents and their contributions to the organization.
Finally, don’t forget to thank the agents at the end of the week with a personal card or note from the Management. A little recognition goes a long way in making your team feel valued.
No matter how you celebrate Customer Service Week, be sure to show appreciation for the hard-working men and women on your team. They are the backbone of your business and deserve to be recognized!
Related article: What is a Customer Success Manager: Responsibilities, skills, and qualifications?
Final note
Celebrating customer service week impacts more than the organization. It adds value to the company and showcases the importance you place on customer service. Furthermore, your employees will know their contribution is noticed and valued enough to be celebrated. They will feel recharged and energized to give even more to a company that pauses work to bring in a whole week of activities focused on the team’s hard work.
