Bedworth’s customer service stars shine
Staff working at the ‘Warwickshire Direct’ One Stop Shop and Customer Service Centre in Bedworth’s Kings House, who provide information and advice on a variety of council and other services, have been rewarded for ‘always smiling’ and ‘going the extra mile’ as part of national Customer Service Week.
The Customer Service Advisors, who handle a wide range of Warwickshire County Council customer queries over the phone at the Customer Service Centre and face-to-face at the One Stop Shop, were nominated for a series of awards to celebrate good customer service at the council.
Councillor Heather Timms, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Customers, Workforce and Partnerships, said: “This was an opportunity to recognise and celebrate examples of outstanding customer service within our Customer Service Centre and One Stop Shop teams.”
Alison Lacey was the winner of the Best Customer Service & Professionalism award. Compliments for Alison included, “Alison really cares about customers and is always very professional” and “she’s always happy to help when you need it.”
Winner of the Always Smiling award was Paula Jones, with those who nominated her for the award commenting, “she’s the happiest person I know and always finds a way to cheer you up”, and “nothing fazes Paula and she is always cheery.”
Jeanne Newitt, who many people will recognise as a familiar face at the ‘Warwickshire Direct’ Bedworth One Stop Shop, won the award for Always Going the Extra Mile.
Compliments about Jeanne included, “Jeanne is the face of welcome to Bedworth One Stop Shop and knows everyone by name, and where to direct them”, and “she always looks in depth to help and answer any query from any customer.”
Finally, Sonia Shargill was the winner of the Good Work Rate Award, for her work answering calls at the Customer Service Centre.
Awards were also handed out to ‘Warwickshire Direct’ staff in other parts of the county, and Bedworth Team Leader Chrissie Lock won the Team Leader Award for the whole of the county.
Colleagues of Chrissie, who nominated her for the award, said “Chrissie is one of the best Team Leaders I have worked for”, “she is always approachable, good natured and even tempered”, and “I think she has a wonderful, open and down to earth way of dealing with advisors’ and caller’s queries.”
Councillor Heather Timms continued: “Together, our Customer Service Advisors answer hundreds of customer queries each week on a wide range of subjects and services, some of which are complex and difficult.
“But it’s important that we recognise and reward individuals who make a special effort to help people. I’m delighted with the compliments our advisors have received.”