‘AWARDING EXCELLENCE’
National Winners of Towns of Excellence 2011 announced at Annual Conference
For immediate release
The First winners of the Towns of Excellence Awards were announced today (5th Oct 2011) at the Towns of Excellence Institute’s inaugural conference “Serve Best to Profit Most” which took place in the Talbot Hotel, Carlow. Judged by a panel from within the Towns of Excellence Institute, recipients of the awards were those that are acknowledged for their excellence in a variety of categories relating to Customer Service with both winning businesses and a winning town honored.
Said Brenda Farrell MD of Towns of Excellence, “Towns of Excellence applaud the progressive thinking of those business and towns who have committed to this exciting national initiative. We appreciate the effort of those businesses and towns who have embraced the initiative and who continuously strive to drive their business performance, particularly in the area of Customer Service. A very important part of any process is to acknowledge the effort of those who have chosen to participate and so we have the greatest pleasure in celebrating all the award winners today”.
THE AWARD CATEORIES AND WINNERS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE INSPIRATIONAL BUSINESS AWARD - Arboretum Lifestyle & Garden Centre.
2. EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE (RETAIL SECTOR) AWARD – Burgess of Athlone
3. EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE (SERVICE SECTOR) AWARD – Welcome Inn Hotel, Castlebar
4. EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE TRAINING AWARD - Netwatch
5. EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE BUSINESS SUPPORT AWARD – Olive Condron, CEO Carlow Chamber of Commerce
6. PERPETUAL AWARD - TOWN OF EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE 2011 – Castlebar Town
The inaugural conference of Towns of Excellence, which targeted any business, institution or town for whom customer service is key, aimed to provide each business that attended with achievable solutions and tools that will benefit their business. Launched by mastermind of RTE’s Retail Therapy series Senator Feargal Quinn, Towns of Excellence was set up to research, recognise and reward towns and businesses for achieving excellence in a variety of business disciplines including customer service.
The line-up of speakers included presidential candidate – Sean Gallagher, successful entrepreneur, ’Pink Tank’ champion and founder of 1890 – Nicola Byrne, chief executive of the Irish small and medium enterprises (ISME) Mark Fielding and a Case Study “Carlow – A Town of Excellence in Customer Serive.
Said Sean Gallagher “I am delighted to be involved in the ‘Serve Best to Profit Most’ national conference and applaud this fantastic new initiative. Your customer or client must feel valued at all times. This is what will bring them back to your business or service”.
Towns involved to date include Athlone, Castlebar, Carlow, Wexford and Westport have recently become involved.
The key message from this inaugural national conference is that Towns of Excellence along with businesses in towns around Ireland can build a brand for Ireland as a Country of Excellence in Customer Service.
Individual business and towns can become involved in this exciting initiative by simply going to www.townsofexcellence.com for further information.
www.townsofexcellence.com
ENDS
For Further Information Contact:
Buzz PR Towns of Excellence Institute
Elaine Roddy Brenda Farrell
elaine.roddy@buzzpr.ie info@townsofexcellence.com
087 – 8272373 087 6837922
Carlow Chamber in conjunction with Innochan Solutions
are running a
QR Code Workshop
Using QR Codes to Reach Your Customer and Really Market Your Business!
Quick Response (QR) codes have been increasing in popularity and applications since
their inception in Japan in 1994.
A form of 2-D (datamatrix) barcode, they are not bound by the rules of Global Standards
(formerly EAN International). As a result, while they cannot be used to identify products,
they are a fun and cost effective way to market your business.
QR codes are linked to your website, specific offers and information to attract customers
They provide information about your company 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
They are scanned by smart phones using apps (many of which are available free of charge).
This short workshop will:
• Introduce you to the concept of the QR code
• Highlight the key differences between QR codes and more traditional bar codes
• Provide examples of the application of QR codes in marketing your business
• Provide each participant with a QR code linked to their website for use on
business cards, marketing materials and even on your front door.
Date: 10th November 2011
Venue & Cost - TBA
Places are strictly limited, so please register your interest by emailing; ceo@carlowchamber.com
www.carlowchamber.com www.innochansol.com
| Wexford |
| Waterford |
| Kilkenny |
| Enniscorthy |
| Dungarvan |
| Clonmel |
| Carlow |
| Gorey |
| New Ross |
| Access Data |