Duane Hicks
For a seventh year, the Rainy River Future Development Corp. is looking for participants for its customer service challenge this spring.
RRFDC officer manager Cynde Milette said staff there only are starting to plan for this year’s challenge. But she is certain it will take place, and that the public should keep their eyes open for more details later this month.
“We’ll maybe change it up a bit, just to keep it interesting,” said Milette, noting they may try to incorporate a customer service training component to the challenge.
Milette said about 30 district businesses signed up for the challenge last year, with organizers hoping to get at least that many this time around.
As in past years, any business within the RRFDC’s catchment area—from Mine Centre west to Rainy River, and north to Morson and Nestor Falls—can get involved in the free program, whether they are a big or small business, and whether they’ve done it before or are first-timers.
Milette added there’s no upper limit to the number of participants. As long as they’re a district business, none will be turned away.
While a business itself has to register to participate, people who shop at a certain business and get good service should encourage that business to sign up for the challenge.
Those businesses interested in signing up can contact the RRFDC at 274-3276.
Businesses that sign up will be “mystery shopped” in March and April.
After the “mystery shopping” is complete, the RRFDC will tally up the results, review the comments, and then pick the top 10 from across the district, also noting honourable mentions.
The winners likely will be announced in May.
After the winners are announced, Milette said all the participants (regardless of how they do) will get access to their performance evaluations so they can find out where their strengths and weaknesses lie when it comes to serving customers.
Last year’s top 10 champions were Cloverleaf Grocery (Emo), Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Fort Frances Clinic Dispensary, Fort Frances General Supply, Northern Community Development Services, Northern Lights Credit Union (Rainy River branch), Northridge Funeral Home (Emo), Revco Carpet Centre, Super 8 Motel, and Wood’s Quality Bakery (Rainy River).
Honourable mentions went to Celeste’s, Crozier Warehouse-Busy Bee Auto Glass, Northwoods Gallery & Gifts, Vianet Internet Solutions, and Warehouse One—The Jean Store.
