Retail ambassadors gain recognition for their service excellence

Friday 27 November 2015

A group of 43 retail ambassadors have been presented with their badge of honour as they gain World Host Ambassador Status.

Recognising the crucial role that customer service plays in creating a strong and vibrant retail offering, Jersey Business is working with Becky Cook of Butterfly Training to deliver World Host Retail Ambassador workshops which are one element of a programme of tailored support that Jersey Business has been delivering as part of its commitment to support the retail sector.

In total there are over 150 retail ambassadors working in 52 outlets across the island. At the ceremony on Tuesday the ambassadors were presented with a special Retail Ambassador pin identifying them as individuals who live and breathe great customer service. 

Graeme Smith, CEO of Jersey Business said: "Customer Service is at the heart of the most successful retail businesses in Jersey. We want to recognise the individuals that provide excellent service, help them continue to develop the right skills and enable them to maximise every opportunity. Our aim is for Jersey's retail outlets to be known for great customer service and as a result be the first place residents go to do their shopping. World Host accreditation is an important step towards that goal." 

Deputy Murray Norton, Assistant Minister Economic Development will present the Retail Ambassador pins to the graduates and said, "Having been in the retail and hospitality industry myself I know how important a great customer experience is to the success of a retail business and so I am delighted to be able to present pins to our newest group of ambassadors as they graduate. I am sure they, and all the ambassadors, will continue to set the standards in customer service across the island." 

Becky Cook of World Host said: "This is a training programme that has been proven worldwide and it is exciting that Jersey is embracing the learning that can be gained from taking part.

"Participants have developed the skills to deliver a warm and friendly welcome to customers and visitors and the training these retail ambassadors have undertaken is particularly focused on their role as an ambassador for their store and the island as a whole. Becoming a Retail Ambassador is like earning a badge of honour and we hope all of our graduates will wear that with pride, and share their experience with others." 

The World Host programme was developed to train 40,000 volunteers for the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010 and has since been adapted for the UK market where is was used for the London Olympic Games-Makers. Jersey's much applauded Island Games Games-Makers were also trained using the same programme.