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Best Victorian businesses put customers first
8 Jun 2011
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Telstra today named the finalists in the 2011 Telstra Victorian Business
Awards with analysis of the finalists showing top customer service is one of the biggest indicators of business success.
Twenty of Victoria’s leading businesses are finalists for this year’s Awards, which will introduce a state Telstra Regional Award and a People’s Choice Award for the first time in the program’s 19-year history.
Telstra Business Group Managing Director and Telstra Business Awards Ambassador, Deena Shiff, said analysis of the finalists’ business performance highlighted understanding customer needs and high customer service levels were at the core of their business success.
The analysis showed:
- Almost 50 per cent of the finalists’ new business in the past year came from either existing customers or referrals from those customers;
- Two thirds of the finalists specifically trained staff in the past year to improve customer service skills;
- All finalists say nine out of ten customers are satisfied with their services;
- All but one of the finalists say the majority of their staff are aware of who the company’s best customers are.
Ms Shiff said: “The best Victorian finalists clearly have a commitment to providing top customer service that underpins their business growth.
“Improving customer service is paramount, no matter the size of a company. Training staff will encourage customer loyalty and help attract winbacks and new customers. If employees are a company’s best asset, then customers can be its ambassadors,” she said.
Face-to-face feedback, surveys, newsletters, packages for new customers and rewards were among the most common methods Victorian finalists used to develop and nurture customer relationships.
2011 finalists include an online technology retailer from Mt Waverley, an occupational health and safety consultancy from Nunawading, a Clyde producer and supplier of fresh herbs, and a pet boarding kennel from Balliang East, west of Melbourne.
The finalists for the 2011 Telstra Victorian Business Awards are:
Business Owner Micro-Business Award
| b.box for kids |
|
Malvern East |
| Little Innoscents |
|
Northcote |
| OURTEL Solutions Pty Ltd |
|
Melbourne |
| Priorities – Flexible Employment Strategies |
|
Canterbury |
| Vern Ryan’s Pet Resort |
|
Balliang East |
| The Wall Sticker Company |
|
Oakleigh South |
MYOB Small Business Award
| Blackmore Holdings Pty Ltd |
|
Alexandra |
| creditcollect |
|
Traralgon |
| Easy Weddings |
|
Mulgrave |
| Fire and Safety Australia Pty Ltd |
|
Notting Hill |
Panasonic Medium Business Award
| Air-Met Scientific Pty Ltd |
|
Nunawading |
| The Drain Man (Australia) Pty Ltd |
|
Ringwood |
| eStore.com.au |
|
Mt Waverley |
| Kiandra IT |
|
Melbourne |
| PRESHAFOOD LTD |
|
Derrimut |
AMP Innovation Award
| Australian Fresh Leaf |
|
Clyde |
| BikeExchange.com.au |
|
Collingwood |
| Blackmore Holdings Pty Ltd |
|
Alexandra |
| Utilibill |
|
Melbourne |
Yellow Pages Social Responsibility Award
| Blackmore Holdings Pty Ltd |
|
Alexandra |
| The Drain Man (Australia) Pty Ltd |
|
Ringwood |
| m.a.d.woman – making a difference |
|
Rosanna |
| OURTEL Solutions Pty Ltd |
|
Melbourne |
The
Telstra Regional Business Award will recognise the best business located outside the metropolitan area of Melbourne.
The
Blackberry® People’s Choice Award is open to all entrants in the Telstra Business Awards. The Award is decided by a public vote. Victorians can vote for their favourite businesses via the TBA website. Voting closes on 17 June 2011.
Winners of the Telstra Victorian Business Awards will be announced at the Docklands on 1 July. They will receive a share of the $500,000 in cash and prizes, become part of an exclusive national business alumni, and proceed to the national Awards in Melbourne on 26 August 2011.
For event or ticketing information visit
telstrabusinessawards.com or call the Telstra Business Awards Team on 1800 262 323 between 9am and 7pm AEST Monday to Friday.
Media contacts:Karina Keisler 0419 523 776 Telstra
Marcela Balart 0422 483 371 Lighthouse Communications Group
www.telstra.com.au/abouttelstra/Reference: 146/2011
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