English Blog Assignment Entry 5

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/301707/1/.html

Topic: Customer Service

I agree with Mr Lim Swee Say’s views. Singapore wants to established herself as the prime shopping district in South East Asia, and must work hard to attain it. The key attribute of a shopping hub that attracts shoppers is the shopping atmosphere. Put simply, the shopper must have an enjoyable experience while strolling around shopping districts like Orchard Road, for example. This is what Singapore must strive for.

In fact, Singapore has already done a remarkable job. Citing Orchard Road as an example, the place is lined with trees that give the entire area a pleasant feel. The shade provided by the leaves, and the cooling effect trees possess make even walking down Orchard in the afternoon a pleasant affair. High-end and middle-end shops alike line the stretch, providing merchandise affordable to anybody. However, this is not everything that makes a shopping district shine.

Customer service is also an integral part of the entire shopping experience. It is the human element, the attitude of the people serving you that could make all the difference. The effect given by all the highest quality goods and the most relaxing atmosphere could be ruined when you are greeted with a unwilling cashier when you try to pay for your goods. This is why good customer service is so important to Singapore’s image.

Sadly, it is not a secret that Singapore is not known for her friendly, helpful salespeople. Constantly, Singapore is close to the bottom of the list of every survey conducted regarding customer service. Singaporeans are just unwilling to force the happiness and enthusiasm out when encountering customers day after day, especially when those same customers become demanding and difficult.

As such, this prompted Mr Lim Swee Say to encourage companies to work together with the final goal of achieving better customer service. As the saying goes, ‘many hands make light work’. If several companies come together and share their ideas on improving customer service, the overall level of customer satisfaction will definitely increase. It is a win-win situation for all.

As described in the article, an initiative called the Customer Centric Initiative (CCI) has been launched for this sole purpose of improving customer service. Retailers from all industries are joining this initiative, including 77^th Street, Expressions International, Prime Supermarket, Standard Stationery, Sincere Watch and Tianpo Jewellery. Even fast food giant Mcdonald’s has pledged to play a part in the initiative.

It is through these methods that Singapore can further improve her image as a lifestyle hub; be it in shopping, food, nightlife or culture. Good customer service goes a long way in giving the tourist or shopper memorable recollections of Singapore, and this will eventually elevate Singapore’s place in the world, bringing her economic and social benefits.