People in Tendring urged to act responsibly as lockdown restrictions eased
CUSTOMER SERVICE TRAINING OFFERED FREE TO LOCAL BUSINESSES
Fifty places on a customer service training course are up for grabs for local businesses.
As part of its work to support local traders, Tendring District Council (TDC) has purchased the spaces on a top training course.
WorldHost 2020 ‘Keeping Customers Safe Beyond Covid-19’ from People 1st International is an hour-long learning programme aiming to teach staff how to provide excellent customer service and cope with new guidelines introduced to tackle Coronavirus.
The course is recommended by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM), and tackles topics including PPE, greeting customers, taking payments and more.
Mary Newton, TDC Cabinet Member for Business and Economic Growth, said the training was about being more than just Covid-secure.
“This training aims to get businesses, and their front-facing staff, to think about going above and beyond when it comes to customer service, not just how they deal with Covid-19,” Cllr Newton said.
“We’ve bought these places to help our businesses to get back on their feet – it not only helps them, but if shoppers and visitors have a good experience they are more likely to stay in or come back to our district to spend money, which is good for the whole economy.”
Ojay Mcdonald, Chief Executive of the ATCM, ADDED: “Towns and local businesses are the heart of our local economy.
“To ensure we can build confidence with our customers, we need to do all we can to keep people safe and reduce the potential of transmission. This means giving employees the skills needed to play a positive role.
“I am delighted to see the proactive attitude to skills being taken by Tendring District Council.”
“It’s fantastic to see Tendring District Council supporting local businesses in this way,” added Jane Rexworthy, Executive Director of People 1st International Ltd which developed the course.
“Rebuilding consumer confidence will be critical beyond Covid-19 and businesses will need to equip customer-facing staff with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to keep visitors and colleagues safe.
“Funding WorldHost 2020 for these small businesses will be of huge value in helping them to reopen their doors and operate safely.”
Places purchased by TDC will be given on a first-come first-served basis, with an initial limit of two places per business. However, if the offer proves popular TDC will look at purchasing more slots.
TDC’s offer is only open to independent firms based in the district, but places can be purchased by other organisations.
To register for a place email business.advice@tendringdc.gov.uk
For business support and guidance related to Covid-19, visit www.tendringdc.gov.uk/coronavirus
29/6/2020
NEWSDESKS
For more information on this news release contact Tendring District Council’s Communications Manager Will Lodge on 01255 686338.
A video explaining the training course can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyi04GJ63g8