Submit nominees for Customer Service Awards Now

VALDOSTA - All members of the Valdosta State University community are invited to submit nominations for the University System of Georgia chancellor’s Customer Service Recognition Awards before Wednesday, Sept. 5. Options for nomination include the following:

Individual and Team Award:
These awards recognize the individuals and teams who have demonstrated outstanding, "above and beyond" service to the citizens and customers of the state of Georgia over the last year. Nominees' actions must reflect all five of the state's customer service attributes: courteous, helpful, accessible, responsive, and knowledgeable. Individuals and teams will receive "Excellence Awards" in this category. From these, the top individual will be selected as "Customer Service Employee of the Year," and team will be selected as "Customer Service Team of the Year."

Outstanding Customer Service Leadership Award:
This award recognizes a leader in our agency, division, institution or program who, through his or her leadership in customer service, has made a significant, positive impact on customer service to the citizens and customers of the state of Georgia over the last year.

Customer Service Agency or Institution of the Year:
This award will go to our agency or institution that has shown the highest commitment, the highest performance levels and the most improvement in customer service across the organization over the last year. Consideration will be based on participation in programs and initiatives that result in customer service improvements, performance measurements (such as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), customer satisfaction survey results, etc.), and achievements as reported in agency Customer Service Improvement Plans or other reports.

Call Center Excellence Award:
This award recognizes our highest-performing call centers over the last year. Call centers will be considered on the basis of performance against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), statewide standards, level of improvement over previous year’s performance, and process improvements that result in higher levels of customer service.

Outstanding Customer Service Improvement Initiative Award:
This award will go our team, division or program that has designed and implemented a process improvement or initiative that has resulted in a significant positive impact on their customers over the last year. Projects will be considered on the basis of improved service times, improved quality of service, and the significance of the positive impact on the citizens and customers of the state of Georgia.

According the to USG’s Customer Focus Web site, all nominees must have been full-time employees of the University System of Georgia and actively performed duties during the previous fiscal year (July 1, 2006-June 30, 2007). Nominees will be selected on the basis of consistent high levels of performance and/or going above and beyond the call of duty in the performance of their jobs while still accomplishing their normal job responsibilities. To be eligible for an award or commendation, the nominee cannot be under any disciplinary action. The USG Recognition Committee will ensure eligibility prior to submitting for any awards.

Nominees will be evaluated along with nominees from all other USG colleges and universities. Winners will receive special recognition from the chancellor and will be nominated to compete in the Team Georgia Governor’s Recognition for Excellence in Customer Service Awards. All nominations can be made via the Customer Focus Web site at http://customerfocus.usg.edu . Any other information can be found at usg-recognitions@usg.edu or by contacting VSU’s campus customer service champion, Becky Murphy, (229) 259-5105.