2011 WINNERS

Jane Gage – Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank
Jane has worked at the Food Bank for 7 years now and is a valued member of our staff.

Jane’s customer service skills are excellent she is always valuing anyone who comes through our doors to help them feel a little more at ease in needing food or helping them to fine the support they need for the numerous problems that  are going on in their life.

We often receive comments from some of the young men in our community who need food; they talk about Jane’s caring and compassionate ways. Once a young man spoke about his addiction issues and said in spite of the struggles in his life he said “Jane always believes in me and encourages me”

Most recently Jane has taken a leadership role with the following things:

“We Care with Underwear” Project – Jane is collecting new underwear from the staff and volunteer which will be sent to Haiti to distribute to women and girls still living in tent-cities after the 2010 earthquake

Wear Purple May 6, 2011 – Jane has taken the lead role at our Food Bank in this social media campaign. The intent of this campaign was to start dialogue in Waterloo Region (and across Canada) in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Brown Bag Lunch – Each year the Food Bank hosts the Brown Bag Lunch which is an event to raise awareness of those living in poverty, Jane took on the lead of organizing and securing volunteers to host a BBQ in support of this event.

Garbis Haneshian - Taleen Jewellers
I always receive phenomenal service when I visit Taleen Jewellers. Last year when my parents were visiting, they decided to have their wedding bands repaired. Not only did Taleen Jewellers do an impressive job, the gentleman made sure he had them competed before he went on vacation so that my parents wouldn't have to go home without them (no doubt working extra hours to do so). To this day, he still passes along greetings to my parents and asks how they are. They were so impressed with his level of service, they hope to stop by to say hello themselves next time they visit Ontario!

Another Example: A few weeks ago I needed a battery for my watch and Taleen's was out of that particular model. To ensure I had my watch quickly before I went on my trip, they made an effort to get the battery I needed that evening and called me promptly the next morning to say my watch was ready for pickup.

Have I met someone who went out of their way to provide me with outstanding service?  Absolutely! Taleen Jewellers - every time! Certainly worthy of recognition for not only being a great jeweler but also for making their customers feel second to none.

Cathy Durham – Sunrise Mills Natural Choice  
Cathy has gone out of her way to help me find the products I was looking for.  She gave me a lot of information as well.  I have never received service like this before!  Even though she was busy she took the time to help me with everything I needed, all with a smile.  She was honest and fair.  I wish all stores had someone like this women, the world would be a better place!

Maria Kong - Zen Garden                                                                                                                                                                  The lady at Zen (Maria Kond) is so incredibly friendly every time we visit. She not only makes us feel very welcome but she remembers our favourite menu items.

Today, my friend brought me there for a birthday lunch and when we were leaving she gave me a little gift! How incredibly thoughtful and sweet! It certainly made my day.

I think she is certainly worthy of a customer service award for not only offering consistent great customer service but also for going that extra mile to make me feel special today!

Allan Bilton – C.A.S. Power Marine Ltd
I'd like to nominate an employee of ours for recognition. Allan Bilton has gone above and beyond to ensure our customers get their boats on the water each and every weekend. Allan takes the time with his customers to ensure they understand the repairs that have been completed and has shown respect for each individual. If our service department falls behind schedule, Allan has made himself available for overtime to ensure the job gets done. As one of our more experienced technicians, Allan will lend a hand or suggestion to the apprentices on staff, to aid in the efficiency and accuracy of their work. He is a team player and is always looking out for the companies best interest.Thanks Allan!

Dawn Grinsteed – Langs  
Dawn is on the switchboard in the clinical area. She greets all that come in and is always helpful and cheerful. Makes each person feel special and leads them all in the right direction. When you phone the clinic she is so veryhelpful, always makes each person feelimportant.. I always feel welcome and important as a patient when I got there or phone. I think it takes a special kind of person to be as kind and patient as Dawn is.

Elisbete Raposo – Sears Watch & Jewellery Repair
I went in for a simple watch battery purchase and was surprised at the extent and outstanding customer service Elisabete provided.  Elisabete was extremely outgoing and personable and made me feel like I was spending thousands even though it was a minimal purchase. Not only did she service the watch completely, she also provided a further discount which I was not expecting. I rarely come across this type of customer service and commend her on the pride she takes in her work.

Linda Defoe – Cambridge Hotel & Conference Centre
Linda Defoe has been an exceptional employee since the hotel was first built. The hotel had the opportunity to accommodate a group of individuals from China this past summer that were in town learning to speak English.

Upon the arrival of this group Linda spent amazing amounts of time getting to know every one of them by first name. When the group arrived we had learned that one of the students found out that she was pregnant just before leaving China. With this being this guests first pregnancy there was a lot of discomfort the guest experienced. Linda on a regular basis would run bottle water up to the room without being asked, ensure she had soda crackers to settle her stomach and on a few occasion as well as ensure she was always comfortable. One occasion with this guest that stands out is that there was some concerns this guest had in regards to the way she was feeling. Linda had spent about an hour with this guest discussing her discomfort and even contacted Telehealth Ontario to have a Chinese speaking nurse discuss with the guest the discomfort she is feeling. She is a great employee and we are glad to have her as part of our team.

Tammy Saunders - Langs
Tammy works in the Resource center and does many things .. She heads many programs and as I said does a perfect job of the community picnic. She always helps with the Christmas party also. She also looks after the Take a Breakprogram and Retired and ready. Tammy drives Langs buses to many of our activities. She always has a huge smile and welcome for each person and has a way of making each person feel special. I think that we are very lucky to have her.

Vivian Gomez – Holiday Inn Cambridge
A child who stayed with us at the beginning of March, left behind a teddy bear, and called us to see if we could mail it back to them, Viv took the teddy bear to each department in the Hotel and took a picture of the bear in the kitchen “cooking” sitting at the side of the pool with sunglasses on, at the computer doing some work, helping to fold towels in laundry. And she sent these pictures along with the bear back to the owners, they were thrilled and sent an e-mail to the hotel saying they would be definitely be staying with whenever they come back to Cambridge.

Amy Peters – FABUTAN Sun Tan Studios (Westgate Studio)
Manager, Amy Peters continues to receive letters sent to the head office commenting on how wonderful she is and the service she provides.  One customer has commented and said “As a customer of the Westgate FABUTAN for the past 10 years, we have met many different managers, but feel that Amy brings many talents to this business. You are greeted with a warm friendly smile as she recommends what products and how to use them for best results. She is very knowledgeable on the operation of the store and its equipment. But, most of all she makes everyone feel special”.

Another customer says “Amy is SO friendly and always so helpful! I travel 40 minutes on the bus just to go to her location”

Amy is “one of a kind” whose goal appears to make sure that every customer enjoys the “WOW experience.

Jim Kaitting – GeoSmart Energy Inc.
GeoSmart Energy has built its reputation on delivering consumer-friendly products with a customer-first mentality thanks to outstanding employees like Jim Kaitting. Since joining GeoSmart Energy as the company’s Warehouse Manager three years ago, Jim has consistently defined what it means to provide exceptional customer service.

Whether he is interacting with his GeoSmart colleagues, suppliers or customers from across North America, Jim takes pride in not only meeting but in exceeding customer expectations. He embraces every opportunity to make the customer experience the best it can be, from his personable and professional face-to-face, phone and e-mail interactions to working late and on weekends at his own initiative to ensure orders are filled right the first time and shipped promptly.

With Jim, safety is a priority. Our customers never leave the warehouse without Jim checking to make sure their loads are properly packed and secured. That commitment extends to championing our in-house recycling program to ensure our office and warehouse is tidy and safe for both employees and customers.

He genuinely loves what he does and it shows. His dedication to quality customer service is bar none. Our customers frequently applaud Jim’s attention to detail, his upbeat attitude and his willingness to go above and beyond to meet their needs and expectations.

Internally his influence is undeniable. He is a team player who leads by example. He has a gift for making everyone he comes into contact with feel like they’re the most important person in the room, and in doing so, he role models what it means to excel in customer service.

GeoSmart Energy takes great pride in nominating Jim Kaitting for a WOW Cambridge Customer Service Award. He is the epitome of what it truly means to be customer-focused.

2010 WINNERS

Michele Collins, Cambridge Public Library--Clemens Mill Branch

Being a non-French speaking parent with a child in French immersion, I had no clue what he was reading in French – whether he understood the meaning and is it right one?

So I went to our local library for help, which was Clemens Mill. I was looking for books which had the story both in English and French. After we were done with all the available books -  in all four branches, I went looking for the librarian to help us find similar books.

As the libraries resources were limited to this selection, based on how we searches for it, the librarian suggested an alternative way to search. She said she would get back to me.

After a few days, I received an email from her, which was a series of emails which showed her dedication and all the extra efforts she had taken. Michele had contacted numerous libraries to figure out a way to search for them al also loam more books for us through the interlibrary mode.

I was stumped by the sincerity of Michele, who went out of her way to help me and my son. Hats off to Michele and Clemens Mill library branch. You have great staff, who go the extra mile to help our community.

Lina Mason, Cambridge Public Library--Preston Branch

I am nominating Lina Mason because of the warmth, personalized attention, enthusiasm and professionalism she demonstrated to me during my interaction today with her at the Cambridge Public Library--Preston Branch. As a Cambridge resident, I have had the pleasure of being served by her on a few occasions. I was always struck by her professionalism and warmth. Today was no different. I was in the branch to print off two documents. While I was seated at the computer terminal working, I was impressed by the depth of knowledge she exhibited when serving patrons who came up to the Information Desk. I could overhear her taking the time to educate patrons on the more obscure library procedures that bewildered them. Later, when I went up to the desk to pick up and pay for my printing, she was equally friendly.

(Any snide remarks I had secretly thought of making about why I was still required to pay for the printing when my hard earned tax dollars already went to subsidize the library were immediately muted). She assisted me to sort out the amount I owed for the printing and took my payment cheerfully.

Furthermore, I was floored when she asked me if I needed an envelope to hold my newly-printed documents. I said yes and she helpfully walked to the back office and returned with a pristine brown envelope for me to keep my documents in. She didn't have to do that. She didn't have to think beyond just taking the money for the printing and giving me my change. However, she displayed an uncanny level of personal attention to my needs as a patron of the library. She recognized that secretly, I would have liked an envelope --least my freshly printed documents get wrinkled before I even got home. I left the library a very satisfied patron!

Heather Hundt, Homewood Suites by Hilton Cambridge

Heather has been at the hotel ever since the beginning, as our Day Houseperson within the Housekeeping department. Her exceptional customer servicve skills have been apparent ever since she started.  Guests have loved Heather's kind, soft-spoken words and compassion.  She truly is a very special person.  A guest had wrote us after her stay on August 14, 2010 letting us know about the great things we do and how the staff are so attentive and caring, Heather being one important person in the mix.  The guest had come to the front desk because her key was not working.  After having it re-programmed, the guest then went to the Fitness Facility and it still didnt work.  Heather was there to lend a key that worked and then came to the front desk to provide the guest with another new key.  The guest had stated she had a nice conversation with Heather; the guest had had a car accident on her way to the hotel and was still stressed and shaken up about it.  Upon hearing this, Heather came to the desk and put together a goodie bag and a note saying that she hoped the guest felt better and everything would be alright.  Heather brought it up to the guest, which meant the world top this guest. The guest continued to write that Heather was so sincere and compassionate; which had set her apart with the guests that frequent our hotel.  Heather is one of a kind, and we are so grateful to have someone like her on staff.

Addul Zalgaonker, Hespeler Pharmacy

"Have I met someone who went out of their way to provide me with outstanding service ?" Thanks for asking and yes I've met many in our little village of Hespeler... I think local business and customer service go hand in hand, just go into any of Hespelers locally owned businesses and you will know what I mean.One business owner in particular stands out in my mind and it's not surprising he has been here since before I moved to Cambridge 10 yrs ago. In a little village that sees many businesses come and go since the amalgamation years ago, I believe customer service has kept this business going.

 I only know his first name "Abdul" but he knows my last name and I'm sure there's a good chance he knows yours if you live in Hespeler. Abdul is one of those few people who live in the moment and are always present when he talks to you. Over the years he has made me feel like I've been a good mother, reminded me how precious life is, to live in the moment and take care of myself, he's given me advice about my elderly mother, held my hand while I cried and reminded me that the most I could do for my mother in law dying of cancer was to be present when I was with her.

That's not just outstanding service that is an outstanding person behind an outstanding business called Hespeler Pharmacy.

Thank you Abdul for going out of your way. Signed: A loyal customer

Jean Small, Holiday Inn Cambridge

One of our fitness members here at the Holiday Inn Cambridge unfortunately suffers from early stages of Alzheimer. When they are here using the facilities our member's husband finds it difficult to assist his wife as she needs to use the ladies change room. Jean on a regular basis goes into the women's change room and helps his wife get ready. Jean has such a huge
heart and genuinely cares for this couple and wants their time with us to be without stress. Jean has also served the hotel for the past 35 amazing years!

Good Ol' Boys Moving

I am in the process of moving to the USA and this moving company has been professional, courteous, friendly and so very helpful. Belinda is warm, wonderful and knowledgable and never seems to mind when I call with a question. Susie has kept me informed of everything I've needed, and Leland held my hand through the filling out some forms for the US government.

Even the men who moved my goods out of my condo were on time, tidy, fast and expert at packing up some of my oddly shaped items. I simply recommend them for outstanding service.

Romeo Salon and Spa, Romeo Salon and Spa

While you are getting your hair done, they automatically give you a free hand massage but what is truly outstanding is that regardless of how many people are in the salon while you are there, Frank manages to make you feel like you matter the most. Frank went out of his way to help me prepare for the Spanish theme for the business awards but was truly kind when attempting to have me prepped for the awards and out the door fast. Before i knew it, Frank had asked for assistance to dry/curl my hair and assured me i would be out the door in minutes. Destressed me with 2 more hand massages... and voila. Its not just what he did... but the fact that he really cared to
make my challenge his concern.

2009 Winners

2008 Winners

 

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