Watson & Co. Chartered Marketing Celebrates 250th WorldHost Retail Customer Service ‘Champion’

Jewellery retailer Argento’s area manager Mairead McCusker has become the 250th person in Northern Ireland to complete the retail World Host customer service programme.

Managed and delivered by sector skills council People 1st long side the National Skills Academy for Retail, World Host for retail is supported by the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) and follows in the wake of the highly successful WorldHost tourism programme. Thanks to funding from DEL, retail businesses in Northern Ireland with less than 250 full-time equivalent employees can take up the training programme for £20 per person, rather than the full cost of £190. Details can be found at www.worldhostni.com.

Thirty Argento staff in stores and at head office have undertaken World Host retail workshops delivered by chartered marketer and WorldHost trainer, Christine Watson and Argento plans to roll out the world-renowned programme to all staff in the run-up to the busy Christmas trading period.

The Northern Ireland based company, which was founded in1997, operates 14 stores locally as well as a highly significant online business. WorldHost training has been applied to all elements of the business from sales staff and managers to the digital sales team, ensuring an integrated approach to excellent customer service. Argento has aimed to develop and instil a thorough customer service culture throughout their business and feedback from staff to date has been very positive.

“We invested substantial time and planning working with Christine to create a bespoke WorldHost course, specifically linked to the Argento retail vision. Our staff felt the two day course was both enjoyable and motivational and they took back many ideas to stores to share and implement practically with team members.” explained Mairead McCusker.

“We anticipate a continued improvement in staff identifying customer needs and expectations and their commitment to delivering top class service each time and securing sales through excellent customer service. We’re also delighted to support Belfast City Council’s goal of becoming a WorldHost Recognised Destination.”

Roisin McKee, director of Northern Ireland for People 1stsaid:

“Since launching the new DEL funded series of WorldHost training in April we’re very pleased with the feedback from retail outlets who have completed or who are currently rolling out the programme to their front line staff.

“Customer service is a major skills need for local retailers- our research shows that 60% feel customer handling skills amongst their staff need improving and 78% of those struggling to find staff indicate that it’s down to a lack of customer service skills amongst applicants. WorldHost training provides a gold standard for any business that relies on day-to-day interaction with customers for success and it really can impact on the bottom line for retailers of all sizes.

“Congratulations to Mairead and Argento on the 250th accolade! Argento’s investment in staff training and their approach to customer service excellence will no doubt pay dividends and we would urge other retailers in Northern Ireland to avail ofthese courses and the excellent funding support provided by DEL.”

Sammy Gamble, skills solutions operations manager at DEL, said: “The retail sector is one of DEL’s priority sectors and has an important role in the economic well being of Northern Ireland, hence the availability of funding for the WorldHost retail programme which allows businesses to perform competitively in the marketplace. I welcome Argento’s commitment to the programme and to the WorldHost brand. It is more important than ever for employers to recognise the importance of up skilling and reskilling their staff. It is vital that staff seize any opportunity to add to their skill base for their work in the challenging retail sector. ”