Civil service faces nomination

(CNS): Having initiated the programme last year to motivate a higher level of service among civil servants H.E the Governor Stuart launched the second annual FACE nominations this morning, (6 October) saying he hoped it would continue to showcase the good work of the civil service. “As the award enters its second year, I am happy to report significant successes,” he said.

“The enthusiastic response that met this award certainly exceeded even our most optimistic expectations, for as you might recall, we received over 300 nominations. Naturally I do hope that this year’s reaction will surpass those figures, and that everyone will take the time to nominate the civil servants they believe have demonstrated stellar customer service.”

He said that while FACE (Five-Star Award for Customer Excellence) is an award the programme is about the Cayman Islands Government’s ongoing commitment to foster and maintain superior customer service.

Head of Portfolio of the Civil Service Mary Rodrigues said FACE was created to be an ongoing programme to encourage, motivate and support all civil servants so they can continually improve their standards of public service delivery. “This year we are adding customer service training for staff, managers and leaders, through the Civil Service College.  The contents will break away from traditional classroom sessions, and instead will empower people with the skills and techniques to gauge their impact on customers, and mould their service delivery accordingly,” she said.

“Literally, everything we do, should be directed with one objective clearly in mind- pleasing our customers- the public,”added Rodrigues. “It cannot be an add-on, and it certainly means more than just receiving a friendly greeting at the counter. Good customer service starts with an understanding of what your agency is about, and how your service enhances the community.”

She said by providing the necessary support and training civil servants will be able to garner the necessary knowledge and the FACE programme will encourage the public sector to embrace customer feedback.

“We shouldn’t be apprehensive about hearing what people have to say about us. Instead, we should create an interface with our clients, allowing them to have a voice. This will help us in the public sector to establish a meaningful course and will permit better planning for effective service delivery,” Rodrigues noted.

Both she and the Governor encouraged the public to nominate all those who they thought  exemplified service, commitment and dedication.

The FACE nomination period will end on 15 November and nominees will be honoured at a reception at Government House. The Governor said that this year’s nomination form is designed so that people can share details of their customer service stories and that there is no better way of showing your appreciation than to publicly acknowledge it.