The Sweet Service Award goes to KwikSpar next to Ultra Liquors in Green Point, and its manager Marius de Beer. For a while I have received less than satisfactory service at this outlet, yet I have returned due to its convenient location and ease of parking. Unfortunately I tend to go there in the afternoons or evening, when Marius is not on duty (he does mornings). After a really bad incident, I called him and shared my experience, and told him that it is a recurring problem. Marius asked me to e-mail the details, and promised to speak to the duty manager concerned and to send him on a customer care course. When I next went to the store, the afternoon duty manager called me to one side, apologised, and presented me with a bunch of flowers and a box of Lindt chocolates.
The Sour Service Award goes to Concept101, the social media agency that has Myoga as its only client, it would appear, having only opened its doors recently. Since Myoga received the Sour Service Award last Friday, we have been subjected to a torrent of abuse and disparagement by Myoga’s agency as a result. We called Myoga owner Mike Bassett to request that it be stopped, but he has only instructed agency one-man-band owner Grant Fourie to not drag his restaurant name into the abuse on Twitter and in comments on our Blog, not understanding that any disparaging remarks made by Fourie reflect negatively on Myoga too! On Facebook Fourie arrogantly spells out his ‘Company Overview‘ as being: ‘Our concept is about naturally bringing brands and people together comfortably in any social space. Quite simply put; a brand needs to be noticed and listened to amidst the social chatter. There is no point talking if nobody is listening or talking and then having nothing to say. We ensure the social connection is only made when you are fully prepared to engage and keep that conversation going with the knowledge that what you are saying will strengthen the relationship. Or simply put – we get it out there at the right time and place‘. Ironically overkill Tweeting means that Myoga’s Twitter Followers no longer listen! Fourie displayed extreme unprofessionalism and childishness in his reaction to the Sour Award that went to his Myoga client, and not to him or his agency last week. Surprisingly, his Social Media agency has barely any Twitter Followers nor Facebook Likers.
The WhaleTales Sweet & Sour Service Awards are presented every Friday on the WhaleTales blog. Nominations for the Sweet and Sour Service Awards can be sent to Chris von Ulmenstein at whalecot@iafrica.com. Past winners of the Sweet and Sour Service Awards can be read on the Friday posts of this blog. DURING THE DURATION OF MASTERCHEF SA SEASON 3 WE ARE MOVING THE SWEET & SOUR SERVICE AWARDS TO SATURDAYS.
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter: @WhaleCottage