Customer service team members are the heart and soul of your company. The impact they make on a daily basis keeps your company running, from giving consumers an unforgettable experience to thinking on their feet for fast resolutions to problems. While one week out of the year isn’t enough, Customer Service Week is a great place to start when it comes to thanking your hard-working employees for all they do for the company. 

The incredible work of customer service professionals

The level of customer service your team provides directly impacts your success — 93% of consumers say they’d be more likely to buy again from a company with exceptional service. That means that when your customer service team is engaged, they’re helping your organization succeed by growing a base of loyal customers and increasing your bottom line. 

Achieving those results isn’t easy. Customer service professionals use patience and consistency to provide a positive experience for customers across all industries. Front desk agents set a cheerful tone for a hotel stay, making guests want to book again and again. Call center agents field a wide range of calls, from account inquiries to customer complaints, handling each one quickly to come up with a solid resolution. Reservation agents help travelers rebook canceled flights or find suitable alternatives, so they know they can count on the company to help them when travel plans hit a little turbulence.

Challenges customer service professionals face

Working with customers successfully requires a host of skills, from empathy that helps your team calm an upset customer to critical thinking and problem-solving skills that lead to a successful resolution every time.

The general flow of the job can also be stressful. Calls and foot traffic throughout the day naturally ebbs and flows. Your team might struggle to manage multiple in-person customers or a flood of calls in your call center at one time. Multitasking and balancing all those situations can take a toll. Customer service agents might also find themselves skipping breaks or having to wait longer than expected to take a break. 

All those challenges are even more reason to celebrate your team. Recognizing and rewarding their hard work can help keep them motivated. Customer Service Week is a great way to ramp up your appreciation efforts.

What is Customer Service Week?

Customer Service Week always falls on the first full week of October. It’s a chance to celebrate all things customer service, including the people who take care of your customers. Planning employee appreciation activities shows your staff how much you value their hard work, which can increase employee satisfaction and improve their performance. 

Ways to celebrate Customer Service Week with your team

From catering work events to taking action on feedback from your team, Customer Service Week celebrations can help your employees feel valued. Show your employees how much you appreciate them with these celebration ideas.

1. Fuel them with coffee

Kick off Customer Service Week with coffee catering for a gourmet twist on a morning office staple. Team up with a local catering provider to show your appreciation even more with themed names for the coffee drinks, like a Thank You a Latte or an Espresso Our Thanks. Keep those appreciative vibes going every time your team needs a caffeine fix by pairing the coffee catering with personalized reusable mugs.

2. Cater a meal

Employees want to be valued by their employers, and food is a great way to do that. In fact, 89% of workers surveyed by ezCater say free food makes them feel appreciated. Catering lunch at the office gives you a chance to say thank you in a meaningful way. 

Plan a team appreciation meal catered by a local restaurant with entrees everyone can enjoy. Cater one special meal during Customer Service Week, or bring in different cuisines each day to keep your customer service team going. Be sure you don’t forget dessert. Cupcakes with special toppers that say “Thank You” can finish off your catered meal with a sweet note of appreciation.

3. Share your appreciation publicly

A heartfelt thank-you directly to your team is a given during Customer Service Week, but you can spread the appreciation beyond the walls of the office with public displays of appreciation. Flood your social media pages with tributes to your hardworking customer service reps so everyone who follows you can see how amazing they are. In the office, you might make a bulletin board display that highlights your team. Hang their pictures and personalized recognition that shows what makes each team member so valuable. 

4. Organize relaxing activities

Working in customer service can be stressful at times. What better way to show your team appreciation than by organizing an activity or service to help them relax? Hire a local massage therapist to offer chair massages in the breakroom — or hand out gift cards to a local spa. 

5. Make a break for it

Give your employees a break from all the hard work they do in the office with a team outing. The change of scenery can help refresh your team and create stronger bonds — whether it’s an afternoon off to bowl, sing karaoke, play mini golf, or beat an escape room.

Celebrate your team during Customer Service Week and beyond

One week isn’t enough to fully express how much your customer service team means to your company, but it’s a great place to start. Kick off your employee appreciation initiative during Customer Service Week. Then, keep it going with occasional catered lunches or surprise dessert parties throughout the year.