ORGANISERS of the new Yorkshire Forward quality customer care scheme whose logo is a huge smile, are beaming with pleasure.

More than 1,000 businesses and organisations have siggned up to the Servicemark Yorkshire and Humber scheme - exceeding the regional development agency's target by 300.

Martin Havenhand, chief executive of Yorkshire Forward, said the level of support showed there was a realm of understanding that customer service was the key to creating and maintaining a competitive advantage. He said: "World-class standards of customer service are essential for businesses and organisations seeking to build and retain business,"

Etta Cohen, the scheme'smanager, is convinced the surge in membership is due to support offered by organisations such as Yorkshire Tourist Board, the region's Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses."

Benefits include an opportunity to exchange information on best practice, to have access to training in customer service and to be able to compete in the Servicemark customer service awards to be held in September.

She said: "The logic for supporting what we do is quite simple: with up to 80 per cent of jobs in some areas in the service sector, continuous work is essential to ensure businesses and public sector organisations constantly achieve the highest standards in customer service.

"When Servicemark was founded, the point was made that no service equals no jobs. As expectations and competition increase for all our customers, that holds true more than ever in Yorkshire and Humber."

Companies signing up are pledging the right for customers using their services to expect: service and product to be the expected quality at the expected time; a clean, hygienic and comfortable environment; to get individual care and attention; to feel valued; to always receive honesty, courtesy and politeness; a professional, prompt and friendly service; safety and security is paramount; and an attitude of commitment to their needs.

Organisations and businesses can enrol free on a website at www.servicemark.org.uk

Updated: 09:09 Tuesday, March 26, 2002