ATLANTA, March 7, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Utilities will finally be recognized for their efforts in serving an important customer segment, but one which traditionally has garnered little attention. The Chartwell Fostering Relationships with Mid-Size Businesses Best Practices Award 2006 will honor the most innovative utility customer service, marketing, sales and/or communications initiatives aimed at building goodwill, improving customer satisfaction and increasing loyalty among mid-size business customers.
With the importance of customer satisfaction in today's marketplace, utilities have begun looking past the usual customer classes of residential and key industrial accounts and focusing also on mid-size businesses, which have in the past "fallen through the cracks." Progressive utilities are launching business account management programs, opening business call centers and conducting customer satisfaction research among this important customer class.
Recognizing excellence among electric and/or gas utilities in fostering relationships with mid-size business customers, the new Chartwell Best Practices Award is open to entrants from any size electric, gas or combination investor-owned, government-owned or cooperative utility in North America. Vendors and consultants aiding utilities in fostering relationships with mid-size businesses may also enter specific utility programs with permission from the utility involved. The award winner will be announced in an award ceremony at The Chartwell Best Practices Summit on Fostering Relationships with Mid-Size Businesses, May 11-12, 2006, and will be recognized in a feature article in Chartwell's Best Practices for Utilities & Energy Companies newsletter.
Award entries are due April 17. For entry requirements, an entry form or to enter online, visit www.chartwellinc.com/MidSizeAward.cfm. For information on The Chartwell Best Practices Summit on Fostering Relationships with Mid-Size Businesses, visit www.chartwellinc.com/MidSize.cfm.
Chartwell Inc., an independent information services company providing best practices research and analysis to the utility and energy industry, facilitates knowledge exchange among utility professionals responsible for management practices and technology solutions.