AN ATTITUDE OF WELCOME

Whether it is a first impression for a visitor at a local restaurant or a business needing permits from city hall, Kamloops needs to present itself with enthusiasm and a desire to serve.

Many travelling to our city comment on the friendly greetings they receive from locals. Kamloopsians are friendly and that is an important part of selling ourselves. If a visitor comes through and is served by a waiter with a toothache, who had a fight with his girlfriend and takes it out on the customer, the visitor will judge our entire city on that first and, sometimes, only encounter. We all matter. We can make a difference.

The SuperHost program is good training and it should be offered far and wide within our community. Let’s require it and even offer incentives to those who take it. Plus, continue with refresher courses and upgrading.

Let’s expand this attitude of service throughout city council and city hall. We have many good people on council and on staff, but again, one difficult encounter will paint the entire experience. We should all take training or refresher courses on service. When a citizen needs to work through the business process or construction permit process we need to remember they are not doing us a favour, we are there to serve them and help make the process as simple, straightforward and pleasant as possible.

All of this means giving that little extra, the smile, the, “How can I help you,” and the follow through. The City of Kamloops may be a non-profit business but a successful business is based on service. Let’s serve with excellence. Thank you to the many who do. Let’s keep getting better.