Why Does Customer Service Matter, Anyway?

Why Does Customer Service Matter, Anyway?

UBC has always focused on providing the best customer service possible. To us, customer service isn’t just a priority - it’s the core of how we run our workspaces.

But doesn’t every company say that?

Sure enough, every company aspires to provide good service to ensure satisfied and loyal customers. After all, no customers means no business.

The difference is between saying those words and actually making them happen. And the only way to ensure it’s happening is to ask the people who really matter: your customers!

At UBC we do this regularly, both in day-to-day conversations as well as surveys and feedback forms. Speaking with our customers and asking for feedback is a chance to say, “are we doing OK?” but more importantly, it’s a valuable opportunity to find out what’s not working, so we can put it right.

Authentic feedback

Most recently, we had the opportunity to ask our clients what they think of our service as part of the annual awards programme run by FlexSA, our industry association.

The award we entered is Customer Service Excellence. The nomination process doesn’t require testimonials from clients, but we include them anyway. This is because we see it as a valuable opportunity to check-in with our clients, and also, our clients are the only ones who can offer authentic feedback about whether we’re living up to our customer service expectations - or not!

With that in mind, we were absolutely thrilled to receive glowing feedback from clients at UBC centres all over the UK.

Among them, the following nomination from Prabh and Raj Gill of Orbis Care Limited, a domiciliary care agency based at UBC’s Henley-in-Arden offices, stood out:

“Chris and Abbie have been a great support to us on our journey. It’s very challenging to start up a business, but Chris and Abbie have been there every step of the way to help us. Whether it’s a new phone system or moving to a bigger office, nothing has been too much!”

The reason these comments mean so much is because our Henley team’s support didn’t just help Prabh and Raj start a company - it helped them to become established in a challenging market (during lockdown, no less!), grow their business, and reach a point where they are expanding their own team, too.

Business growth journey

The company started with UBC’s virtual office service, which equipped Orbis Care with a business address and a mailing service. By March 2022, it became apparent that they needed an office as a base to work from, so they could begin conducting interviews with potential clients and staff.

This is where the value of a serviced office really comes into its own.

In addition to having a comfortably furnished and presentable office to meet clients and hold interviews, UBC’s customer service team are always on hand to meet and greet visitors to help them feel welcome and relaxed.

Our team also answers calls on behalf of the company. As the number of calls and enquiries increased, UBC helped Prabh and Raj upgrade their phone system to cope with the growing call volume. This was expertly handled by our trusted IT partner Technology Within.

By September, as the business continued to grow, Orbis Care began recruiting for an assistant - which meant a bigger office was required to accommodate their expanding team.

At each step of their growth journey, UBC’s team has been on hand to offer help and support wherever they can. This is all part of our service, but to a growing company, it’s a valuable resource.

“One of the most rewarding parts of my job is being on the journey with a client starting out in business,” said UBC’s Chris Anderson, Business Centre Manager at Henley-in-Arden.

“It has been exciting to be involved with this company from the beginning. We are always on hand to help them in any way we can, from helping with promoting their business, to giving advice on where to advertise their job vacancies.”

This is just one example of how our teams go above and beyond, and why customer service matters so much to our clients.

In recognition of our service approach, we are thrilled that our Henley-in-Arden team has been shortlisted for FlexSA’s Customer Service Excellence award, alongside two other UBC centres.

This isn’t about blowing our own trumpet. This is what our team works so hard for. Our people make us what we are and above all, they help our customers to run successful, growing businesses that create jobs and contribute to the local community.

To us, that’s what customer service is all about.