A gala highlighting the best of business and celebrating those going above and beyond for their customers goes next month.
Each year the Better Business Bureau of Vancouver Island honours companies that demonstrate ethics and integrity with the annual Torch Awards.
B次元官网网址淚 always say to the judges these are all A-plus businesses and all of them deserve an award,B次元官网网址 says Rosalind Scott, president and CEO of BBB Vancouver Island that serves Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, Haida Gwaii and Powell River.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e looking for what makes them just that much better than the other guy.B次元官网网址
This year 65 businesses had nominations, narrowed to winners and finalists in 16 categories at this yearB次元官网网址檚 Torch Awards on Nov. 2 at the Union Club in Victoria.
The stories are often inspired simply by the B次元官网网址渞ight thing to do,B次元官网网址 Scott says. B次元官网网址淭his is exceptional service, exceptional caring about consumers.B次元官网网址
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Nominations of the past include stories of workers who take into account a brand new babyB次元官网网址檚 nap schedule, or those who came out to fix a stove on Thanksgiving, in time to rescue a large family gathering.
Many nominations leave Scott, and judges, in tears.
B次元官网网址淭hey do it because they know how difficult this is and how incredibly expensive this is, and they just do it,B次元官网网址 Scott said.
Even the little tales of going above and beyond are recognized. Among her favourites is a story of a staffer at a pet shop, where a child, whose goldfish died, went to pick out a new one.
B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e there to buy a goldfish B次元官网网址 this is not a big purchase. The person working in the store spent a half an hour with this child helping the child pick out a goldfish,B次元官网网址 Scott says. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 the stuff that makes the business great.B次元官网网址
While many a story are well crafted with love, itB次元官网网址檚 the intent that earns an award.
B次元官网网址淭he most moving testimonial IB次元官网网址檝e ever seen was written by a very elderly man on a piece of scrap paper, in pencil,B次元官网网址 Scott says. The man was a Holocaust survivor who talked about the incredible customer service he got and how respected he felt despite being a little forgetful and his imperfect English.
The Nov. 2 Torch Awards gala at the Union Club has a Havana Nights theme (tickets at ) to go along with the B次元官网网址渃elebrationB次元官网网址 rather than competition element.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a party. ItB次元官网网址檚 not a competition. These people are all winners, so we decided a long time ago, letB次元官网网址檚 treat it like that,B次元官网网址 Scott says.
c.vanreeuwyk@blackpress.ca
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