6 Easy Ways to Celebrate Customer Service Week All Year Long

Recognizing your agents’ contributions during National Customer Service Week (celebrated annually the first full week of October) is an opportunity to say thank you and continue to foster a positive, high-performing work environment. But why limit the celebration to just one week? Your agents work hard all year! Here are six Customer Service Week ideas to show your appreciation all year round.

Your customer service agents are essential to ensuring the success of your business. In fact, 88% of customers say good service makes them more likely to purchase again. You can share the love during Customer Service Week in October, and use these tips to make sure your agents are celebrated throughout the year.

What is Customer Service Week? 

Customer Service Week is an annual celebration that recognizes your service agents for the critical role they play in delivering an exceptional customer service experience. During this week, thousands of companies from around the world organize fun activities and events for their customer service teams to show how much they’re appreciated.

Why is Customer Service Week important? 

Our research shows that service organizations have experienced an average reported turnover rate of 19% over the past year. We’ve also found that 85% of decision makers see a direct link between employee experience and customer experience. By showing your agents how much you appreciate their hard work, you can boost morale, reduce turnover, and even improve customer satisfaction. 

Plus, a little gratitude goes a long way. “Teams will be much more loyal to a company where they feel appreciated,” said Stephanie Barton, manager of business process support services in Virginia’s Community Colleges System Office. “We all have a job to do. It’s important to hold people accountable to that job, but just as important to celebrate them for doing it.” 

“When customers need assistance, our service agents are there to help,” added Kevin Quigley, senior manager of customer service technology & solutions at Wiley. “We need to celebrate those positive experiences — and the agents who make it all possible.”   

When is Customer Service Week?

Customer Service Week is celebrated annually the first full week of October. In 2023, it will take place from October 2-6. Mark your calendar to show your customer service team how much you appreciate their hard work and dedication. 

Now, let’s dive into six Customer Service Week ideas you can use to celebrate and appreciate your agents both now and throughout the year.

6 Customer Service Week ideas for celebrating your team anytime

1. Personal development opportunities 

Invest in your team’s growth by offering paid time off for learning. Trailhead, Salesforce’s online self-paced learning platform, offers a range of topics from communication skills to AI in customer service. You might also sponsor customer service training courses, workshops, or seminars related to customer service skills. This not only enhances your teams’ abilities, but also demonstrates that you care about their career path and success within the organization. 

2. Skills exchange sessions

Skill-sharing helps your employees learn from each other and builds camaraderie. Encourage your team members to share their expertise and teach each other valuable skills. For example, you might ask a team member to conduct a short training or presentation on a topic of their choosing, such as how to write a knowledge base article.

3. Health and wellness initiatives 

A healthy team is a happy and productive team. Prioritize the well-being of your people by introducing employee wellness initiatives like stress management, fitness challenges, yoga sessions, or mental health workshops. Provide access to health resources and consider offering benefits like gym memberships or wellness stipends.

4. Monthly achievement awards 

Regular recognition boosts morale and motivates team members to excel. That’s why it’s a good idea to acknowledge outstanding performance on a regular basis. Create categories like “Customer Hero of the Month,” “Top Responder,” or “Most Positive Feedback.” Celebrate the winners in a team meeting, and reward them with company-branded gear, a gift card to their favorite store, or even an extra vacation day.

“I like to create funny certificates customized for each person,” said Barton. “Handwritten thank-you notes are also a nice touch.” 

5. Team-building retreats 

Retreats — in-person or remote — create a sense of unity and improve working relationships, contributing to a positive work environment. For example, you could organize an offsite day trip to a local park or an online retreat full of team-building activities, games, and exercises that promote bonding and happier employees.   

6. Surprise treats and prizes

Who doesn’t love surprises — especially when they involve treats or prizes? Surprise your customer service team with snacks, pastries, or even a catered lunch from a local small business from time to time. This could be a mid-week pick-me-up for no reason in particular, or it could be a way to celebrate successfully handling an especially difficult customer.

“Sometimes we’ll play an impromptu game like spin-the-wheel with small prizes,” said Moshe Leeds, contact center operations manager at B&H Photo Video. “The prizes can be really simple — like an extended lunch break, company swag, or even paid early leave.” 

Are you ready to put these Customer Service Week ideas into action? 

Remember: a team that feels appreciated is more likely to deliver exceptional customer service and stay on your team. “When we show appreciation to our teams, we get great results,” said Barton. “Our agents are kinder to one another. They work harder to improve customer satisfaction. And they’re less likely to leave for another company.” 

“Customer service agents are your most influential brand ambassadors, so it’s critical that they feel appreciated and valued,” added Leeds. “When you have happy agents, your customers will feel it. That will absolutely improve your CSAT and NPS scores, and it will lower your attrition rate. So it’s a win-win all around.” 

By adding these six Customer Service Week ideas to your toolkit, you can celebrate your team’s hard work while fostering a culture of gratitude and appreciation — not just in October, but anytime throughout the year.