Customer Care Rewarded
Finally!
After several nominations for London Business awards, Centennial Windows took the top prize yesterday in the Better Business Bureau Business Integrity Award's competition. The manufacturer and installer of windows won the honour for conducting business with high ethical standards.
"This is tremendous. It has been a long time coming and it's great to be recognized," said Terry Lee, founder of the company and Vice-President of Marketing.
Centennial Windows was a finalist in the large business category for the London Chamber of Commerce Business Achievement Awards last year and two years ago.
It has however, won numerous awards for its products including the Canadian ENERGY STAR Manufacturer of the Year.
"We have won product awards but this award is about the people," Lee said of the integrity award. "This is about how we interact with customers. This is about our people more than anything else."
Lee credits Centennial Windows' policy of not requiring a deposit to start a job and focusing on meeting customer needs as key to winning the honour.
"In the renovation business, a no-deposit policy is unheard of, but that's the kind of thing the BBB liked," said Lee. "We like to prove ourselves before we ask customers for money."
The BBB looks at business's policies and advertising for the honour.
London businesses CLC Tree Services Inc. and webAssist Inc. each received awards as finalists at the the 12th annual awards, held at the London Convention Centre yesterday morning.
"They're all very worthy. It was difficult to choose one," said Jan Delaney, President of the London Better Business Bureau.
A panel of three judges made the decision after receiving 32 submissions, she said.
"We like to recognize companies that consistently provide good, ethical service. We have a reputation for looking for companies that are up to snuff, but we also recognize businesses doing good work," Delaney said.
Also at the breakfast Steve Baker, Chief Executive of the London International Airport, spoke about the airport's growth.
In addition to a commemorative award, Centennial Windows received a $2,500 scholarship from the Rotary Club of London to be given by the company to a student or students, in post-secondary education.
The award is presented annually by the Better Business Bureau and looks at how the business works with suppliers, shareholders, employees and the community.
Centennial Windows is a founding member of the BBB and has been in business since 1981.