To continue the theme of customer service, and as eg are hosting a Software User Group today, I have decided to write a post on customer forums and their customer service benefits.

Every year eg run several operations management best practice forums, split between Focus Groups for Team Leaders & Managers and Software User Groups for Business Administrators.

The forums are developed to align event content with industry issues and client requirements and contain three core elements:

• Networking
• Operational Management Best Practice Development
• Product Development

Over the years we have found these forums have helped us to understand more closely the needs of our customers.  They also enable our customers to discuss and debate common issues, share best practice and suggest ideas for how we can develop our products and continue to help them reach their project or organisational goals.

Do you host or attend forums similar to eg’s?  Or perhaps you use online customer forums?  Who should own these forums: is it the client attending or the company that is hosting?

Whatever the case, I’d be interested to know what you think makes a good customer forum and the benefits you think forums like this can have on a customer service programme.  Please leave a comment or email me: catherinestaite@eguk.co.uk.