he results are in for a visitor feedback survey in Skye and Lochalsh, and analysis reveals the area has scored highly in terms of customer satisfaction.

The study's outcome was revealed to the ninety-six people who attended Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise's second Who Cares Wins conference last week to hear expert tips on how to provide 'legendary' customer service.

The results show an 80 per cent average customer satisfaction score across all businesses, and Who Cares Wins event organiser, Susan Macleod from Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise, hopes delegates were heartened to hear their efforts to provide good quality service have already been recognised by the area's visitors.

"This result is great news for local businesses," she added.  "The area has a very good reputation for customer care, but we can never stop developing and improving our customer service delivery.  That was precisely the message our speakers were trying to get across last week - businesses should set their sights even higher and aim for 'legendary' customer service."

The study ran from July to September last year to allow visitors to the area the chance to express their satisfaction on a number of measures, including the welcome, politeness of the staff and quality of service.

Over 1000 visitors responded with comments on over 150 local businesses and the results indicate a very high level of service is being provided by many businesses in the area. 
Calum MacKenzie from Calum's Seal Boats took part in the study and found the customer feedback vitally important.
"From past experience I know the value of negative as well as positive feedback.  This project has been a useful method to find out how I can improve my service and which aspects are working well in the eyes of my customers."

Stuart MacPherson from Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise feels the survey has been a useful exercise:

"We aren't out to name and shame organisations by any means, rather congratulate those who are doing well and hold them up as examples of best practice, as well as offer advice and support to those who feel they could improve their rating.

"Highland hospitality is world renowned and it is our aim to help businesses exceed their customers' and visitors' expectations at every opportunity.  Businesses with a reputation for service excellence are more likely to reap financial benefits as a result."
The study was devised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) as a pilot to identify trends in customer service, target training support through Local Enterprise Companies and then help monitor improvements.  Chris Taylor from HIE said:

"The pilot study has been a great success and the next step is to look at the possibility of rolling it out to a wider area so we can provide essential feedback for businesses across the whole of the Highlands and Islands."