AUBURN – Central Maine Community College Corporate and Community Services will offer a four-part certificate program in customer service from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 8 through 29. The cost is $195 a person for those who register before Wednesday, Sept. 24, and $255 after.

Participants will learn the importance of creating a culture of customer service, how to communicate with customers using tested techniques in a variety of media channels, how the customer’s perspective and experiences impact what they expect and how to maintain a high level of quality customer service that can set the organization apart from its competition.

“It’s not what we sell, it’s who we serve,” said Jim Handy, who will present the certificate series. “This interactive program will expose participants to the importance of quality customer service to enhance the customer experience and keep them coming back.”

The Customer Service Excellence Certificate Program is ideal for retailers, sales teams, bank and credit union employees, medical office staff, hospitality workers, customer service representatives and anyone else who deals with customers.

The series will be kicked off as part of National Customer Service Week, Oct. 6 through 10. Started by the International Customer Service Association in 1988, it has become a national event as proclaimed by the U.S. Congress. The purpose is “to create a positive message that lasts all year long and to provide a productive opportunity to generate an even stronger commitment to customer service excellence.”

Handy is manager of professional development for Support Solutions and was formerly employed by L.L. Bean. He has more than 14 years of experience in customer service program design and training and as a customer service representative. He has presented at a number of local, state and national conferences and seminars.

For more information or to register, contact Jennifer Lyons, Corporate and Community Services, at 755-5280 or 1-800/891-2002, extension 280, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.cmcc.edu/training.