MECC Awards '11 Highlight The Significance Of Customer Service Investment

Online, June 5, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Following two days of business deals and industrial networking that reflected an annual growth of 15% last year, companies and government agencies from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Jordan were crowned with The Middle East Call Centre Awards 2011 (MECC Awards) that commemorate the best practices of the regional customer care service and call center outsourcing.
"The Middle East Call Center Awards are meant to celebrate innovative business models and growth-driven management scenarios that combine excellence in customer service with professional staff readiness," said Dominick Keenaghan, CEO of INSIGHTS Middle East and chairman of the awards committee.
Six personalities and 16 organizations shared the 27 MECC Awards 2011; at the end of a three- month- long selection and evaluation process by an elite group of international jury and third-party industry experts.
"The fact that MECC Awards winners span the whole region is an evident proof of the expanding customer service industry across the region; serving both local markets and outsourcing potential. The winners' list shows, undoubtedly, that both private and public entities are more than ever capitalizing on customer excellence as an essential business asset," Mr. Keenaghan added.
Kazim Raza Awan of CTS (UAE), Tejinder Singh Bhatia of Spanco GKS (Qatar) and Safwan Khatib of Smartlink Link (Saudi Arabia) were voted 2011 market pioneers of the Middle East call center industry. Patrick I'Anson of Emirates and Elham Bin Shakroun of Nas Air were both voted call center managers of the year. And CTS' Humaira Majid deserved the jury's vote for her outstanding contribution to the industry.
Government call centers from the UAE and Saudi Arabia left their marks on the winners' list as well. The Abu Dhabi Distribution Company call center was voted a winner twice; for having the Best Quality Assurance Program and as the Best Government Call Centre. Dubai's Salik call center was also voted the Best Public Services Call Centre.
Meanwhile, the Best New Call Centre was awarded to Saudi Arabia's National Center for e-Learning. The country's National Water Company was also celebrated for its Innovative Quality Assurance Program.
The Dubai Outsourcing Zone-based Cupola Tele Services (CTS) made a significant win this year with six awards in total. In addition to the Market Pioneer and Outstanding Achievement titles; CTS was also voted Best Internally Developed Application, Best Sales Program, Longevity Award and the Call Centre OSP of the Year (Ambassador).
SmartLink, the leading call center outsourcing and staffing providers in Saudi Arabia; was awarded Best Large OSP (>300 Seats) and the Best Recruitment Program.
Best Call Centre of the Year (Strategically Aligned) award was given to the leading retail banking corporation in the UAE; MashreqBank. Two more call center awards went to Qatari companies; namely DHL Qatar as the Best Small Call Centre (70 Seats). Vodafone was also awarded the Best Retention & Motivation Program and the Best Voice of the Customer Program.
Aramex; the Dubai based international freight forwarder, was once again voted for having the Best Small OSP (