Via manager exceeds with new course

Via Training, a division of Lancashire social business The Via Partnership (Via), has had one of its senior leaders selected to be the only person in the North West approved to deliver a new course offered by the customer service training initiative, Welcome to Excellence.

John Barlow, operations manager at Via Training, was nominated by Via and approved by the national administrators to be the region’s only trainer authorised to deliver the new Welcome to Excellence course, Exceeding Visitor Expectations.

Via holds the North West licence to deliver Welcome to Excellence, regarded as one of the most effective customer service training programmes in the industry.

With a proven track record in the field of education and training, John also has a commercial background in the Visitor Economy so is well placed for this exclusive attainment.

John said: “I am honoured to be able to deliver this exciting new course and offer it to businesses across the North West to raise the profile of the region. We have already received a high level of interest from our existing customers so there’s much anticipation about the launch."

Exceeding Visitor Expectations will be launched at the Annual National Conference of Visitor Attractions on 8th October by Visit England, the official tourist board for England.

The course has been developed specifically for visitor attractions that are committed to providing a high quality customer experience. It aims to equip front-line staff with the skills to deliver outstanding customer service and will focus on best practice strategies to allow participants to enhance visitors’ expectations.

John added: “Participants will learn how to provide a great welcome, communicate effectively with internal and external customers and engage and inspire visitors. This is invaluable training that will allow greater benefits for every organisation taking part by enhancing their customers’ experience and exceeding expectations as well as building repeat business and word of mouth recommendations." Following the launch, John will go on to the ‘Train the Trainer’ session in London on 13th October where he will also meet the Visit England team and fellow nominees from other regions to share technique and good practice.