By Jenn Watt

Published Jan. 15 2019

The importance of good customer service can’t be overstated. A waiter who greets you with a wide smile makes you feel at home. A grocery store employee who offers to carry your bags to your car makes you feel valued. A knowledgeable saleswoman who helps you choose the right can of paint for your home renovation project gives you confidence in your purchase.

As we go about our daily lives we encounter hard-working dedicated people who try their best to brighten others’ lives and do a good job. We also benefit from the business owners who invest in the community and take risks to try out new things and offer new services.

Add them all together and you have a town that visitors like to frequent and that residents feel proud to live in.

Each year we’re given a time to recognize those who work hard and give back through the Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce Business and Community Achievement Awards.

Twelve awards cover sectors such as business achievement; skilled trades; entrepreneur of the year; customer first (business); customer first (employee); not-for-profit; and young professional among others.

It’s also the event that honours the Highlander of the Year.

Anyone can nominate a person or business and those nominated do not have to be chamber members. Nominations must be in by Feb. 14.

Go to haliburtonchamber.com and follow the links to the nomination forms. (This year’s gala is scheduled for March 30 at Pinestone Resort and Conference Centre.)

Nominating someone takes very little time in comparison to how that person will feel when they find out their efforts have been noticed.

Take a moment to think of the business you couldn’t live without or the employee who makes you smile when you’re feeling down and consider nominating them for an award this year.