When customer service is at its best, consumers are happy, brands endure – DG, CPC

The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has urged business owners to prioritise consumer protection as the pre-eminent factor in protecting brand, businesses, building confidence and corporate growth.
Babatunde Irukera, Director General of CPC, in a statement by the Director, Public Relations of the council, Abiodun Obimuyiwa, said customer satisfaction was the most vital pillar to loyalty and trust.
Irukera said this  at a meeting with Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of food and beverage companies who are members of the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFTBE).
He noted that customer service could not be ancillary to business, especially in the food and beverage industry, rather it must be the core of business and operations.
He expressed gratitude to the CEOs for inviting him to the meeting, saying that it demonstrated their resolve to ensure consumer protection, satisfaction and economic growth.
He said President Muhammadu Buhari Administration recognised the role of businesses and their CEOs in economic expansion and would always listen to “credible, genuine, fair-minded, and societal committed investments.
Irukera stressed the need for a mandatory Corporate Obligatory Responsibility (COR) as customer service and consumer protection.
He said it formed a vibrant combination of the best possible brand and reputational investment.
The CPC boss said fairness and customer satisfaction was important to maintain reputation and eliminate distrust in business.
“When customer service is at its best, consumers are truly happy, spending is up, economic indicators are encouraging; my job is done, your performance is assured, and your brands endure.”
“Therefore, collaboration in consumer protection is not just an imperative, but a sensible approach to a joint objective.
Consumer satisfaction is a means to a commercial end, and for CPC, it’s an end in itself and fulfillment of a constitutional duty,’’ he said.
He further advised that consumers be treated fairly and equally, irrespective of their location.
According to Irukera, consumer protection regulatory challenge in any part of the world could damage a brand internationally, therefore companies should “prioritise consumer protection in dealing with consumer protection authorities”.