by Michele Gillis
Staff Writer
CornerStone Homes again walked away with the Golden Service Award at the Laurel Awards this year — something that’s becoming habit.
“This is our third year in row winning the Golden Service award,” said Mark Downing, managing partner of CornerStone Homes. “We have entered four years in row. In my opinion, everyone likes to talk about customer service but few organizations are willing to commit to the effort it requires. We have continued to focus on the customer experience during the market change and believe it has resulted in winning the award again.”
The award, presented annually to a company that exhibits extraordinary customer and community service, was recently presented to the company by the Sales and Marketing Council of the Northeast Florida Builders Association at a banquet at Latitude 30 in Southside.
In the spirit of service to the community, the CornerStone team gives its time and resources to several community organizations including the Youth Crisis Center, Daniel, Terry Parker High School, Trinity Christian Academy, Bartram High School and a few other schools.
Downing said their record of customer service remains consistent.
“We have not done anything differently,” said Downing. “We will continue to look at our process and procedures and how they affect the customer experience. We will continue to be a ‘high touch’ company. We have a good process that has worked well for several years. We always have a quick response and a willingness to listen to their concerns.”
Winning a Golden Service Award takes total team commitment to the company’s vision, he said.
“Everyone has to believe in the vision,” he said. “I don’t know what the judges are looking for but as we continue to rank in the top 2 percent in the country in customer satisfaction one would think the judges will recognize the value we deliver. We will stay the course and continue to build homes in this market.”
In order to win the Golden Service award, the company must be a member of NEFBA. Entries are judged on warranty program and customer service record.
In the past, CornerStone has won the “Dick Baker Award” and several others for marketing and interior design.