Media contacts are picking up on Retails of the Unexpected, Mark Bradley's new book in which he shares his UK customer service travelogue.
Real Radio, BBC Radio Leeds, the Yorkshire Post and BBC Radio Five Live have all scheduled interviews and articles, while several TV companies have been in touch.
"I'm delighted with the response" says Mark, "especially as the release coincides with the Governments' decision to merge its three key consumer support agencies."
Mark Bradley's new book Retails of the Unexpected will be launched at the Galpharm Stadium - home of award winning Huddersfield Town FC - on the morning of Friday August 29th 2008.
This wonderful networking opportunity will bring together business figures, press representatives and friends of Mark Bradley Projects. The event will be filmed for a new video showreel and there will be opportunities to purchase signed copies of the books (as if ...).
The event is free, lunch will be provided and Mark will be doing a short presentation to support the book launch.
If you'd like to come along, please email mark@bradleyprojects.com and we'll confirm your places.
Press release: for immediate release
6 August 2008
Shop horror! New book exposes dire state of UK customer service
Retails of The Unexpected by Mark Bradley (Ardra Press, £9.99)
UK consumers have long endured the civilised world’s worst treatment at the hands of all too many shops, businesses and organisations. From bored store assistants to helpless helpline operators and banks that like to say No, Britain languishes in the customer service bargain bin.
Now consumer crusader Mark Bradley - the Bill Bryson of customer service - endures a burst of the High Street’s worst in his new book Retails of The Unexpected, a nationwide `customer travelogue’ encountering the good, the bad and the ugly of the UK shopping experience. `With notable exceptions our businesses give such crummy service it’s time someone threw the book at them,’ grumbles Bradley. This could well be the book.
By turns hilarious and wince-inducing but always thought provoking, this sequel to Bradley’s uproarious first book Inconvenience Stores is an irreverent anthology of his own essays, diaries, newspaper columns and retail travels.
A renowned customer service troubleshooter for big business, Bradley examines the harsh reality of service from the shopper’s point of view in memorable encounters with everything from banks, shops and public transport to restaurants, postal services and utility companies.
Miffed by surly or non-existent shop assistants, surcharges for shopping with a credit card and being served untoasted toasted sandwiches, he discovers The Waitress From Hell, the downside of internet shopping and stores so apathetic they can’t be bothered to tackle staff apathy. Then there’s the laugh-out-loud train journey from hell from Plymouth to Leeds…
Bradley discovers `a malaise affecting many UK organisations - lack of perspective, a fixation on internal procedures and an unstinting belief that they know exactly what’s best for the customer.’ He maintains that alarming numbers of businesses are paying only lip service to customers’ needs focusing instead on economics - `and we consumers are letting them treat us shabbily because we’re just too polite to complain.
`This is a wake up call for businesses to start seeing things from the consumers’ point of view and for everyone to abandon their British reserve and start SHOUTING about poor service. With economic downturn happening it’s never been as important for business to gets its act together to win customer loyalty - and the evidence is that those who do treat people well fare notably better during tough trading times.’
MARK BRADLEY IS AVAILABLE NOW FOR INTERVIEW
For further information please contact Andrew McKenna, McKenna Campaigns tel: 01962 793007, email mckennacampaigns@aol.com or Mark Bradley direct, tel: 01274 603727; Mob: 07740 701598; Email: mark@bradleyprojects.com, website: www.bradleyprojects.com
Ends
Mark's new book Retails of the Unexpected is now out and available from Ardra Press. To enjoy a £2 discount on the RRP of £11.99 please visit Ardra Press before 31st July.
Check out Mark's new video blog at Customer Strategy's website.
www.customer-strategy.co.uk has all the info you'll need.
Mark will be taking one of the coveted keynote slots at Call Centre Expo on Tuesday 16th September 2008, before signing copies of his new book Retails of the Unexpected
Over 5000 delegates attended this 2 day event last year and (quite rightly) the customer experience is once again on the agenda.
To find out more information please visit Call Centre Expo
This is the official website of Mark Bradley Projects Ltd
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