Ask those in business what is most important to long-term success, and you may get a lot of answers. But if that business is successful, you’ll probably hear many mentions on the importance of taking care of the customer.

This first week of October is National Customer Service Week, celebrated annually since 1992. Alabama Power offices participate in a number of ways – some through service projects, and some through signage and snacks.

In the company’s 90 business offices around the state, we celebrate with customers by giving away compact fluorescent bulbs – a gift that truly keeps giving, with the savings of energy efficiency.

“Our company was literally founded on the phrase ‘to the service of Alabama,’ and that means understanding and anticipating our customer’s needs,” said Bob Weaver, vice president of Customer Services. “When you make a commitment to service, it pays off with loyal customers for a lifetime.”

One mission, many channels

While there are nearly 200 representatives answering the phones and tweets in our call centers, and more than 300 helping customers in our teller windows, every employee in the company is asked to think of what they do as customer service.

The business of helping customers has evolved over the years, and Alabama Power has evolved to meet new expectations. A significant percentage of our customers prefer coming to a physical office, and nearly all expect we would be reachable on the phone 24 hours a day. Now, the customer service experience includes new channels, such as a redesigned mobile site, an app, and access to customer care specialists through social networks like Twitter and Facebook.

“Everything starts with the customer,” said service center director Ralph Bellamy. “In our business, we have people working every hour of every day, to meet our customers’ expectation of safe, reliable and affordable energy. We succeed when our people treat it like a mission and a calling, and not just a job.”

You can reach Alabama Power’s award winning team in person during business hours; anytime on the phone at 800-245-2244; and on Twitter and Facebook from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. on weekdays, and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.