CGCSA, SOCAP form partnership

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SOCAP has access to the Council's membership of over 11,000 businesses in the retail, wholesale and manufacturing sector in South Africa and the Council's members will be able to access the knowledge gathered by SOCAP, both in South Africa and internationally, and its insight into the Consumer Protection Act.

The partnership is well timed and complements the services that CGCSA offers to the industry, including its newly launched independent Ombudsman Office that facilitates resolution of consumer complaints.

SOCAP is the vehicle through which innovative skills and solutions for consumer care functions can be built at a company level, aiding complaint resolution early in the process and therefore minimising complaints being elevated to the Ombudsman.

"The incorporation of SOCAP South Africa into CGCSA signals the start of real growth for our organisation," says Laura Nel, chairperson, SOCAP South Africa and head: corporate affairs, Johnson & Johnson South Africa.

"The Society seeks to strengthen the consumer care efforts within our country through sharing and learning amongst professionals working in this area. By growing its network of professionals, it will be able to leverage the good work done by so many organisations in South Africa and contribute to raising the standards of service in our country and on our continent. We look forward to what the future has in store."

The move also provides a broader reach for SOCAP and ensures visibility to a far larger potential membership base.

Membership to SOCAP provides CGCSA members with access to a community of like-minded professionals, opportunities for engagement with other consumer care professionals for learning, benchmarking and sharing of best practice. In addition, membership of the South African chapter gives it access to the Society's international website, which is rich in content and has a live blog to gather global consumer care professionals' opinion and ideas.

This will help to improve customer service, which is a top priority for CGCSA members, says Patricia Pillay executive head: consumer goods industry affairs. "This partnership will allow our members to have access to a wealth of knowledge gathered by numerous experts over a number of years. It will also mean they will have access to global best practices when it comes to consumer care. We are privileged to have brokered this partnership on behalf of our members and also look forward to a long and fruitful relationship."