We pride ourselves on exemplary customer service at all of our UFA sites and strive to continuously improve. We do have a Rate Us survey set up for customer feedback and value all of the comments we receive. The URL for this survey can be found at the bottom of our UFA till receipts. Hearing from external stakeholders is always satisfying, but when a teammate gives you a shout-out, that is extra special.
UFA recently introduced an internal Top Hand recognition program for our AgriBusiness team to recognize those employees that show a spirit of selflessness, are willing to help with tasks outside their normal responsibility, believe "good enough is never good enough," embody the co-operative spirit and/or rise above adversity.
Our team is invited to nominate deserving individuals. "Winning" nominations, as determined by our in-store employees, are then sent to Area Managers to pick the ultimate winners by area. Out quarterly Top Hands are rewarded with a special pin and gift cards that increase with additional wins.
We are pleased to announce our Q1 winners here. If you see them while shopping at their UFA location, don't be shy, give them a big "high five":
Carter Stebner, Assistant Store Manager, Camrose Farm & Ranch Supply
Top Hand Winner - Central
Carter has been instrumental in running the merchandising team on our remodel at the Stettler location which will bring an even better customer experience to the farm store as well as supporting his staff over the phone, with their customer service needs. He's also helping the customers while merchandising and jumping in to help the Stettler Team members when they need help. He is a solid contributor and always puts what's best for UFA and the customers first.
Samantha Gallacher, CSSR1, Spruce Grove Farm & Ranch Supply
Top Hand Winner – North
Sam came in on Sunday, February 19, to open the store for a customer who was in dire need of water parts for his system that froze up due to the extreme cold weather. This customer contacted Garrett to see what we could do for him as he was desperate. Garrett was out of town but contacted Sam as she lives in Spruce Grove. Please note that we are closed Sundays, and this is where Sam stepped up and made it right for this customer. The customer was overjoyed to be helped in his time of need and purchased add-on items over and above of his actual needs. Sam is the ultimate team player and will always help out when needed when it comes to Customer Service Excellence .
Valerie Gooch, Fulfillment Coordinator, Vulcan Farm & Ranch Supply
Top Hand Winner – South
Valerie went above and beyond for local 4-H member, Laura Lee, who wanted to purchase eight Carhartt winter jackets for other members. Laura Lee wanted to support the Vulcan UFA Farm Store and our store had a limited supply. Valerie made four trips into the Lethbridge Farm Store shopping for jackets that the 4-H members would like and that would fit. Valerie also picked up two hoodies that she thought they would like, and they purchased them as well. This resulted in a $900 sale.
Since Val started in Vulcan as Fulfillment Coordinator, she has been a key contributor, collaborating with the store manager to move forward numerous best practices and improvements in operational execution.
