Hallmark Business Connections Customer Care Solution Wins 2016 CUSTOMER Product of the Year Award

MINNEAPOLIS— Hallmark Business Connections, the business-to-business subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, Inc., is proud to announce its new customer care solution is a 2016 CUSTOMER Product of the Year Award. The award was established by Technology Marketing Corporation (TMC), a global, integrated media company. Designed to amplify the customer experience and empower contact center employees, the customer care solution is an innovative program that helps associates create meaningful connections with customers through Hallmark greeting cards.

“Hallmark Business Connections is honored to be recognized by TMC with a 2016 Product of the Year award,” said Rhonda Basler, director of customer engagement at Hallmark Business Connections. “Our goal with the customer care solution was to create a program that would empower contact center employees to build deeper, stronger customer relationships through personal, meaningful interactions that turn customers into true brand advocates.”

The customer care solution allows contact center employees to put a focus on the human experience by selecting, personalizing and sending a Hallmark greeting card. Each card is designed to meet the needs of employees who engage directly with customers. Businesses utilizing the solution experienced an 18 percent improvement in job satisfaction, as well as a 10 percent improvement in customer retention and customer satisfaction.

The 2016 CUSTOMER Product of the Year Award recognizes vendors that are advancing the call center, CRM and teleservices industries one solution at a time. The award highlights products that enable clients to meet and exceed the expectations of their customers.

“On behalf of both TMC and CUSTOMER magazine, it is my pleasure to honor Hallmark Business Connections with a 2016 Product of the Year Award,” said Rich Tehrani, CEO, TMC. “Its customer care Hallmark Business Connections Business Holiday Card Trends Page 2 of 2 solution has proven deserving of this elite status and I look forward to continued innovation from Hallmark Business Connections in 2016 and beyond.”

The 18th Annual Product of the Year Award winners will be published in the 2016 January/February Issue of CUSTOMER magazine.

Learn more about our Customer Care Solution

About Hallmark Business Connections Hallmark Business Connections is the business-relationships unit of the iconic Hallmark Cards brand. We leverage more than 100 years of Hallmark heritage, creativity and innovation businesses build and strengthen the relationships that make them thrive. Turning customers into advocates, employees into champions, and companies into healthier environments, Hallmark Business Connections crafts innovative solutions that boost employee engagement and business growth. Hallmark Business Connections is headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., with locations in Minneapolis, Minn., and Duluth, Minn. For more information, visit https://www.hallmarkbusinessconnections.com/.