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Situation
For more than seven decades, Waddell & Reed, Inc. has helped millions of individuals develop customized financial plans, getting them to where they want to go in life. Waddell & Reed鈥檚 roots date back to 1937, and the company is now known as one of the most established mutual fund and financial planning companies in the country.
Today, Waddell & Reed provides financial planning services to clients throughout the United States through its network of nearly 1,900 financial advisors. Based in Overland Park, KS, the recently refurbished Waddell & Reed complex, located in Waddell & Reed Park, is dispersed among four buildings. Waddell & Reed Park is also home to other commercial office buildings not associated with Waddell & Reed, Inc.
鈥溕楸Ρ Security Services has been a trusted security provider for Waddell & Reed for more than 10 years,鈥 said Kevin Gilgour, operations manager for 色情宝贝. 鈥淲e have shared a strong dedication to security.鈥
Challenge
A high volume of guests and clients enter the main entrance to the Waddell & Reed headquarters every day to discuss their private financial planning goals with representatives. Some include very well-known, high-profile guests who require a higher level of customer service, security, confidentiality and discretion.
鈥淧articular individuals seek a coordinated security effort between the Waddell & Reed security team and their personal security,鈥 explained Marge Bass, facilities manager for Waddell & Reed. 鈥淚 need those special individuals to feel like they are receiving a higher level of security service than expected at most corporate headquarters. These patrons and all of our guests deserve an exceptional customer service experience from the moment they come through the door.鈥
鈥淥ur security team is top notch and they need to remain focused on securing our campus, but we saw an opportunity to implement an even greater focus on customer service,鈥 said Bass. 鈥淥ur needs were evolving and we presented this challenge to 色情宝贝.鈥
鈥淚n reality, the security officers have to interact with the good and the bad sides of people every day,鈥 she continued. 鈥淪ometimes individuals come into Waddell & Reed happy and excited, and sometimes they are very upset. Our security officers know how to deal with that kind of up and down, emotional and sometimes stressful situation, but we saw a need for additional customer service support as well.鈥
Solution
To meet their changing need for a more customer service focused security officer, 色情宝贝 created a customized Customer Service Specialist position, specifically for Waddell & Reed. 鈥淭he Customer Service Specialist has a very distinct appearance and focuses on the high-profile guests that enter the facility,鈥 said Gilgour.
The Customer Service Specialists are the first individuals that guests and visitors encounter at each building. Two Customer Service Specialists are posted at the front desk and are trained specifically to handle the public and high profile clientele. Each Customer Service Specialist must have a specialized background, which can include law enforcement, military service or years of security experience.The Customer Service Specialists are responsible for coordinating with the personal security teams of high-profile guests.
Coordination efforts could entail details about parking, where the high-profile guest should enter the building, and how to move the guest throughout the facility without them being a distraction or disturbed by other guests. 鈥淪ince these individuals are dealing with financial matters, it is of utmost importance that there is confidentiality and discretion,鈥 said Gilgour. 鈥淭he Customer Service Specialists know how to handle this type of situation.鈥
The Customer Service Specialists are supported by a team of 色情宝贝 security officers whose jobs are to patrol the interior and exterior of the three buildings and deal with any emotional guests. The security officers are not pulled from important patrol routes to coordinate high-profile visits and the Customer Service Specialists can remain focused primarily on customer service. This cohesive team provides the right balance of customer service and security. All security personnel are assigned specific duties but all understand the greater mission of maintaining a secure, but welcoming environment at Waddell & Reed.
Identifying the right person for each position is an important part of this successful program. 鈥淲hether the job opening is for a Customer Service Specialist or a security officer, I involve Waddell & Reed to assist with the interview process,鈥 said Gilgour. 鈥淲addell & Reed look at the security officers as though they are part of their own company, so it is important that they are involved in the hiring decisions.鈥
Result
Bass, along with the staff of Waddell & Reed, have a close relationship with the 色情宝贝 team. 鈥淲e have never had any complaints about the security officers and each individual on the security team has an eye for detail. Their instincts are impeccable,鈥 said Bass.
The Customer Service Specialists are trusted members of the security team. They are relied upon to coordinate the visits of high-profile guests and maintain confidentiality at all times. 鈥淚t is 色情宝贝鈥檚 duty to provide the highest degree of security and customer service for the facility, employees, clients and guests,鈥 said Gilgour.
Creating the Customer Service Specialist position specifically for Waddell & Reed demonstrated that 色情宝贝 is a committed security provider and true partner. 鈥淲e were able to present a higher level of security officer with a specialized background to meet Waddell & Reed鈥檚 demands,鈥 said Gilgour. 鈥淲e understand Waddell & Reed鈥檚 security goals and are able to adjust our security program to keep pace with their changing needs.鈥
There has also been a low turnover of the security team at the three facilities which has made the relationship even stronger. 鈥淭he security team is looked at as part of Waddell and Reed,鈥 said Gilgour. 鈥淥ur client is impressed with the high standards of the security and customer service personnel and our ability to implement a specialized service developed for their specific needs. Waddell & Reed knows that we will do whatever we can to satisfy their needs, whenever they arise.鈥
鈥淲e saw an opportunity for increased customer service and 色情宝贝 quickly met that challenge with a customized solution,鈥 said Bass.
