And The Winner Is.....Nandos!

Added 8 October 2007

Nandos Hawthorn

It was a dark and stormy night down at the Federation Square, the heavens had just opened and a massive down pour pelted around us as we entered the venue for the 2007 Customer Service Gala Dinner. As the G-MAC Entered, Shep Dog decided to give him a pat on the back and a high five – sounded like a good idea at the time, but as the CROWNIE came crashing to the ground and liquid amber covered the floor all eyes were on us – the music stopped and it was for all the wrong reasons….was this a sign of things to come?

We entered the main dinning room and we knew that we were playing with the big boys! QANTAS executives to our left, ANZ executives to our right and the small crew from Nando’s Hawthorn perched nicely on table 22. Was this going to be the night for us all to remember?!?! As the first award was announced the category was Most Votes as per the on line voting but a slight disclaimer was thrown in with the MC reminding the crowd that the winner of the most votes competition does not necessarily win any other awards as there are many rigorous on site evaluations to go through. At this point the crew all had a little bit of self-doubt with a feeling of “they are just letting us down easy here…” As the announcement boomed over the room – the winner of the most votes EVER in the customer service awards category for 2007 is………………………………….NANDO’S HAWTHORN!!!!!!!!

We went ballistic, jumped to our feet and could not contain our excitement!!! However, for this particular award there was no trophy and after the pre-announcement before this award the feeling in the ranks was one of massive apprehension to say the least! After a few other awards came the build up to the major presentation. After what seemed like forever the MC finally got around to the major award announcement. The suspense was unbearable; no one dared to make eye contact with each other in case in some way that would influence the result! As we held our breath, MC began to make the final presentation. It seriously felt like ages as he built up to opening the envelope with an Oscar like announcement…..AND THE WINNER OF THE 2007 CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD FOR RETAIL/HOSPITALITY OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND IS…………NANDO’S HAWTHORN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The table erupted in cheers, claps and absolute ecstasy. As Harry and Jimmy went up to accept the trophy they were overcome by the emotion and sheer magnitude of the occasion and went the wrong way onto the stage…messing up all the pre-meditated plans for the ceremony! They eventually gathered themselves and brought the trophy back to the table! The mission has been completed and the impossible task had been achieved. After many had doubted the abilities of this small shop, the little guys have their day!

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS AND ESPECIALLY TO GARY MACDONALD, JENNY MACDONALD, CHARLIE 5 FINGAS, JAY ALLEN AND THE ENTIRE HAWTHORN BASKETBALL COMMUNITY FOR THE SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT OVER THE YEAR! WE ARE VERY APPRECIATIVE AND THANKFULL TO ALL OF YOU!!!

From the TEAM AT NANDO’S HAWTHORN

NANDO’S HAWTHORN & NANDO’S MAGIC!!! PREMIERS 2007!!! YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT BABY!!! WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN 2008????????