SNO-CONE vendors have been challenged to widen their market share by providing an exclusive treat for people with health challenges.
The encouragement is coming from Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Patrick Todd as he addressed participants in a customer service seminar arranged by the National Initiative for Service Excellence (NISE).
The session, which ran over eight hours, was entitled NISE Sno-Cone Experience Project.
After highlighting the popularity of service entrepreneurs “Cuz” and Sister Margrita Marshall, Todd told the participants they had an opportunity to be creative as well.
“How about offering a diet sno-cone, rather than using sugar? You are able to offer as an alternative to those diabetics wonderful syrups to adorn your ice as part of your sno-cones but sweetened with acceptable healthy sweeteners to increase your market share,” Todd told the participants.
He also lauded the contributions from corporate Barbados for their input into the event.
NISE chief executive officer Kim Tudor said that no businesses would be left behind as they exposed others to customer service.
She also said the sno-cone was a part of the Barbados landscape and should not be underestimated.
As part of the NISE 100 improvements in 100 days initiative, NISE launched the pioneering NISE Sno-Cone Experience project, the first of its kind on the island.
Its aim was to strengthen the customer service and communications skills of the participating vendors as well as enhance the physical appearance of their carts.
NISE worked with Wolverine Ice Limited, who conceptualised the idea; Harris Paints, winner of the Prime Minister’s 2012 100 Improvements Award, and Digicel.
Harris painted the carts and Digicel gave umbrellas and top-ups.
The second phase of the project began Thursday.
