Can you tell us what you think the key issues facing Barclays are at present and what some of the opportunities to the organisation are? (250 words max)

[mkjuk]

Can you tell us what you think the key issues facing Barclays are at present and what some of the opportunities to the organisation are? (250 words max)

[WendyS]

They need to sort out their Customer Service interface, abolish call centres and get back to the situation where customers can call their own branch and speak to a real person who will accept accountability and give out their first name and surname. They also need to clear all cheques within 48 hours maximum and stop robbing us of our money.

(I have been a Barclays customers for 40 years. Their cusomer service is now a disgrace. The amalgamation of branches into local business centres has been simply to save costs and has absolutely nothing to do with customer service whatsoever. If you're producing this mini dissertation to gain promotion, or for a job interview, I hope you get located into Customer Service and put this into effect. If something doesn't happen soon, I'm moving my account. Come on Barclays Customers - tell mkjuk exactly what you think of their service !!

[joko]

is this homework?

[STAH]

WendyS - I work for one of the big four banks and I am sick to the back of my teeth of bitter and twisted customers "of 45 years" threatening to close their accounts.

Times changes, organisations have to evolve with the change in demand from the market place and call centres are now common face with all financial organisations. Their is however, an bank that would suit your needs - Coutts and Co (but you need to have in excess of circa �500,000 of liquid assets for them to even consider you). Do you have the cash? Thought not.

So, I say close your account. Banks do not need customers coming into branches throwing idle threats because the bank would not refund correctly applied charges or refuse to give a direct number to the branch.

You will find it is the same wherever you go.

[WendyS]

Stah - I'm afraid as an employee of one of the big banks your attitude reflects exactly the kind of customer service I (and many others) am complaining about, i.e. the customer is always wrong. Of course times change and banks need to review the services they provide but to try and give the illusion that it's all about improving customer service, rather than grossly increasing their already high profits is spurious to say the least. Ask any customer if they're happy having to wait five days to have a cheque cleared. Just because all the banks do it doesn't make it morally right, especially for those customers who have to operate their accounts on a very tight budget. And yes, of course banks have to make a profit, otherwise their shareholders (of whom I am one) would naturally complain, but I think that any operation that doesn't also look after its customers' interests in the long term deserves to receive the criticism it gets.

[OdenyPaulsto]

I think someone wants to be on the Barclays graduate scheme, n'est-ce pas?

[mazandsony]

What are the key issues facing Barclays at present and what are some of the opportunities to Barclays