Direct marketers launch certification for telemarketing

 
Telemarketing and direct sales have a lousy reputation, even though the industry employs around 5,000 people in Switzerland. To promote the image and development of the industry, the Swiss Direct Marketing Association SDV has now initiated certification by the Swiss Association for Quality and Management Systems SQS. In doing so, the association also wants to distinguish itself from "black sheep" in the industry, as stated in a press release. It also wants certified companies to gain a market advantage over non-certified companies, thereby achieving the association's long-standing goal of forcing providers to behave correctly (see:
). The Direct Sales Code of Ethics has been in place since the end of 2005, and the Code of Ethics for Telemarketing in the Private Sector (B2C) was introduced together with the CallNet.ch association on January 1, 2008. However, the SDV wanted more, "because we know that such codes tend to remain paper tigers", says SDV President Jakob Nef. In order to provide comprehensive and rapid information about the benefits of the direct marketing seal of approval, the SDV has worked with
has set up an online platform. It contains, for example, the benefits for clients and ten golden rules for dealing with telemarketing and direct sales. The website also serves as a hub for service providers, clients and end consumers as well as a contact point for questions or any complaints.