Feedback is vital and we are getting it from AFBlues

If you haven’t seen the chatter, AAFES Week is going on now at the blog, AFBlues. According to the author, “This event was originally supposed to be a cooperative effort between AFBlues and AAFES, but unfortunately, even after brass at the highest levels had signed off on it, the lawyers got involved and pulled AAFES’s participation, leaving me to go it alone.“

It wasn’t all just talk, Leah Miller and I and the rest of our Communications team have been watching the corporate blogosphere evolve with various brands talking with real voices in conversations with their customers. We are excited to be able to take a more active role in the military community and hope we can contribute at least as much as we learn. We truly believe this will help us to become a better brand in servicing the “real” needs of the military community.

Unfortunately, the partnership with AFBlues did not occur. Please see my response on the AFBlues AAFES Week announcement post:

Lauren Vargas Says:
June 22nd, 2009 at 7:55 pm

Disclaimer: Community Relations Manager coordinating social media on behalf of AAFES (SaluteToYourService.com)

First, I apologize the original AAFES partnership never came to fruition. There were other things that prevented the partnership opportunity from happening, but that is water under the bridge. Hopefully, we can mend fences one day. Rest assured, AAFES is watching what is happening in this space and learning some valuable lessons.

Second, thank you for supporting AAFES and humanizing the company not just this week, but in the past. We are learning from you and your readers through comments, but please do not let that be the only place for feedback. It is essential for these issues to be heard and worked out. So, if you or your readers have any additional comments or questions about the strips or any other topic, do not hesitate to pass along the information to me, Lauren Vargas at VargasL@aafes.com, SaluteToYourService.com blog, @AAFES_STYS Twitter handle, or through official comment channels on AAFES.com or your Exchange.

Third, despite the negative feedback, the AAFES priority and mission is to provide a higher quality of life to service men and women and their families. We have rocky times, just like any other corporation, but in the end, it is you, the military community, for whom we strive to make a difference no matter the location. After all, what other retailers do you see in the desert?

In the words of Darkjester, “…sometimes parody and satire is the best way to get necessary points across.“

Rest assured we are reading your posts and comments not just on AFBlues, but throughout social media. Not to check up on our associates or customers, but so we can do a reality check of our products and services. We have to do a better job of communicating what we are doing with your feedback, because we are using your comments as catalysts for changing processes and perspectives. Thank you.

We know the conversations are happening outside of the formal channels and we respect that and encourage the discussions..we will try to keep up! We also want you to know the formal comment system is and will always be another outlet. Do not wait from someone to post an “AAFES Week” to tell us about your shopping experience.

There are several ways you can let us know an issue, positive and negative.

• File a comment through the Exchange Customer Comment Program.
• If you have an AAFES Commander level comment you would like to share, please enter your comment here at Commander@aafes.com.
• Contact the AAFES Leadership Team through the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Commanding General at EnlistedAdvisor@aafes.com.
• Leave a comment on this blog and other AAFES social network locations including, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.
• Make a difference and become a Mystery Shopper.
• For command Q&A on our Pentagon show, EXchange On Air, contact exchangeonair@aafes.com.
• More AAFES Contact Information.