-

Dear Stan,I read Asma Salman's article on 'Pirates feel the force' (GulfWeekly, March 18-24)_on your website with great interest - especially the interview with Rear Admiral McKnight.

Nice work as always. I wish her and GulfWeekly continued success. Regards,

Glen Roessler, Naval Criminal Investigative Services, in Hawai.

Dear Stan,

I have just read Ismaeel Naar's article in last week's GulfWeekly entitled 'Weight consciousness among young growing out of proportion'.

I was really amazed by his writing ability (ma shallah, tabaraka Allah), and the way he expresses his ideas. I hope he continues on this path, because I see a great future ahead of him as a writer. Not to hide a secret, I picture him as a laureate of one of the renowned awards in his field or in literature.

God bless you, Ismaeel and do not let anyone step in your way - regardless of the fact that you are overweight.

Dr Tarik Abdu-

Ghaffar, Bahrain.

Dear Stan,

I have seen the Mount Meru feature in last week's GulfWeekly. It looked fantastic.

I thank reporter Asma Salman for the support and the layout is superb. Thank you for your kind assistance.

Jonathan Bigg,

Bahrain.

Dear Stan,

THE_Alliance Franaise de Bahre•n wishes to thank all guests, visitors, exhibitors, musicians, staff and sponsors who participated in its 40th anniversary from March 19 to 21, 2009.

Special recognition goes to Elroy Events Management for the stage and sound system and Cityneon for logistical advice for the Open Day event, held on March 20 at Isa Town.

Alliance Francaise.

Dear Stan,

IN the present scenario of economic recession it has become all the more important to stay connected with our customers.

We have to understand the 'voice of the customer'.

Organisations that understand this concept are the ones that will have a cutting edge. The term looks so simple on paper, but for most of the time it is neglected.

The voice of the customer is a process that captures the requirements and reacts to feedback to provide the best service and quality on a continuous basis. The term is used to describe the stated and latent needs of a customer.

Understanding and implementing it is a practice that will separate the best from the rest. This technique will help us to have not only satisfied customers but delighted customers.

The trademark of His Master's Voice was patented in the year 1900.The logo of a terrier dog listening to his master's voice coming from a gramophone record made history all over the world.

In 1942, the US went on air with a radio station aptly named The Voice of America. The Americans understood the importance of the word voice when many of us may have not even been born and it has not lost its importance today.

Half the battle is won in business if we are able to master this art of listening.

In fact, the voice of customer techniques can benefit managements immensely and immediately.

World-class companies have always been successful by listening to this voice. The art of listening to their customers has protected them in all adversities.

Ajit B Khadilkar,

manager, Lebanon Trade Centre, Bahrain.