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Hub You - Customers Are People Too
Aside from being model or a Hollywood A-lister, perhaps there is no other career more glamorous or exciting as fashion design. Most people conceive of a career in fashion designing as merely drinking cocktails, dressing celebrities up and attending chi-chi affairs. But fashion designing is more than that. Fashion is not just about clothes design either; designers pursue other interests like shoes, accessories, or bag designs. Of course, nothing gives a designer glory than a famous celebrity wearing and acknowledging her creations. Excited about pursuing a fashion designing career? Don't grab your pencil and paper yet, there is more to designing than just drawing.
This story could go on, but the point I’m making is quite simple, if you are in a privileged position of customer service, there are some simple rules that will carry you far: Practical Interview Etiquette
OK, very few of us like the interviewing process. Unfortunately, you've got to face the music once in a while. Keep these few nuggets in mind when you're going on your next interview or if you want to advise a colleague:Be very very honest – if an interviewer senses at all you are being evasive in answering questions or are trying to fudge your way through questions, you’re doomed.Recognize that the interviewer is looking both at your knowledge and your thought process on how you would approach problems – for instance, if you get a “how would you build a 150 story skyscraper” question, just take a deep breath and start talking through how you would do i
--Dale Carnegie
For as long as I can remember, right up until when he retired a few years ago, my father ran his own appliance repair business. He was extremely good at it too. He had people calling him from all over the province to come repair their appliances. I remember one day a number of years ago, we were on our way to a place called Carbonear to look at a fellows Laundromat equipment, I asked Dad if he was familiar with this new kind of equipment. “How hard can it be?” he asked, “The dryer still does the same thing, except now instead of a mechanical timer, it has a computer. If anything happens today, at least I’ll have a chance to learn something new.”
I’ll always remember what a great optimist he seemed to be, but also how determined he was to follow through to the end. We were in that place for the better part of the day taking things apart, checking wires, checking circuits and changing parts. Through all of this, he never once said that he couldn’t do the job. Dad seemed to have a thorough understanding of what was needed and he was following a logical and organized plan in his mind. Not only that, as we had this guys computerized propane dryer apart all over the floor, Dad was also reassuring his customer that he would be up for business in a very short time. Even though the place was full of parts laid out everywhere, this guy and my dad were joking and carrying on, like it was just a social call. Disagreements? Well, yes they had a few, but Dad never argued with him, he listened and reassured and encouraged. I learned an extremely valuable lession in customer service that day.
Let’s move forward 10 years. My father and I were out one Saturday last spring searching for parts for my stove. We looked in a few places around town, and then decided to check out the local appliance repair guy. This must have been a different experience for Dad because now, instead of being the appliance repair professional, he was the customer. And there was the Appliance guy, a weeks growth on his face, leaning back on the counter, half smoked cigarette hanging from his lips, the air blue from smoke, wearing a greasy and torn shirt that hadn’t seen a washer in a few weeks, giving us the look. You know the look…. That one that says, I’ve got 20 minutes till closing, I don’t want to be here on a Saturday, and least of all, I don’t want to speak with anyone, so leave me alone and go away.
Dad, in his usual cheerful way, “We’re searching for a gasket and a hinge for an XYZ range.” Appliance guy, in a low-pitched rumble, “What size?”
Dad, “If you could please find the range in your book, it’ll have the size and specifications that we need.”
Appliance guy, “What kind of range?”
Dad, “XYZ kind.”
Appliance guy, “No, you’re wrong, they aren’t made by them, they’re made by ABC.”
Dad, startled by the guy’s brusqueness, “I’m pretty sure that this is the right kind.”
Appliance guy, obviously in an argumentative mood, “and I’m telling you that you’re wrong, It’s made by the ABC Company.”
The conversation continued like this for a few more minutes. The appliance guy was becoming more and more belligerent by the second, and I could see that Dad was about ready to explode, and he wasn’t backing down. That little vein in his temple was showing, and he had that look that I remember so well. The look that I got when out of carelessness I put a hole in the door, or when I broke something, the look that said, “you’re in for it now!”. Anyway, I nudged him and said, ”Let’s get out of here, it’s not that important.” I could see that this was going nowhere, and he was about ready to settle in and take this guy apart piece by piece.
This story could go on, but the point I’m making is quite simple, if you are in a privileged position of customer service, there are some simple rules that will carry you far: Does Your Company Need A Business Credit Card?
All business owners had one goal, and that is for them to gain profit. Managing a business is not that easy. It requires a big sense of responsibility, hardwork and patience. But did you know that applying for a business credit card have huge advantages for your business whether it is small or big? Here are few advantages that you can get when you apply for a company or a business credit card.Helps the business conserve cash – With the use of a business credit card you can buy or purchase the supplies and equipments, which are considered to be the basic needs of a business. The good thing about it is that you can monitor your expenses
I’ll always remember what a great optimist he seemed to be, but also how determined he was to follow through to the end. We were in that place for the better part of the day taking things apart, checking wires, checking circuits and changing parts. Through all of this, he never once said that he couldn’t do the job. Dad seemed to have a thorough understanding of what was needed and he was following a logical and organized plan in his mind. Not only that, as we had this guys computerized propane dryer apart all over the floor, Dad was also reassuring his customer that he would be up for business in a very short time. Even though the place was full of parts laid out everywhere, this guy and my dad were joking and carrying on, like it was just a social call. Disagreements? Well, yes they had a few, but Dad never argued with him, he listened and reassured and encouraged. I learned an extremely valuable lession in customer service that day.
Let’s move forward 10 years. My father and I were out one Saturday last spring searching for parts for my stove. We looked in a few places around town, and then decided to check out the local appliance repair guy. This must have been a different experience for Dad because now, instead of being the appliance repair professional, he was the customer. And there was the Appliance guy, a weeks growth on his face, leaning back on the counter, half smoked cigarette hanging from his lips, the air blue from smoke, wearing a greasy and torn shirt that hadn’t seen a washer in a few weeks, giving us the look. You know the look…. That one that says, I’ve got 20 minutes till closing, I don’t want to be here on a Saturday, and least of all, I don’t want to speak with anyone, so leave me alone and go away.
Dad, in his usual cheerful way, “We’re searching for a gasket and a hinge for an XYZ range.” Appliance guy, in a low-pitched rumble, “What size?”
Dad, “If you could please find the range in your book, it’ll have the size and specifications that we need.”
Appliance guy, “What kind of range?”
Dad, “XYZ kind.”
Appliance guy, “No, you’re wrong, they aren’t made by them, they’re made by ABC.”
Dad, startled by the guy’s brusqueness, “I’m pretty sure that this is the right kind.”
Appliance guy, obviously in an argumentative mood, “and I’m telling you that you’re wrong, It’s made by the ABC Company.”
The conversation continued like this for a few more minutes. The appliance guy was becoming more and more belligerent by the second, and I could see that Dad was about ready to explode, and he wasn’t backing down. That little vein in his temple was showing, and he had that look that I remember so well. The look that I got when out of carelessness I put a hole in the door, or when I broke something, the look that said, “you’re in for it now!”. Anyway, I nudged him and said, ”Let’s get out of here, it’s not that important.” I could see that this was going nowhere, and he was about ready to settle in and take this guy apart piece by piece.
This story could go on, but the point I’m making is quite simple, if you are in a privileged position of customer service, there are some simple rules that will carry you far: Business Funding
KNOW WHAT YOU NEED
Understand how you intend to use business financing, how much funding you need and how you intend to repay the loan. Be able to communicate this clearly and confidently with prospective lenders.UNDERSTAND YOUR CURRENT SITUATION
If you are an existing business, are you profitable, and does your balance sheet have positive equity? What does your credit look like? Have a clear understanding of any existing liens and lien priority. Know your credit score and answers to derogatory credit issues (liens, judgments, slow pays, collection actions) before presenting your application. If there have been credit, profitability or equity issues in the ? Well, yes they had a few, but Dad never argued with him, he listened and reassured and encouraged. I learned an extremely valuable lession in customer service that day.
Let’s move forward 10 years. My father and I were out one Saturday last spring searching for parts for my stove. We looked in a few places around town, and then decided to check out the local appliance repair guy. This must have been a different experience for Dad because now, instead of being the appliance repair professional, he was the customer. And there was the Appliance guy, a weeks growth on his face, leaning back on the counter, half smoked cigarette hanging from his lips, the air blue from smoke, wearing a greasy and torn shirt that hadn’t seen a washer in a few weeks, giving us the look. You know the look…. That one that says, I’ve got 20 minutes till closing, I don’t want to be here on a Saturday, and least of all, I don’t want to speak with anyone, so leave me alone and go away.
Dad, in his usual cheerful way, “We’re searching for a gasket and a hinge for an XYZ range.” Appliance guy, in a low-pitched rumble, “What size?”
Dad, “If you could please find the range in your book, it’ll have the size and specifications that we need.”
Appliance guy, “What kind of range?”
Dad, “XYZ kind.”
Appliance guy, “No, you’re wrong, they aren’t made by them, they’re made by ABC.”
Dad, startled by the guy’s brusqueness, “I’m pretty sure that this is the right kind.”
Appliance guy, obviously in an argumentative mood, “and I’m telling you that you’re wrong, It’s made by the ABC Company.”
The conversation continued like this for a few more minutes. The appliance guy was becoming more and more belligerent by the second, and I could see that Dad was about ready to explode, and he wasn’t backing down. That little vein in his temple was showing, and he had that look that I remember so well. The look that I got when out of carelessness I put a hole in the door, or when I broke something, the look that said, “you’re in for it now!”. Anyway, I nudged him and said, ”Let’s get out of here, it’s not that important.” I could see that this was going nowhere, and he was about ready to settle in and take this guy apart piece by piece.
This story could go on, but the point I’m making is quite simple, if you are in a privileged position of customer service, there are some simple rules that will carry you far: Basics of the Skid Loader: Heavy Agricultural Machinery
What is a skid loader?A skid loader is a stiff frame machine with mechanical arms that can be fitted with attachments for a wide variety of different tools, including a backhoe, hydraulic breaker, pallet forks, angle broom, sweeper, auger, mower, snow blower, stump grinder, tree spade, trencher, and a wheel saw.Modern skid loaders come in two varieties, a four wheeled system and a rubber track version. Wheeled skid loaders are typically are four-wheel drive and for additional maneuverability, the left and right wheels systems are independent. The track version also referred to as a track loader provides for better digging and pushes performance in higheays, I’ve got 20 minutes till closing, I don’t want to be here on a Saturday, and least of all, I don’t want to speak with anyone, so leave me alone and go away.
Dad, in his usual cheerful way, “We’re searching for a gasket and a hinge for an XYZ range.” Appliance guy, in a low-pitched rumble, “What size?”
Dad, “If you could please find the range in your book, it’ll have the size and specifications that we need.”
Appliance guy, “What kind of range?”
Dad, “XYZ kind.”
Appliance guy, “No, you’re wrong, they aren’t made by them, they’re made by ABC.”
Dad, startled by the guy’s brusqueness, “I’m pretty sure that this is the right kind.”
Appliance guy, obviously in an argumentative mood, “and I’m telling you that you’re wrong, It’s made by the ABC Company.”
The conversation continued like this for a few more minutes. The appliance guy was becoming more and more belligerent by the second, and I could see that Dad was about ready to explode, and he wasn’t backing down. That little vein in his temple was showing, and he had that look that I remember so well. The look that I got when out of carelessness I put a hole in the door, or when I broke something, the look that said, “you’re in for it now!”. Anyway, I nudged him and said, ”Let’s get out of here, it’s not that important.” I could see that this was going nowhere, and he was about ready to settle in and take this guy apart piece by piece.
This story could go on, but the point I’m making is quite simple, if you are in a privileged position of customer service, there are some simple rules that will carry you far: Used Office Equipment
Setting up an office requires a lot of commitment, energy and most of all, considerable cash. Even though you may wish to buy the best office equipment available, it may not be always possible. You may have to settle for used office equipment to fulfill your immediate requirements. Also, the amount of money that you save in buying used office equipment will be quite considerable. This money can be used to fulfill the more urgent requirements of your business and its needs.Used office equipment can be well purchased at second hand shops. These shops are able to procure these goods at very reasonable prices from the actual sellers. They then sell the products to bsation continued like this for a few more minutes. The appliance guy was becoming more and more belligerent by the second, and I could see that Dad was about ready to explode, and he wasn’t backing down. That little vein in his temple was showing, and he had that look that I remember so well. The look that I got when out of carelessness I put a hole in the door, or when I broke something, the look that said, “you’re in for it now!”. Anyway, I nudged him and said, ”Let’s get out of here, it’s not that important.” I could see that this was going nowhere, and he was about ready to settle in and take this guy apart piece by piece.
This story could go on, but the point I’m making is quite simple, if you are in a privileged position of customer service, there are some simple rules that will carry you far:
1. Resist the urge to argue with your customer. He or she may have a valid point from their point of view that you may not have yet considered.
2. Give them encouragement. Make them feel important.
3. Listen to the other person without judging them. Give them ample time to talk and explain their ideas and concerns.
4. How you look represents what you are thinking. Your body language and your actions speak much louder than your words.
5. Never criticize the other persons’ decisions. They made their decision based on their own knowledge and experience, so we have no right to criticize.
6. Have and live by a positive code of ethics. As a customer service person, you are in a position of trust. No matter which position you play in the company, to the customer, you ARE the company.
No matter what we do, we still have an opportunity to deal with people. Following these guidelines gives a direction to travel when creating relationships with others, whether it is customers, associates or strangers.
This week, make the opportunity to build on the relationships that are important to you. Nourish them and encourage them and you will be well on your way to creating lasting and profitable connections.
Make this your best week ever.
Paul
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