Silly Service Has Its Serious Side: Test Your Customer Service Knowledge!Who says service is serious? Customer service can be silly too. Take this fun quiz to test your customer service knowledge. You may be a service ace if you both pick the correct answer to each of these ten questions, and understand why these answers are correct.
1. A complaining customer is:
A. Always right
B. Almost right
C. Often lying
D. Always the customer
2. Customers who complain:
A. Had unhappy childhoods
B. Are genetically predisposed to be sourpusses
C. Have trouble in their primary relationships
D. Are doing you a service in identifying what isn’t working in your business or organiz
lue exceeds costs, and you’ll be hard to refuse.
3. Talk to the Right Person at the Right Time
Your boss might not be the one who determines whether or not you get a raise. You want to do whatever you can to state your case directly to the decision maker. You can make a great, compelling case to your boss as to why you deserve a raise, but if she's not the decision maker, she may not represent your story the same way you would. A good boss with a good heart can be more effective at getting to the decision maker, but if you don't get along with your boss
The Dolly Parton Business ModelSo I’m talking business models and you have a one person web site or a part time business. So how does this affect you?It does affect you - because the internet is a very large and very unforgiving business environment. Regardless of how many people tell you how you can make thousands every month, for every eBay there are millions of sites just taking a few $'s a month.So where does Dolly Parton come into it, I hear you say? Well I also went to the Dolly Parton Dinner Show just before Christmas, which I highly recommended. Having just finished writing for my latest information product - the Entrepreneur Power Pack, I had my business head still functi
Your parents and friends always tell you that you’re priceless, but how much does your company think you are worth?
With the improving economy and job market, people have more options in 2006. Companies are offering bigger salaries and better packages to gain and maintain the best employees. In light of this, it may be the perfect time to ask your company for the raise you deserve.
Most companies aren’t going to throw more money at you “just because,” so it’s your job to state your case if you think you deserve more money. Of course, asking for a raise from your boss can be an intimidating task. Here are five tips to help you approach the situation with the proper insight and confidence.
1. Know What You're Worth
The first step is to get the facts and figures to justify your request for more pay. If you do your homework, it's much easier to build a compelling case. Look at websites like Monster.com and Salary.com and research industry journals and professional associations to see what people in your position typically make. Speak with your colleagues and check our recruitment ads in local newspapers and the classifieds. If you realize that a systems analyst in Chicago typically makes between $45,000 and $55,000, and you're only at $40,000 - it's much easier to make your case.
2. Prove You Deserve the Money
You need to walk into a meeting with your boss with documented reasons as to why you deserve a raise. Never try to make a case for a raise on the basis of need. Prove that you deserve the money based on your high performance and your contributions to your employer’s goals. The best way to do this is to bring in your accomplishments AND what you plan to do to earn your new salary. If you can say, "I sold 850 contracts last year, and that netted the company and extra $60,000 in profit. I think it only makes sense for me to get a $6,000 raise," it makes your case even stronger. Remember one thing though; your salary is not the only expense that a company has for you. What you make is typically only about 50% of what you cost the company. Things like health costs, office space, and phone lines all add up to tremendous overhead. If you make $50,000 a year, you probably cost your company $100,000 a year! Prove that your value exceeds costs, and you’ll be hard to refuse.
3. Talk to the Right Person at the Right Time
Your boss might not be the one who determines whether or not you get a raise. You want to do whatever you can to state your case directly to the decision maker. You can make a great, compelling case to your boss as to why you deserve a raise, but if she's not the decision maker, she may not represent your story the same way you would. A good boss with a good heart can be more effective at getting to the decision maker, but if you don't get along with your boss,
Ebook Development - 7 Significant Parts of a Profitable EbookSo you have a great idea? You want to share it in an ebook, but you’re not sure how to do that? Let me tell you the 9 most significant parts of an ebook and help you get started.1) Research an ebookSince you already have an idea what you want to write about, search for your primary topic on Google, Yahoo, and at least one other search engine. View the topics that come up and be sure your topic fit in the general area. Then visit Overture. Com and review popular keywords related to your topic and write down key phrases that might be used in your ebook.2) Killer Topics for an ebookSince you’ve already chosen your general topic, this may be re
ur boss can be an intimidating task. Here are five tips to help you approach the situation with the proper insight and confidence.
1. Know What You're Worth
The first step is to get the facts and figures to justify your request for more pay. If you do your homework, it's much easier to build a compelling case. Look at websites like Monster.com and Salary.com and research industry journals and professional associations to see what people in your position typically make. Speak with your colleagues and check our recruitment ads in local newspapers and the classifieds. If you realize that a systems analyst in Chicago typically makes between $45,000 and $55,000, and you're only at $40,000 - it's much easier to make your case.
2. Prove You Deserve the Money
You need to walk into a meeting with your boss with documented reasons as to why you deserve a raise. Never try to make a case for a raise on the basis of need. Prove that you deserve the money based on your high performance and your contributions to your employer’s goals. The best way to do this is to bring in your accomplishments AND what you plan to do to earn your new salary. If you can say, "I sold 850 contracts last year, and that netted the company and extra $60,000 in profit. I think it only makes sense for me to get a $6,000 raise," it makes your case even stronger. Remember one thing though; your salary is not the only expense that a company has for you. What you make is typically only about 50% of what you cost the company. Things like health costs, office space, and phone lines all add up to tremendous overhead. If you make $50,000 a year, you probably cost your company $100,000 a year! Prove that your value exceeds costs, and you’ll be hard to refuse.
3. Talk to the Right Person at the Right Time
Your boss might not be the one who determines whether or not you get a raise. You want to do whatever you can to state your case directly to the decision maker. You can make a great, compelling case to your boss as to why you deserve a raise, but if she's not the decision maker, she may not represent your story the same way you would. A good boss with a good heart can be more effective at getting to the decision maker, but if you don't get along with your boss
Defusing Customer Disputes: 7 Strategies to Centered CommunicationDefusing difficult or angry customers calmly and assertively benefits the company, the customer, and the service representative. Managing any difficult situation requires clear communication and intention. You improve with practice. And the rewards – both in terms of personal and bottom line profit are great. The key lies in your ability to manage yourself so that you can manage and support the customer.
Take charge of you. Remember to breathe, smile, and connect with your higher motives. You cannot change the customer's reactions, but you can manage your response to them.Focus on the bigger picture instead of getting stuck on
classifieds. If you realize that a systems analyst in Chicago typically makes between $45,000 and $55,000, and you're only at $40,000 - it's much easier to make your case.
2. Prove You Deserve the Money
You need to walk into a meeting with your boss with documented reasons as to why you deserve a raise. Never try to make a case for a raise on the basis of need. Prove that you deserve the money based on your high performance and your contributions to your employer’s goals. The best way to do this is to bring in your accomplishments AND what you plan to do to earn your new salary. If you can say, "I sold 850 contracts last year, and that netted the company and extra $60,000 in profit. I think it only makes sense for me to get a $6,000 raise," it makes your case even stronger. Remember one thing though; your salary is not the only expense that a company has for you. What you make is typically only about 50% of what you cost the company. Things like health costs, office space, and phone lines all add up to tremendous overhead. If you make $50,000 a year, you probably cost your company $100,000 a year! Prove that your value exceeds costs, and you’ll be hard to refuse.
3. Talk to the Right Person at the Right Time
Your boss might not be the one who determines whether or not you get a raise. You want to do whatever you can to state your case directly to the decision maker. You can make a great, compelling case to your boss as to why you deserve a raise, but if she's not the decision maker, she may not represent your story the same way you would. A good boss with a good heart can be more effective at getting to the decision maker, but if you don't get along with your boss
Approachability FAQ's Answered, Part 1The following questions come directly from hand-written audience evaluations from my speeches. I hope they provide you with great insight into approachability!What are some approach techniques?
If two or more people are talking in a circle or small group, here’s what you do:1. Approach the group and smile. Don’t cross your arms and make eye contact with whoever is speaking.
2. Don’t say anything, wait for someone to speak to you first.
3. Use all three head nod speeds: slow = I follow you, medium = I agree, fast = I’m excited.
4. If you can, find an appropriate time to chime in, either introduce yourself or comment on som
do to earn your new salary. If you can say, "I sold 850 contracts last year, and that netted the company and extra $60,000 in profit. I think it only makes sense for me to get a $6,000 raise," it makes your case even stronger. Remember one thing though; your salary is not the only expense that a company has for you. What you make is typically only about 50% of what you cost the company. Things like health costs, office space, and phone lines all add up to tremendous overhead. If you make $50,000 a year, you probably cost your company $100,000 a year! Prove that your value exceeds costs, and you’ll be hard to refuse.
3. Talk to the Right Person at the Right Time
Your boss might not be the one who determines whether or not you get a raise. You want to do whatever you can to state your case directly to the decision maker. You can make a great, compelling case to your boss as to why you deserve a raise, but if she's not the decision maker, she may not represent your story the same way you would. A good boss with a good heart can be more effective at getting to the decision maker, but if you don't get along with your boss
Testing – the Most Effective Tool for Database MarketingEach marketing campaign plan should be tested on a smaller group of Customers, before being deployed. Based on the results of the test campaign, the marketing campaign can be reshaped to achieve better results.Testing is essential in every campaign, given that the business environment changes dynamically. Nothing should be taken for granted. Testing can be used not only for the estimation of short term response rates and marketing campaign ROI, but also to monitor the medium term effect (e.g. one year) of a campaign.The steps to implement a test campaign, are the following:1. identify a group of customers, who are potential buyers of a product, e.
lue exceeds costs, and you’ll be hard to refuse.
3. Talk to the Right Person at the Right Time
Your boss might not be the one who determines whether or not you get a raise. You want to do whatever you can to state your case directly to the decision maker. You can make a great, compelling case to your boss as to why you deserve a raise, but if she's not the decision maker, she may not represent your story the same way you would. A good boss with a good heart can be more effective at getting to the decision maker, but if you don't get along with your boss, you may want to go above or around her. Similarly, you want to talk about a raise at the right time. You want a private meeting - with no other distractions or business to talk about. Ideally, you can do it over lunch or in someone's office.
4. Be Direct, Concise, and Assertive
Too many people beat around the bush or sound too wishy-washy when it comes time to actually ask for the money. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is failing to prepare yourself.
Bad: "Well, I know times are tough, and you probably have a lot of deserving people around here, so I was hoping, if it’s possible, that I might be able to get a raise?"
Good: "Phil, as you know I've been a valuable and critical member of our team. Over the past year alone, I've elevated the quality of our news program, eliminated on-air glitches, and even filled in for two employees on maternity leave. I have not received a raise in two years, and based on salary surveys, I'm at the low end of the scale for my position. I think you would agree that I deserve a raise."
As you can see, assertive speech presents a more powerful case.
5. Know your Company
If the goal is to get more money, requesting a raise isn't always the only or even best way to get it done. Some companies have very defined pools of money. Some money is for raises, some for promotions, and even some for "counter offers." Since promotions usually come with more money, requesting a promotion may be even easier than requesting a raise. Sometimes even the thought that you're interviewing can spur a company to give you a raise. A strategically "misplaced" resume or wearing an interview suit to work can do wonders! You need to be cautious with this technique as some companies may see this as a reason to give you a raise, but others may see this as grounds for firin! That's why you need to know your company.
Before having the “money talk,” it’s also important to evaluate your level of job satisfaction. Consider creative options and other benefits to improve your situation if your salary is non-negotiable. You may want to consider back-up career plans as well. Money isn’t always the key to job happiness, so you need to identify the point at which you are willing to walk before you have
First impressions matter and one of the best ways to introduce yourself is by using the elevator speech technique. This technique is colorful, memorable and is guaranteed to grab the attention of your interviewer.
The role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) can be a very lonely one and the pressures can make it very stressful. Every CEO needs someone they can trust that they can talk to. Whether you're the leader of a company, the head of a family or the president of your own back yard, you need your own sounding board.
Direct marketing is not passe no matter what you hear from those online gurus. Direct marketing should be an integral part of your marketing campaign to maximize your dollars.