I’ll be reading…

Glenn

Glenn’s last blog post…Jos A Bank Flunks The Active Greeting Customer Service Standard

I had an average sales cycle of 18 months.

When I realized I was giving such crappy customer service I realized I needed to get out. And fast.

The same thing happened when I was waitering. I became a bitchy waiter and hated myself so quit. Stupidly enough that was when my tips started going up because for some reason people *like* sarcastic jaded wait staff serving them.

Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome’s last blog post…Destuckifying Your Life: Havi Brooks Interview

Glad I could be of service, though I wish I’d heard it (your laugh). Sometimes sitting in front of a screen isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

And as far as hurling goes, I have known far too many doing just that. Believe me, I know what I’m speaking about there.

Brett,

Is that the one that got U.S. taxpayers’ “bailout” money the same week? Blew my mind. They ought to be horsewhipped. My parents, who run a motel, pointed out that it was probably all bought and paid for long in advance (they think about such things), so they couldn’t have gotten most of the $$$ back, but it was the p.r. problem that struck me.

I don’t care that the money’s already gone—you appear to have a lot in common with Marie Antoinette when you do these lavish things without a thought for the Perception problems it will cause. This is roll up your sleeves and get grubby time, not have your toenails done in the spa between workshops time.

And guys—break that new CEO in right. Be bold. You are the brilliant voices he needs to hear.

Betsy,

You are so right. “The key is training yourself and those who work with you on the possibility.” It’s going from being jaded (“I know how this will turn out”) to having a twinkle in your own eye (“Who knows?”). That’s the key.

Thanks for your comment, and welcome!

Wendi,

Yes yes yes. Especially the “correction” part, because let’s remember, it’s really been misplaced exuberance for a few years. Markets do this. They go up *and down.* Folks who thought up was the only direction are more distressed than folks who know this is part of what makes economics work.

The news stays on the air if they sell ads. If they tell you happy stuff that doesn’t excite, you don’t glue your eyeballs to the set, so instead they sell you doom, to sell your eyeballs to advertisers. Simple. Unfortunately, the more they sell doom, the more those who watch feel it, the more they feel it, the more they make it happen… its a tough cycle to break.

Hmm… I guess we could use a little dose of that misplaced exuberance back!

Later,

Kelly

Just last week in my old cubicleland I saw evidence of this when the first round of lay-offs began and the choices they made reflected the ones who made poor choices that were not conducive to new change and productivity. The old ways need to end. The waste and insensitivity to the ones actually producing has got to stop and the inattention to the customer…needs to come to an end. Some companies out there are looking at the bottom lines and starting to wake up. I wish I could name names here, but it’s promising to me.

And Kelly, yes to your last sentance. What we visualize we create, as individuals and as a community. AND, as a world. SO..when I start hearing the news talk about a one world depression…I SO want to stuff socks in their collective mouths. What are they thinking?!?!?!?! There are too many people who take that as a sign that all is lost and just sit on their behinds and give up. That doesn’t help, it makes it worse and actually causes it to happen. How about coming up with something positive they can do and report on that? Like…give excellant customer service for a start!

Wendi Kelly’s last blog post…Teeter-Totter Tribulations

Just yesterday an older gentleman with a twinkle in his eye walked into our office. He wanted a gift for his wife. We usually do large orders of gifts for companies, and we were in the midst of sending out 600 on pallet-loads. I asked a few questions about the situation and made a suggestion that he liked. Then, he kept coming back with “I thought of another person who could use a pick-me-up.” One gift turned into five and he was peeling $100 bills off a big wad stashed in his shabby wallet. It was a nice order by the time everything was said and done. And he got such a kick out of doing it, it made my day, too.

Anyone who walks into your business could be such an angel. The key is training yourself and those who work with you on the possibility.

Betsy’s last blog post…GHOSTS

Exactly – I am with you, we all need to get away sometimes to think – and just like you suggested, why couldn’t it be a local coffee house or a church basement or something, rather than a $400/night resort – at a time when they nickel and dime us about cookies. Seems a bit hypocritical (and sounds like that investment banking firm that sent their execs on that $400k+ retreat the same week they filed for Chapter 11).

Funny you mention one voice at a time, as we’ve started changing our tactics a bit. Since our immediate managers and their bosses won’t listen to positive or negative feedback, we’re going higher. The new CEO might just be what we need, and if you email him, he replies (he replied to my email about blogging, even though it took him 2 weeks to get back to me). Change is coming, perhaps if the midsection of the company is ripped out and rebuilt, we might just be able to get something done…

(But that still doesn’t change my own plans, I have worked for someone else for too long.)

Brett Legree’s last blog post…viking fridays – tears in the rain.

I don’t often LITERALLY “LOL”, but I did when I read what you just said.

“…hurling-themselves-toward-failure…”

HAHAHAH! That’s a KEEPER!!!

:- D

Friar’s last blog post…Vikings Versus Pumpkins

(Wondering why CommentLuv doesn’t like you… check your URL….)

Widgetville rants gladly accepted. It’s all part of Customer Experience, seriously.

I have to hope that during the retreat, they discussed the lunacies in their current strategies.

Knowing how many loping, panting, and hurling-themselves-toward-failure Big Boys function, I kinda doubt it. There is always a faint hope that some bright new energy will come in at the top, or that the mass of voices in the middle will be heard, so keep adding to the mass of voices. No, it doesn’t always work, but it is how change is made. One voice at a time. Plus, it keeps you Widgeteers who have Vision from going nuts.

Later, no really, later….