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Potty Training At Daycare and Preschool

Posted in Babies Toddler on the July 20th, 2006

With 61% of children between the ages of birth and 6 years in daycare, it’s important that parents work closely withtheir child’s care provider while potty training. When you child is ready for potty training, the right potty training guidance andsupplies can make all the difference.

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Things Are Good Because I Say They Are

Posted in Coaching on the July 20th, 2006

The subject of positive self talk regarding our goals and dreams reminds me of the childhood story, The Velveteen Rabbit. The boy loves the toy so much that a magic fairy comes and turns the toy bunny into a real rabbit. She tells the bunny it has been loved so much that it has earned the right to be real.

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Millions of Americans have No Life Insurance

Posted in Insurance on the July 20th, 2006

Only 61% of adult Americans have life insurance (down from 70% in 1984).

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Timepieces

Posted in Inspirational on the July 19th, 2006

Direct Answers - Column for the week of June 2, 2003

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Business Innovation ? Good Thinking NOT Leadership

Posted in Innovation on the July 19th, 2006

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.

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Customer Service - A Lost Art?

Posted in Customer Service on the July 19th, 2006

Is customer service a lost art? Before you answer that question, take a moment and think about the last few timesyou have gone shopping or out to dinner. Okay, now that you have really thought about it, is your answer anydifferent? Why is it that when we actually DO receive excellent customer service that it makes such an impression onus that we usually choose to go back? Why - because the occurrences are so few and far between!!!

As ahome business owner, it is imperative to my business that customer service is ALWAYS a top priority. Remember the saying: "Ifyou don’t take care of your customer, somebody else will". I’m sure you have read or heard it somewhere before…..and howtrue it is.

Here are a few ways to improve customer service at your business:

  • SMILE - Sounds toosimple, right? As a customer, would you prefer to be serviced by a smiling face, or a scowl that would befita guard dog?
  • LISTEN - Always be slow to speak and quick to listen. Let customers express themselves without you tryingto do it for them. Nobody likes being interrupted.
  • DON’T BE TOO PUSHY - Yeah, I know - the bottom lineis sales, right?
    There is a fine line between suggesting products/services and pushing them down a customer’s throat. If you are toopushy, your customer will probably walk away and take their business elsewhere.
  • PHONE ETTIQUETTE - Whether you are answering or initiatinga call, always remember who the customer is. Be polite. Try "Yes sir/ma’am" instead of "yeah" and "nope". If you don’thave an answer for your customer - offer to do some research to find what they are inquiring about.
  • THANK YOU- ALWAYS thank your customers. Even if you could not help them or they decided not to purchase from you. Leavethem with a positive impression of your business before they leave.
  • TRAINING - Train your employees. Don’t let an untrained employeeruin your track record of excellent customer service. Train your employees on-the-job for as long as necessary to teach them goodcustomer service.
  • "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise"
    Luke 6:31

    Inconclusion: Customer service may be THE most important aspect of your business plan. I know of many people who are willingto pay a little more for a product or service in order receive excellent customer care. Price, advertising, and location areall vital to a business—- but whatever you do, don’t overlook the all-important "Good Customer Service".

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Craig Binkley ? husband, father and
    home business ownerassisting in the
    restoration of the "traditional" family
    through home business ownership.
    http://www.bornagainbargains.com
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Bluefin Tuna Fishing

    Posted in Fishing on the July 19th, 2006

    Bluefin tuna are one of the greatest challenges to anglers off the coast of New England, and Massachusetts continues to bea center of activity for giant bluefin tuna.Most tuna are caught chunking or trolling. I will describe the techniques usedby top crews to catch these giants.

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