Once upon a time, when you called a company a real person answered the phone. If you had a complaint, your call was forwarded to a customer service representative. Ah, the good ol’ days. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could go back to the time when “customer service” existed? A woman can dream can’t she!

Companies used automated phone systems because they cut costs and save time. Do they really save time and for whom? What about saving the company money? If you lose customers because they’re tired of your automated phone system, how is that saving your company money?

I’m tired of pressing 1 for English or 2 for Spanish. This is America, we speak English. Before you know it, you’ll be asked to press 3 for Mandarin Chinese, 4 for Japanese, 5 for French, 6 for Portuguese, 7 for Swahili, 8 for Latin, and 9 for Hungarian! Once you select your language, you’ll be asked to press 1 for this department, press 2 for that department, or press 3 for another department. You could travel to China faster than you can reach a customer service representative.

Automated phone systems never give you the option to press 0 for the operator. You can try to press 0 and hope to be transferred to customer service or redial and try again. How does this save the customer time? If an operator would be pickup straightaway, you could be connected to the right department in no time.

In my opinion, automated phone systems are the most irritating invention. I’d prefer to hire someone to answer phone calls from customers and have them directed to the correct people. Some may argue this cannot be done because we are global society. Others will argue that scaling back on automated phone systems will hurt corporations. Sigh…

All I want is to speak to a human being and not waste time pressing buttons on a phone. If I want to waste time pressing buttons, I’ll play a video game! It would be more fun than pressing buttons trying to reach the right department and person who can help me!

Rebecca

What bugs you the most about automated phone systems?

My thoughts on the Millionaire Mind Intensive…

The weekend of December 4 – December 6, 2009, I attended T. Harv Eker’s Millionaire Mind Intensive. Harv is the author of the #1 Best Selling book Secrets of the Millionaire Mind. His company is Peak Potentials “one of the fastest growing business and personal success training companies in North America.”

I was invited to the event by the organizer of my Master Mind group. I was very skeptical because I’ve been invited to these types of events before and have been disappointed. Most events are nothing but “glorified” sales and marketing pitches. The Millionaire Mind Intensive was different. I was blown away by the event and it was FREE to attend if you were invited by someone. The event is usually priced at $1,295.

The Millionaire Mind Intensive is for those who are “sick and tired of being sick and tired.” You’re tired of having financial setbacks, living in mediocrity, and not knowing why you haven’t been successful in life. You will receive the answers to your questions.

Attending a Millionaire Mind Intensive requires an open mind. There was a lot of “hi-fiving,” clapping, and dancing — mostly by people who went up on the stage. It may seem a little hokey (I thought this), but keep an open mind and you’ll have a good time.

For those who are familiar with Think and Grow Rich, The Secret, The Master Key System, and the Science of Getting Rich will enjoy the Millionaire Mind Intensive. People at the MMI event are familiar with these books and other self-help books. They constantly work on changing their mindset around money and attend the Millionaire Mind Intensive as a stepping stone to the other courses offered by Peak Potentials.

All of us promised that what happened at the Millionaire Mind Intensive would stay at the Millionaire Mind Intensive, kind of like “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” Again, I was very skeptical going into the seminar, but my mind was changed by Sunday night. I highly recommend you attend a Millionaire Mind Intensive if you’re fortunate enough to receive a FREE certificate. Not only will you learn the secrets of the rich, you will learn what is holding you back in life and business!

Rebecca

What’s stopping your from having a Millionaire Mind?

America needs a reality check. If you own a small business, you don’t exist without customers. That’s business in its simplest terms. The formula goes something like this: small business – customers = out of business. It’s pretty simple; you don’t have to be Plato or Socrates to understand the formula.

Unfortunately, employees of small businesses don’t understand the formula. Without customers the business will fold which means employees are out of jobs. Again, it’s a pretty simple concept to understand. So, why don’t small business owners and employees get it?

Providing horrible customer service is a guarantee way to send business to your competitors. People will not stand for rude or poor customer service. They’ll just drive a few miles to your competition and spend money for goods and services.

Perhaps customer service has taken a nose dive because of the economy, Americans values, or employees being fed up with working hard and long hours and not receiving the pay or recognition they deserve. If small business owners don’t appreciate their employees, why would employees appreciate customers?

Customer service can make or break your business. Word-of-mouth travels fast and is still a viable means of advertising. Don’t treat your customers right will result in the phone not ringing and your website sitting idle in cyberspace!

Without customers you business will shrivel up and disappear. If employees are disgruntled find out why. Your receptionist (if you have one) is the first point of contact with customers. She sets the tone for your small business. If your receptionist answers the phone with a “frosty” tone, you’ll hear about it from customers. Take the time to find out why your receptionist is not friendly. Perhaps she’s going through a rough time at home or found at that a loved one is sick. This is not an excuse, but it will give you insight and you’ll be able to address the situation in a professional manner.

Many people will pay for customer service. For example, a woman working at a local McDonald’s provided excellent customer service that it landed her on the 5 o’clock news. People were driving miles to this particular McDonald’s because of the customer service. These people had a McDonald’s around the corner from them but they chose to drive a few miles just to be greeted by this particular employee. That’s the power of exceptional customer service.

If your small business isn’t flourishing as you’d like it to, you may want to look at your employees and assess their customer service skills. You may want to send them to seminars and conferences on customer service. The sooner you “nip this is in the bud” the better for you, your business, and customers.

Rebecca

Employers can set employees up for failure or success. Choosing to do the latter will motivate employees to do their best and go above and beyond the call of duty. When you don’t set employees up for success, you hurt the bottom line. The company’s profitability could plummet because employees will not be motivated to make sales calls or contribute to the company.

Setting employees up for success can help your company improve the bottom line. Happy employees add positive energy to the office. They’ll make extra sales calls, take on extra work, and have a positive attitude which can spread throughout the office. Successful employees will add value to your business in more way than you can imagine.

Employees like to hear, “…thank you” now and again. They also enjoy receiving pay increases and bonuses. However, it’s been proven that employees put a higher value on being appreciated. On a scale of 1 to 10, money came in at number 9 while being valued and appreciated ranked higher. Employees like to express their ideas in an open and safe environment and see their ideas implemented.

How can employers create successful employees

Employers can create successful employees by allowing them to take on challenging work. Give them a chance to resolve a problem within the department. You may be surprised to find out that your employees could have been saving you money. This is what happens when you don’t trust that your employees can handle the job.

Don’t micromanage employees because it doesn’t work. The majority of employees do not require “hand holding” on the job. You hired these people to do a job, why would you want to stand over their shoulders? Give employees room to breathe and grow. They may not do the job how you would, but it doesn’t matter if they complete the work in a timely and efficient manner.

How employees can be successful at work

Perform your job well and don’t worry about jealous co-workers. Voice your ideas when asked or suggest them at the monthly meeting. Don’t get caught up in office politics or gossip. Keep your eyes and ears open, but don’t get involved in your co-workers antics. Most of them are probably miserable in their lives and flock to those who are the same as them. Take the high road and wait for an official announcement from the company. This way you won’t be stressed out at work worrying that the company’s being sold. It’s not worth it.

Before you arrive at work intend to have a great, productive day. Give thanks that you have a job because many people lost theirs and they’re not coming back. Intend to do the best you can and do it. When you’re ready to move on from your current employer, the energy you put into your current job will be clean and energized so your next position will be better than the last

Employees can be successful at work with the help of employers. Show your appreciation by saying “great job, thank you, and we couldn’t have done it without you.” Employees can and will add to the value of a company if you let them. When you set up employees for success, the bottom line will increase year after year and so will your employees morale!

Rebecca

Let’s face it, women are not going to give up their beauty and skin care products. Even though retail sales are down right now, internet sales are through the roof! Why? The internet is fast and convenient. With the click of a button you can place your Arbonne order and have it delivered to your home. It’s that easy and simple. Internet shopping is safe for the environment. There’s no need to get into the car and drive to the mall (unless you want to do so) or have someone come to your house. If the amount of emissions released into the air can be reduced that’s a benefit for everyone on the planet!

Beauty and skin care products are marketable products because women use them daily. Arbonne products are top of the line. Not only do you receive a quality product, but you have an opportunity to join and grow a small business.

There’s nothing like having your own business. You’re the boss and you call the shots. You set your hours that work for you so you can spend time with family and friends. You won’t miss special moments like school plays, birthdays, teacher conferences, and other important dates.

Arbonne business

If you’re interested in earning passive income with Arbonne, sign up at IAmANatural.MyArbonne.com. Beauty and skin care products will not wane. Men and women enjoy looking and feeling their best. They’re not going to give up their skin care products.

Arbonne beauty and skin care products will help you thrive in any economy. You won’t be worried about paying the bills because you’ll be earning passive income. The bonus is that you’ll look good doing it!

The main point about joining Arbonne International is the fact that you earn passive income. We’ve all heard the “stay-at-home” mom stories a dozen or more times. Yes, when you’re a mom you have a couple of choices 1) quit your job, 2) call your mother who may live 2,000 miles away and tell her that she’s moving in with you, 3) hire a nanny or baby sitter, or 4) put your child in daycare. There’s nothing new here. If you don’t want to put your child in daycare or have your mom move in with you, start an Arbonne business. Not only do you receive great benefits such as an awesome discount, you get to start your own business. This means you can stay-at-home with your child and earn a great income at the same time. It’s a win-win situation!

Rebecca

I’d like to share my story about my credit card company. I’m with Bank of America and they sent me a notice on October 27, 2009 that my credit card limits were reduced. Receiving this notification was like receiving a sucker punch to the gut. Never in my life did I ever dream that I would be in this situation. How the hell did I create this for my life? Mark my words…this is my first and will be my only time to deal with this situation. Here’s my story…

I always enjoyed a very high credit limit and was able to pay my bills with ease when I worked as a Property Analyst for a real estate and development company in Cleveland, OH. Accounting wasn’t my passion, but I made a great living. When my father died, I decided to pursue my love of art and went back to school for a graphic design certification. I quit my accounting job, sold my townhouse, moved in with my mom, and landed a job as a graphic designer. I still was miserable. I managed to create the same situations in my life just with different people. Something had to change because I was sick and tired of being sick and tired.

I graduated in May 2007 with a Master of Science, Management degree. I researched some states and decided I would move to Arizona. I sent out resume after resume without receiving any responses. I went to the UK in August 2007 and when I got back, I finally spoke with someone about moving to Arizona. I was told that Arizona employers like to see Arizona residency BEFORE they will hire a person. So…In September 2007, I drove from Ohio to Arizona. It was my first “real” road trip and first time I drove cross country — no one was with me. When I arrived in Arizona, I decided to move there. I found an apartment, parked my car in the garage, flew back home, packed up, and flew back out. I was confident that I would find full-time or part-time employment utilizing my accounting degrees along with my Master of Science, Management degree. I was wrong!

Steps I took to finding employment

• Sent out a ton of resumes before and after my move to Arizona in September 2007.
• Started networking to make connections — hoping to gain referrals.
• Contacted and met with several different representatives from employment agencies none of which helped me find employment.
• Put ads on Craigslist.
• Put resumes on Craigslist.
• Put resumes on Jobing.com and CareerBuilder.
• Informed people that I was a writer looking for work, but would be interested in accounting work as well.
• Signed up with Guru.com and bid on jobs.
• Tried my hand at Google AdSense and spent more than I earned.
• Obtained not 1, not 2, but 3 degrees, including a Master of Science.
• Received a graphic design certification.
• Started reading books like Think and Grow Rich, The Secret, The Science of Getting Rich, Quantum Success, and other books to change my thoughts around abundance, money, and wealth.

Fast forward to October 28, 2009, and I am living, correction, surviving in Arizona by the skin of my teeth! According to all of the “spiritual gurus” out there, you can do what you love (writing for me) and make money from it. I’m grateful for my writing job and the writing jobs I had, but it’s not enough to live on. Let’s face it, we need and use money, that’s how it is. Anyone that says they don’t like money is lying!

I hope all of the CEOs of the credit card companies can sleep at night. I’m glad as an American taxpayer that I was able to help bail out the banks and credit card companies when they needed it. I sleep better at night knowing that employees and CEOs receive their BIG bonuses on time and enjoy spa days. I couldn’t live with myself if they missed a bonus check!

BONUS

CLICK HERE to read the letter I sent to Bank of America.

Rebecca

How have you been screwed over by a credit card company?

I was contemplating moving from Chandler, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ so I was apartment hunting. Ugh! I’m not sure what Arizona real estate developers were thinking back in the 1980s and early 1990s. I must say that the Mark Taylor apartment complex on Rural Road (Ray and Rural Road) was one of the best. It felt more like a condo which reminded me that I wanted to rent a condo or town home. I began my search for renting a condo or town home.

Wow! I thought real estate agents would know that you must “stage” a property before you show it. Even though I was only thinking about renting a condo or town home, I could have been open to purchasing one. As my law professor would say, “…too bad, so sad.”

If you’ve been paying attention to the news then you know Arizona is a state that has been hit hard by the real estate debacle. Why wouldn’t you make sure a property is “clean” before you show it? I met this one agent from a supposedly “classy” agency (think Biltmore) and the property was filthy! I was looking to rent it, but as I said I would have considered purchasing. The agent was not personable and the property was very dirty. The wallpaper looked like it was from the 1970s. Plus, the electricity was turned off! The agent used the light from his cell phone to show me the bathrooms and bedrooms. I stood there and thought, “…you can’t be serious.” Needless to say I did not rent that property and was not interested in any other ones he wanted to show me. This was a real estate turn-off!

When you show a property, make sure it’s clean and the lights are on so people can see what the bathroom and bedrooms look like. If you’ve been in real estate for a long time you should already know this. It’s like real estate 101.

I learned a lot from traveling around Arizona. First, I can be a real estate agent. I’m personable, and I have common sense not to show a dirty property. Second, I’m not into high-pressure sales tactics. This is a fast way to lose a potential client. Finally, I’d make sure the electricity worked and the property was clean. I would not show a dirty property!

If you’re a real estate agent and are not making the sales ask yourself “why?” What’s the condition of the properties you show? How personable are you? What’s your energy like? Upbeat? Desperate? Take a good look at yourself and answer the question, “…how did I lose a real estate client in less than one minute?”

Rebecca

How clean were the properties that you visited? How friendly was the real estate person? Share your experience.

I recently met someone at a Meetup who applied for a job with New York and Company at the Tempe Marketplace in Tempe, AZ. They blatantly told her that she would fit in better at the Chandler Fashion Mall on Chandler Blvd. in Chandler, AZ. Was this selective hiring or discrimination? Whoever told her this wasn’t too bright because I’m writing a blog about it. I wonder what the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) would say about this.

How does New York and Company know that she wouldn’t fit in? Believe me; the people in Arizona don’t dress like the people from New York, London, Chicago, Boston, or any other trendy place. They wear khakis, tank tops, flip flops, shorts, T-shirts, and any other casual wear all year long. This hardly constitutes as New York fashion even though fashion designers will feature these items, they’re not the same in AZ.

It’s interesting that they judged her because New York and Company does offer some “preppy” looks. It’s not like shopping at Prada or a boutique in New York. It’s Tempe, AZ and a Marketplace that’s minutes away from ASU — you get the picture. Since when do college kids really care about how they look? Most of them roll out of bed and are good to go.

I felt compelled to write this blog because it’s interesting how we “judge” others. What they don’t know about this woman is that she’s in marketing and could have helped New York and Company market their brand at the store level. They’ll never know how many extra sales she would have brought into the store. They’ll never know how much she could have helped increased the bottom line which is important in business and retail sales. As my law professor would say, “….too bad, so sad.” Just some food for though.

Rebecca

Social media has taken the world by storm. Unfortunately, many people use Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and countless other sites to VENT their frustrations about their employers, co-workers, and bosses. This is NOT a smart thing to do since employees scan these sites for employee activity. Right or wrong, one Tweet can cost you employment.

According to an article on MSN.com, employees that vented or insulted their employers were fired! It’s true. Employers don’t want unhappy employees working for them

Employees may scream the 1st Amendment (freedom of Speech), but employers will have a different viewpoint. They’re paying you a salary and benefits which is something that many people would like to have. Employers can easily replace dissatisfied employees. If you’re unhappy, do something about it.

Employers will not tolerate employees that “slam” the company. You’d think that in times of a tough economy, employees would be grateful for their jobs. Guess not. Even though unemployment rises in times of economic uncertainty, employees aren’t holding back. They let their feelings known via social media outlets.

Social media is a great way to stay connected with family and friends or to grow your business. If you’re going to make a snide comment about a co-worker or boss, you may want to hold off. You never know who is looking at social media sites. This is why they tell you NOT to send emails or surf the internet on company time. You can best believe that you’re time on the computer is monitored.

Remember, you’re at work to do just that. You’re providing a service and getting paid for it. Perhaps a change in mind-set is what is needed. Be grateful that you have a job and steady income each month. Start blessing your job and the money you have. Affirm that you know you’ll realize another position that is more aligned with your passion. Do this and then start the job search. If you don’t clean up your JOB KARMA, you’ll just repeat the same patterns over and over again.

If you’re an employee that has Tweeted or posted anything rude on Facebook, own up to it and take responsibility for your actions. You’ll be surprised how you can turn a negative situation into a positive one. Remember that social media is can be a good thing. It’s a way to connect with “like-minded” people and network. If you’re in the market for a new job, you may have a contact that can help you. Just be discrete about it. Don’t Tweet or post a Facebook status, send an email from home!

Rebecca

What kinds of Tweets do you post when you’re at work?

Many women are “taken to the cleaners” when they bring their vehicle to an auto mechanic. If you don’t know anything about vehicles, you may want to educate yourself about auto mechanics. If you’re waiting for Prince Charming to “sweep” you off of your feet so you don’t have to deal with your vehicle, you may be waiting for awhile. In the meantime, learn the “ins and outs” of your vehicle. This is a great way to protect yourself when you car needs to be repaired.

27 Questions

1. What is an estimated dollar amount for repairs?
2. What references do you have? Listed with the BBB?
3. How many years have you’ve been in business?
4. How many of the auto mechanics are ASE certified?
5. Where did the auto mechanics receive their certification?
6. What can I do to maintain my engine?
7. When will the hoses need to be replaced?
8. When will I need to change the battery?
9. What is a serpentine belt?
10. What exactly do “fuel injectors” do?
11. When should the air filter be changed?
12. What is the best oil for my car?
13. Where will you keep the PARTS that needed to be replaced? Look at them!
14. How much coolant is required in my car?
15. What does it mean if the coolant seems to be disappearing?
16. When is it a good time to be fuel injector cleaner in my car?
17. When will it be necessary to change the spark plugs and injectors?
18. How do I keep my engine clean?
19. What parts are under warranty? For how long? Labor?
20. Where did the parts come from? (Manufacturer)
21. How long do brakes, shoes, and pads usually last?
22. How long does a battery last?
23. What kind of test can I do to check the TREAD on my tires?
24. What type of tire is right for my vehicle?
25. What battery is good for my car?
26. What money back guarantee is there?
27. What kind of test will you perform on my car to make sure it was properly serviced? Road test? Other?

Here are some tips and tricks to maintaining your vehicle.

Tips & Tricks

• Take your car to a REPUTABLE auto mechanic. Get references! If you’re new to an area, it’s imperative to find a good auto mechanic. Ask co-workers and neighbors where they take their car;
• Change your oil every 3,000 to 7,000 miles. The rule of thumb is 3,000 miles; however, some people “push it” to 7,000 miles;
• Keep the proper amount of air in your tires. The normal pressure is 35 lbs. of air. Make sure to check your car’s manual or the inside of car door (drivers side);
• If you live in the “desert states” of Arizona and New Mexico, you’ll probably be changing your hoses more frequently than the rest of the U.S. Make sure your hoses are in working order — ask your mechanic to check them out IF this is not included in a service package.

Ladies, it pays to know a little about cars and vehicles in general. The next time you take your car to be serviced, you’ll feel confident that you KNOW something about your vehicle.

Get to know and “tune” into your vehicle. This is just like being “tuned” into your body. Let’s say you go to the doctor for a checkup. You KNOW when something is off in your body. But, the doctor may say your fine. Your “intuition” will tell you when something is off. It’s the same with your vehicle. The more you know about your vehicle, the better you’ll be able to tell if the auto mechanic is trying to take you for a ride or brushing you off!

Rebecca

BONUS!

When you buy a car ask the following questions.

1. Where was my vehicle made?
2. How long is my vehicle under warranty?
3. What day was my vehicle made on?