Holistic Business

This is a bit of a rant.

Customer service in retail establishments has withered away to where it is almost non-existant. Or at least where I live it has.

I’m not even talking about the large mega-stores. I’m noticing it at the small local gas station and liquor store. I was out running errands the other day and realized that I, as the customer, was the one saying “Thank You” after being handed my change and receipt.

This is just wrong. I have even been pretty sure that times this has happened it’s been the owner.

It really hit home when I received a handwritten thank you note in the mail from another Virtual Assistant, Vickie Turley. I had spent some time on the phone with Vickie as we were comparing notes and likes and dislikes with various auto-responders and shopping cart software we work with. I consider Vickie a friend (I know the feeling is mutual!) - and she sent me a thank you! Now - that’s class!

I know it’s not worth getting myself all stressed over, but I might try saying “You’re Welcome” instead and see how THAT goes over.

Technorati Tags: Customer service, Thank You, Virtual Assistant, auto-responders, shopping cart

I shake my head an awful lot thinking, “it must be me”.

My 17-year old stepdaughter lost her cell phone. Most likely in the Newark International Airport. Yea, right - gone. Called and had the number shut off - no big deal. Maybe it will turn up in her bags . . .

Ten days later upon her return, off we go to the cell phone store. Well, she’s had a phone for a few years and is really, really careful - so last upgrade I did not go for the insurance. Ouch! Unless you are signing up for a new service agreement, the phones start around $200. Ouch!

Well, the young man waiting on us was looking at the account and noticed the phone that my 14-year old stepson has is insured.

Get this - he tells me to call the insurance department, hands me a card with their number on it, and report the insured phone missing. Then for just $50 they’ll send me a replacement.

WHAT??? But that’s not the phone that is lost. His reply - oh, don’t worry about it - people do it all the time.

Well, if that’s true it’s a crying shame. My mother’s voice actually played in my head at one point asking if everyone was jumping off a bridge would I do it too?

So, we had a discussion about ethics, honesty, and integrity and I hope the kids got something out of it. I explained that I didn’t really care if I was one in one thousand people who wouldn’t do that. It was not a matter of “getting caught” either. I’ll be the first one to complain about feeling as though I’m getting ripped off right and left (and I’m really pissed at Cingular right now for blocking calls to free conferencing numbers) but that still does not make it right in my book.

Is it me? Am I odd? Would you have done it?

P.S. We ended up finding someone selling the same model phone she lost on eBay for $50 and all ended well.

Technorati Tags: ethics, honesty, integrity

As promised, here is my “special” announcement for the Holistic Business Community:

Introducing . . . The Holistic Business Networking Forum

Namaste ~~

Yes, there is a brand new forum in town and it is specifically for business owners who are in or who specialize in providing support to those in the holistic/healing arts/ alternative medicine/green and sustainable living businesses.

This is not a list serv type group, but a very interactive forum designed to promote camaraderie, sharing, business growth, networking, and relationship building. There is absolutely *no* cost to join or maintain a membership - except for your time.

It’s brand-spanking new and promises to be a wealth of information to those of us who prefer to conduct business in perhaps a more purposeful way than traditional practices operate.

Our mission is to provide a warm and nurturing environment, as well as a “you asked for it, you’re going to get the truth” that is necessary for you and your business to prosper!

Spamming and ad blasting will not be tolerated, and those who do not share in the same values will not be eligible for membership. What this means is that we’ll have a group of serious, dedicated professionals all together in one place!

Please, take a trip over to Holistic Business Networking, register, and see what it’s all about!

Feel free to pass this invitation along to anyone you know who may benefit from this community.

I hope to “see” you on the forum!

So, that’s it - I am going to be marketing this pretty heavily over the next weeks/months. If you are an expert in a topic you see on the forum and are interested in some opportunities I may have - please register and drop me a line and let me know.

I’ve taken it this far, and I’m very happily putting all kinds of time in to it - but it’s for all of us.

I found the internet community to be lacking in this sort of thing for “us” and set out to do something about it.

Just don’t be shy - come on in and help build bridges!

I really do hope to meet you and get to know you better!

Technorati Tags: Holistic Business, holistic, healing arts, alternative medicine, green and sustainable living, networking