Archive for June, 2009.
Posted on June 30th, 2009 by Sandy in
Business Customer complaints management is important. Businesses can learn the reasons why their customers complain and look for solutions. Complaint tracking enables higher levels of customer satisfaction.
Staff must be trained in the best practices for handling customer complaints and invest in complaint handling software. Each customer interaction must be done with empathy and a real strong motivation to listen to the customer. It should include a one on one interaction with a relaxed and non threatening approach. An apology should be included at the start of the exchange.
A full set of notes should be prepared in the consumer complaint software that you are using – and during the interaction give the customer frequent summaries of what you are including. Take responsibility for the problem and outline the steps that will be involved in your research and resolution. Let them know the time frame and when you will contact them.
It is important that you follow up at the assigned date. This shows the customer that you are really interested in them and their problems. You can also take a proactive approach by contacting your customers regularly – not just when they have a problem.
Posted on June 30th, 2009 by Sandy in
Business Remember that show on MTV with rapper Xzibit? If not, the premise of the show was that they would take someone’s beat up old car and completely rebuild it, giving it custom wheels and completely overhauling it to make it into this kind of mutant car with a bath tub in it.
Yeah like nobody would steal a car that had an Xbox in it? I always wondered if people, thieves really would target those tricked out cars with 22″ rims and tires and steal all the booty off of it making the car again into a complete piece of junk.
Well that show really turned into a pop culture phenomenon and then you have folks tricking out their ride with everything from plastic spinners at Wal-mart to doing the full on detail, going all out with televisions in the backseat to chrome wheels.
Nascar.com says that getting wheels tricked out is one of the most common car upgrades out there today. While most people are content to ride with their off the shelf wheels, there is still a market for a total wheel upgrade. It really is the car accessory of choice. It’s funny because that used to be having a tape deck, or CD player. Now that’s a spot for your IPod and those off the shelf tires, hell to the no, those just have to go.
Wheels and rims are now a $3.23 billion industry. And that figure has doubled what it used to be about a decade ago. So what is with the obsession with Americans wanting to trick out their ride? Really it is all about opulence. It’s “keeping up with the Jones’s.” It’s having something that somebody else doesn’t.
As the world becomes more technologically advanced we crave more upgrades. Society is all about upgrades now: phones, cars, houses, wives (ha), and now wheels.
Or just blame it all on MTV and Pimp My Ride. Because everyone knows MTV is always a good and willing scapegoat.
Posted on June 30th, 2009 by Sandy in
Home It’s pinching pennies time in the United States and that mean that everyone is looking for ways they can save money and maximize their budget.
A lot of money is thrown away each year due to the fact that Americans are still using old appliances and other products in their home on a day to day basis. Another way we are all using energy and throwing away our money is by keeping appliances plugged in all day.
There is such a thing called vampire power. Vampire power is when small appliances that are turned off but still plugged in are using energy while they are not in use. They are using energy just by being plugged in. So that blow dryer you keep plugged in at all times of the day is actually costing you money in the long term. The same goes for cell phone chargers, computers, televisions and lamps. Keeping those appliances plugged in is a waste of money!
Another way to reduce your energy costs is to be more energy efficient appliances. It may seem like a big expense right now to plop down the dough for a new washer and dryer or refrigerator, but it will save you money in the long run.
Think about installing new blinds . Or if you don’t have blinds you really need to think about getting some. They keep the sun off of your house so you will be able to reduce your cooling costs. There are many services for blinds, like Next Day Blinds. They offer tons of options when it comes to window treatments. Next Day Blinds has both an expansive website and showrooms. They take all of the measuring and other guess work out for you. So it really is a no-brainer.
Also never forget the little things like turning off lights when you leave a room. Or turning off the water while you brush your teeth. Happy saving!
Goa is well known for its many arts genres and cultural heritage. It is one of the most popular tourists destinations in India, which is due as much for its beautiful beaches as to its dynamic cultural and architectural landmarks. One of the most appealing places to stay while visiting India is at a Goa beach hotel. The theatre and performance genres of Goa form a prominent place in its cultural heritage and are paramount to its citizens and also extremely attractive to tourists. Many of the theatrical performances involve the telling of stories from epic and sacred works such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. The music is diverse, there are many forms of traditional styles as well as contemporary and world influenced styles. Tiatr is one of the most common and popular styles of performance that involves music and dance. The city of Margao is often considered to be the commercial and performance capital of Goa, and while it is probably the busiest and most dynamic city, it is the second largest.
Tiatr is common to Goa as well as being extremely popular in Mumbai. As with many performance genres, Tiatr is usually based on one of the two epics the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The stories are usually presented in a melodramatic style and incorporate themes of life hardships, moral lessons and family life. The name is taken from the Portuguese word for theatre, and reflects the influence Portugal had on the local culture. They are performed in the Konkani language and include singing, dancing and instrumentals. It is so popular that recordings are made of the performances and sold at markets and festivals. Tourists are usually enthralled by these performances and frequently purchase one of the cds as souvenir. This is contributing to the growing world awareness and appreciation of the Tiatr. This type of musical is supported by the government who approved legislation that would contribute financially to the development of the Gao Tiatr Academy.
Goa India is very interesting and attractive for many reasons. While it is one of the smallest states in the country in terms of population and is actually the smallest geographical state, it is certainly not the smallest in culture, arts and historic heritage. Panaji is the capital, though Vasco da Gama is the state’s largest city. Another major urban center is the city of Margao, it is historic and contains many landmarks and icons. Margao also continues to demonstrate some of its Portuguese influences. All of these cities and of course many others are extremely attractive to tourists who enjoy the luxury accommodations provided by the best Goa spa resorts.
In addition to these dynamic cities and urban centers, Goa is well known for its beautiful beaches and scenic views. The weather and temperatures in Goa reflect its location in the tropical zone. This makes it very warm and humid for much of the year. It also provides for great days at the beaches for most of the year. Sunsets are amazing and water sports are engaging. Tourists enjoy spending their time on one of Goa’s beaches as much as exploring the many cultural aspects it has to offer. It stands to reason that tourism is Goa’s primary economic resource, and the businesses are well equipped to accommodate the multitudes of guests Goa plays host to each year.
The culture of Goa is rich in historic significance. The arts a prominent form of expression and many are based on traditional stories and religion. Two forms of traditional Goan music are the Mando and dulpod. Mando originally developed in the 19th century and was established by the Catholic population. It is interesting because it contains elements of Eastern and Western themes and styles and serves as a meeting place between the two. The dulpod is a traditional folk dance. It is interesting and somewhat confusing to foreigners due to its free style. There is no consistent theme or story and it is entirely improvised.
Phuket is an incredible Island full of beautiful scenic aspects and diverse cultural elements. It offers incredibly dinning and entertainment opportunities and features cuisine from around the world. There are also many local oriented aspects and cultural heritage traditions and landmarks. Old Town Phuket is one of the most quaint places on the island that is rich in art and architecture as well as much more. The streets of this town are filled with 100 year old shops offering various services and merchandise. There are art galleries, coffee shops, standard living needs, bed and breakfasts and a great deal more to offer guests staying in a five star hotel Phuket. This dynamical town is often considered to be one of the favorite spots in Phuket and many tourists visit it each year.
Sino-Colonial architecture is a common aspect of many of the buildings in Old Town Phuket as well as throughout the island. Many historic mansions built in this design line some of the streets and attract walking and driving tours through the neighborhood. One of the standard icons of Phuket is the Sino-Portuguese shop house. The building, which was build during the reign of King Rama II, radiates charm and pleasant feelings at first sight. It was created as a place for both living and family oriented businesses. It is structured so that the shop, which usually consisted of general stores, was in the front and the living quarters were in the back and upper quarters.
Old Town was established based on the wealth acquired during the tin mining boom that occurred a century ago. Metal was an extremely sought after and valuable commodity and gave rise to many progressive aspects to the island. The Old Town constitutes a relatively small area and easily strolled through. Walking through these streets and lanes is wonderful way to spend an afternoon and many tourists as well as locals can be found wandering down them.
In the realm of four-star hotels, Bangalore provides some enormously relaxing times for the guests. There is a sumptuous blend of old-fashioned charm and hospitality mixed with state of the art technologies, keeping the travelers well-pampered and well-connected. Bangalore has a fascinating connection with global culture, and there are fantastic design touches here that mix world-class sensibilities with the extremely local, making for a hotel experience that is very pleasant. The city of Bangalore is very fascinating to begin with, and guests will have a difficult time choosing between a night of luxury inside the hotel, or a night on the town.
Bangalore is the capital of the state of Karnataka, and has a long and fascinating history. It is one of the most economically advanced cities in India, and has recently started to experience a sudden shift in population, where Banaloreans who have moved away for promise of economic gain have moved back for the same reasons. It has one of the largest universities in the world. It also has hip hop. There are fantastic clubs to sample new music and new rhythms, and lucky travelers may find themselves in town for a show by Bangalore’s Deejay Goapu. Deejay Goapu is a musician turned deejay who started working the clubs in his new capacity as spinner when he found he had a talent for making large groups happy.
He also started to incorporate traditional Indian percussion to his beats, calling it “Taal Technology,” and instantly started to distinguish himself as a voice to follow in world music. By following in the artistic pattern of combining elements, mixing new technology with cultural traditions, new forms emerge that speak to old and new generations, and the world wakes up to respond. Deejay Goapu is starting to develop a following, with increasing numbers of performances in various cities in India, and is excited to be entertaining his audiences, and holds a special place in his heart for his hometown of Bangalore.
Experienced world travelers know that four-star Dubai hotels mean excellence, and a fabulous time in one of the world’s most fabulous cities. The hotels here specialize in decadence, where luxury and comfort are the key ingredients to perfection. And perfection is certainly the goal here. There is a magnificent custom of hospitality here that is unfathomable until one experiences it first hand. Although there are old-fashioned values like graciousness that permeate the air here, there is an absolute love for the new. New shopping malls, new art works, and new technologies are found everywhere.
Dubai is truly at the cutting edge of the world for culture and style, and there are multiple reasons why it is one of the world’s hotspots for artists and scientists and travelers from all walks of life. It is also a place of wonderful contradictions. With some of the most lovely beaches in the world, it is also in the middle of the desert. There is the fascinating landscape then, that comes with both water and sand. Chances are, guests here won’t experience record heat, but there are certainly times when the desert lets people know that it’s the desert. One particular heat swell saw 51.4 degrees in the UAE at the Minand Airport, an inland military base. This translates in fahrenheit to around 125 degrees, hot by any standards. Though it’s not unusual for other deserts, such as Arizona, where it’s been known to top 120 in the deepest part of summer.
Of course, here in Dubai, there are state of the art shopping malls where guests can while away their time in the summer by shopping in some of the most gorgeous malls in the world. And as far as the hottest temperatures go, El Azizia, Libya holds the record for 58 degrees (or 136) in 1922. Travelers on the lookout for extremes should also check into Vostock, Antarctica, which dipped to -128.6 degrees fahrenheit (or a mere -89 degrees celsius) in 1983. The desert is mysterious and beautiful all year round, no matter what the temperature.
There is little doubt that when it comes to five-star Singapore hotels, the world is truly one’s oyster. They are a splendid combination of old-world hospitality and cutting edge design and technology, echoing some of the characteristics of the country itself. Being pampered is really just the beginning here, where the aim of guests and staff alike is the total rejuvenation of the body and spirit. One can stay utterly free from the distractions of the outside world and enjoy the solitude of a vacation; but one can also be absolutely connected to the world, because technology here is always a step ahead of the rest of the world.
Singapore is an extraordinary place, with easy access to all the global trends of the east and the west, and an easy warmth from the people that makes adapting to new ideas almost second nature. It is not a coincidence that Singapore has held the world’s record for the fastest text message not only once but two times, in the short history of the category. The first time was in 2004 when Kimberly Yeo texted 26 words in just 43.24 seconds. The previous record was 67 seconds, which shows quite a leap between the records. At the time, it was noted that Singapore was ahead of the rest of the world in cell phone use. Interestingly, in the years between, cell phones have become a necessary tool in the world, and it’s unusual to meet someone without one.
This could be part of the reason why the record has been set multiple times since then, because the learning curve was caught by the rest of the countries in the world. Texting is certainly changing the way human beings communicate. But it’s interesting to see that Kimberly Yeo’s speed has not been significantly challenged. In 2006, Mr. Ang Chuang Yang, a 16-year old from Singapore, set a new record of 41.52 seconds. This is less than 2 seconds off of Ms. Yeo’s record two years before. Singapore must have fast hands and quick minds to set such records!
Throughout the summer months, the Singapore hotels are filled with international tourists venturing onto the island to partake in an number of the many festivals that run through the months of July through September. The great Singapore food Festival will occur in just about a month, which draws those looking for culinary adventure to the city year after year. Travelers have the opportunity to sample flavors from not just the city of Singapore, but from around the world, as food is celebrated and relished. Another huge event is on now, and will continue through the end of July and that is the Great Singapore Sale. This is a shoppers paradise, where various items, large ticket and small, can be found at prices with up to a 70 percent discount off retail prices. Everything from designer clothing, to fine jewelry to home decor can be found at ridiculously low cost, in an atmosphere that is a celebration in an of itself. This is a marathon shopping event.
Three other important festivals occur beginning in August with the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration. This continues through September. And then beginning in September and continuing into October are the festivals Mid-Autumn and Deepavali. Each of these take place in the various neighborhoods of Singapore, Kampong Glam, Chinatown, and Little India respectively. Each of these festivals illustrates the diversity contained on the island and the rich cultural heritage of all those that immigrated to Singapore over the many years.
Hari Raya Aidilfitri is the final Muslim celebration that ends Ramadan. This is a special occasion, celebrated by spending time with loved ones, a time of contemplation. The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Mooncake Festival, is a festival that has roots in a Chinese myth. This is also a festival that surrounds the family and friends. In Singapore it has become a colorful festival, wherein the streets are lit by many lanterns and the market places are filled with the works of the artisans and artists of the city. The Deepavali festival is important for those of the Hindu religion. It is a festival of lights, signifying the triumph of light over darkness, of good over evil. These are months when Singapore is alive with the various traditions of all those living and visiting the city.