Archive for the Business category.
Posted on December 16th, 2009 by Sandy in
Business During downturns in the economy, businesses find that they must cut costs, and one of the programs that are often the first to go are the business training programs. But what they do also tend to do is to implement the training sessions by using internal talent. This is a cost effective and a successful way to ensure that employees will still receive the training in which they need. Many innovative companies are utilizing the skills and the objectives while at the same time staying true to the integrity of the company.
And just as with many projects with limitations or financial restrictions, out of these business and sales training exercises comes creative results. It is a way of maximizing what you do have, with less resources. One of the most successful companies to offer peer training is the Imageworks Animation Studio in California. The artists and the directors are trained by the other artists and directors. This has created not only a well organized and trained staff, but also an incredible sense of team work and collaboration, and a great sense of morale throughout the entire company.
Many corporate businesses are following suit when it comes to training their staff. Companies overseas, will hold conference-training calls in which all of the staff is invited to sit in on. Another way to give a new employee a sense of all of the departments in the company is called “shadowing”. Mentoring programs are also an incredible way to ensure that new employees not only learn the business, but they will also be more comfortable and welcomed into the new situation, and the new company. This is just one of the brilliant ways that companies are finding new and creative ways to sustain and actually grow, even during these tough economic times.
Posted on December 5th, 2009 by Sandy in
Business When you’re looking for a particular product, and speak with a salesperson who seems genuinely interested in your needs, it can be extremely refreshing. It can be a big relief to be able to voice your concerns out loud to the person you’re doing business with. It’s as if that long interior monologue you’ve been having with yourself during the drive over, concerning what you’re looking for, why you need it, as well as all the possible variables that you want to keep in mind while you’re looking, is suddenly out in the open, and someone is asking you the same questions you’ve been answering for yourself. You can actually get the exact perfect thing you were looking for, because the salesperson took the time to find out what you actually wanted.
In this business model, part of its effectiveness comes from the fact that you did know what you were looking for, but had certain questions about the specifics, and really needed the salesperson there to help you narrow down your options to find the perfect fit. This is the model Steve Barbarich in his enterprises, and it’s called consultative selling. It means that the salesperson is focused entirely on the customer’s needs, and then finds the best way to meet those needs, for the mutual benefit of both parties. Satisfied customers come back, and also tell their friends when they’ve had a good experience.
This model is proving to be very effective today, because it saves a lot of time further down the road, as well as saving bitterness, from a customer who was talked into buying something they didn’t want, and certainly didn’t need. Just a few years ago, the usual model for selling was focused on the product. It was the salesperson’s job to talk up the product, and often this lead to extreme claims, exaggeration, or other kinds of manipulations that generally lead a bad taste in people’s mouths. The consultative approach takes the focus back to the customer, and good salespeople have known intuitively for generations that this is where the focus should have been all along.
Posted on December 2nd, 2009 by Sandy in
Business Any time you are staffing your business, or building a team, it is wise to make certain that the characteristics and the talents of each member serves to balance the entire team. Does that mean hiring a bunch of people who are exactly the same way in their thinking and their opinions, well no. First of all that would be virtually impossible, and second of all, a diverse group of people make up a more cohesive whole. Through on the job training and in house business training, I have gained experience as to what a great group looks like, how a great team works together towards attaining their goals. Appropriate tasks and responsibilities should be assigned as soon as possible with your new team.
I once worked for a company, where no one really knew what they needed to be doing, I mean, everyone knew what eventually had to get done, but there was no organization and no leadership. Assign the staff projects according to their own specific talents. If one of the employees is not a real “people person” but they are great on the computer, then fill the positions that require human communication to those who are good at it. Everyone will learn over time, the person on the computer may one day be comfortable speaking in groups of people, but for now utilize their own special gifts. Take into consideration as well, what each person is truly interested in, and assign them to jobs, as much as possible, that they will actually enjoy doing. Productivity in the workplace will soar. Hold regular meetings and corporate training sessions, just to be certain that everyone is away of their position and their importance to the group and to the future of the company. This will increase morale, and bring the team together.
Posted on November 23rd, 2009 by Sandy in
Business The basis for all business interactions, be they in the service industry, in manufacturing, in financial institutions and large corporations is something that is sometimes referred to as transparency. Many banks enforce this, as well as those involved in civil service or politics. This is a way of conducting oneself with integrity, of fairness and with honesty. If you are working in a restaurant, and promise to deliver food that is healthy, then what goes on the kitchen must reflect that promise. The pricing of items or services must be taken into consideration, and will your products may not be the least expensive on the market the quantity of the price tag must reflect the quality of what you are offering to customers. Employees must be knowledgeable, the products or services must be fully understood, for how else will you be able to answer questions?
Many company owners such as Steve Barbarich set up detailed and thorough training programs for new employees. Training at one of the restaurants I worked at years ago, included many tests where questions were asked regarding the exact ingredients in all of the dishes. All of them. So if a customer had a particular dislike of a certain herb or ingredient, or in the case of food allergies, they would be well aware of the recipe and good make their decisions based on that information. Training should never be done in the manner of “sink or swim”, this will make the learning process take much longer and will cause problems in the process. Respect is passed along. When managers treat their staff with respect, this is transmitted to the customer. Respect breeds respect. Some companies have strict outlines, they have scripts that their staff must stick to verbatim. However when employees are empowered with the trust in their ability to use good judgement, they will be more satisfied and happy with their work. In this day and age, great care is essential, for customers and for staff members.
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.
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.
In the realm of the boutique hotel, Hong Kong competes with finesse, grace, and a remarkable austerity. These extremely individual and exquisite hotels display a sense of intensely manipulated style, the result of which is a profoundly comfortable and striking atmosphere. Guests here find themselves living in another world, one ruled by calm luxury and rejuvenation for the body and the spirit. World travelers and business guests alike will find their stay here to be one marked by genuine hospitality. In Hong Kong, style and design are necessities to speak to a contemporary world, and here the hotels reflect this sense of balance.
The hotels are nestled in a city that is a fantastic blend of cultures and layers of history. As time and events pass through the cityscape, moments move across the waters, sometimes fast and furious, and sometimes softly, but persistent. Change is marked by the seasons and also by the artists. One of the small galleries here, the Hanart T Z Gallery, is like a watchdog on the banks of Honk Kong’s history. Although the space itself is very small, and ownership has kept it small and humble, its presence and influence on the art world at large is rather profound.
This gallery has been open since 1983, and has always been committed to showing what many artists and critics would call experimental art in China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Hanart T Z Gallery is careful not to place labels on itself, and its self-presentation is remarkably refined. There is a much deeper story, however. It has organized shows at the Singapore Art Museum, and the Place Vendome in Paris, but it was probably the landmark China’s New Art Post-1989 show that really put this gallery on the map. Since then, it has shown a remarkable number of artists, such as Qiu Shihua, among many others, all of whom are collectively redefining an avant-garde that is distinctively Chinese.