As I drove away from Holland, Michigan, I knew I might be in real trouble. I had read about blizzards and seen them on TV plenty of times, but I had never experienced one firsthand. Creeping eastward on I-196, the dim outline of dark shapes punctuated the whiteness on either side of my car. I […]
Archive | Inspiration
Disruptive Customer Service
How the next level of customer service can elevate your business and increase sales My assistant recently told my wife that she was considering buying a coin-counting machine. My wife asked her if she had thought of taking her coins to a local bank to use their free coin counter. My assistant replied that she […]
Just for Fun – Charles’ Big-Time Super-Helpful Financial Plan
Money is always a stressful subject, but never fear! I’m here to help. Just apply the the following 3 tips and soon you’ll be rolling in dough! 1] Organize your bills. For most people, the subject of bills is unpleasant, but it needn’t be anymore. Instead of ignoring them, I suggest you tackle financial responsibilities […]
But Seriously Folks… Customer Service that Tries Harder
I found the exact computer I wanted online, but I needed to know one thing before I hit the “purchase” button: Did the company also sell the extended-life battery for this model? If they did, then they automatically had an instant, add-on sale. I called the company and told the person answering the phone that […]
But Seriously Folks… Your Customer Service Should Step Up!
It is incumbent upon me to report an alarming, and I believe dangerous, trend growing in our society today. I am convinced that sauntering is once again on the rise. Historical note: As you’ll no doubt remember, sauntering enjoyed its heyday back in the mid-1920s, when gambling, moonshine, and gangstering were all in vogue. Coincidence? […]
But Seriously Folks… A Tale of Two Customer Service Reps
It was the best of customer service. It was the worst of customer service. For legal purposes, I’m not going to mention the name of the mega airline to which I am referring in this article, but will disguise their name so you don’t know who I’m talking about. So, a couple of months ago, […]
But Seriously Folks… Customer Service You Can Take to the Bank
On an episode of Undercover Boss, Joe DePinto, the CEO of 7-Eleven, went undercover at a 7-Eleven Store in Shirley, NY, to find out why they sell more cups of coffee than any other franchise. Shortly after arriving at work at 5:30 a.m., Joe discovered the secret of their success: an energetic, outgoing 7-Eleven employee […]
But Seriously Folks… Are You Trying to Go Out of Business? (Part 2)
Most postal carriers I know are hard-working folks with great attitudes. That said, it seems to me that the Post Office management and bureaucracy are cut from a completely different cloth. A while back the Post Offices found themselves flat broke and were looking for ways to become profitable again. So the brilliant solution they […]
Just for Fun – Ugly Loves Company, Too!
I have to go to the dermatologist regularly these days, because when I was younger I thought it’d be a great idea to lay out in the sun and burn myself to a crisp. Yes, it was stupid to expose myself to lethal doses of radiation, but on the other hand, I had a really […]
But Seriously Folks… Can Your Character Identity Be Stolen?
I was sitting in a hotel room a couple of months ago when I received the following instant message from a lady I didn’t know: “Mr. Marshall, I believe you have been hacked. Some creep has been messaging me on Facebook, wanting money. I did an image search and found you, and you don’t seem […]