Customer is everything

Good customer service is the lifeblood of any business. You can offer promotions and slash prices to bring in as many new customers as you want, but unless you can get some of those customers to come back, your business won’t be profitable for long. Good customer service is all about bringing customers back. And about sending them away happy – happy enough to pass positive feedback about your business along to others, who may then try the product or service you offer for themselves and in their turn become repeat customers.

If you’re a good salesperson, you can sell anything to anyone once. But it will be your approach to customer service that determines whether or not you’ll ever be able to sell that person anything else. The essence of good customer service is forming a relationship with customers – a relationship that that individual customer feels that he would like to pursue.

How do you go about forming such a relationship? By remembering the one true secret of good customer service and acting accordingly; “You will be judged by what you do, not what you say.” I know this verges on the kind of statement that’s often seen on a sampler, but providing good customer service IS a simple thing. If you truly want to have good customer service, all you have to do is ensure that your business consistently does these things:

1) Answer your phone.

Get call forwarding. Or an answering service. Hire staff if you need to. But make sure that someone is picking up the phone when someone calls your business. (Notice I say “someone”. People who call want to talk to a live person, not a “fake recorded robot”.) For more on answering the phone, see Phone Answering Tips to Win Business.

2) Don’t make promises unless you WILL keep them.

Not plan to keep them. Will keep them. Reliability is one of the keys to any good relationship, and good customer service is no exception. If you say, “Your new bedroom furniture will be delivered on Tuesday”, make sure it is delivered on Tuesday. Otherwise, don’t say it. The same rule applies to client appointments, deadlines, etc.. Think before you give any promise – because nothing annoys customers more than a broken one.

3) Listen to your customers.

Is there anything more exasperating than telling someone what you want or what your problem is and then discovering that that person hasn’t been paying attention and needs to have it explained again? From a customer’s point of view, I doubt it. Can the sales pitches and the product babble. Let your customer talk and show him that you are listening by making the appropriate responses, such as suggesting how to solve the problem.

4) Deal with complaints.

No one likes hearing complaints, and many of us have developed a reflex shrug, saying, “You can’t please all the people all the time”. Maybe not, but if you give the complaint your attention, you may be able to please this one person this one time - and position your business to reap the benefits of good customer service.

5) Be helpful - even if there’s no immediate profit in it.

The other day I popped into a local watch shop because I had lost the small piece that clips the pieces of my watch band together. When I explained the problem, the proprietor said that he thought he might have one lying around. He found it, attached it to my watch band – and charged me nothing! Where do you think I’ll go when I need a new watch band or even a new watch? And how many people do you think I’ve told this story to?

6) Train your staff (if you have any) to be ALWAYS helpful, courteous, and knowledgeable.

Do it yourself or hire someone to train them. Talk to them about good customer service and what it is (and isn’t) regularly. Most importantly, give every member of your staff enough information and power to make those small customer-pleasing decisions, so he never has to say, “I don’t know, but so-and-so will be back at...”

7) Take the extra step.

For instance, if someone walks into your store and asks you to help them find something, don’t just say, “It’s in Aisle 3.” Lead the customer to the item. Better yet, wait and see if he has questions about it, or further needs. Whatever the extra step may be, if you want to provide good customer service, take it. They may not say so to you, but people notice when people make an extra effort and will tell other people.

8) Throw in something extra.

Whether it’s a coupon for a future discount, additional information on how to use the product, or a genuine smile, people love to get more than they thought they were getting. And don’t think that a gesture has to be large to be effective. The local art framer that we use attaches a package of picture hangers to every picture he frames. A small thing, but so appreciated.

If you apply these eight simple rules consistently, your business will become known for its good customer service. And the best part? The irony of good customer service is that over time it will bring in more new customers than promotions and price slashing ever did!

http://sbinfocanada.about.com/od/customerservice/a/custservrules.htm

Should mothers stay at home with theirs children Or should be Work ?

my mother...

A mother is special. She's as soft and graceful as a butterfly, yet as strong and courageous as a grizzly bear. Her heart is large enough to hold everyone's pain and joy. Her hands are always gentle and soothing. Mothers have historically fulfilled the primary role in raising children, but since the late 20th century, the role of the father in child care has been given greater prominence and social acceptance in some Western countries.

I agree that My mothers should have the liberty to work as long as they are able to provide enough time and guidance to their children. My mother is a working mother of 3+ and my office timings are same as his school timings. My brother goes to a day boarding school from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM and her office hours are 8:00 AM to :00 PM. Since the time my brother comes from school, and I come back home from the campus she is there with us.

Not sure if your mother stay at home have the good impact for her chirdreen, I take the example : Mothers’ behaviour can be, at times, negative for their children if they spoil them too much. A child should also know that things cannot always happen the way they want to, and they have to accept this. Crying and yelling aren’t always the perfect ways to impress their mother or father, in order to convenience them do certain thing. Therefore, mother who use to spoil their children to much should not give up their jobs in order to stay at home with their children, because they give up a negative education to these. Childreen will be used nothing, not even take food from the refrigerator because they know their mother is at home and does if for them. A girl won’t be able to iron a blouse because is her mother’s duty to do that for her, while she can do other things like watching TV, listening to music or applying some make – up to go out with friends.

"A mother has the special tears. She will melt seeing her children succeed. She would weep seeing them slumped. Her tears represent the strength and happiness. Untold tears came out when she gave birth, not tears of sadness but happiness"

Dandelion

The word dandelion comes from the French dent de lion, meaning lion's tooth. This name was given to the plant because of the toothed margins of its leaves. When the leaves are young, healthful salad or as greens. The plant has medicinal value. Its roots, like those of its rela-tive the chicory, are sometimes dried, roasted, ground, and mixed with coffee or used as substitute for it. For these reasons dandelions are cultivated to some extent, and a number of improved varieties have been developed. The wild dandelion, of which there are sev-eral species, is a native of Europe and Asia It has spread throughout all temperate regions, including the United States and southern Canada. Its golden-yellow flowers that brighten fields, waysides, and neglected lawns in spring, are beloved of childhood.

However, everyone who has the care of a good lawn dislikes this weed and does his best to get rid of it. This may be accomplished readily by treating the plants with sprays which kill the dandelions but do not injure the grass. The dandelion differs from most other plants in the way it reproduces. Its ovaries form fertile seeds without having to be pollinated (see Pollen).

Young dandelion leaves can be used in salads or they can be cooked. They taste best when they are young, before the plant has blossomed. Wine sometimes is made from the dandelion flowers.

In order to keep dandelion plants from growing on lawns, gardeners must cut deep into their roots. The roots grow to about 3 feet (91 centimeters) long in soft, rich earth. Slicing close under the surface only encourages the plants to grow. Gardeners sometimes spray dandelions with chemicals that destroy the dandelions but do not harm grass.

The flowers close at nightfall and remain closed on a dark day. After fertilization, the flower head closes and the fruit clusters develop. When the fruit is ripe, the head opens into a globe of parachuted fruits, which a puff of wind will scatter far and wide.

Lower Your Cholesterol

Eight-Step Plan to Lower Your Cholesterol

It's no secret that out-of-control cholesterol levels are a severe health risk and a major cause for heart attack and stroke, which causes many people to search for ways to lower cholesterol levels. Are you looking to lower your cholesterol? Cardiologist Deborah Barbour has developed an eight-step plan to help you lower your cholesterol and maintain healthy levels going forward, hoping that you will incorporate ways to lower cholesterol levels into your daily lifestyle.

Cholesterol is a normally occurring waxy, fat-like substance that the body produces to support healthy cell function and hormone production. Like oil and water, however, cholesterol in the blood does not mix or dissolve. To make its way around the body, cholesterol requires two kinds of special lipoprotein carriers — low-density (LDL), or "bad," cholesterol and high-density (HDL), or "good," cholesterol.

Before you begin it's a good idea to see your doctor — and to have your cholesterol checked. Dr. Barbour's program is for informational purposes only and should not be substituted for a doctor's medical care.

Step 1: Know your risk, know your numbers

Do you have high blood pressure? Do you have a family history of coronary artery disease before the age of 65? Are you a smoker? Overweight? Do you have coronary artery disease or problems with the arteries in your neck, legs or the aorta? Presence of one or more of these risks makes it even more imperative to monitor cholesterol levels. Even if you are not in the high-risk category it's still important to know your numbers and what they mean.

Step 2: Talk to your doctor.
You may not experience any symptoms if you have high cholesterol and most people don't know they have it. That's why it is important to have your blood checked periodically. A blood test called a lipoprotein profile measures the cholesterol levels in your blood and is the recommended test. Find out what your numbers are and talk with your doctor about what they mean. The American Heart Association recommendations for cholesterol levels are:

Total blood cholesterol level (includes HDL, LDL and triglycerides):
Desirable — Less than 200 mg/dL
Borderline high risk — 200-239 mg/dL
High risk — 240 mg/dL and over

How the numbers break out:
HDL — 40 mg/dl or higher
LDL — Less than 100
Triglycerides — Less than 150

Step 3: Read the Labels
In 1994 the Food and Drug Administration took a hard look at how food manufacturers reported the nutritional value in food and revamped the now famous food label. Those charts on the back of food packages should become your best friend. When considering your cholesterol take note of the section on saturated fat. Saturated fats are usually solid or almost solid at room temperature. All animal fats, such as those in meat, poultry, and dairy products are saturated. Processed and fast foods are also laden with saturated fats. Saturated fats can make your cholesterol levels go through the roof. Reducing saturated fat to less than 10 percent of your caloric intake will help you lower your LDL blood cholesterol. For more on food labeling go to Food Label.

Food manufacturers can also be tricky in how they label their products to grab the attention of the health-conscious consumer. New rules are now in place to guide shoppers. It's important to know what the following terminology means when searching for healthy foods:

Reduced fat: 25% less fat than the same regular brand.
Light: 50% less fat than the same regular product.
Low fat: less than 3 grams of fat per serving.
Reduced or fewer calories: at least 25 percent fewer calories per serving than the reference food.
Fat-free: less than 0.5 grams of fat per serving.

Step 4: Eat More Fish
Some fish — such as salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel and herring — contain a type of fish oil called omega-3. Studies have found that omega-3 not only helps lower cholesterol, but also helps to reduce the chance of blood clot formation and protects against irregular heartbeats, which can cause heart attack and sudden cardiac death. The American Heart Association recommends about 3 ounces of fish at least two times a week or more. Fish oil supplements are also an option.

Step 5: Try Some New Recipes
Be adventurous. Just because it's healthy doesn't mean it won't taste good. Use soy products as a substitute for meat. Substitute egg whites or egg substitute for whole eggs, skim milk for whole and use olive or canola oil when cooking. Do like the Italians do and use olive oil instead of butter on bread. Bake or broil instead of frying and remove chicken skin before cooking. The American Heart Association online cookbook is a good source for "heart healthy" recipes. For more on cholesterol-lowering foods visit Fit Foods.

Step 6: Exercise
Nothing new here. Getting off the couch is one of the best things you can do for your overall health. Thirty to 45 minutes of moderate intensity workouts most days of the week is the recommendation. Try thinking of exercise as your recreation time by walking, swimming, dancing or bicycling. For more on how to incorporate exercise into daily life check out How Do I Increase My Exercise?.

Step 7: Monitor Your Cholesterol
Everyone over the age of 20 should have a lipoprotein profile performed at least every five years. If your cholesterol was found to be high or borderline at your last physical, begin Dr. Barbour's eight-step plan and get your cholesterol checked again four to six months after you have made these lifestyle changes. This will give your doctor a good indication whether dietary and activity changes are enough to lower your cholesterol or if medication may be required. If cholesterol-reducing medication becomes necessary your doctor will tell you which ones are best and how often you should have your cholesterol checked.

Step 8: Maintain a Healthy Weight
Shed those extra pounds. Being overweight is not only associated with an increase in cholesterol, but the extra pounds can increase your blood pressure and your risk for diabetes and certain types of cancer.

http://health.discovery.com/centers/cholesterol/plan/plan.html

25 Things You Might Not Know About Water

By Erica Schuetz, Food and Water Watch

1. The world is currently in a water crisis. One out of six people worldwide doesn't have access to clean water. Every year, 2 million people die of diseases caused by a lack of clean water.

2. Regions throughout the world are experiencing water shortages, due to both droughts and overuse of water. Rivers all over the world, including the Columbia River, now dry up before reaching their ends.

3. Companies like Nestle are taking communities' water for bottling despite public opposition, in the US and abroad.

4. Bottled water plants don't provide good jobs.

5. Water advocacy does.

6. The international financial institutions (World Bank and IMF) have essentially forced many countries to sell their public water utilities to big water corporations.

7. Communities all over the world have organized, and in some cases shed blood, to regain control of their water resources.

8. Bottled water isn't safer than tap water. Last year, Environmental Working Group did a study that tested popular brands of bottled water for contamination. They found 38 different harmful chemicals, including painkillers, fertilizer and arsenic, in 10 brands of bottled water.

9. The average American's indoor water use is about 69 gallons of water per day.

10. According to the Washington Post in 2005, "Just one flush of a toilet in the West uses more water than most Africans have to perform an entire day's washing, cleaning, cooking and drinking."

11. Worldwide, big investors like T. Boone Pickens are buying up water rights like they have bought up oil. Some have predicted that the next wars will be over water.

12. You can carbonate your own water with a machine like this if you like it fizzy.

13. Plastic bottles can leach chemicals into your water. Lined aluminum or stainless steel bottles are the safest alternative.

14. Industry is pushing technology that makes ocean water into drinking water as a solution to shortages. But really, it's a bad idea.

15. Conservation can get us farther. Check out a whole bunch of conservation tips here.

16. In the US, people who get their water from a privately owned utility pay up to 80 percent more than those who get it from a public utility. Private sewer service can cost twice as much as public.

17. We may be able to conserve water by investing in renewable energy sources. According to Harper's magazine in December 2008, half of all freshwater drawn from U.S. sources each year is used to cool power plants.

18. In Bolivia, nearly one out of every ten children dies before the age of five. Most of those deaths are related to illnesses that come from a lack of clean drinking water. This statistic and others are discussed in the movie FLOW.

19. Every day, an estimated seven billion gallons of clean drinking water leak out of pipes in the US.

20. In 1978, the feds paid for 78 percent of water infrastructure in the US. As of 2008, it was 3%. Many communities don't have the money to make up the difference. You can meet with your legislator to tell them you support the creation of a dedicated source of funding for water infrastructure.

21. Up to 40 percent of bottled water is actually just municipal water that's been packaged.

22. There's a growing movement of college campuses and restaurants who have decided not to sell bottled water. You can join the movement with your school or business.

23. Most funky taste in water can be removed with a filter, such as a Brita. Chlorine taste will go away if you leave the water in an open pitcher overnight.

24. In 2003, the city of Johannesburg, South Africa started to install prepaid water meters, preventing the very poorest from accessing clean water. In 2008, the Johannesburg High Court declared this unconstitutional. This was a victory for the people, but the decision is being appealed, and the struggle continues.

25. The movement needs you. This isn't just for activists–it's for anyone whose body is made up of over 70 percent water.

http://planetgreen.discovery.com