Labor Day in the U.S.
How Labor Day came to be……
For many people, Labor Day means a day off from work and the holiday that marks the end of the traditional summer season as students return to school the following week. Labor Day, however, is really a day set aside to pay tribute to working men and women. It has been celebrated as a national holiday in the United States and Canada since 1894.
Labor Day in the United States is celebrated on the first Monday in September. It is a celebration of the American Labor Movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of workers. It is a yearly national tribute to the contributions American workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of their country.
Labor Day differs from the other holidays during the year in that other holidays are connected with conflicts and battles, strife, greed, power, and glories achieved by one nation over another. Labor Day is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation.
It is therefore appropriate the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creators of so much of the nation’s strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.
By Anne Capps Executive Vice President – American Receivable
Customer Service Counts
Are you going the extra mile?……..
The most successful companies and the highest paid salespeople place tremendous value on developing relationships with their customers and actively seek opportunities to provide service above and beyond their customers’ expectations. In today’s competitive marketplace, customers are aggressively prospected and their loyalty cannot be taken for granted. Customer-focused companies and individuals recognize that relationship building and customer service are critical components for promoting both customer retention and long-term revenue growth.
When it comes to superior customer service, a “one size fits all” approach doesn’t work. Superior customer service has much more to do with the ability to listen than it does with anything else. Providing quality customer service is both a responsibility and an opportunity. Often salespeople view customer service as a burden that takes them away from making a sale. The truth is that delivering customer service provides a golden opportunity for cross-selling, up-selling, and generating quality referrals.
Customers describe quality customer service in terms of attention to detail and responsiveness. Customer satisfaction surveys consistently point to the fact that the little things make a big difference. The top two customer complaints with regards to customer service are un-returned phone calls and a failure to keep promises and commitments. Make an effort to see yourself through your customers’ eyes.
Customer Service Tips to Help You Go the Extra Mile:
- • Pay attention to the small things. Get in the habit of returning phone calls, e-mails and other correspondence quickly. Follow up, follow up, and follow-up.
What’s your brand?
Branding your workspace ... It's not just for large corporations anymore
Branding goes way beyond a logo or graphic element. When you think about your brand, you want to think about your entire customer experience ... everything from your logo, your website, your social media experiences, the way you answer the phone, to the way your customers experience your staff. In short, your brand is the way your customer perceives you. A good brand doesn't just happen ... it is a well thought out and strategic plan.
Many small organizations and start-ups neglect spending necessary time thinking about their brand and the impact it has on their business. Here are some reasons why branding is important:
BRANDING PROMOTES RECOGNITION
People do business with companies they are familiar with. If your branding is consistent and easy to recognize it can help people feel more at ease using your products or services.
YOUR BRAND SETS YOU APART FROM THE COMPETITION
In today's market, it is critical to stand apart from the crowd. Think big ... you are no longer competing on a local level, your business now competes in the global economy.
YOUR BRAND PROVIDES MOTIVATION AND DIRECTION FOR YOUR STAFF.
A clear brand strategy provides the clarity your staff needs to be successful. It tells them how to act, how to win, and how to meet the organization's goals.
A STRONG BRAND GENERATES REFERRALS
People are brand loyal and to tell others about the brands they like. People wear brands, eat brands, listen to brands, and are constantly telling others about the brands they love. A strong brand is critical to generating referrals.
A STRONG BRAND TELLS CUSTOMERS WHAT TO EXPECT
A brand that is consistent and clear puts the customer at ease because they know exactly what to expect each time they experience the brand.
YOUR BRAND REPRESENTS YOU AND YOUR PROMISE TO YOUR CUSTOMER
It is important to remember that your brand represents you ... you are the brand, your staff is the brand, your marketing materials are the brand. What you promise to deliver is what will be remembered.
A STRONG BRAND PROVIDES YOUR BUSINESS VALUE
A strong brand will provide value to your business well beyond the physical assets. Companies are worth much more than their physical assets ... their brand has created a value that far exceeds their physical value.
To brand or not to brand is no longer the question ... it's good business sense.
By Jack Stieber – President - American Receivable