In a world where time is scarce and tasks ever growing, we sometimes forget to invest in activities that do not appear to have immediate return that is measurable in dollar value. These often are the greatest mistakes a person can make. Investing time in people may seem like an obvious thing to point out, but how many of us actually care about the person on the other side of the telephone line? Or on the other end of an email? ‘Business relationships: Are you easy to deal with?’ outl... [More]

We have all had to deal with receptionists giving us the run-around in one way or another. Small misunderstandings are often enough to put you in a bad mood for the rest of the day. ‘Little Britain USA – Carol Beer (HBO)’ satirically display’s a hospital scene where the receptionist Carol Beer could not have picked a worse time to be unhelpful. Have a think about your own phone mannerisms and whether you possess any of Carol Beers’ unfortunate personality traits… let’s hope not!     ... [More]

Social Networking may have its beginnings in the social world, but it has developed well into the business world. More and more businesses are beginning to understand the importance of such communication processes and the growing need to be part of it. The article ‘Twitter Comes to the Rescue’ explores some of the potential benefits a social networking site such as Twitter can have for businesses with regards to opening up countless new ways to connect and communicate with customers.... [More]

It is seldom recognised that gatekeepers, such as receptionists, hold a great deal of power and responsibility within a business. They are the first point of contact for potential and existing clients, and thus are responsible for determining whether positive or negative first impressions are created. ‘Can I tell him who’s calling?’ discuses the various pitfalls which receptions often fall into and the potential effects this has on future business.   Article Excerpt Wit... [More]

Owning up to making a mistake is undoubtedly one of the more difficult tasks one faces in business. But biting the bullet, and being the first to admit the fault can be more beneficial than waiting for that abusive call a week later. ‘Notify Customers of Your Mistakes’ briefly outlines why businesses are better off notifying customers of their mistakes as soon as possible to help ensure they retain that customer's business, and reduce any negativity which might have derived from word... [More]