I say it like it is! Customer Service in Canada sucks!

You own a business or you manage a department and you want your customers to be satisfied, to come back for more products or services, and to tell others great things about your company. What are the special things you do?

Can you promise first class quality? What about delivery on time? How long does the phone ring before you pick up? Do you return phone calls within 24 hours? Is your receptionist the director of first impression or someone who is barely able to speak English?

I am always surprised how many companies who don't seem to care about the customer still manage to survive?

In some companies it almost seems that they think.... If we don't take care of the customers, maybe they will stop bugging us.
Does this have anything to do with lack of training? Do we hire the wrong people? Is it a lack of understanding that the customer provides us with job security?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj0zsaTM2_4
If you cannot open the link, please copy and paste to your web browser.

How to improve?
1. Get a person to pick up the phone who is polite and knowledgeable.
2. Don't promise something if you can't keep the promise!
3. Listen and show a sincere interest in your customer (even if it is an internal customer).
4. Deal with complaints immediately.
5. Add your personal signature to the job.
6. Be ALWAYS helpful and knowledgeable - customer is always right.

I would like to hear your opinion on this topic!

Manufacturing Effectiveness - Zoom In On Your People!

Do you know what drives your people?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEwxDN2dE8Y
If you can't open the link, please copy and paste to your website browser.

As a manager, do you know what turns your employees on or off? If you put people in jobs where they can meet their individual needs while doing the work that's important to the organization, you'll have employees who are motivated to perform well.

Wouldn't you agree that personal growth and recognition, creativity, and meaningful work are as important to your workers as they are to you?
If you ask for your people's input, listen to what they have to say and then quickly implement their suggestions. They'll learn that you want to make improvements and you need their help to do so.

Do you find that a lack of employee engagement and a lack of motivation can kill an important project?
In your opinion, what is the main reason why the implementation of lean or six sigma does not go smoothly?

I am looking forward to some unconventional insights! Please post your thoughts here or email me at: karin@karicosolutions.com

Our Next FREE Workshop is at the Richmond Hill Central Library on February 9, 2010

We have scheduled our next workshop "Layoff During Difficult Times - The End or a New Beginning?"

Did you lose your job?
Are you fearful and stuck, looking for guidance?
Are you ready to be pro-active and make a plan for your life?
Do you need help identifying and setting your goals?
Do you want a confidence boost and create more self-awareness?
Do you know someone who lost their job recently?
Do you want to move forward and find the right job for YOU?
Are you thinking about self-employment?

We can help! We provide a supportive and positive learning environment and empower people to achieve their full potential and realize their dreams. It is all about taking action and taking 100 % responsibility for your life and for your results!

Sometimes it's tough to stay positive considering all the fears and insecurities we have to deal with. However, we have learned from own experience that attitude is everything and it is our goal to communicate to YOU how you can turn a positive outlook in your job search into action.

Come and join us! It's time to sign up.....

Our commitment to you is to give you positive energy, a lot of new ideas and a fantastic workshop without any investment for you, except your time. If you give us your commitment to participate, please do not let anything prevent you from attending. It will be well worth your time and effort.

This attitude alone will separate you from others who are looking a job. I firmly believe, how you do anything is how you do everything!

"The only things that stand between a person and what they want in life are the will to try it, and the faith to believe it's possible."
- Rich Devos

When? February 9, 2010 from 6 pm - 8.30 pm
Where? Central Library, 1 Atkinson Street, Richmond Hill L4C 0H5 (west/south corner of Major Mackenzie and Yonge)

My Ride to Conquer Cancer

Please support my Ride to Conquer Cancer!
http://www.conquercancer.ca/goto/karin.lindner

It is not possible without your help and your generosity!

Our Next FREE Workshop is at the Richmond Hill Central Library on January 12, 2010

We have scheduled our next workshop "Layoff During Difficult Times - The End or a New Beginning?"

Did you lose your job?
Are you fearful and stuck, looking for guidance?
Are you ready to be pro-active and make a plan for your life?
Do you need help identifying and setting your goals?
Do you want a confidence boost and create more self-awareness?
Do you know someone who lost their job recently?
Do you want to move forward and find the right job for YOU?
Are you thinking about self-employment?

We can help! We provide a supportive and positive learning environment and empower people to achieve their full potential and realize their dreams. It is all about taking action and taking 100 % responsibility for your life and for your results!

Sometimes it's tough to stay positive considering all the fears and insecurities we have to deal with. However, we have learned from own experience that attitude is everything and it is our goal to communicate to YOU how you can turn a positive outlook in your job search into action.

Come and join us! It's time to sign up.....

Our commitment to you is to give you positive energy, a lot of new ideas and a fantastic workshop without any investment for you, except your time. If you give us your commitment to participate, please do not let anything prevent you from attending. It will be well worth your time and effort.

This attitude alone will separate you from others who are looking a job. I firmly believe, how you do anything is how you do everything!

"The only things that stand between a person and what they want in life are the will to try it, and the faith to believe it's possible."
- Rich Devos

When? January 12, 2010 from 6 pm - 8.30 pm
Where? Central Library, 1 Atkinson Street, Richmond Hill L4C 0H5 (west/south corner of Major Mackenzie and Yonge)

Is there a ROI on training initiatives?

Of course there is!

I found interesting data and would like to share it with you:
http://www.workforce.com/tools/features/roi_employeetraining.pdf

I am always a little puzzled that so many companies still view training as an expense rather than an investment. I wonder if this is because previous training initiatives did not produce the expected results.

What would be the best way to shift people's BMW (blaming, moaning, and whining) attitude into possibility thinking?
What if we are determined that a training initiative will yield the expected results?
What if we do everything it takes to create the attitude of a winning team?
What if we learn to have more respect for each other?

Here is my winning formula to attain, achieve, and maintain the outcomes you are looking for:

1. Determine the gap - Where are you now? Where do you want to be?
2. Commit (and I really mean commit with your body, mind and spirit) to an end goal
3. Develop a plan with a deadline
4. Communicate the plan along with measurable objectives and outline the benefits for the whole team to your people
5. Ask, ask, ask for the input of your people and HEAR what they have to say
6. Monitor the process and enjoy being a part of it
7. Personal Development is a must
8. Celebrate little successes along the way with the whole team
9. Goal Achievement
10. Sustain and strive to become even better

Always remember, you differentiate yourself from your competition by being more driven and prepared.

Don't let your competitor be ahead of the game!

Our Next FREE Workshop is on December 9, 2009

We have scheduled our next workshop "Layoff During Difficult Times - The End or a New Beginning?"

Did you lose your job?
Are you fearful and stuck, looking for guidance?
Are you ready to be pro-active and make a plan for your life?
Do you need help identifying and setting your goals?
Do you want a confidence boost and create more self-awareness?
Do you know someone who lost their job recently?
Do you want to move forward and find the right job for YOU?
Are you thinking about self-employment?

We can help! We provide a supportive and positive learning environment and empower people to achieve their full potential and realize their dreams. It is all about taking action and taking 100 % responsibility for your life and for your results!

Sometimes it's tough to stay positive considering all the fears and insecurities we have to deal with. However, we have learned from own experience that attitude is everything and it is our goal to communicate to YOU how you can turn a positive outlook in your job search into action.

Come and join us! It's time to sign up.....

Our commitment to you is to give you positive energy, a lot of new ideas and a fantastic workshop without any investment for you, except your time. If you give us your commitment to participate, please do not let anything prevent you from attending. It will be well worth your time and effort.

This attitude alone will separate you from others who are looking a job. I firmly believe, how you do anything is how you do everything!

"The only things that stand between a person and what they want in life are the will to try it, and the faith to believe it's possible."
- Rich Devos

When? December 9, 2009 from 6 pm - 8.45 pm
Where? Rexall Health Centre, 9625 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill (south of Major Mackenzie in the Weston Produce Plaza)