Tom Fuszard – Page 19 – Tom Fuszard's Business Builder

4 elements of excellent customer service

December 16, 2015June 26, 2013 by Tom Fuszard

Often considered a lost art, good customer service can define a firm. Even if prices are lower elsewhere, customers will reward those businesses that seem to care. It’s often the simplest gestures that win the day, too.

A recent incident reminded me of what it means to provide excellent customer service. Customer service starts when the person walks in the door. This incident involved a trip to an auto service station. Most people–especially the elderly–cringe at the thought of taking the car in. In this case, the individuals were treated well. I noted several key examples of good customer service. Study and practice these as needed.

1. Listen carefully. We Americans have a knack for opening our mouths before the other person has closed his. Don’t interrupt, even if you think you know what’s coming. Wait for the person to complete the statement or question. That is basic courtesy. But there’s more.

By waiting, you ensure that you fully understand the person’s need. That way you can provide the best response.

Reminders regarding your online presence

December 16, 2015June 13, 2013 by Tom Fuszard

Three reminders on a variety of topics related to your online presence. These thoughts were triggered by recent experiences. Perhaps I can save you some problems.

1. Visit your websites daily. Make sure they are visible. Perhaps the hosting firm experienced a problem. (GoDaddy has had several issues over the past eight months or so.) If there is a problem, contact the hosting firm immediately. I have found Twitter to be quite effective for this purpose, but you can contact them directly, too. Bear in mind that the problem could be confined to a select number of websites. The hosting firm may not know about the problem until customers (people like you) contact them.

WordPress tricks and tips

December 16, 2015June 10, 2013 by Tom Fuszard

I have been using WordPress for more than two years. In the course of writing more than 200 columns, I’ve learned quite a lot about this platform. In this column I’d like to share some of the techniques I use to make my blog what it is.

1. Colorize headlines. Most themes set their title (headline) color to black. Sales Letter theme usually uses red. What if you want a different color? You can change it, but you have to use HTML. Fortunately, the headline cell is receptive to HTML code. This is the format to use:

<span style=”color: #0000ff;”>Headline text goes here</span>

Websites use the Hexidecimal chart for colors. Each color is represented by a six-character designator (0000ff, for example). To produce a a colored headline, find the designator of the color you want, and insert it in the formula between the pound/number sign and the semi-colon. The formula is not case-sensitive; the letters can be all capped or lower case.

Small steps can lead to big success

December 16, 2015June 6, 2013 by Tom Fuszard

Much like with exercising, becoming more productive (and therefore more successful) is possible by taking smaller steps. The key is to ingrain those steps in your brain so they become habit.

These steps include:

1. Cut out wasted time. I’m sure you can find 10 unproductive minutes during your day. Spend less time checking email, surfing the ‘net, or chatting on personal calls. You’d be amazed at how much of your day is wasted. Want to find out? Request your free time analysis sheet.

2. Eliminate distractions. Turn off your phones or send them to voice mail. Turn off the TV set. If the scenery outside is eye-catching, close the blinds. (Open the blinds after completing your project. That’s your reward.) Ask coworkers or kids to be quiet. Adjust the temperature in your room so it’s comfortable. You get the picture.

5 traits of a good leader

December 16, 2015June 3, 2013 by Tom Fuszard

What makes a good leader? Certain traits and skills stand out

Everyone has their ideas of what constitutess a good leader. Whole books are written on this topic. An earlier blog column offered some suggestions on how to be a good manager. Here are five more tips to help you become a good leader.

1. Stay sharp. Professional development includes courses and workshops on the intricacies of managing. Workplace dynamics have changed. More workers are demanding flex time shifts, telecommuting options, and so forth. Those changes can affect employee relationships and morale. Your leadership techniques must adapt to these changes. Personalized coaching sessions may be of value, too.

2. Be firm. The overarching goal is to ensure the strength and vitality of the organization. Some employees or teammates may feel their way is better. Explain why a particular course of action is necessary, and make your decision. When possible, use suggestions from staff. They feel more like a part of the process. But in the end, it’s your organization. Stand firm on policies and procedures.