Enjoy!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Customer Service
Do you have experiences dealing with customer service representatives that make you want to call and report on the interchange? I do. In fact, I've been having more and more lately. This makes me wonder if there is a trend in customer service (where I live), or if something has just changed in me.
I decided some time ago that when something like this happens, I would take a couple of minutes and call and let supervisors know just what happened. I figured that I would try to change the world—one phone call at a time!
Here's what usually happens: I call and ask if I can speak with someone to give some feedback. Almost immediately, I sense a nervousness—and even a hesitancy to connect me. This is followed by apologies and promises that my complaints will be handled.
What follows next is perhaps my favorite part: I say, "No, I'm not calling to complain; I'm calling to say that [so-and-so] was amazingly helpful. I wanted to make sure he/she receives recognition."
Every time, this is followed by an astonished, "Wait, what? Really? You aren't calling to complain?"
[Question: Did you, likewise, assume I was going to complain?]
After I'm connected to management and give my report, there is a similar exchange, followed by a promise that so-and-so will be recognized.
I think it's great fun to do this. Not only does it make me feel better, but I get the feeling that at least three other people feel good too—the person who answered the phone initially, the manager/supervisor, and the person I'm calling to report on.
Earlier I wondered if this is a local trend or the result of a change in me. I hope that it's both. In fact, it may be a sort of chicken-egg conundrum: Which came first, the good service or having eyes looking for the good service (compare to Matt. 13:15-17).
While the genesis of this question isn't really important, I think that the effects are. In fact, I'm hoping that if I can continue to do this, that I can really change the world—one phone call at a time.
And in the process, change myself.
I decided some time ago that when something like this happens, I would take a couple of minutes and call and let supervisors know just what happened. I figured that I would try to change the world—one phone call at a time!
Here's what usually happens: I call and ask if I can speak with someone to give some feedback. Almost immediately, I sense a nervousness—and even a hesitancy to connect me. This is followed by apologies and promises that my complaints will be handled.
What follows next is perhaps my favorite part: I say, "No, I'm not calling to complain; I'm calling to say that [so-and-so] was amazingly helpful. I wanted to make sure he/she receives recognition."
Every time, this is followed by an astonished, "Wait, what? Really? You aren't calling to complain?"
[Question: Did you, likewise, assume I was going to complain?]
After I'm connected to management and give my report, there is a similar exchange, followed by a promise that so-and-so will be recognized.
I think it's great fun to do this. Not only does it make me feel better, but I get the feeling that at least three other people feel good too—the person who answered the phone initially, the manager/supervisor, and the person I'm calling to report on.
Earlier I wondered if this is a local trend or the result of a change in me. I hope that it's both. In fact, it may be a sort of chicken-egg conundrum: Which came first, the good service or having eyes looking for the good service (compare to Matt. 13:15-17).
While the genesis of this question isn't really important, I think that the effects are. In fact, I'm hoping that if I can continue to do this, that I can really change the world—one phone call at a time.
And in the process, change myself.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Sharing the Gorgonzola
Some time ago I volunteered at an elementary school's science fair. One of the exhibits (done by a first- or second-grader) explored the effects of umami on the traditionaly-recognized tastes (sweet, sour, bitter, salty). The student used Gorgonzola cheese as umami and had family members rank other foods before and after having the cheese.
I found it interesting and decided to purchase some Gorgonzola cheese.
When the tub of crumbled cheese was opened, the children asked to try some. What would you do? My first reaction was to hold back, assuming that they weren't ready for the taste—that they wouldn't appreciate or enjoy it.
Surprisingly, I was wrong. Rebecca particularly liked it. (Benjamin—now 18 months old—tried it for the first time today and loved it, too.)
[Here comes the "cheesy" comparison.]
As I considered how my apprehension to share the Gorgonzola was, in fact, needless and unnecessary, I was reminded that I sometimes feel the same way about sharing the gospel. "Oh, they won't appreciate it," or "They're not ready," too often try to crowd out the feelings of genuine love and desires to share.
I hope I can remember to share the gospel with others as I now share the Gorgonzola with my children. After all, when I share the gospel, I don't have to worry about others eating it all, leaving none for me!
Unlike Gorgonzola, there's plenty of the "good news" to go around!
I found it interesting and decided to purchase some Gorgonzola cheese.
When the tub of crumbled cheese was opened, the children asked to try some. What would you do? My first reaction was to hold back, assuming that they weren't ready for the taste—that they wouldn't appreciate or enjoy it.
Surprisingly, I was wrong. Rebecca particularly liked it. (Benjamin—now 18 months old—tried it for the first time today and loved it, too.)
[Here comes the "cheesy" comparison.]
As I considered how my apprehension to share the Gorgonzola was, in fact, needless and unnecessary, I was reminded that I sometimes feel the same way about sharing the gospel. "Oh, they won't appreciate it," or "They're not ready," too often try to crowd out the feelings of genuine love and desires to share.
I hope I can remember to share the gospel with others as I now share the Gorgonzola with my children. After all, when I share the gospel, I don't have to worry about others eating it all, leaving none for me!
Unlike Gorgonzola, there's plenty of the "good news" to go around!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Vacation Pictures
We've placed loads of pictures from our Utah Christmas vacation on our family website (link). Come see rest stop adventures, an epic snowball fight, Christmas fun, and silly faces.
Come join the fun!
Come join the fun!
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