Wealth Tip: Customer Service
Posted by Jana | Filed under Healthy, Wealthy & Wise Tips
Ah, it’s been such a long time since I’ve been in front of my computer for more that 3 minutes. I wish I could tell you I’ve been on some exotic vacation, but no, I’ve been painting and prepping a house for new renters to move in. After 50 hours of unexpected work, it’s done and I’m back.
Recently I was reminded of why customer service is so important. About a month ago we ordered our favorite protein powder from All the Whey. I’ve been purchasing this product for years and never had a problem. But this time something went wrong. The order was placed and usually arrives in 2 weeks. After that time frame both my husband and I contacted the company leaving phone messages and emails. No response. On their website was posted a note that due to the East coast storms orders had fallen behind. We were patient, thinking it should arrive anytime. Another week passed, and another, still no word on the shipment. Finally after more emails and phone messages – of which none of these were ever returned, a month later the product was shipped.
Whether you’re running a business or working for someone else, we all have customers we serve. There are external customers who purchase your goods or services, and internal customers such as other employees or people from other departments. No matter who you’re serving, people do business with people they like.
Good customer services makes or breaks a business. If people don’t like doing business with you, they won’t! Customer service sets businesses apart. Here’s what you can do to improve your customer service:
How can you serve your customers better?
Make a list of your external and internal customers, evaluating how you can work better for them.
What kinds of customer service does your competition have?
Do your homework and learn what others are doing so you can set yourself apart.
Do you pass off customers because it’s not your job?
Many people simply ignore requests because it’s a hassle. If someone asks you a question or needs help follow through until you find the answer or the right people to talk with, even if it isn’t your job or department. You’re building relationships that may help you in the future or perhaps you learn more about the business as a result.
What do your customers want or value?
Communication is one of the most important aspects of customer service. Talk with your customers! Find out what they want or areas you can improve. Be open to suggestions and if it makes sense implement them. If a product is delayed, let the customer know. If there is a communication gap in the office, figure out a way to resolve it. Everyone appreciates communication instead of making assumptions about what they think is going on.
Do you respond to your customers or ignore them?
If you’re not a people person, hire someone who will do that for you.
People are more cautious where they spend their dollars these days. If you want to increase business, set yourself apart by creating great customer service. Improving customer service reaps monetary rewards and customer loyalty.
Your customers are you lifeline. Make them feel important by providing great customer service!
Health Tip: Dandelion Tea
Posted by Jana | Filed under Healthy, Wealthy & Wise Tips
For the past two summers we have diligently worked to eradicate all dandelions from our yard. It turns out these tenacious weed have some wonderful health benefits.
Over the past couple of months I have had two friends who recommended dandelion tea. Both mentioned the healing benefits and the fact that it tastes like coffee. I really didn’t believe it, so I had to buy some just to try it. And guess what, they’re right. I’m not a big coffee drinker because I have an adverse reaction to caffeine, but from time to time I do enjoy a latte. However, my husband who drinks coffee daily tried the DandyBlend and decided to make the switch as a coffee substitute. He liked it so much he immediately ordered a 2 pound package.
We purchased the DandyBlend from Better Than Greens. In their catalogue they mention the benefits of the DandyBlend, which contains roasted barley, roasted rye, roasted chicory root, roasted dandelion root and roasted beetroot. They mention that dandelions are an excellent blood purifier and liver detoxifier. “Dandelion is one of the most complete plant foods on earth,” says prominent herbalist, Gregory Tilford. The DandyBlend contains over 50 trace minerals, plus vitamins, macrominerals, and other health promoting substances.
Better Than Greens owners Al and Tammy also talk about how the dandelion tea potentially helps people with:
Celiac & Gluten Intolerance
Asthma
Macrobiotic Dieters
Gastroesophogeal Reflux
Low Carb Dieters
Diabetes
PMS Suffers
High Blood Pressure
May Lower Cholesterol
Liver/Gallbladder
Heart Disease
Cancer
And other health concerns
If I hadn’t tried it I wouldn’t have believed it: a coffee tasting tea with wonderful healing benefits! The facts that it purifies the blood and detoxifies the liver are huge benefits. With all the toxins we are exposed to we need as much help as we can get. The liver is the organ in the body where we store anger and frustration. With heightened levels of stress and frustration, everyone would benefit from liver detoxification. What a great way to get rid of these toxic emotions.
I now have a different perspective about dandelions. I’m not quite sure how I’ll handle them in my yard after learning about their wonderful healing benefits.
Full Moon in Virgo
Posted by Jana | Filed under Manifesting
Now is the time to do something different and expansive. The energy around the full moon on February 28, 2010 at 7:38am PST is a time to break out of the box and move beyond your normal rountine.
Remember to show gratitude for all you have in your life, and be open to new doorways of opportunity. Surrender your resistance to what is going on in your life and allow the energy to guide you. Be like water, flowing with new ideas and directions.
Wealth Tip: Financial Fitness
Posted by Jana | Filed under Manifesting
We are well into our second year of the recession. Expenses have been carefully reviewed to cut out the fluff, yet gas, utilities, and food prices haven’t dropped. And, wages aren’t skyrocketing. For most people there is very little wiggle room in the budget. So it’s time to be creative and make some extra bucks!
Create a small business using your talents or what you love to do.
Can you teach a class or tutor?
What about a dog walking business for neighbors who work?
Perhaps you’re a sports enthusiast who could get paid to referee?
Can you watch your child’s classmate after school?
Do you like to cook? Create a cooking service, providing meals for busy families or executives?
This is just a short list of possible ways to create new income streams. There are many more, simply be open to the possibilities and allow your imagination to wander. You might be surprised by the outcome. Remember to start small so the new project is manageable. Who knows, maybe your part-time work will grow and become your full-time business.
Wealth Tip: FREE Marketing!
Posted by Jana | Filed under Healthy, Wealthy & Wise Tips
Marketing, marketing, marketing! Every business needs it. With the internet being such a big part of everyone’s life, it’s easier than ever to get your message and product out there.
So many of the marketing tools we use today are available for FREE! You’ve got to admit, you can’t beat the price. Yes, you could spend thousands of dollars getting your message heard. But is it really worth it? Perhaps you believe if you spend more you’ll get more customers/clients. Spending more money doesn’t guarantee your success. The idea is to get yourself out there, sell some stuff, and get some referrals, and sell some more stuff.
Jason, my husband, and I have discovered so many ways to get our stuff, both products and services, out there. For example, start getting your information and expertise out there with a blog. Sure you can go the traditional route; buy a domain name, pay someone to create it, and pay someone to host it. But both Jason and I created FREE blog sites at WordPress.com.
After recently attending a writer conference, Jason discovered everything he’s currently doing to market his novels is more than most writers have even thought about. Several people he spoke with at the conference told him that he provided more marketing tips than the “experts” at the conference did. As a result, he is writing an ebook called How to Make, Market, and Sell Your Ebook – All for Free. You can check out his new FREE blog at ebookSuccess4free.wordpress.com
We all have information or a story within us. The traditional means of getting your stuff out there is changing. Writing your story and marketing it as an ebook is an inexpensive option and you start making money immediately! As a business coach I’m always looking for ideas to help my clients expand their business and presence. Since Jason began this project I’ve been following his advice. I’ve created a new blog called Wealth and Health Goddess. There will be some cross over with my New Moon blog, but I wanted to create something new, simple, and free.
With the economy changing, how can you market and sell your services or products over the internet? It’s so cool to have so many free marketing tools available! Plus it’s easy to do! You can have a free blog or website up in an hour or two. Jason’s new ebook How to Make, Market, and Sell Your Ebook – All for Free will be available soon. It is packed with information to build your web presence and your pocket book. Even if you never formalize your expertise into an ebook, which you need to do! (Oh, did I say that outloud?), his book is full of information about FREE internet marketing ideas.
Health Tip: Water Wellness
Posted by Jana | Filed under Healthy, Wealthy & Wise Tips
Did you know our bodies are on average 70% water? What you drink each day is vital to your body functioning well. Here are a few functions our body uses water for:
Water forms the fluids that surround the joints.
It is the base of saliva.
It regulates the body temperature by heating and cooling through perspiration.
It is a detox agent, helping move food through the intestinal tract.
It regulates metabolism.
It is necessary to brain function.
It helps with weight loss.
Since water is such a big component of our physical body, the quantity and quality of water are important. To determine your daily water consumption needs, take your body weight and divide by two. This is the recommended number of ounces you need to consume daily.
The quality of water depends on where you live. The tap water in most places is undrinkable. Pollutants have even been discovered in lakes, springs, and glaciers; areas considered to be pure and uncontaminated, yet, the proof is in the results from testing. Since most people don’t have the ability to test everything in their water there are a couple of simple alternatives to make sure the water you put in your body is as pure as possible. First, you can purchase bottled water, but there are a couple of downfalls to bottled water. The toxins emitted by the plastic bottles will contaminate the water inside, and secondly, some bottled water isn’t as pure as you might think.
The second way to purify your water is to purchase a water filter system that either attaches to your faucet or a pitcher to have on your counter. The purifiers are very efficient and easy to use. There are reverse osmosis filtration systems that can remove 90-99% of all contaminates.
For many people drinking 60-100 ounces of water a day may be difficult or, let’s face it, boring compared to the empty calories of soda and vitamin water. But, there are a few options that count towards your daily water intake, such as adding herbal tea (non-caffienated) to your water. Also, soup broths count as part of your daily water consumption. So add some chicken or veggie soup to your day.
One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself is drinking the necessary amounts of water your body needs. You’ll be rewarded with a body that functions more efficiently!
‘Tis a Gift to Receive
Posted by Jana | Filed under Manifesting, Transformation
We’ve all heard the saying, “It’s better to give then receive.” But in the manifesting process, both giving and receiving are attributes of the process, called the Law of Reciprocity. When manifesting or creating something new, the Universe often sends unexpected ideas or resources to support the request. However, these subtle messages can be missed if there are expectations of how, when, or where the answers are supposed to appear and your ability to receive help. Do you reject the help you’re offered without even realizing it?
For most of us it’s easier to give than receive, but without discovering and building receiving muscles, the manifesting process is limited or fails. Learning to receive can be a challenge. The world will abundantly give to all of us! So how do you build your receiving muscles.
When the cosmos sends you help, how do you respond?
Do you feel guilty or anxious when someone offers to help or gives you a compliment?
Do you feel you’re weak or incapable if you accept help that’s offered to you?
Do you feel you deserve what you’re being offered?
Do you fear what others will think of you if you accept help?
How you feel about yourself is an indicator of how willing you are to receive. You may have been taught that you need to do everything on your own to prove you’re strong and capable. But guess what, the people who are the strongest are the ones who allow others to help them and be a part of the process. We all have different gifts and talents, and as we work together we draw from one another’s talents to make the bigger picture work for all of us. There is no competition or finish line. The world continuously expands to support all of our dreams, especially when we learn to work together to help everyone get what they want.
A few years back I read a great book about learning to receive called Things Will Get As Good As You Can Stand by Laura Doyle. She artfully provides simple ideas to build your ability to receive and learning about the reciprocal nature of the process. You can check out her book on the “I Recommend” widget on the right hand side of my blog.
Ask for what you want! Many people are fearful of even asking for what they really want. Perhaps the fear stems from being disappointed or rejected if they ask for something. Fears alter a person’s belief system. The beliefs, or programming, change a person’s behavior, resulting in limiting the ability to manifest.
Another way of getting into receive mode is to practice conscious daily giving. I know that’s just what you wanted to hear – give more so I can receive. But there is a difference in consciously giving and being in receiving mode. A year ago I was introduced to Cami Walker’s website 29Gifts.org. Cami talks about the daily health challenges she faces and how her life shifted as a result of consciously giving a daily gift for 29 days. She has done this for over a year now and published a book about her journey. As a result her health has improved, her business has improved, and her relationships have improved. All of this from consciously giving simple gifts each day for 29 consecutive days. The key here is the “consecutive days of giving”, if you miss a day, you start over.
The momentum that is created by giving daily is amazing! The gifts are something you value – giving a client an extra half hour of your time, a phone call to someone in need, helping someone out unexpectedly, or whatever you decide. The key here is the gift must be conscious, not an afterthought.
The Law of Reciprocity definitely kicks in as a result of daily giving. After experimenting with daily giving, I too can validate amazing results of receiving gifts and shifting the flow of my energy! Are you feeling tapped out because you are constantly giving, but feeling like nothing is reciprocated? Look into your feelings and beliefs about receiving. Learn to shift your ability to receive by accepting little gifts such as doors being opened for you, a kind smile, someone offering their seat to you, or whatever the gesture. Graciously accept and say, “thank you” for the gesture. By accepting little things you’ll build your receiving muscle and open yourself up to receiving more and more. Learning to receive take practice and effort.
Gearing Up
Posted by Jana | Filed under Manifesting
We spent a delightful weekend in San Francisco. It was wonderful to get out of the snow for a few days and enjoy the beautiful sunshine in the Bay area. Jason was attending a writer’s conference (you can read more about his experience at www.TheBigBangAuthor.com) so our 11 year old daughter Devan and I explored the city.
Our day began at 4am on Friday. We drove through snow and rain arriving in San Francisco around 9am. The first day, Devan and I explored the Academy of Science aquarium, planetarium, and the King Tut exhibit. It was all so amazing. Devan has decided that she doesn’t like riding in crazy taxis through the streets of San Francisco!
Saturday we had a delightful day venturing through China Town. We also purchased cable car passes, but soon discovered riding the cable cars on a Saturday is absurd. There are so many tourists waiting to get on, it really wasn’t worth it. We ended up walking uphill to get the next stop, and the next stop, when we finally caught the trolley only a block away from our hotel. The good news is we were headed the opposite direction down to Coit Tower to get a panoramic view of the Bay.
Devan was perched on the outside edge of the cable car with my arms wrapped tightly around her. Going downhill was a bit scary making sure she was safe. After about a 10 minute ride we hopped of the car heading toward Coit Tower. We both began laughing because the trek to the tower was straight up hill! Ah, another adventure.
We quickly climbed the hill, rode to the top of the tower, took pictures and headed back toward the trolley tracks. After standing there for around 20 minutes and two trolleys full of passengers passed us, we again decided to walk to the next stop, and the next, and the next. It wasn’t long before we were back on top of Nob Hill at the beautiful Mark Hopkins Hotel.
Our shins were sore from the up and down travels of the city streets, but our hearts were ready for more. We quickly changed for our next quest – Chinese food in China Town on Chinese New Year’s Eve. The streets were alive with firecrackers popping every couple of minutes. We decided to eat at a wonderful Malaysian restaurant where Devan wanted to eat something exotic. Although her order was simple, there was a garnishment on her plate of what we believe was duck eggs. She tried it, thought it tasted ok, and is still alive!
On Sunday, Valentine’s Day, our plans for the day were a bit tame compared to the other days. Good thing because both of us were hurting from hiking up and down hills. We walked a few blocks downhill to Tru Spa for a Moji-toes spa treatment. Our feet were soaked in lime and mint water while we sipped on mojitos. Our shins, calves, and feet were scrubed with a lime, mint, and sugar mixture. The treatment was finished off with a shea butter moisturizer, and our toe nails were polished to perfection. Ahhh, what a delightful way to end the trip.
It was a wonderful weekend get-a-way! The best part of being home is sleeping 12 hours in our Cal-King bed! The Mark Hopkins Hotel was wonderful, but we had two double beds. The only one who had a decent night sleep while we were there was Devan.
It’s amazing how a few days away can inspire new ideas. Both Jason and I are enthused by the information he received at the conference. I’m so excited to share the ideas with my client’s to help them transform their businesses and their lives. There are a couple of ideas that will take a while to implement, but gearing up for new adventures is always fun to me. The timing is perfect for these new ideas since we are beginning another lunar cycle.
What are you creating this lunar cycle?
New Moon in Aquarius 2010
Posted by Jana | Filed under Manifesting
Ah, we are coming out of the dark days of winter. Can you feel the days are getting longer and the sun in higher in the sky? It’s always such a great feeling knowing winter is on its way out and spring is just around the corner!
As another new moon is upon us it is a time of renewal and new beginnings. The new moon in Aquarius, the sign of invention, is a great time to think outside the box for a fresh approach to life. Imagine new ways of living; find happiness in simple pleasures; and surrender to the outcome.
According to Jeff Jawer at www.StarIQ.com, “this is also a time for spiritual growth and opening new doors for humanity. Aspiring for more meaning is appropriate and will be beneficial as long as we don’t ignore our ongoing obligations.”
This new moon also falls around a couple of other special events. Valentine’s Day – a day to express and receive the greatest gift of all: LOVE!!!. What a beautiful way to invent a new you then to seek out and express the most passionate side of you. Ignite your life by learning to follow your passions instead of your fears. Open your heart and show the world all the passion beating inside of you.
“Dance like there’s nobody watching.”
“Love like you’ll never be hurt.”
“Sing like there’s nobody listening.”
“Live each day with passion!”
This new moon also launches the Chinese New Year; The Year of the Tiger. The tiger is known for its bravery and courage. This year in honor of Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day, we will be celebrating by wandering the streets of China Town in San Francisco. Okay, so we’re really going because we want to get off the hill and out of the snow. But, the timing is perfect to wander the streets of China Town and enjoy the New Year’s celebration and festivities.
Wishing you all a passionate and wonderful weekend!
Expectations
Posted by Jana | Filed under Manifesting
“See that any time you feel pained or defeated, it is only because you insist on clinging to what doesn’t work. Dare to let go and you won’t lose a thing except for a punishing idea.”
Guy Finley – author and speaker
It is so easy to feel defeated when something doesn’t work out the way we expect. Many may feel like never trying because of the possibility of defeat. But, when we learn to let go of the our expectations of the outcome, and open to many possible outcomes then the feelings of defeat disappear.
We have all been subjected to expectations. Our parents, friends, teachers, bosses, co-workers, ourselves, and others often expect us to behave in a certain way. When someone doesn’t act according to expectations often guilt or shame is used to control the behavior. In turn, we subject similar expectations on others and ourselves. It’s a vicious cycle!
Since the pattern was established during childhood, it continues, until we consciously choose to change it. Our world is in a state of transition. The old ways of doing things no longer works. For many, change is very difficult. We have a choice to resist change or embrace it. One may feel defeated when losing a job, while another may feel new opportunities open up. It depends upon the person’s willingness to let go of their expectations.
Questions to Ponder:
1. Am I willing to let go of what doesn’t work?
2. If not, why not?
Since the New Moon begins on Sunday, February 14th, it’s a great time to try something new. For the next 21 days practice letting go of your expectations. Remind yourself daily to have “no expectations.” See if you notice all the times throughout your day you have expectations of yourself and others. Keep a small notebook and jot down the expectations you had throughout the day. After the 21 days, what has changed as a result of letting go of your expectations?
To prepare for the manifesting, write down a list of goals or intentions you want to attract or issues you want to release during the lunar cycle. After the cycle is over, review your old list crossing off goals achieved and file it, then begin a new list for the new cycle. To maintain balance in your life, look at goals on several different levels including financial, spiritual, mental, emotional, and physically.