Book Recommendation: 'Customer Service for Dummies' by Karen Leland and Keith Bailey

I believe that it's a good idea to stay on top of new customer service techiniques and to brush up on my skills periodically. Since my days, as a Customer Service Rep, at home it was my responsiblity to do so.

I recommend 'Customer Service for Dummies'- 3rd Edition by Karen Leland and Keith Bailey. This is a must have for all Virtual Customer Service, Sales Reps and Property Managers, in your reference library. Whether you're conducting business in-person, email or phone, you'll find plenty of suggestions and tips. The book includes sales techinques, as well.

Some of these tips are as follows:
Paraphrasing or backtracking lets the customer know that you heard them.
Use open-ended questions to produce positive results.

There's even a chapter for on how you can receive get great customer service! The book sells for $21.99 but I would definitely shop around.

Celebrate Talking with Your Kids

Talking with our kids is an opportunity to connect with them. It's a time when we can just listen without being "a know it all". It let's them know that we're interested in what they have to say. This is especially important during those preteen and teenage years.

Here's some ideas for starting conversations:
*Ask open ended questions, "What's your favorite sandwich?" "What do you with $100?"

Ask them to look over your yearbooks with you. Marcus couldn't believe it when he saw his dad with sideburns and long hair. Or his mom in bell bottoms and platform shoes. "No way is that you!" he said.

Talk with your kids about what your first job, car or date was like. Preteens and teens will get a treat out of this one.

Ask them what they want to be when they grow up. Tell them what you wanted to be when you grew up. I actually remember my list...an airline stewardess, teacher or a mom. I got one of those off the list right.

Book Recommendations: 'Charlotte Forten: A BlackTeach in the Civil War' and 'Journey Home'

Here's the two books that I read a couple of years ago but still highly recommend for your book reading list.

'Charlotte Forten: A Black Teacher in the Civil War' by Peter Burchard - This book was written based on Ms. Forten's journals. She was from a promenient African American family. met and mentions many famous people, like Frederick Douglass and Robert Shaw. This is a terrific read and only 99 pages.

'Journey Home' by Yoshiko Uchida - Story takes place during World War II. 12 year old Yuki and her parents have been released from a camp, in Topaz, Utah after getting approval to return to California. Once returning they are faced with prejudice and anti-Japanese violence. Eventually they find new hope and strength in themselves, and Yuki discovers that coming home is a matter of the heart and spirit.

Visit your local public library for these books and other books written by these authors.

Menu Plan Monday - March 3, 2008

Can you believe Charles and I actually had a weekend off? Yes, we did! Saturday, we attended Marcus' celebration for completing his Study Skills course, at the local college. Marcus states that he didn't want to go every Saturday but now he's glad that he did. It's great to see and hear him utilizing his new tools. The highlight was hearing the students read a brief bio that their fellow students wrote about them. Marcus' writing has really grown and become more personal.

We stopped by Pier 1 Imports and picked up some accessories, for our home. Funky chicken towel hangers, door stop key holders and multi-colored napkins - most on sale, found their way in our shopping bags.

I found some time to make an manicure/buff appointment for my poor hands. It was much needed and deserved. Oh, I managed to have some me time due to our new housekeeper. She not only does windows but hand scrubbed my kitchen floors and even washes and folds laundry. Love it and my hubby for finally saying you work too hard to clean too!

Well, enough about our week. How was yours? Onto the menu plan!

Chili and Brown Rice

Salmon, Shrimp with Veggies Skewers, Salad, Watermelon

Ham, Beans, Spinach Salad

Sandwiches and Macaroni Salad

Hot Dogs, Whole Wheat Buns and Salad

Sugar Free Thin Mints - occassional sweet

Join Me at My Ultimate Blog Party 2008!

Just kicking back thinking about the many changes that occurred since that the last Ultimate Blog Party.

We moved from San Diego to Las Vegas last summer literally on prayers and faith that our lives would be much better. And yes, the Lord answer our prayers and provided many blessings. One being that my hubby and I are now Self Storage Property Managers for American Mini Storage. We live in a FREE large 2 bedroom/1 bath apartment, above our office. The job also came with a salary, benefits and bonuses. It's great to have funds available for our 6 ft 5 1/2 inch teenage son. He's still in braces for another 2 years! And it's an extremely flexible work situation for this chronic pain sufferer.

I recently joined Moms in Business Network Group . One of the highlights are the free marketing teleseminars. We've been utilizing many of the tips and seen positive results in the occupancy and cash flow. I highly recommend their site for small and home businesses moms.

I now have a housekeeper who cleans everything and does laundry. (I just love it!) That gives me time for blogging, cooking, decorating, watching Law and Order, scrapbooking, reading, attending church and bible study at our church.

Charles and I are still homebase educating our teen. Marcus is now 6 ft 5 1/2 inches tall and a sophomore. He just finished his first college course and plans on taking others, in the future. In the meantime, he's enrolled at Oydssey High School, taking tennis lessons, working part time at the office, volunteering and attending our church.

Thank you for stopping by and please leave a comment or two.