Customer Service

Why is customer service nonexistent today? It is really a very easy concept.

Last weekend, we stopped by a home furnishings store on our way up to the mountains. The salesperson greeted us by name.  We were so shocked that she remembered not only our name, but where we lived and what we've previously purchased. When we commented how impressed we were, she looked  surprised and said that was her job to know these things.

When Joe was transferred to Okinawa and I moved back to Pittsburgh, I couldn't find an accounting job. I was told it was because I hadn't worked in the field for 3 1/2 years. So I took a temp job at the local bank and worked weekends at a bridal shop.  After looking for a permanent job for quite awhile, I took a job in retail at a high-end luxury item store as the store's assistant manager. Selling furs was something I knew nothing about. But I soon learned that customers appreciated that I remembered their names, something about them, and what furs were theirs. At the beginning, my lack of technical knowledge was overlooked because of my friendly and knowledgeable personality. Wouldn't you rather go somewhere were people seem genuinely pleased to see you than where they are crabby? We greeted people as soon as they walked through the door, assisted them as needed, and answered the phone friendly and professionally.

I resigned from that job 18 years ago, after having Colby (alias). But the basics I learned are carried into our business today. The phone is answered by the second ring. Whoever answers the phone gives their name (saves the caller from having to ask). Messages are returned within 24 hours. We try to give a referral if its something we don't do.  It's amazing the number of compliments we get because of this friendly, efficient service.

I don't understand why these basics are not taught to anyone servicing the public. How many times have you approached a counter, ready to checkout, and have to wait for the clerks to finish their personal conversations? Or listen to the employees complain about their jobs? Or feel like you are imposing by being a customer?

We have always emphasized and complimented good customer service. We don't expect alot - just efficient service. If you don't like people and don't like your job. then you probably should be looking for a new one!

Until next time, just the ranting and ravings of a mom of a American Dream Family....

What is the American Dream?

After watching the State of the Union address, I worry about our economy. Hearing that unemployment rate is at an all-time high, foreclosure rates are still high, banks are being conservative on lending, and that the cost of college tuition is rising, how can the average person obtain the American Dream? What exactly is the American Dream? Is it still the house with the white pickett fence, two cars in the garage, and financial security?

Nate informed me that the divorce rate is 52%, so I guess that we have beat the odds since Joe and I have been married for over 27 years. When Joe and I got married, he was in the Marine Corps. We didn't have two nickles to rub together. Our evening out would be to share a Dairy Queen Blizzard every other Saturday night.  We had hand-me-down furniture and boxes as end tables. I sewed curtains, pillows, and home decorations.  We had one car, a motorcycle, student loan payments, and a rented townhouse. 

Joe always says that a person has to make their own story. We started with nothing. I couldn't find a "real" job because with Joe being in the Marines, the local business owners knew that within 6-24 months, he would be transferred and so I would be moving along also. I took a job at the local Bridal Shop because I could walk to it. I was a salesperson and seamstress. During our busy seasons, I took sewing home on the weekends for extra money. When we moved back to Pittsburgh and finally bought a house years after we were married, we bought the eyesore of the street because we had vision. The  "step saver" kitchen, bathroom (yes, only one), carpet, basement, etc all needed re-done. It took us years to update and repair the house. We both worked full time jobs and did extra work on the weekends. We didn't take our first vacation until after we were married 10 years and it was only because the boys and I went on a business trip with Joe to Ocean City MD.

Through hard work and some risk taking, we have, in addition to our home, (we have moved into a different home after our first home), a house in the mountains and one at the beach, several cars, motorcycles, and a bunch of toys. Our boys both go to great colleges. I hope that in this volatile economy, they find secure, stable carrers after graduation. They both have entrepreneurial interests, which will make them in charge of their own future. We are our own bosses, which allows us alot of freedom.  Our financial security comes from ourselves and we are always looking for the next opportunity. We have our story and are still working on it.

We are on our way to what we consider the American Dream.  Will the children of today have the same desire, drive, and opportunities we had to be successful?  Have you accomplished yours?

        Until next time, when I continue the rantings and ravings of a mom of an

American Dream Family.....

Why a Blog?

When I decided to start this blog, I received different types of  responses.  Some people thought it was a great idea and wanted to know more. My oldest son, Nate (alias), asked if it was some sort of mid life crisis.

To be honest, I've wanted to do this for a long time. A year or so ago, I watched the movie "Julie and Julia". It was about a girl whose idol was the famous chef, Julia Childs. She decided to make every recipe in Julia Child's famous cookbook "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" within a year's time and started a daily blog.  It talked about the ups and downs of her project, how it affected her life, and sometimes, whether or nor anyone was even reading her blog. The idea fascinated me.

"Just an American Dream Family" is about life, love, family, and adventures of a normal family chasing the American Dream.

If my blog makes you smile or laugh; inspires a conversation; realize you have those same thoughts; or makes you look at life in a different way, then I've done my job.

Please feel free to comment. I'd like to know people are reading out there!!!

      Until next time, when I continue the rantings and ravings of a mom of an

 American Dream Family.....

Who am I?

Who am I and why I am starting this blog?

I have what I consider a normal American family.   In the times of extremes and reality shows, I think we all need to be reminded that it is OK to be normal.

Who am I?

• I am a happily, married, 50-something woman and  I have been married to the same man for over 27 years.
• I have two boys in college. Both go to private, Catholic, liberal arts universities. The oldest is a Senior math major and the youngest is a Freshman business major. Luckily they are both on academic and athletic scholarships.  Being athletes, they both play lacrosse for their colleges.
• I am a college graduate. Between the help of my parents, student loans (which have been long paid off) and various part time jobs (none of which where in the Adult Entertainment industry), I graduated with a BS in Accounting in 3 1/2 years.
• We have one dog, a 2 yr old, 150 pound Newfoundland.  We were never pet people until 2 years ago, but that's a blog for another day.
• My husband and I consider ourselves entrepreneurs. We have tried several business ventures.  My husband owns a contracting company, and I work for/with him.  I am the receptionist/secretary/girl in the office- depending on the day and whose calling.  We also dabble in real estate.
• I am not an extreme couponer, I don't hoard, and I obviously only have two children both of which were planned.  We don't have any unusual hobbies that consist of weird weapons, looking for gold in the Klondike, or dancing.  But I do have an idea for the next extreme reality show  (to be revealed at a later date).
• I enjoy spending time together as a family, as often as possible; Having dinner together every evening when the boys are home and sometimes, meeting them 1 hour away at college to have dinner during the week;  Talking to the boys, via conference calls, almost every evening ; Snow skiing and snow mobile riding in the winter and the beach in the summer.
• Everything that we do have we have gotten through hard work. Nothing has ever been given to us.So you ask, why should I return to read your blog?
  
  
  Well, as Matt, a friend of my son's says, its always an adventure with our family. You never know how it is going to go. You may have an agenda when you wake up in the morning, but it always changes. There are days that dinner is like a Seinfeld episode, with the most random of conversations. We've been known to be in a tornado while on a boat at the shore, have home improvement horror stories, have tried to help our employees in many ways, have been instrumental in starting community based, grassroot efforts, and have filled our life with many wonderful people along the way.
  
  
  So please return to read the rantings and ravings of a mom of a Just American Dream Family.