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Customer Behavior   URGENT - Need Help Fast!  
 
This question has been closed, and points have been awarded.
I Need Some Help With Customer Service Because...
Posted By: Deremiah *CPE on 7/12/2004 2:55 AM (CST) 1096 Points
...I'm working on my second (Customer related) mini-book and I need some real serious advice about customer service. The book is targeted to help businesses to improve customer relationships. The book is written in such a way it's going to be easy to read but a valuable resource full of a wealth of ideas that helps businesses improve in this area. Thanks for any help you can offer. The three questions I needed answered yesterday are:

Q1.) How has the habits of customers changed over the last 50 years (and please feel free to elaborate.)

Q2.) Name 2 to 5 things that smart businesses are doing to improve customer relationships. (if you have more than 5 go for it)

Q3.) How can we improve branding techniques aimed at customers by corporations based on what we learn from the sports industry?

Thanks for any additional advice or ideas you feel would be helpful to me. Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE

Posted by: august* Member Response
7/12/2004 7:27 AM (CST)
Deremiah,

Could you please elaborate on what you mean by the term "customers"? It means so many things in so many market situations. Are you focusing on consumers, business buyers, influencers, etc?

Cheers,


AugStra
 
Posted by: turqiz Accepted Answer
7/12/2004 7:30 AM (CST)
Go to www.danherman.com.

down load Dan Herman's e-book "Thing-Short", and there you can find a lot of info on how customer behavior has changed
 
Posted by: Deremiah *CPE Author Response
7/12/2004 8:37 AM (CST)
Augstra,

As a speaker I work with corporations in the b2c market. Most of those organizations provide a tangible but in some cases an intangible product. Thanks (does that help?

Turquiz thanks I'll check it out I've got to go and work out I will be back to check in at 9:00 central time. What do you think about Q2 & Q3? Thanks again. Is there anything I can do for you?

Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE
 
Posted by: kwinters* Accepted Answer
7/12/2004 8:53 AM (CST)
q1 - customers are not as loyal as they were, and they are more mobile.....lives have sped up so time is more important of a factor than before...customers are much smarter than they used to be (what i mean by that is that they have access to much more information than they used to via internet)

q2- research.........they find out what people want, don't want, like, don't like, and respond accordingly....they are focusing on value and long term relationship (lifetime value) rather than on the quick or one time sale.....

q3) I don' know, this would be a good one for Jim....

kwinters
 
Posted by: Deremiah *CPE Author Response
7/12/2004 10:21 AM (CST)
Thanks Kwinters,

how do you all obtain the research in the banking industry? I know my bank does not send me any questionaires. Thanks again.

Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE
 
Posted by: Nicolas Accepted Answer
7/12/2004 10:22 AM (CST)
Hello Deremiah,

Here are my 2 cents.

Q1.) Customers habits changed due to larger offering (this means competition for us), i.e. choice. Remember Ford's saying about offering cars in ANY color as long as it is black? What about customized offers you now get for changing so many options on your car.

Obviously, openness of markets and technology were the driving forces behind such wealth of choice for customers. I also feel this had a positive impact on customer perception from the point of view of organisations. And eventually led to marketing / client focused companies we now have.

Increase of competition led to fragmented markets (with specialized / niche markets) offering very specific products and services to choose from.

But it also led to increased pressure on companies to deliver value-added / high quality of products and services in order to outrun competition (check Jack Trout's 'Trout on Strategy' where I think he mentions that quality is no differentiating factor any longer, but a minimum to attain in order to be competitive in the current market).

So customers have increased knowledge, more choice, more power (not always, though, check Porter's Forces Model) and they use it.

Basically they are more conscious of what is available and of how to maximize their investments (in terms of value for money or pleasure gained from the purchase).

Q2.) As mentioned by Kwinters I agree with:

1- Research (customer data garnering and analysis).

2- Building a long-term relationship with their clients (It's best to promise less and deliver more than promising more and delivering less).

3- Part of number 2 above is also improving communication with their clients (not necessarily commercial / sales oriented communication). i.e, keep in touch with your client base on a regular basis.

4- Build 'customer evangelism'. Following up closely on satisfied clients and turning them into evangelists for the product or service.

Hope this helps,

N.
 
Posted by: Pepper Blue Accepted Answer
7/12/2004 10:24 AM (CST)
HI Deremiah,


Q1.)

More choices, more places to buy, and most recently, middle-class consumers are seeking/demanding/expect higher quality goods/services at a lower price. What use to be a luxury item no longer is. You can go to Costco and get 2 lb. of French Brie for and a decent bottle of red each for $6.00 a piece. Previously unheard of.

Q2.)

1) Integrating their CRM solutions so customers see can all the way to the back-end.

2) Providing multiple ways to get product/account information.

3) Providing multiple help-desk options.

4) Keeping in more frequent and constant contact through tools such as newsletters and RSS feeds.

5) Focusing more on strengthening and deepening existing relationships.

6) Using surveys more effectively.

Q3.)

One way is that the sports industry uses brand placement extensively - the Nike swoosh on a batting glove -subtle, but effective. Watch and event closely and you will see branding everywhere - from sunflower seeds to now the ballpark itself. Gone are the days of names like "Candlestick Park", unless Candlestick happens to be a MNC.

Now corporations are doing this more and more with product and brand sponsorhip and placement on T.V. shows and movies, for example, giving away a Saturn Vue on Survivor, or offering cold Budweiser and Domino's pizza as reward challenges.

I hope that helps.
 
Posted by: Deremiah *CPE Author Response
7/12/2004 10:35 AM (CST)
Thanks every body,

you're helping me to see it a little differently and that's great.

Kwinters, Nicolas, Pepper Blue how do you all on an individual level interact with your customers on a daily basis to secure that "warm and fuzzy" I like the way you treat me as a customer feeling?

Do you think a very good part of what we are seeing in superior customer relations makes people respond emotionally? and why?

Thanks so much. Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE
 
Posted by: Jim Deveau/Catalyst* Accepted Answer
7/12/2004 10:37 AM (CST)
Hi Deremiah:

Q1.) How has the habits of customers changed over the last 50 years (and please feel free to elaborate.)

I am not so sure it is HABITS that have changed so much as customer attitudes and beliefs - and these changes are maifested in different customer behavior.

Headlines: Loyalty is Down. Frustration and Mistrust are UP. Consumers are voting with their Wallets.

To me - customers have become highly jaded by big business and have much less faith in the credibility and integrity of the firms that produce the goods and services they buy.

I think that this manifests itself in less "personalization" of brands and more skepticism and mistrust.

For those customer that ACT on these attitudes and beliefs - I would bet that they are concentrating their purchases with the companies that work the hardest to restore their faith - rewarding them with repeat purchases and brand loyalty.

Conversely - I would wager that the return rate (for companies with these policies in their warrantees) is growing each year.

Next - I will wager that customers have become much more aware of service and support as part of the overall product benefit for durable goods - and once again - I will wager that they are rewarding companies that have invested behind their products.

I can go on - but I hope you get my drift.


Q2.) Name 2 to 5 things that smart businesses are doing to improve customer relationships. (if you have more than 5 go for it)

The best firms use PLAIN LANGUAGE guarantees and warantees on their products and present them in a meaningful fashion as part of the overall value proposition.

The best firms dont try to mislead their customers with "warranty registration cards" but do ask customers to register in a straightforward fasion with OPT-IN versus OPT-OUT marketing and communications add-ons.

The best firms use automated customer service exchanges sparingly and connect customers QUICKLY to a real person that speaks CLEAR english and has the correct knowledge or can get the customer to the right source in 1 CONNECTION. This one is probably the biggest customer service item on my list.

The best firms know when to bump a service/satisfaction issue up and ALWAYS respect their customers time and efforts - sometimes prviding a gift certificate simply for the unpleasant experience of having to lodge a complaint.

The best firms follow up.

The best firms value their customers in ALL their interactions.

I can go on - but these are the important ones.


Q3.) How can we improve branding techniques aimed at customers by corporations based on what we learn from the sports industry?

If you mean establishing affinity groups similar to the way baseball teams have die-hard fans - my take would be as follows:

1. Excel in the value transaction - and service is one of the most important aspects of what you do.

2. Make the customer feel important.

3. Creat a vehicle or event for the customer to show/share his loyalty to your product.

4. Infuse your product with a way of life - make it a rich part of that lifestyle and help support that liefstyle for your customers in other ways (e.g. HOG - the Harley Owners Group).

I hope this helps.
 
Posted by: Deremiah *CPE Author Response
7/12/2004 10:41 AM (CST)
Nicolas,

What do you have to say about Q3? Do you see some other ways...maybe differently than Pepper Blue who shared some interesting observations on sports branding and how it might influence corporations to do a better job of branding? Thanks for your wonderful input and sharing some great ideas with me to help me become a better customer servant!

Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE
 
Posted by: Nicolas Accepted Answer
7/12/2004 10:58 AM (CST)
Deremiah,

I ommitted Q3 on purpose - should have mentioned that - since I do not have enough expertise in that area.

As for your previous question:

"how do you all on an individual level interact with your customers on a daily basis to secure that "warm and fuzzy" I like the way you treat me as a customer feeling?"

I believe in building a long-term relationship based on trust and professional services with our clients. Always keeping a contact (even / especially if no sales are in view!) and helping out volontarily the client when we find out / believe he might be facing a problem.

Remember that story I heard / read about a CEO who took some time everyday to call up some clients. He would simply inquire about their satisfaction or lack of it and in that case promise to handle the issue himself. This sure made the client feel important and it surely increased the positive image the client had about the company.

Hope this helps,

N.
 
Posted by: Deremiah *CPE Author Response
7/12/2004 11:03 AM (CST)
Jim Deveau/Catalyst,

Thanks for contributing your valuable commentary on this question. Your input about "misleading the customer" really caught my eye. Jim what do you think are some of the other ways that corporations having good intentions mislead the customer? You've got me curious.

And how do you give that immediate feeling of importance when you first meet a customer and how do you manage to maintain that throughout the life of a project? I ask this Jim because a lot of companies I've had a chance to observe lack the ability to hang in there with a client...you know I mean for the long haul? I'm sure this has contributed greatly to customer fall-out. It also seems like a lot of organizations will not listen closely to what their customers are saying. Thanks again for your time.

Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE
 
Posted by: Deremiah *CPE Author Response
7/12/2004 11:08 AM (CST)
Nicolas,

Thanks for everything especially the story. That says it all. Nothing beats the personal touch and holding on to that is an important part of the customer service experience. Isn't that part of what we're trying to create anyway "An Experience" that the customer joyfully remembers. You've been a real trooper Nicolas. Thanks!

Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE
 
Posted by: kwinters* Accepted Answer
7/12/2004 12:32 PM (CST)
Deremiah,

We did a customer survey about a year ago and gleaned some good info from that, we hired and outside person to do the survey.

We are a small town and a small town bank.....so one advantage that we have is that we already know our customers pretty well, the survey pretty much confirmed what we thought already......

The way that we treat our customers is a company attitude, from the president down, we are a growing town and medium sized now, but the president has live here his whole life and his father was president before he, the attitude of our bank is friendly and helpful. We live in a place small enough to know just about all of our customers by name and we greet with a smile....

I did a survey recently to ask what customers like about our bank that the most popular answer was:

1) Convenience
2) Greeted with a smile
3) They know my name

hope this helps...........
 
Posted by: Deremiah *CPE Author Response
7/12/2004 12:58 PM (CST)
Kevin,

This is very helpful and also may lend an interesting insight to why small is good but on the flip side if larger companies can apply that small town feel they can get the same results. Again the customer is King! Thanks.

Does anybody out there work with a large business but their applying the small town touch that Kwinters is using?

Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE "Keep it coming"
 
Posted by: kwinters* Accepted Answer
7/12/2004 1:59 PM (CST)
Deremiah,

I was just thinking about customer service........

There is a difference between wanting to do your job and wanting to help/serve customers.....

I have noticed this not only in my bank, but in other businesses...................

There is a difference.........

One cares about the job.....
The other cares about the person.......

I know it sounds like I am playing semantics here, but in my experience I can tell a big difference between the two....the way they go about things.........the way they interact.......

If you are making a booklet about customer service, this might be a good, at least short topic, to be in there........

kwinters
 
Posted by: Frances* Accepted Answer
7/12/2004 2:23 PM (CST)
I'm just answering your question no. 2:

Successful companies:

1. Interpret all the data they have in a way that continuously refines their customer service strategies. In my experience (which is mostly in service-orientated companies), most companies have the data/research findings they need: but only the successful companies manage to interpret these in a consolidated, useful and proactive way.

2. Make sure all the departments work together, in an integrated manner. Make sure all areas of the organisation have the same understanding of what the customer wants and needs, and are committed to meeting these needs. (I think this has to do with the point that kwinters made about caring about the customer, more than the specific job.)

3. Only make promises that they can keep. They are honest about what they can and cannot do.

4. Speak to the customer in his or her own language – through EVERY piece of communications. Even 'terms and conditions' should be written in plain English. Successful companies understand that they don't need to sound like bureaucratic lawyers when writing customer contracts.

Your comment is very interesting: how does a 'big corporation' keep the customer intimacy feel. I don't know how this is best done, but I know it's NOT by faking it (unless you are VERY sure you can fake it perfectly). The best example is those websites that 'remember' your name. Eg, I log into my medical aid account, and am welcomed by a message 'personalised' for a Mr (I'm a Miss), or to a member of my family and not to me. This makes things worse, not better. It has to do with the 'honesty' factor above.
 
Posted by: Deremiah *CPE Author Response
7/12/2004 2:35 PM (CST)
Kevin,

I sincerely agree with you and I think your observation has touched on something very key in great customer service relationships.

There is a difference between doing your job and serving the real interest of the customer. One falls in love with the customer the other falls in love with the customers money. When my wife and I were consultants with Mary Kay the first thing we learned from the top Pink Cadillac driving consultants was that you never approach a customer with dollar signs in your eyes. From those who care about the person we find a more geniune heart felt concern for wanting to meet the customers needs and a deep desire to want to show empathy towards the customer struggles with the company.

The real customer servant makes repairs in the breech and restores the wounded customer back to the company with a stronger conviction in the customer that the company really cares. Thanks KingWinters you're right on!

Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE
 
Posted by: cal* Accepted Answer
7/12/2004 2:53 PM (CST)
Hi, Deremiah. Just taking a couple minutes from work to indulge myself, so I may get back later:

Q1.) How has the habits of customers changed over the last 50 years (and please feel free to elaborate.)

One thought that comes to mind is that many people are more into external stimulation. Having grown up on things like TV, video games, ....., they have come to look for much of their stimulation from outside themselves, as opposed to entertaining themselves with things like their own thoughts, and what they create themselves for their own entertainment.

Q2.) Name 2 to 5 things that smart businesses are doing to improve customer relationships. (if you have more than 5 go for it)

You've likely read this, but I think it's worth noting here. On pages 252-3 in the latest book I have from Harry Beckwith - What Clients Love - he says:

"Ask loyal clients of any company why they remain loyal, and they will give one answer more than all others combined.

Do they mention excellence, quality, skill, or price? Not often.

They answer "comfort"."

A few points he lists:
1. "A familiar name and brand makes people comfortable."
2. "Perceived expertness comforts people."
3. "Clarity comforts."
4. "Integrity comforts."
5. "Expressing your genuine interest in people comforts them, too."
6. "Even your passion comforts people."

He ends the chapter by saying "You love comfort, we love comfort, clients love comfort - comfort above all else. We admire excellence and envy superiority, but it is simple comfort that captures and keeps us.
Comfort clients and you will keep them."

Any enlightening thoughts on this one, Deremiah? Do you think he's right? Wrong? I'd enjoy hearing them.

Q3.) How can we improve branding techniques aimed at customers by corporations based on what we learn from the sports industry?

I don't follow sports much anymore, but it seems people are continuing to look for the next 'magic' competitive advantage 'bullet'. Maybe some product/service areas could take a more conscious look at transfering this concept over to what it is they are offering.

cal
 
Posted by: Deremiah *CPE Author Response
7/12/2004 3:16 PM (CST)
Frances,

I'm so glad you joined us today to share. Your input helps to continue the dialogue in a way that expands the panoramic view a little more so that we can get a broader perspective. Thanks Frances. And I agree that being geniune is crucial and avoiding anything that says fake is what great customer relationships are about. I won't ask you to answer the other questions because you're just keeping it real but I would like to ask you this. How do companies avoid coming across fake when their goal is really to be more geniune? Thanks.

(((Stay Tuned)))...I will be back around 5:00 pm central. (sorry) I've got about 11 boys who I mentor that I promised I would take swimming today and I want to provide great customer service by over delivering. Thanks everyone and "Keep it coming". There is so much more everyone needs to share that I believe will make all of our businesses just take off! Who knows this might help me began to focus on the ideas for my Third mini-book "Serving Your Way To Success". Thanks everybody.

Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE
 
Posted by: Deremiah *CPE Author Response
7/12/2004 3:25 PM (CST)
Cal,

I like how you start out and I'll be back in a couple to read your details. I'm sure it's going to be great.

(((Stay Tuned))) When I get back is there anything needs help with where they feel I can better serve them? I'm sure if you think hard enough you can. Read my profile and then think how I might help you.

Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE
 
Posted by: jcmedinave Accepted Answer
7/12/2004 5:03 PM (CST)
Customer changes:

1. They have more alternatives, so they increase their power.

2. They can quickly compare the different alternatives, so they choose the better (low cost, high benefits).

3. The brand loyalty is reducing more and more, so it is difficult to maintain the customers.

4. They are buying more and more experiences, instead of Products.

5. They are more disposals to changes and innovations.

What to do?

1. Develop the Customer Relations and involved their emotions.

2. Be in continuing touch, and visualize the customer changes.

3. Develop the 4 R's in the business: Customer Relations, Customer Referrals, Service Reposition, Customer Retention.

4. Develop the business proposition advantages.

5. Focus on the customer experience.

6. Be in continuing changing, and flexible, awareness, training, innovative, disposal.

7. Hire the people who likes to serve and be in continuing evolution.

8. Train and develop the emotional intelligence, the creativity, and the strategy.

Some thoughts,

Juan Carlos
 
Posted by: Deremiah *CPE Author Response
7/12/2004 7:22 PM (CST)
(((We made it back)))

And I'm still alive. Imagine chaperoning 11 boys of Puerto-Rican, Mexican, White and Black American background at a swimming pool and this can be rough. Now throw about 98 girls in the mix and you've got a mind blowing experience. I know you'll enjoy this and it does have a little to do with customer relationships. Were at the pool, boys have changed and are about to get in the pool when one of the boys ask me for a pen. I'm thinking were about to go swimming what does he need a pen for? and he says to take down a few girls phone numbers. The nerve of the male ego.

Well Cal, got your message and I thought great input, great ideas and you're broadening the picture, offering deeper insight when you remind us that customers live in a world of "External Stimulation" that comes from the entertaining world of:

Tv sets
Video Games

Here's a couple of more to add to the list...

Movies (the new temples of America)
Video Players (as if watching the movies just is not enough boredom sets in and you make your own home videos)
Computers (like "Calgon, Take me away")
CD Players
Video Players

and the list goes on (Please help me add to the list of external stimulating entertaining gizmos- add it here or send me an email...See my profile please)

Good input Cal (Great input from Beckwith's book)

Cal
Sure Cal your my customer and as long as you're dealing with this question I'm going to give you an answer. I think Beckwith is right on point. "Peace of Mind" is one of the greatest selling points that you and I can focus on as we deal with customers. And "Comfort" helps to stimulate the great feeling we get from putting fears at rest and bringing on the emotional "Peace of Mind" state of being we all inwardly seek. Even your answers to my question are bringing comfort. Reaffirming for our internal customers of KHE and our external clients of KHE our need to be comforted.

Everyones answers are putting to rest the unknown internal questions we all have been asking ourselves without real resolution because sometimes we just can't find all the answers while searching our own psyches. As Benjamin Franklin believed we are social beings who need to be reaffirmed. We need clubs and groups to associate with. That's the comfort that Harley riders get when they buy a Harley. Great bit of insight you shared Cal.

Now what do you think? Is Beckwith on to something and why do you think he is?

Thanks Cal with such a great answer... Is there anything I can do for you? Seriously. How can I help you expand your business? How can I refer one more customer to you from my customer base that might be interested in what you do? How can we work together on a Project that might help us both know the comfort of great customer service? How can we pursue the belief that Benjamin Franklin believed in about the Junta?

Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE
 
Posted by: Deremiah *CPE Author Response
7/12/2004 7:46 PM (CST)
Excellent list Juan!

You sound like you have a lot of experience looking at the customers point of view. I expecially enjoyed this one below.

Juan< 4. They are buying more and more experiences, instead of Products.

What do you mean by that and Why do you feel this way?

Juan why are experiences so important that customers are choosing that as a focus over isolating their purchasing decisions exclusively around the product? Is this like the chicken and the egg concept where we struggle with "which came first"?

I would love to hear you share your thoughts on this. Would you please offer us the pleasure of hearing you passionately share a few thoughts about some of the answers you list?

Surely you've have got to have some pretty interesting insights just looking at your background and even the country you come out of which is different than America. And how can I serve you better my friend? What can I do for you today?

Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE
 
Posted by: cal* Accepted Answer
7/12/2004 10:19 PM (CST)
Thanks for the energetic post, Deremiah. Nice to read after a long day.

Deremiah> and the list goes on (Please help me add to the list of external stimulating entertaining gizmos- add it here or send me an email...See my profile please)

cal> Well, you could add to the list your comment "clubs and groups to associate with", from your statement "As Benjamin Franklin believed we are social beings who need to be reaffirmed. We need clubs and groups to associate with. That's the comfort that Harley riders get when they buy a Harley."

You're probably right about the majority of Harley riders out there today. I used to ride Harleys. Was passionate enough about them that I also had a Harley custom shop for a time. I also belonged to a club for a time. I'm generally not into seeking out crowds/groups. For me, it was more about the 'external stimuli' aspect than being part of a group. I'd say it was the same for many of the other clubbers. If you couldn't create some excitement for yourself on a night, someone else usually could. :)

I'm thinking about picking up or building another one again, just to blow out my cobwebs sometimes.

Deremiah> Now what do you think? Is Beckwith on to something and why do you think he is?

cal> Based on what I know at this time, I think he is. 'Comfort' seems a good 'general direction'/'wide umbrella' concept for Beckwith to organize and explain his point of view.

Like a philosophizing pipe welder I know likes to say, "It's all about me" - which fits the old philosophical argument that, when closely examined, everything we do is done to bring us 'comfort'. Even the things we do for others, or things we do to minimize our discomfort. I came across some good comments about this on Earl Nightgale's short but excellent 2 tape series 'On Winning'. The tapes were titled 'The common denominator of success' and 'What makes successful people tick?'.

Deremiah> Is there anything I can do for you? Seriously. How can I help you expand your business? How can I refer one more customer to you from my customer base that might be interested in what you do?

cal> Do you have any customers interested in a 'concept research and design specialist'? :)

Thanks for the offer, Deremiah. It's appreciated, and I'll keep it in mind for the near future. I've got a plate full right now - wrapping up and summarizing 6+ years of research into my field, as well as a couple of real world projects based on my research.

Deremiah> How can we work together on a Project that might help us both know the comfort of great customer service? How can we pursue the belief that Benjamin Franklin believed in about the Junta?

cal> Do you have the time? I 'googled' you a bit on the net. You seem like a busy guy!

I don't know what Franklin believed in about the (his?) Junta. Was it enlightenment through reading and discussion? Could you expand. I'm from Canada, and it wasn't in our history lessons.

Maybe there's something I could possibly offer up as such a project in the near future. Part of my research turned up a couple things closely associated to what you seem to be into that I thought very fresh/very interesting. I've been gathering and organizing information on them from time to time, for the possibility of doing something with them when time and resources would permit. If you're truly interested let me know, and I'll email you some general details fairly shortly.

This thing is getting long. Time to get back to my current passion. It's a pleasure having you here at KHE, Deremiah.

btw - I met your Godfather at a couple seminars he gave some years ago. Had a chance to chat with him during a couple intermissions. An interesting man.

cal
 
Posted by: Deremiah *CPE Author Response
7/13/2004 12:25 AM (CST)
Hey Cal,

shoot me an email tell me exactly what a concept research and design specialist is and explain it to me like I'm a six year old. I'm sure once I know better what you do I will have at least one to up to three cilents who would quite possibly use your area of speciality. I know your plate is full right now but later on is creeping up on you.

cal> Do you have the time? I 'googled' you a bit on the net. You seem like a busy guy!

Deremiah> So did Benjamin Franklin! but that's part of the persona of creating a *GB "Great Brand". When people think that you're really busy you gain *EBR "Elite Brand Recognition" this puts you in the category of a "rare commidity" and so people are prepared to pay more to get you on their team :-)

Cal you shouldn't have googled me. I told Google I'm trying to keep my profile low keyed. I'm a "Free Agent" *Customer Passion Evangelist now and I don't want people to think I'm too busy to work on hundreds of projects at the same time while working on theirs. So Cal send me the email at my profile and let's talk like we're long lost brothers who were seperated at birth. After you send me an email I'll give you my phone number and we can Rapp. I'll make you proud you did. Now promise me you want tell anybody I'm on Google...Okay, "It's a secret".

Cal the Junta was a modern day network group founded by Franklin to create ties with serious business connections. It's the same thing author of Think and Grow Rich, Napolean Hill called a "Mastermind" group. Now mind you the mastermind group is just a bunch of bruthers and sistahs like you and me, Jett, Jbtron, Pepper Blue, Frances, Val and Michelle including all the other KHE members who like meeting at a certain spot rapping about our challenges and what were learning but at the same time sharing business contacts while making a living.

Finally if your research and my background have something in common I want to let you know right now I'm truly interested so please send me an email with some general details and Keep it to the point because I know your're busy. Well it's been a great time and "Hey has anybody seen Jett with a full blown beard holding some crazye looking signs. If you see him please tell him to shave. Thanks so much.

Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE
 
Posted by: cal* Member Response
7/13/2004 9:37 AM (CST)
shoot me an email tell me exactly what a concept research and design specialist is and explain it to me like I'm a six year old.

cal> Really putting the ball in my court, aren't you. :)
But it's a good challenge, and something I need to work on more. I've been having a bit of a time trying to find the mental framework people already have to which I can easily/quickly relate it to. (Michelle told me I was clear as mud when I tried explaining it to her in a brief email.) I've come up with a new approach since then that I've been considering. I'll run it by you once I've dotted some i's.

btw- If you tried figuring out how "clubs and groups" fit into the category you asked for - "external stimulating entertaining gizmos" - I'm trying to figure out the same thing this morning. I should know better already than to create long posts after a long day.

Have a good one, Deremiah.

cal
 
Posted by: Deremiah *CPE Author Response
7/13/2004 3:05 PM (CST)
Cal,

What I see is that it fits into the external stimulation category real well but not the entertaining gizmos. look forward to your response and the value everyone is bringing to the table. Remember "keep it coming" till I head to Disney World on Saturday.

Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE
 
Posted by: Deremiah *CPE Author Response
7/16/2004 6:03 PM (CST)
Thanks for contributing to my thought life helping me get to the proper resources, ideas and experiences of real life in the most convenient fashion. Your ideas will help me to go to the next level in my career as I strive to create some of the most compelling, "out of the box" and customer servant ideas shared from a customer advocate position. Thanks for stimulating me and causing me to see some of the most important customer service concepts. This is very relevant information for my follow up book on Customer Service.You guys are the greatest. Now I'm going to Disney World where I will explore some of the methods that make Disney customers smile, laugh and most of all come back again and again. Is there anything else I can do for any of you?

Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE
 


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