Increasing Customer Satisfaction is as easy as 1, 2, and 3

Increasing Customer Satisfaction is as easy as 1, 2, and 3 Customer satisfaction creates something special for your business.   They are likely to return for repeat business share their positive experience with others create content that works as word-of-mouth marketing defend your brand against the nay-sayers provide fantastic feedback to grow your brand That’s quite a list and that’s only touching the tip of the iceberg in terms of benefits. When you have a customer that is so thrilled they’ve done business with your brand… you’ll know it. Now, you can take the typical approach to doing customer service, which is okay for the most part. It satisfies the customer (normally) but it doesn’t really give that exceptional experience they want. They feel like they’re just another customer that happened to do business with (to be forgotten the moment they walk about the door or complete the online checkout). Customer satisfaction is important, no doubt, and just looking at all those wonderful opportunities that can come about from it must have you pumped to start working on improving the interaction. As someone who has been working in online commerce for the past several years (doing everything from creating sales emails, developing products, conducting customer surveys, managing social, and the whole gamut that online commerce details), I can say that much of it really boils down to just a few simple actions that anyone can do. Here is what I’d recommend you try to improve customer satisfaction: 1. Get on the phone or video chat Emails, live chat, and social media are immensely impersonal compared to the effect of the human voice or seeing someone eye-to-eye on video chat. We aren’t great at picking up subtle nuances of communication when it’s in text form. Voice and video, however, creates a bond and a sense of empathy; when a bond is created the customer becomes attentive, feels respected, and will be open about expressing their feelings. You aren’t going to succeed in this personalized communication from the get-go, which is why you should take notes, absorb feedback, and leverage a call recording system so that you may master the subtle nuances of customer engagement that lead to building bonds and feelings of empathy. Once you begin to understand the individual â€" you will be able to provide a fantastic experience that will lead to great customer satisfaction. 2. Spotlighting I like to call it spotlighting because it puts the individual on the pedestal. When you have great things to say about a customer to others in your community by sharing their testimonials, video reviews, feedback, suggestions, and kind words, they understand your appreciation while simultaneously feel like they’re becoming closer to the brand (and the people behind it). By giving your customer the spotlight they will talk about their experiences, defend your brand, recommend you to others, and even create content to help market your products/services. When they feel involved they feel satisfied. 3. Trim the Trouble-makers It may sound harsh but those individuals that are constantly negative, likely to flame and attack others, and feel “holier than thou” to the rest of the community truly bring down the collective satisfaction. In many ways, it’s like being in a group of friends but there’s always that one individual that takes it too far and the party ceases to be fun. You should feel okay about firing your clients if they are too negative for the brand, aggressive to employees, and to others in the community. Once they’re eliminated your employees will have more time to take care of the good clients and that will naturally lead to better customer satisfaction because their needs are being facilitated. Yes, this is quite a condensed list but I do believe that it’s a fantastic starting point for those striving to create excellence in their customer support and interaction. From here I would recommend delving deeper into the customer experience, getting out there and talking with consumers, conducting tests, surveys, and gaining feedback, and work on your personal presentation. When you come across as sincere and do your best to satisfy the customers… you’ll be sure to gain all those benefits as mentioned in the beginning of the post. Best of luck! Image Source

Freelance vs. Full-Time Software Developer Which One Is for You - CareerMetis.com

Freelance vs. Full-Time Software Developer Which One Is for You From websites to mobile apps and everything in between, the tech needs of modern-day businesses are greater than ever before.Software developers will continue to be in high demand as companies increasingly rely on their expertise to stay in the market and grow their brands. So if you’re setting out on a career in software development, you’ve made a great choice! You’re looking at many great opportunities ahead.evalWith opportunities flourishing within the field, developers are not only highly paid â€" they also have the advantage of being able to choose their mode of work.Should you opt for a full-time position as a developer within a company, or go down the entrepreneurial path and become a freelancer? Both are viable options, and it’s an important, career-shaping decision to make.As such, it shouldn’t be taken lightly. That’s why we’re going to approach these two options systematically by examining the pros and cons of both. Being well-informed on all the various aspe cts of both choices and comparing them to each other will help you see which one is the ideal fit for you.FlexibilityevalThe first thing that comes to mind when considering becoming a freelancer is flexibility â€" the freedom to choose projects you work on and refuse the ones that you don’t want. There’s also the freedom of working whenever you want, from the comfort of your home or any other place you choose.This is, of course, a very attractive side of freelancing. If you just can’t see yourself working within a hierarchy, being overseen by superiors in an office, or simply rushing every morning to get to work when you’d rather get the job done in your PJ’s, freelance work is definitely for you.But you have to know that it’s not all too simple. As a freelancer, you can very easily fall prey to all the freedom you have.If you embark on this career path, you’ll have to discipline yourself and employ time management practicesso you don’t fall off track with your proje cts or completely blur the line between work and home life. For many people, working within a company and being overseen by their team helps them stay in check and get work done efficiently.evalAlso, although it does sound tempting to be able to reject projects that don’t pay enough or aren’t beneficial to your career, you’ll need to be very wise with which projects you accept or reject.You’ll have to make these career-defining decisions constantly, which is something full-time developers don’t have to think about as much.If you just want to do your job and build your experience without constantly thinking about the next step or what it represents to your career, full-time work is a less stressful option.In short, the freelancing does offer more freedom, but it takes discipline and willpower to stay efficient and professional. And don’t expect that you’ll be sipping on cocktails and working remotely from an exotic beach.evalMaybe sometime in the future or when you have an “easy” project to complete, but crunch time is equally strenuous for freelancers and full-time employees alike.SecurityAs flexibility is the primary benefit of freelance work, security is the primary benefit of full-time work. As a W2 employee, you just need to do your job professionally to get a regular paycheck, along with benefits, bonuses, and other perks.Freelancing doesn’t offer this type of security and you’ll have to do your own taxes and invest in your own retirement fund.As a full-time software developer, security also means that you won’t have to worry about running out of work as your list of clients dries up.Fortunately, there are numerous opportunities for freelance software developersso you can count on always finding a reliable source of income, but this will take effort on your part â€" you’ll always have to be involved, updated, and on the lookout.Many developers choose to work full-time in a company because of the security and benefits of this type of work entails, especially when they have families to provide for and don’t want to take risks.Growth and developmentYour professional development is an insurmountably important factor to consider when examining these two options.Software development is in high demand and we’re not going to be seeing a surplus of developers anytime soon, but it’s a competitive field nevertheless. Whether you choose to work full-time or as a freelancer, in order to be successful you’ll always have to stay on top of the latest trends in coding and continuously develop relevant skills.This is something that the best software development companieshold in high regard. They aim to provide their employees with on-going training, information, or even courses as they make the necessary technological changes.evalWorking within a company also means you’ll be part of a team of professionals in your field, exchanging information and collaborating on new ideas. It’s much easier to stay updated.We ca n’t say the same for freelance software development, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to develop professionally and stay informed on changing customer demands if you choose this path.You’ll just have to put in much more effort and train yourself, using various tools for learning. It will be your responsibility to ensure you always have the skills that the current market demands, which means you’ll need to devote time, effort, and possibly funds to invest in your knowledge.Professional interactionThis relates directly to the previous point we’ve talked about. We’ve touched upon how professional interaction within a company will definitely help you stay updated and connected to the changing demands of software development.An online community of freelance software developers can serve as a replacement for the physical workplace environment. It can help you stay updated and exchange ideas or information so you’re not alone in your profession and oblivious to its o n-going development.evalBut there’s another thing to consider: some people crave interaction during work. They like being able to chat with colleagues about current events or anything unrelated to the job. You might even connect with a like-minded co-worker and become friends outside of the workplace.If that sounds good to you, it’s a benefit of full-time work. But maybe it doesn’t, and you really like the idea of working alone peacefully and not having to engage in office politics or the overall “team spirit”. The office environment feels stressful to many, and maybe you like to handle the stress of deadlines on your own.But beware, because it does get lonely. We all need human interaction, and if you have plenty of opportunities for it outside of work, the isolation of constantly working alone won’t be overwhelming. You might also have the option of working at a hub for freelancersin your location.These co-working environments for freelancers are designed specifically with human and professional interaction in mind, with added benefits such as increased productivity that comes with structure.evalPayWe’re saving the finances for the last. The money you’ll be earning from either career path is naturally an important factor to consider, but that depends heavily on different circumstances. And in a way, it largely evens out.Here’s the deal: freelancers mayearn moreif they make smart moves, but high-paying jobs don’t just fall into your lap. You’ll need to work hard, accept lower-paying projects at first and establish your base of clients as well as an enviable portfolio.Moreover, you’ll constantly have to compete with overseas developers who may offer lower rates for their work, and you’ll have to convince companies why it is worthwhile to choose you and pay more for services. It’s a constant hunt, but you just need to be diligent and, well, sell yourself. It’s not called the entrepreneurial way without a reason.There are no such gi mmicks when working full-time for a software development company, but you will earn less than a successful freelancer.However, your effective income will be larger than it seems on paper. That’s because your employer will pay half of your Social Security and Medicare taxes, and you’ll likely have significant contributions to your healthcare and retirement fund â€" something that freelancers have to regulate and deduct all on their own, afterseeing that hefty sum on paper.So, which one is for you?Well, the pros and cons of various aspects are there for you to decide. It really depends on your preferences and current circumstances. It’s best to weigh on each point â€" what are you ready to compromise, and what are you resolute about? Are the responsibilities and discipline that freelancing demands something that you would take on rather than office hierarchy? Does the entrepreneurial side sound exciting?Professionals have varying preferences so there can be no definite answer, b ut more than that â€" you might find your values changing as your circumstances change.Maybe you want to try out both, and that’s great. Always be on the lookout for when it’s time to weigh the options once again and take the leap to change your career path. By striking a balance between intuitive and logical decision making, there’s no need to be anxious about whether you’ve made the right choice.

Does Your LinkedIn Profile Make You Look Out Of Sync

Does Your LinkedIn Profile Make You Look Out Of Sync Does Your LinkedIn Profile Make You Look Out Of Sync? Age Discrimination / LinkedIn Profiles / Personal Brand Anyone who’s looking for a new job has been told they need to be on LinkedIn. That’s true. Its also true that you need to be LinkedIn even if you’re not looking. Whether you like it or not, your LinkedIn profile, or lack of one, is part of your personal brand. Certainly, recruiters and hiring managers who receive your resume will review your LinkedIn profile. So will people that you meet at conferences, seminars, or networking events who want to learn more about you. Make sure what they find is your best self. That includes having a head shot. I know there are people who resist putting up a head shot because they’re afraid of discrimination. Yes, it’s out there. There are people who will think you’re too old or too young. Too ethnic or not ethnic enough. They may take an instant dislike to you because you remind them of a former boss or a neighbor they don’t like. However, the benefits far outweigh the potential risks.   Despite its business focus, LinkedIn is considered social media. LinkedIn’s research shows that LinkedIn profiles with a photo get 21X more views and 9X more connection requests. A 2018 CareerBuilder survey found 70% of employers research candidates on social networking sites and 47% say that they’re unlikely to contact a candidate for an interview if they can’t find them online. As a former recruiter, I can say that LinkedIn profiles that show up in search without photos raise red flags. People wonder what the person might be hiding. When selecting your LinkedIn photo choose one that actually looks like you. Avoid putting up a photo so old or so photoshopped that people won’t recognize you when you meet them. While I’m all for looking our best selves, a little photoshop can help with that, you don’t want people to be shocked when they meet you. I’ve been surprised more than once when meeting people for the first time at a conference or other event. I’ve been guilty of leaving an old headshot up for too long myself. Don’t make that mistake. While having a professional head shot taken is great if you have the budget. But, it’s not necessary. A photo taken with a smart phone will work. Here are a few tips: Stick to appropriate business attire. A shirt with a collar is probably a good idea. You may or may not need a jacket and tie. You shouldn’t be wearing a tuxedo or any other type of formal wear. Have someone else take a photo, selfies don’t look professional. Photos should be of you alone. Don’t crop group photos, it always looks bad. Look into the camera and smile Once you have a few photos get some objective opinions by having them analyzed online.   I’ve used and recommended Photofeeler to my friends and clients for a few years. They have free and paid options. The paid options are inexpensive. https://www.photofeeler.com/ Recently, I learned about snappr which looks like it’s in Beta. Snappr analyzes the headshot you have on LinkedIn for free. It also provides a link to book a photoshoot. However, they don’t have any photographers available outside Australia.  https://www.snappr.co/photo-analyzer/ It’s also important to have a background photo on your LinkedIn profile. When LinkedIn changed its interface a few years ago, they added a background photo much like Facebook. Not having a background shot make you look like you’re not technically savvy which is particularly important if youre of a certain age or have been out of work for a while. In all cases it makes you look generic. Remember the photo you choose is part of your personal brand. If you live in a large city you may want to use a cityscape or skyline. There are several sites that sell stock photos. I primarily use 123RF https://www.123rf.com/ but there are many other sites. Always make sure that you check the rights of use you are buying. There are also many sites where you can create your own LinkedIn banners. I like Canva for banners, blog posts, Instagram posts, etc. It’s easy to use. https://www.canva.com/ Some of my colleagues swear by visme https://www.visme.co/ There are many other options online. Your LinkedIn profile needs to tell your career story. It needs to provide insights about who you are, why you do what you do as well as details about your professional experience. A photo of you is an essential part of showing people who you are.

They viewed my LinkedIn profile - If I contact them, am I a stalker - Hallie Crawford

They viewed my LinkedIn profile - If I contact them, am I a stalker I wanted to share this great client story with you. I was talking to Janice in Ohio recently, she applied for a position at Pitney Bowes. Right away she noticed two Pitney people viewed her LinkedIn profile. She asked me if it was appropriate for her to reach out them, or would she look like a stalker. I said go for it, just be careful of how you word your message and be professional. Here is the conversation thread you can use if you are ever in this situation â€" and her story of how it worked well: Hallie: Write them both and say something like: Hi NAME, I recently applied for X position at X company. I wanted to reach out to you to let you know I am very interested in working at XX to (for example) to facilitate and enhance the research process (mention how you could impact the organization through that role). I would love to have the chance to interview for this position. If we can connect on LinkedIn that would be great, but at the very least I wanted to re-iterate my interest in the position. Thank you, NAME *Side note: You could also ask this person for 10 minutes of their time to conduct an informational interview to learn more about the organization. Janice: Thanks, Hallie.  I took your advice and contacted both.  They each accepted and one of them invited me to call them  tomorrow  or  Wednesday. ??  Hopefully this can help start getting the ball rolling on something! Here’s the logic everyone: What do you have to lose? You do want to be careful of contacting people you don not know on LinkedIn so they don’t report you as spamming them. But if you handle it professionally and are clear with your intentions, the likelihood of that happening is low. Worst case they ignore your request. My client Jeremy in New Jersey said the other day, “You’re always pushing the envelope.” He’s right. You have to be assertive in your search to get noticed. Certified Career Coach P.S. Be sure to check out our  LinkedIn Consulting Program  where you can  learn how to effectively leverage your LinkedIn account for your job search and ongoing professional development.

How to Find a SES Resume Writing Service

How to Find a SES Resume Writing ServiceBefore hiring an SES resume-writing service, you should first prepare an outline of your educational background in order to avoid mishaps later on. By outlining your courses and degree information, you will help your resume generate from an outline.Start by listing all the courses you have taken in the past. Prior to this, you will need to outline all the courses that you currently study or have completed in the past. You should also create a list of courses that you are planning to take in the future.When writing your SES resume, you should prepare yourself for general skills and education. In this process, it would be good to search for a resume writing service that specializes in writing resumes for professionals. However, this is not always necessary, since you can write your own resume and cover letter.In writing your resume, the writing service should provide you with sample resumes. This can provide you with some insights as to how the r esume should look like. Aside from that, it is also helpful in creating the resume without having to spend too much time reading through and writing.The first thing that you should consider when choosing a writing service is whether or not they offer personalized service. Many providers offer different services, such as editing and creating the cover letter, but some are only able to offer basic editing.This is something that can vary depending on the services offered by different writers. You should always seek out a provider that offers a wide range of services, as the one that has the best service will be the one you will be hiring.Finally, make sure that you analyze your needs when applying for a resume writing service. If you just need a basic cover letter and resume, you can do that at the same time as creating your resume.

Cheap Apartments for Rent Most Affordable Cities for Renter

Cheap Apartments for Rent Most Affordable Cities for Renter It’s becoming harder and harder for people to find a place to live in America’s biggest cities, as rents continue to escalate and affordable housing becomes tougher to find. The good news is that if you are open-minded about where you want to live and are willing to relocate, there are still some deals to be had. ApartmentGuide.com recently tallied up the most expensive zip codes in America, and naturally, Brooklyn and Los Angeles rank high, with Boston’s 02215 zip code earning the overall title of the most expensive zip code for renters. But ApartmentGuide.Com also helpfully listed the least expensive zip codes in America for renting. You won’t find New York or Los Angeles in this part of the list, nor anywhere along either coast. But if you are flexible, on a budget, and looking for a place to relocate, here are the cities where the average one-bedroom apartment is renting for $600 or less. (Note: if you are looking for the absolute cheapest option, it might help if you can learn to love the Cleveland Browns. It’s also noteworthy that a few of these places are best known as college towns.) The rankings are based on rental rates for the metro area’s entire zip code, so in all likelihood you won’t be able to rent a one-bedroom apartment at the prices below in each city’s best locations. As always, if you’re looking for cheap rent, you have to be flexible. Youngstown, Ohio How Much For A One Bedroom? $600 a month Derby, Kansas How Much For A One Bedroom? $599 a month Amarillo, Texas How Much For A One Bedroom? $597.50 a month Conway, Arkansas How Much For A One Bedroom? $555 a month Shreveport, Louisiana How Much For A One Bedroom? $547 a month Champaign, Illinois How Much For A One Bedroom? $532.50 a month Oklahoma City, Oklahoma How Much For A One Bedroom? $530 a month Greenville, Texas How Much For A One Bedroom? $510 a month Rogers, Arkansas How Much For A One Bedroom? $510 a month Columbus, Ohio How Much For A One Bedroom? $489 a month

3 Reasons Why You Should Complete Your LinkedIn Profile Now - Work It Daily

3 Reasons Why You Should Complete Your LinkedIn Profile Now - Work It Daily Been on LinkedIn for a while but haven’t done very much with your profile? You really should be leveraging the benefits of your profile nowâ€"whether you’re in a job search or not. You shouldn’t wait to complete your LinkedIn profile until you’re in a job search because when you finally do need itâ€"it may be too late. 1. It Will Cost You Valuable Job Search Time Honestly, I don’t think it’s ever really too late to complete your LinkedIn profile, but if you wait until you want to utilize your profile for an active job search, then you’re already behind the curve. You could have had a maximized profile, made lasting connections, joined professional groups, and made contacts with individuals that you could be benefiting from now. But because you waitedâ€"and are just now getting started with enhancing your profileâ€"you now have to start from scratch making those connections, joining the groups, and optimizing your profile. 2. You’re Missing Out And You Don’t Even Know It! Employers are using LinkedIn to find the right talent and they don’t necessarily limit their search to people who are actively job searching. But, if your profile isn’t completed, keyword-rich, or optimized, they can’t find you. And that means they can’t offer you an interview for your next big career move! Don’t miss out on being discovered! 3. You’re Hurting Your Personal Brand Leveraging your LinkedIn profile to communicate your personal brand online is a valuable tool for your job search. It’s a great platform with which to communicate to others your unique promise of value, what sets you apart as a professional, and exactly what you can offer connections and companies. Plus, completing your profile now develops your brand and its presence in the online worldâ€"so that one day… while you’re job searching (that is, if you’re not already) you’re already out there, easy to find, and clearly communicating your professional value to others. Related Posts 6 Things Recruiters Want To See On Your LinkedIn Profile Why You Need Achievements On Your LinkedIn Profile 5 Mistakes That Are Killing Your LinkedIn Profile Photo Credit: Shutterstock   Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!