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Are You a Listening Participant in Your Daily Conversations With Others?

Are you listening?  Listening can be one of the hardest things you do each day.  I know it is hard for me sometimes to slow down my own thoughts and  actively listen to someone else.  I find that the more that you practice actively listening, the better a listener you become.  My biggest fault, hindering my listening skills, is trying to anticipate what the other person is going to say and then actually missing what they actually said.  Most of the time I can rewind the conversation in my head, and figure it out.  Or I am bad at trying to complete other peoples’ sentences…I know this is a bad one!  Again, listening is a tool that requires use and practice.  I try to  improve my skills all of the time.

Have you ever had someone say to you, “what is the last thing I said?”  We have all probably been there in a conversation.  This can mean a couple of different things, you really weren’t paying attention or you just appeared like you weren’t.  Either way is just as bad.  People want to feel like you are in tune to what they are saying.  Are you making eye contact?  Did you ask questions?  Are your facial expressions indicative of what they are saying?  All of these things make people feel like you are really listening to them.

Distraction can even be detected over the phone.  Do people often say to you, “I’ll call you back you sound busy.”  Does this sound familiar?  I know I have had this happen to me.  Have you ever heard, “Is now a good time?”  Why would someone ask you that?  Did you make them feel rushed to get off of the phone the last time you spoke?  The moment the phone rings that should be the only task on your agenda; it should not be a nuisance.  The phone call that you just brushed off, may be the only chance you have to make a lasting impression on your customer.

I found a couple of interesting articles on effective listening and thought I would share them:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/womensmedia/2012/11/09/10-steps-to-effective-listening/#12bcb2f826fb

http://www.skillsyouneed.com/ips/listening-skills.html

effectivelistening

 

I also found this chart to be insightful, if you click on the image you can enlarge it.

 

 

Until next time,

Jess

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Customer Service is the Most Integral Part of My “Mission Statement”

I think about customer service and how it applies to me and my customers on a daily basis.  As I sit at my desk typing this blog, I have images of Tom Cruise madly writing his “mission statement” in the movie Jerry Maguire.  All the while, “Getting In Tune” by The Who is banging in the background.  I sometimes ask myself, “Why can’t I have an a-ha moment like that with a perfect soundtrack  in the background?”   That’s my life every day,  well at least the soundtrack part.  I can’t always speak to the “a-ha” moment!  It sometimes takes me days or weeks to come up with my next blog.   In thinking about this post,  I thought about my mission statement.  Hopefully, mine will not get me into as much trouble as Jerry’s did (I inserted a link to the full mission statement courtesy of Cameron Crowe)!

ThingsWeThink-233x300

 

The most integral part of my mission statement is customer service.  What does it mean to me?  What does customer service mean to you?  I often wonder in my day to day life why does it seem that there is so  little emphasis on customer service in business these days?  Just pay attention the next time at the check out counter at most stores; how are you treated?  The way I treat my customers and make them feel about USA Printing Online and me, is the most important part of my job!  I could talk about customer service and building relationships for days!  So, I thought I would make this into an installment and only focus on one item today.

1.  Smile Through the Phone

As cheesy as this might sound, it is the truth.  People can tell when you are smiling and happy.  It makes a difference in how they react to and with you.  A pleasing demeanor makes even the most difficult situations a little easier.  I know this probably sounds like 1950’s propaganda on how to be charming and debonair, but give it a chance.

If you call me to tell me you have a problem with a job that you received and I am snarky with you, chances are that you will be snarky back.  The biggest risk in this situation is that you will no longer want to do business with me.  But if I am amenable and listen to your concerns and treat you with kindness, you will probably give me a chance to redeem myself.  Do you see where I am getting with this?  Happiness is contagious and I truly believe that happy people make the world a better place.

Maybe you will have your “a-ha moment…

Until next time,

Jess

Mission Statement, Customer Service

“It was only a mission statement”

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Call Me & Purple Rain

How often do you have a business say, “Call Me”.  In this day and age of email, text messages and social media, most of hardly ever think about picking up our phones to make a actual phone call.  I am guilty of this myself, most of the time I fire off a quick text to check on people.  Why not?  It’s easy!  But even I know there is something missing in all of this.

How many times have you been on a website searching for a product and had questions, but no one to ask?  Isn’t that frustrating???  And then, it  is even more frustrating to try and get someone on the phone to speak to you, sure the site may have a live chat function but that is not the same.  We have a live chat function on USA Printing Online too, for those who may prefer that method of communication.  However on our site, we practically beg for you to call us, so do it; I promise I will answer!!!

Ok, now on to Prince…I cannot believe he died last Thursday!!!  It was pouring down rain that day in NC; I would like to think that it was raining everywhere Thursday, purple rain.  What a great loss.  I grew up idolizing Prince…remember I was a child of the 80’s Bowie and Prince were the kings!    I remember finding the movie “Purple Rain” on HBO on TV as an adolescent, maybe I should rephrase that.  Sneaking to watch “Purple Rain” on TV because it was rated R, and I was not really supposed to be watching a rated R movie.  I loved it!  “Purple Rain”  has always been one of my favorite songs, but it has to be the unedited album cut that has the long guitar solo at the end…that really makes the song.  Ok, so maybe not something to be proud of, but it left an undeniable imprint.  I will always remember that the first rate R movie that I watched was “Purple Rain”.  Prince will definitely be missed.

When I started on this post, I fully intended to link a Blondie song but after hearing that Prince had died I went in a completely different direction.

 

Prince

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until next time,

Jess

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The Ties That Bind & Bindery

The ties that bind

Now you can’t break the ties that bind

Can’t you tell, I am extremely excited about the upcoming Springsteen show in Greensboro?  I am counting down the days…3 more days until the show on Sunday.  He is playing the entire River album and then about 12 other songs afterwards, so if I am lucky I will get to hear 33 E Street Band songs’ live.  Ok, so where am I going with this?  And how on earth can I allude to printing while talking about printing?  Watch me…

Here I go.  We have a full service bindery department and offer onsite services.  We are masters at saddle stitching, coil and wire binding, die cutting, collation, three hole punching, padding and various other types of hand work.  Am I proud of what we can do here? YES.  Anytime you would like to see some of our handiwork, please feel free to call me and request samples at 866-887-7218.  I would be happy to share with you!

Another thing I am incredibly excited about, right now is our April special.  We are currently offering 10% off of presentation folders.  Check out the details on our site .  If you have any questions at all regarding the special or the folders, please call me at 866-887-7218 or email at [email protected] .  I would love to hear from you, even if it is just to chat about what you think of my blog posts.  I am always looking for feedback on ways to improve or if you have a subject matter that you would like for me to cover in a future post.

Springsteen

The Boss

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until next time,

Jess

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Send A Handwritten Letter

thI think in this day and age we all consider it a refreshing surprise to receive a handwritten letter.  We have all become very reliant on the super, easy text message or email to convey thanks or just check-in with someone.  I, myself, am very guilty of this.  I think about calling people often and then just decide to send a text.  Same concept, right?  No, no it is not.  We remove the personal out of what we are trying to convey when we send it digitally; there is hardly a trace of us left in this avenue of communication.  Okay, so where am I going with this?  I by no means am anti-technology; I love my iphone, ipad and Apple watch, but something is lost in all of this.  I cannot convey my true personality with a text message or email sent via one of these devices.  So what is the solution?  Take the time to write out a letter or thank you card and send it to someone.  Stationery used to be a big deal; it said something about who you were, it was an extension of your own personal style.  And of course, I have to put in a shameless plug for USA Printing Online here; we sell custom stationery.

I had an opportunity in the last couple of months to send out thank you notes after the passing of my dog, Vito.  I have to admit I was overwhelmingly sad, but very grateful to those who helped out during one of the hardest times of my life.  I also sent notes to those who brought Vito into mine and my husband’s life, as well as those who took care of our little boy along the way.  The writing of those cards offered me a release; I was able to shed tears over the words that I wrote and also it made me a little happy to let those people know that they had  meant something to me and Vito.

Someone shared an article about Peyton Manning sending some fellow NFL players  handwritten letters  throughout his career and how much it meant to the individuals who received the letters.  According to the Washington Post article,  “[the legendary quarterback spent offseasons making a list of players he had observed and admired. He often wrote to them, usually after they retired or reached a milestone, and scrawled his own memories and best wishes, usually taking note of each recipient’s respect of a game Manning spent decades attempting to master.]”.  I find this to be so endearing.  If Peyton Manning can take the time to pen a handwritten letter or card; why can’t I?

In short, take a moment out of your day and send someone a handwritten letter.  You might get the opportunity to make someone else’s day a little brighter.

 

 

Until next time,

Jess

 

 

 

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I Pick Apart Songs

I have a horrible habit of picking apart songs.  My husband, friends and family all have the misfortune of having to constantly hear my say, “Ooh Ooh, my favorite part is coming up” or “that’s my favorite part!”.  There are very few songs that I can listen to without picking out a favorite part that I just have to hear before the song can be changed.  Usually the only time this occurs, is when I do not really like or find something to identify with in the song.  These types of songs are what I like to refer to as fodder.  I would never going as far as to dignify them with calling them even background music.  That would be too much of a accolade because I live with music in the background.  I rarely go a single day without listening to music for hours and consider it the soundtrack to my life.  Music gives my life deeper meaning, it is almost on par with my faith.  For many years in my life, I would even say it surpassed my faith.

Some people remember things by scent or touch, but I have always remembered people and events by the music that was playing.  I often assign songs to people; I have songs that remind me specifically of my husband, Vito, Mama and Daddy, my sister and even friends.  Sometimes, I even assign songs to people that I do not like very much so that I can laugh to myself when I hear the song.  So in other words, you probably want to stay on  my good side so that you do not get an awful song assigned to you.  If you are looking for an example, I always think of my boy, Vito, when I hear “Yellow Submarine (this was his bath song)” and here lately “Atlantic City (because I want him back so badly)”.

Back to the picking favorite lyrics in songs, or according to me “favorite parts”.  It can even be just the way one word is sung in a lyric…crazy, right?  Here are a few examples from songs I have listened to today…if you can name the songs you are doing well.  In fact, I will give the first person to email me @ [email protected] with the correct song title and artist a 10% discount on their next order with USA Printing Online.  I will notify you via email and post the winner of Facebook.

Well I got a job and tried to put some money away / But I got debts that no honest man can pay

Smashed in my car window / Didn’t touch the stereo

You said you didn’t love me, it was right on time / I was just about to tell you, but ok, alright

But the pony you wanted when you were child / Is dead in the ground by now

Well it gets you down, but it don’t make it right / I made it my personal intervention / What a waste of time, time, time, time

Don’t ever say your car is broke / Don’t worry ’bout losing your accent / ‘Cause a Southern man tells a better joke

Stars beginning to fade / And I lead the parade

And girl before the end of the day / I’m gonna tear it down and throw it away

Tonight I’ll be on that hill ’cause I can’t stop / I’ll be on that hill with everything I got / Lives on the line where dreams are found and lost / I’ll be there on time and I’ll pay the cost / For wanting things that can only be found / In the darkness on the edge of town

Outside by your doorstep / In a worn out suit and tie / I’ll wait for you to come down / Where you’ll find me / Where we’ll shine

Good luck on the little quiz!!!  I know in the day and age of Google it would be easy to figure out what all of these are, but please don’t and if you have to, at least listen to the song if you have never heard it.

Until next time,

Jess

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Happy Valentine’s Day

Happy Valentine’s Day…yes, I said it!!!  I know many people think of Valentine’s day as a made up holiday or a “Hallmark holiday”, and that is just fine and dandy but I happen to like it.  Whether you like the holiday or not, most of us succumb to buying cards, candy and flowers.  According to the History channel, approximately 150 million cards are sent annually coming in second place to Christmas cards.  As a printer, I love any excuse for mass printing and distribution of printed materials.  I think it is a great excuse to tell someone that you love them more than anyone else in the world, that they are your end all and be all.  We actually sell custom greeting cards on  USA Printing Online, so if you missed out on sending Valentine’s cards why not just send cards to friends and loved ones for no reason at all?  I am a huge proponent of sending cards!

Another reason I enjoy Valentine’s Day is it makes me want to listen to my favorite love songs, which vary from year to year and mood to mood.  Billboard has a list of the top 50 love songs of all time, which I guarantee is wildly different than mine, just for fun below is a list of love songs that I am enjoying listening to this year.  Some of them are happy, and some quite sad but isn’t life?  Some days are happier and some are just plain sad.

st.valentine

Why so serious???

Jessica’s Valentine’s Day Jam 2016 (In No Particular Order)

    1. Badge – Cream
    2. Mind Games – John Lennon
    3. Never My Love – The Association
    4. Gimme Little Sign – Brenton Wood
    5. Operator (That’s Not the Way it Feels)
    6. Tender Years – John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band (Yes, this is from the movie Eddie & The Cruisers)
    7. Hangin’ on the Telephone – Blondie
    8. Mandolin Wind – Rod Stewart
    9. Lay Lady Lay – Bob Dylan
    10. One Step Up – Bruce Springsteen
    11. A Song For You – Gram Parsons
    12. I’m on Fire – Bruce Springsteen
    13. November Blue – The Avett Brothers
    14. Dream a Little Dream of Me – Louis Armstrong
    15. Silver Springs – Fleetwood Mac
    16. Tiny Dancer – Elton John
    17. Heart of the Night – Poco
    18. Dear John – Ryan Adams & The Cardinals
    19. Someday We’ll be Together – Diana Ross & The Supremes
    20. Bell Bottom Blues – Derek & The Dominos
    21. Useless Desires – Patty Griffin
    22. Love Song – Tesla
    23. Right Down the Line – Gerry Rafferty
    24. This Guy’s in Love With You – Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass
    25. Rebel Rebel – David Bowie
    26. Desperado – Eagles
    27. Slow it Down – The Lumineers
    28. Nights Like These – Lucero
    29. Skinny Love – Bon Iver
    30. Always Alright – Alabama Shakes
    31. Valerie – Amy Winehouse
    32. Apologies – Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
    33. In a Little While – U2
    34. Faithfully – Journey
    35. Fire Away – Chris Stapleton
    36. Boulder Skies – Pure Prairie League
    37. Drift Off to Dream – Travis Tritt
    38. Angie – The Rolling Stones
    39. Moonlight Mile – The Rolling Stones
    40. Blue Jean – David Bowie
    41. Try a Little Tenderness – Otis Redding
    42. Never Tear Us Apart  – INXS
    43. Time After Time – Cyndi Lauper
    44. Don’t Wait That Long – James
    45. Ain’t Even Done With the Night – John Mellencamp (Pretty sure he was still know as John Cougar Mellencamp when this song came out)
    46. Work Song – Hozier
    47. Black – Pearl Jam
    48. Marry Song – Band of Horses
    49. ’74-’75 – The Connells
    50. Box of Rain – The Grateful Dead

That’s all I have for now…Happy Valentine’s Day Y’all!!!

Until Next Time,

Jess

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It’s Super Bowl 50 Weekend and We are Celebrating!

I cannot believe that we are coming up on the 50th Super Bowl; how significant!  All I have to say is, “wow!”   And to boot, our good ol’ Carolina Panthers are fighting for their first Vince Lombardi trophy.  We here in NC are very excited!!!  In honor of our team going to the Super Bowl, we are offering an amazing discount on brochures.  Please feel free to check out the details on our site, USA Printing Online.

Whether you are a Broncos fan or a Panthers fan, I hope you enjoy the Super Bowl!

Go Panthers!

Go Panthers!

Until next time,

Jess

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Uncovering From the Winter Storm

Most of us on the East Coast experienced winter storm Jonas in varying degrees.  We here in the South had mostly sleet mixed with snow, and let me tell you it was very debilitating.  We do not do the white stuff very well down here!  Cabin fever sets in after a few days and we all go crazy, because we just cannot drive in that stuff.  The bread shelves were still bare on Sunday afternoon…I do not know what we intended to do with all the extra bread we purchased before the snow event , but you just have to have bread in your house prior to the first flakes hitting the ground.  How did you fare in the storm?  What are your favorite things to do on a snow day?

Besides Jonas, I hope that everyone is off to a great 2016!  Stay tuned into the site and Facebook; we should have some interesting developments this year.

On a side note, most people that know me know that I am a Steelers fan, by birthright; however, I am still proud of my NC team for their NFC Championship win this weekend.  As long as the Panthers are not playing the Steelers, I route for them.  Go Panthers!!!

In my normal fashion, I would like to close with a song…

Until next time,

Jess

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Send A Card

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For those moments when you are a disappointment to others as a human being, send a card.  When someone goes out of their way for you, even in a small way, send a card.  If you haven’t seen or talked to someone in a very long time, send a card.  It is okay to send them on occasions other than birthdays or Christmas.   The Ancient Chinese and Egyptians began the practice of sending cards, but we have somehow lost this tradition.  The art of sending cards, seems to be a dying one and it is a shame.  We all get our mailboxes inundated with Christmas cards, but what about the rest of the year?  We offer several greeting card templates on the USA Printing Online site that can help you in your endeavor to “Just send a card”.

 

IMG_0683 I started this post over a month ago and have not seemed to be able to finish it.  We have had a lot going on in our household over the past month and I just have not been inspired to write.  My little boy, Vito has had some serious health issues.  Vito was diagnosed with a heart murmur a couple of years ago, and in the past month has started having syncope/seizure activity.  We have been to the veterinarian three times in the past week, including a neurologist.  We are doing everything we can to help him and ensure that his quality of life is good.

On a more positive note, I look forward to working with each and everyone of you next year!!!

I hope everyone has a joyous holiday season and wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  And remember in the upcoming year, just send a card!

Here’s a Christmas song to enjoy…

Until next time,

Jess

 

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