Pulse Legacy Archive October 2011 | Seite 66

 PHOTO © TIFFANY BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY end notes T FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER! @LynneMcNees his issue of Pulse helped remind me about the importance of focusing on what are sometimes considered “the basics.” As busy working professionals, it is easy to get wrapped up in the next big thing, and while it’s important to always push yourself and your staff, it can sometimes be too easy to let the fundamentals slip through the cracks. My dear friend, Jane Segerberg, often talks about looking at the bigger picture, but she’s quick to remind us to not forget to change the sheets. You can have 300 television channels, the latest products and a magnificent view in a room, but if you forget to change the sheets on the bed, it’s all for nothing. It feels so 101, but how many times has it happened in your business? If your business needs to press the restart button on service, then flip to page 42 and read Mark, Joan and Lisa: Dealing with Customer Concerns. This article has tips on how to make sure you cover all the basics. It’s a nice refresher that you can use to educate and remind your team how important good customer service is. With Conference just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to invest in yourself and your business. We have expert speakers lined up who will help keep you on your toes so that you don’t miss a beat. The Snapshot Survey results featured in this issue on page 54 reveal that only 24 percent of you are writing “thank you” notes to your customers. To be fair, 29 percent are sending an e-mail and 19 percent are making personal calls, but it’s important to remember the power of a handwritten note. I’m a big believer in writing notes. My dad instilled it in me, and through my work in both the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations, I saw first-hand just how powerful a personal, handwritten thank you can be. If the President of the United States has time to write a note, then so do we! When was the last time you wrote a note? Looking forward to seeing you next month in Las Vegas! Healthy blessings, —LYNNE McNEES, ISPA PRESIDENT 64 PULSE ■ July 2011