SCATTERED, RANDOM THOUGHTS

By Nancy Friedman, Telephone Doctor, Keynote Speaker

As an admitted A.D.D., I’ve always wanted to do an article like this; sharing thoughts that randomly come into my mind. Some are business thoughts and some are personal. Enjoy.

* I really have a hard time with the person who says, “Oh, ok” when I’ve just logged a complaint. It’s as though they didn’t hear me. That’s not the right thing to say when I’m not a happy camper.

* Don’t you hate it when you let someone in front of you in traffic and they don’t wave a thank you?

* Forrest Tucker of F Troop, for those who remember, once told me, “Some folks get overcome with the smell of their own perfume.” Great statement when you realize what he meant.

* Why does the nurse say, “The doctor will be right with you” and then they don’t show up for 45 minutes.

* How about the person who takes the last cup of coffee from the pot and doesn’t make more?

* Ever wonder why some folks aren’t able to laugh at themselves?

* Someone once told me, “Grow old with your audience.” So I update my press picture every 2 years. Makes a big difference.

* It really bothers me when a customer service rep “reads” their message. All it would take to personalize it, and have it sound more natural, is a few rehearsals. It would make a big difference to everyone.

* Most people aren’t aware you are not married to the voice that came with your automated attendant. You can do it yourself or bring in a fun voice. We find that it’s not always the AA that is the problem; it’s the blah, blah robotic voice folks object to.

* And speaking of automated attendants, are you as frustrated as I am with the “voice recognition” machines? OMG! They seldom recognize anything I’m saying.

* I personally don’t believe there is a generational issue out there.

* When I am having trouble on the phone with an accent from another country, what I tell them is a far cry from what I’m actually thinking. (The old “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”)

* I can’t get my teeth cleaned at the dentist without the gas that puts me out.

* Why do people put “I’ll call you back as soon as possible” on their voice mail message and then don’t?

* If chocolate only came in milk chocolate I’d be so thin. Only like DARK CHOCOLATE.

* Am I the only one who dislikes it when the person helping me on the phone (or in person) is chomping on gum?

* I really wanted to meet Johnny Carson and Johnny Cash.

* When you call to sell me something, why don’t you ever ask if it’s an OK time to talk?

* Ladies Only: When my mate/partner/whatever tells me I look “fine,” why doesn’t that sound good enough?

* Why don’t people know the difference between their, there & they’re and you’re and your?

* Why don’t some people wash their hands when leaving the restroom? Don’t you just want to yell out, “Hey you, come back; you forgot to wash your hands”?

* I wonder why owners and managers don’t call their own companies to see how their customers are handled.

* Men Only: What’s with the not asking for directions? Who started that one? That’s sad. You’d get here twice as fast if you’d ask.

* Why do they ask, “Can I take a message” and you say, “Yes” and start talking and they say, “Wait, I gotta get a pencil.” Duh!

* If you haven’t seen Jersey Boys yet, add it to your wanna do list. Great show!

* Do you agree with me? Common sense isn’t so common.

* Why don’t people send handwritten thank you notes any more?

* How come no one ever thinks ‘they’ are rude?

* Why don’t you leave your phone number TWICE and SLOWLY on voice mail instead of rattling through it?

* I miss Simon on American Idol.

* Are you noticing it’s not just the kids who walk and text and don’t look where they’re going? The big folks are just as guilty.

* Hey, wanna go for a bike ride?

OK – enough for now. Please Share this Blog.

I'd enjoy hearing your random thought? Send it to me at [email protected].

Nancy Friedman, President of Telephone Doctor Customer Service Training, is a featured keynote speaker and subject matter expert on customer service and communications skills, at franchise, association and corporate meetings.

She has appeared on OPRAH, Today Show, CNN, FOX News, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning and many others. She has been published in Wall Street Journal, USA today as well as hundreds of other publications.

Nancy is the author of eight books on sales and customer service and is the spokesperson in the popular Telephone Doctor customer service training programs.

For a demo packet of Nancy call 314.291.1012 or visit www.nancyfriedman.com.