Mind Trip

This journey is not what it seems.

A figment of my imagination.

Yet I travel.

Every day a perception preconceived,

before my time.

Clock ticking, sand flowing,

me walking,

in the shadows of what should be.

Infinite control out of my hands.

Held in a realm Most High above,

What my understanding can perceive.

I humbly beg to transcend,

boundaries, chains, shed my shell.

Ascend to a universe far, far away,

Released from the walk of zombies.

Ignorance is bliss’s mentality.

Yet, I’m here,

My passport declined but granted a pen.

Copyright Protected

Images courtesy of Pixabay

“Happy Easter”

I wanted to take time out to wish all of my followers and readers a safe and very blessed Easter.Let’s remember to take time out to pray for those who are less fortunate. Those in Belgium and around the world who are in mourning. Let’s remember the real reason for this day. To me that is… Live the best life we can! Love all people! Share as often as possible even if it is just a good word or a smile. Have a Happy and Safe Easter!!!

 

Truck Driving and Writing: A Perfectly Imperfect Union

If you have not visited Peter Giblett blog https://gobbledegoox.wordpress.com/, you are missing out on great information for writers.

Memoir, Fairy Tales, and Cathartic Experiences

If you are thinking about writing your memoir, read this article by Marilyn Davis on “Two Drops of Ink”.

The Challenge of Creative Writing when you have Deadlines to Meet

Awesome article for professional writers!!!

Memoir: Your Story, My Story, Our Stories

Learn how to write your memoir from Marilyn Davis. Read this and other informative articles on Two Drops of Ink.

I Have to Get It There!!!

a truckers life

Number one rule for a load with an appointment time is… “Get it there safely”. As truckers some of us tend to forget or throw this very important rule out of the truck window. Scores and stats seem to be much more important than their lives and the lives of motorists. We lack consideration and empathy for others on the road! There is nothing more dangerous than a sleepy, distracted or lazy driver behind the wheel of an eighteen wheeler. Take a moment to imagine what a truck weighing 77,000 pounds driving at 60 miles per hour can do to a car or SUV. The people inside don’t stand a chance and if they do survive it was an act of God. Statistics show most fatal accidents are caused by experienced truck drivers that have been driving for 20 or more years. Newbies on the other hand, are knocking down…

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Get Social to Enhance Customer Satisfaction.

I recently wrote an article entitled “Transitioning Your Business in The Growing Virtual Industry”. My article highlighted the change from traditional business practice to the virtual world. It points out how we have moved deeper into the virtual way of running businesses. This change not only affects how we do business but who patronizes our business.

Customers are an important part of every business. Customer satisfaction determines business growth; customers can help a company excel or go belly up. The Genesys Global Satisfaction survey shows that 86% of Americans are satisfied customers. The survey was conducted in 2012 but I feel it still has some merit. My opinion is the percentage has dropped over the past three years, I was unable to find statistical data to support my claims. I’m speaking from a customer’s point of view!

As a customer, I have had some outstanding and horrible service. There are some companies that I will remain loyal to because of their product or the service. While I refuse to patronize a couple due to the poor service I received. I know that I’m not the only customer who feels that way! During my many years of customer service I have worked for a couple of companies that lost customers not because of their products but due to the service. Even before I became an entrepreneur I hated to see them go.

Is it not disheartening to patronize a company for years then one day call the company to have an issue resolved only to talk to an ineffective IVR system? It’s even more frustrating to sit on hold for thirty minutes before you speak to a representative if you get that far. Thirty minutes to some is not that long but when you are busy with work, in a hurry or have children to look after thirty minutes is an eternity. Some companies have online chat representatives that are waiting to assist their customers. That is not always convenient, especially when there is not an agent available. Online chat agents are limited as to what they can do so they often times refer you back to the customer support line or give you a link to their frequently asked questions. Frequently asked questions is not a solution for all customer’s issues. In the minds of most customers this level of support is unacceptable thus pushing them to sever all ties with the company.

There are many ways businesses can improve customer support thus increasing customer satisfaction and retention. Customers do not want options that are ineffective or not readily available. They want service and a solution to their problem. Scripted representatives with empathetic opening lines is not effective customer service. I agree with empathizing with the customer but it’s impossible to always understand what the customer is feeling. They want empathy but most importantly they want their issue resolved, quickly and efficiently.

The companies that choose to utilize social media as means to service their clients will dominate in customer satisfaction. These companies are making themselves more accessible to existing and future customers. Recognizing that increased response time for their customers’ issues is key to survival in this industry. A happy customer is a forever customer!  Most companies use social media strictly for marketing their product and service. Why not use social media to acknowledge and engage with our customers. Outwardly showing the world that we do empathize with our customer. We will efficiently handle your issue! It does not make sense to keep issues and opinions about a product or service hidden. Customers are aware no matter how much we sweep them under the rug. The transparency of handling customer disputes over social media is a bold concept. However, allowing us to acknowledge it and offer a resolution in a reasonable amount of time. Customer service using social media can bring more customers while keeping current customers happy. In my opinion, more companies should consider how social media can enhance customer satisfaction thus improving customer retention.

Racism in America or Absence of Love

Why are still talking about racism in 2014? The diversity of culture in the United States is broad and beautiful. Seriously! Is it really that hard to “Love Thy Neighbor”?  Why is it that we will go to great lengths to defend why we dislike something or someone? Unable to open our minds to difference or change. We are missing a key piece of the puzzle which is “Love”. To dislike someone because they are different is a sign of self-esteem issues. Maybe a lack of education or an anti-social lifestyle may be the cause. Often time’s people who are void of love will hide behind abusive behavior. They may also surround themselves with those who give them a feeling of superiority.  How can we expect those who do not love themselves to love others? In situations like these there is no one strong enough to defend the weak or speak out against what is wrong. Love and self- respect gives us strength and courage. Strength to defend ourselves and others against hatred and harm. Love gives us courage to stand up to those who spew hatred and try to endanger others.

Why is it not O.K. to be different? Is it necessary for us to all wear the same designers, and wear the same sizes? Color, cut and style our hair the same way and be the same color? That is not the way it is or the way it should be. The difference in people and cultures is beautiful. I love the little quirks that make me different from my sister and any average 37 year old woman. Those of us who live nonjudgmental lives with love in our hearts are stunned when we read or turn on the news to reports of racist acts or remarks of any kind. How we as humans can have such a lack of love for others baffles me. Wild animals get along better than humans. We are so aggressive towards one another that it is ridiculous.

We all get a little angry at times. Who has not said something they didn’t mean? It’s just great practice to take a moment to step back and approach the situation in a calm manner. If you just absolutely have a problem with a person or a group of people, keep it to yourself. Of course I feel you should get professional help, find out what it is within that causes the hatred. If you don’t feel you need or want help then by all means limit your exposure to what causes you to feel uncomfortable. The fact that I’m writing this article shows that even though we are so far advanced, we are still so far behind.

If we take the time to look deep into the history of America, we would see that this country was built with love. Love for a new beginning, love for freedom, and love of family. All this love was fueled by man’s idea or need for a new beginning for their family to freely prosper. Those of us who live in love must learn to close our ears to foolish behavior. Remember, there are some who say and do things as a cry for attention. There are those who get a little upset and then those who are so full of themselves that feel they can say and do as they wish. Let’s ignore their ignorance but stand up when needed. We can choose to live in the past and continue to be affected by its occurrences or we can move forward. Love has brought us through all of that so that we may live in the presence of love.

 

 

Author: Lydia Y. Oyetunji

Created: 06/11/2013 at 7:00pm EST