Friday, January 26, 2007

Customer Service

I read a blog post today from Service Untitled about the value of being insistent in customer service. He took a really interesting view of customer service -- from the service provider's perspective. That is to say that he talked about the value of being insistent in giving great customer service to your customers, even when they are not demanding it.

I had a similar experience to the one mentioned in the Service Untitled blog. Last week, I had the pleasure of organizing dinner for ~18 of my coworkers at Buca di Beppo. Since dinner is served there family style, I coordinated with the waiter to place the food and drink orders. I was particularly looking forward to the order of eggplant parmesean that was on the list. Keeping a special space on my plate for the eggplant, I anxiously awaited the eggplant to be passed down to our section of the table. It never came. In fact, it never arrived at the table. Satisfied, but a little saddened, I mentioned it to the waiter as he prepared to clear the table. (If we didn't receive it, I simply wanted to make sure that we weren't billed for it.) The waiter took it a step further for me -- and insisted on giving great customer service -- and delivered a special order of eggplant parmesean to me with the to go boxes... on the house. I not only left satisfied, but I'm definitely a fan and will be going back. (Besides that, the two nights of eggplant parmesean dinners for Lennie & I was wonderful!)

Do you have customer service experiences to report like this too? I'm all ears!

More Wedding Progress!!!

I'm very happy to report that we can check bridesmaids dresses off of the "wedding to do" list.

I'm even happier to report that Costco delivered our invitations today. We ordered them a mere four days ago and UPS attempted to deliver them to me yesterday. Talk about great customer service and delivery! I can't wait to get home and check them out!

Now if only I could find a great florist that's within my budget... any recommendations, friends?

Monday, January 22, 2007

Wedding Progress

Phew, it was a big wedding weekend for us. First stop: the Bellevue Wedding Show. This show was much smaller than the Seattle Wedding Show that we hit two weeks back. (And far less overwhelming...) Anyhow, Lennie & I cruised through the wedding show and managed to secure tuxes for the boys (or at least a good rate for tuxes) and a veil/tiara for me. And, we got both for a steal. Yesssss!

On Sunday, we trekked down to the Tukwila Costco and purchased our invitations. After an hour and a half of flipping through the books, sweating over colors and styles, and making Lennie drive back to Bellevue to retrieve the coupon that we forgot to bring with us, the order has been placed. Phew! What a relief to have that done!

Now, we just need to settle on bridesmaids' dresses and a florist. Any suggestions?

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

A Source of Inspiration

Sometimes I get a little glimpse in to the lives of fabulous people. One of those people is my friend and co-worker, Jen. Jen is an absolute inspiration and great joy to be around. Despite her current medical problems, she always seems to see the positive in things. I love that about her. One of my favorite examples: Jen writes in her blog today about the good things about losing her hair, including "My head is not shaped funny." I've often wondered if my head is shaped funny, and hope that if I ever have to find out, I'll be smiling like Jen is.

Jen, you totally rock... keep smiling!

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Enough Already!

So, I'll admit it... mid last week, I mistakenly wished for two feet of snow. I got a little greedy -- next time I'm wishing for an inch! Perhaps I was desperately in need of a really good work from home day. We did get a few inches of snow on Thursday morning, and I did get a really great work from home day. I tell ya, I got more done on Thursday than I do in two regular days at the office. Perhaps it's because I don't have a phone that is ringing off the hook, and people don't just drop by my condo to chat or ask questions about projects. In addition to my major work productivity, I also managed to get three loads of laundry done, went for a walk (for work, had to meet a vendor at Starbucks), and I unloaded the dishwasher.

Anyhow, fast forward to this week, and I am now officially tired of the snow and ice. OH, and the snow storm this morning? Not my favorite moment. Alas, everything is going off without a hitch, and I'm a happy camper... except I am very tired of the ice and cold... can't win 'em all, can ya? Anyone have some de-icer that I can borrow?

Friday, January 05, 2007

In 2007, I Resolve To...

In 2007, I resolve to have no resolutions. Awww crap! I just broke my 2007 resolution! Oh well, better luck next year, right?

Now that I'm finally healthy again and we're out of the hectic holiday season, I'm very happy to report that I'm back in the gym... along with the millions of others that resolved to become fitter, healthier human beings. The difference between me and those million other people? (I hope) I'm going to stick with it beyond February 1st. :-)

So, what did you resolve to do in 2007? Have you broken your resolutions yet this year? Do tell...

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

New Year's Eve

So, it was a good New Year's Eve for me... nice and low-key, just the way I like it. After going to our regular Sunday@Six church services, Lennie & I met our friends at McCormick & Schmick's for a fine (albeit long) dinner. Our meal was relatively uneventful, although the nice older man who had a medical incident at the table next to us might beg to differ. I sincerely hope that he is feeling better, and it was nice to see that he was able to get up and walk out of the restaurant under his own power.

After dinner, we did get to go and watch the fireworks at the Space Needle. It's possible that we set a record for the shortest visit to Seattle proper where we actually got out of the vehicle. Alas, we got the perfect viewing spot, free parking, and were in and out of the city in 25 minutes flat. Phew! I also took a few hundred (okay, only 63) photos of the Space Needle and all of the fireworks. Here are a few favorites:




Too fun. I do have to say that New Year's isn't my favorite holiday -- it's pretty much a blah event really, I did enjoy ringing in the new year with good friends and the man that I love. (Awww...) 2007 is going to be a fabulous year!