Recipes

[VaBelle35]

@momtochloe  I have to wonder if maybe the company knows something through research and thinks that 3 days of training works as well or better than more training and easing into it.  They must do metrics on this type of stuff.

When I worked at the Canon Bubblejet Printer Help Desk, we gave them several days of training on the printer and listen to recorded calls, then we had them sit and listen to live calls with a seasoned veteran for a day or two and then we had them take calls with a seasoned veteran for a day or two before we unleashed them.  Some people were ready to take calls a lot faster than others.  Some we had to push out on their own.

That's pretty standard for a call center.  So I wonder if they found that throwing new people out there ends up being better for the bottom line in the long run.  The sooner you start making sales, the sooner you become profitable.

[momtochloe]

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@VaBelle35 wrote:

@momtochloe  I have to wonder if maybe the company knows something through research and thinks that 3 days of training works as well or better than more training and easing into it.  They must do metrics on this type of stuff.

When I worked at the Canon Bubblejet Printer Help Desk, we gave them several days of training on the printer and listen to recorded calls, then we had them sit and listen to live calls with a seasoned veteran for a day or two and then we had them take calls with a seasoned veteran for a day or two before we unleashed them.  Some people were ready to take calls a lot faster than others.  Some we had to push out on their own.

That's pretty standard for a call center.  So I wonder if they found that throwing new people out there ends up being better for the bottom line in the long run.  The sooner you start making sales, the sooner you become profitable.

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@VaBelle35 . . . sigh.

You are so right that they clearly have a much better handle of the overall vision and the financial model that works for them.  Maybe with flowers, people are more forgiving and the aftermath isn't as brutal.

To be honest, once I get my bearings in terms of manuevering my way through the various systems I am fairly confident I will do a good job as I am a good listener and completely understand empathy and negotiation.  This is the one thing I can thank my siblings for . . .

I have to add something about taking a live call . . . the trainer took three of them during our training session a day ago and totally hosed two of them to get them off the line (we were stunned, I would never have spoken to somebody like that but then again at this point I am not up against CS statistics/metrics).  To be honest, I do not have the warm fuzzies about her being a trainer as she has terrorized most people in training (and to be honest, I don't think she even remotely realizes how cutting she is as I asked her a question outside of class time and we had a lovely conversation and a great discussion).

There is a lot to be said for soft skills.

[VaBelle35]

Oh dear!  

I am not a people person at all, so I could never take calls.  I wouldn't last an hour.  The first testy caller and I'm out.  

The best thing that ever happened to my job is that everyone uses email.  My phone rarely rings (and as soon as I'm done with software testing, I can shake this programmer in California who calls me every morning to chat.)  In my new building (and by new I mean I've been there 8 years now LOL), no one knows where I sit, so people rarely come to my door.

I did learn something from the book Happier at Home (the sequal to The Happiness Project).  The author, Gretchen Rubin, is like me, doesn't like to be interrupted when she's working on something.  So in her home office, she instituted a policy that everyone has to knock first before coming into her office.  It gives her those 2 seconds to stop what she's doing and focus on the person at the door.  This was a huge lightbulb moment for me because "feedback" I get is that people feel like they're bothering me.  THAT'S BECAUSE THEY ARE BOTHERING ME.  LOL  So by closing my door or by shutting it 90% it lets people know I'm here, I'm available but it makes them knock on the door and gives me those 2 seconds to stop what I'm doing and pretend they are not bothering me.

If I had the ability to manage instant messenger, I would use that, too.  I think instant messenger is the eighth circle of hell and I refuse to turn it on.  I have to have it on for online meetings, so the second I turn green, I get 8 pop ups of people asking annoying questions.  AND people actually refuse to respect the part where it says I'm busy or "do not disturb."  

Okay, I have to get ready for work.

Have a great day everyone!  Only 2 more days until I'm on vacation.

[ChiliPepper]

@momtochloe

Good morning Kitchenettes!!! Happy Thankful Thursday! This week I am thankful mtc is back working & trying hard to get through their craziness!!!

Have a fantastic fourth day mtc!!!!!!!

[momtochloe]

Good morning Kitchenettes, good morning my good friend @ChiliPepper and yes welcome to Thankful Thursday!

I think we all know what I am grateful for but I also want to add a great night's sleep.  I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the slock said 5:33 (usually I am awake way long before that).  I may just get the hang of these hours yet!

As always, I will send out my daily update upon my return home . . . stay tuned!

[RespectLife]

A beautiful sunny, Thankful Thursday to everyone!

I am thankful today for friends coming to visit from VA tonight for the weekend.  I am kinda a home base for them as they have ill family to visit and dozens of Buffalo foods that need to be comsumed!  LOL

But it will be nice to see lifelong friends again as I don't get much of that here in solitary confinement!  Ha Ha!

@momtochloe

Having NOT had a change in work location for the past 13 yrs...and prior to that 8 years....I am in awe of how things are done today!  It boggles my mind that you end up on the phones so quickly.  I am sure @VaBelle35 is right, they must have data showing this is the best system for the company...but as you said....nothing worse than getting a CS that is curt or uninformed!  You will be a stand out amongst the newbies, I am sure.

You go full steam ahead and set the new standard for customer service!!  Too bad Q doesn't have a call center by you....their reps could use someone like you to show them the proper way to assist!  I don't have to call often but the last two calls certainly fell on ears that didn't have an answer and clearly didn't care!

[ChiliPepper]

@momtochloe

Hi mtc, I hope you are having a GREAT fourth day so far.

I TOTALLY forgot about the hour change thing for you, that must be throwing you off also. You are always up early & to bed early but now your whole schedule has changed. That in itself must be hard.

Hugs my friend!

(((mtc)))

[ChiliPepper]

Happy National Pecan Day my Kitchenette Friends!!!

Ok, so it is also National Dolphin Day but I didn't figure we wanted to do recipes for dolphins since "Flipper" comes to my mind LOL! And yes, I realize "Flipper" was a porpoise not a dolphin but that is another discussion!

It is also National Ex-Spouse Day but I don't know if anyone wants to go down THAT road LOL!!!

Anyways, you gotta know that a pecan cocktail recipe is surely to follow soon so anyone else love pecans??

[ChiliPepper]

PECAN PIE MARTINI

A cocktail inspired by chocolate pecan pie. Perfect for the holiday season!

INGREDIENTS

For the Martini:

• 2 shots pecan pie flavored vodka (I used Pinnacle)
• ½ shot pecan simple syrup
• 1 shot unsweetened almond milk
• pinch of cinnamon

For the Pecan Simple Syrup:

• 2 C. water
• 1 C. brown sugar
• 1 C. white sugar
• 2 C. chopped pecans

For the rim:

• Chocolate syrup
• crushed pecans

INSTRUCTIONS

Pecan Simple Syrup:

1. Combine water, sugars and pecans in saucepan. Bring to boil, stir to combine and melt sugar. Simmer 10 minutes. Set aside to cool. Once cool, strain mixture and toss out the solids. Save syrup in refrigerator.

To make a martini:

1. Put some chocolate syrup on plate. On a separate place put some crushed pecans. Dip martini glass in chocolate, then pecans. Set aside.
2. Combine vodka, simple syrup, almond milk and cinnamon in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into chocolate/pecan rimmed martini glass.

[ChiliPepper]

So, is it just me or do these "National Day of..." not seem to be lining up so far with the seasons &/or holidays???

Ok, I realize that the weather is totally different around the country but I think of peaches as Summer & pecan pie as Fall.

Are peaches in season anywhere on April 13th???

How about a "National Day of Something Spring-ish"!!!

I guess I have more important things to worry about LOL!!!