Connecting in the Third Dimension
Posted on April, 10, 2012 by Kerry Rego -
I was invited to participate in Maximum Buzz at Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary on March 22, 2012. The goal was to have a mini-retreat online professionals. [See my photoset on Flickr] Their words say it better than I can:
“We’re planning our own version of Web 3.0 – and it’s not [really] about the Internet, it is real people, in real-time. Social media, online networking and Internet marketing is based virtually, but it’s fueled by authentic, engaging conversation. Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary wants to open its doors to bloggers, social media experts and online marketing professionals to network, share ideas and compare notes (and have a little fun). So much of what you do is virtually based, we want you, live and in person to come to Osmosis and unwind.” [See their photoset on Facebook]
We sometimes forget what makes technology work is people. As a culture, we are beginning to look more closely at how we live our lives. I know that technology isn’t the final answer. People are. Don’t forget the enjoyment you derive from being in the same room with other individuals. On that night, we had active conversations about technology, what it means to us personally, and how it’s effecting us.
Maybe it was the wine, maybe it was the good conversation, the chair massages, the cedar enzyme foot baths, or maybe it was the fire dancer. I don’t know. What I do know is we can’t exist in a vacuum and when I walked away from that event, I felt more alive than when I walked in.
You Never Know How Far Your Words Will Go
Posted on January, 13, 2011 by Kerry Rego -
I am overrun with emotion.
I have a couple blogs. One blog for business and one that serves as my own personal time capsule of cool places I’ve been to in my neighborhoods. I don’t put a whole lot of effort into IAmSonomaCounty.com because it’s very light hearted. I write when I feel like it. It’s mostly things my daughter and I do on the weekends.
I got a comment on a blog I wrote about my love for books but the comment didn’t really match the content. It was a young man from New York and unfamiliar to the area asking for advice about where to propose to his girlfriend. It tickled me to have a perfect stranger ask my opinion about such a large decision. I enjoyed giving him my suggestions for restaurants, beaches, and kite stores. A thanks from him and that was that.
Today, eight months later, I received an email from that same young man giving me an update. Not only did they go to Goat Rock Beach but they rode the horses at Chanslor Ranch! I can’t tell you what a cool feeling
it is to know that something I said in the empty cavern of the internet has changed a part of someone’s life.
How’s THAT for technology and the interwebs, huh?
Who is Your CEO?
Posted on June, 22, 2010 by Kerry Rego -
What is it that your clients keep coming back for? What sets you apart?
I went to a Sonoma County Go Local Cooperative event where Dr. William Silver, dean of the School of Business & Economics at Sonoma State University, was the keynote speaker. He said “Who is the CEO of your organization? Who is the Chief Experience Officer?” He went on to describe how people love Starbucks because they are buying not just coffee or a muffin but an experience. No matter where they go in the world, they know they can depend on getting that experience at a Starbucks in Des Moines, Beverly Hills or Atlanta. That there are people whose travel is greatly determined by the proximity of the nearest Starbucks.
His words really stuck with me. So much so that I quoted him months later when speaking to hospitality and tourism professionals at Tourism Trends 2010 hosted by the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau. This beautiful county is all about experiences. From the views of the beautiful wine country, the vistas of the Pacific Ocean or the world class cycling, we are an experience destination location. Hospitality professionals help administer memories, events and adventures that we remember for the rest of our lives. If there was any industry I could speak directly to about the Chief Experience Officer, these were the people that would hear what I was saying.
The reason I chose to write about it is because I got a small bit of an experience today. Two different professionals that I respect, both congratulated me on successes I had recently had. I received one via Twitter (@kregobiz) and then just minutes later opened my mail (yes, REAL mail) and there was a card in there for me. These two women went out of their way to acknowledge me and the hard work I’d put into my community. I already like them both personally but this seals the deal. They CARE about other people (namely me, my favorite cause) and they’re paying attention.
I strive every day to provide excellent customer service and value to my clients. I’ve recently realized that it’s important not to stop there. Why should I treat paying clients even better than the regular people in my life? I’m making more of a conscious effort to treat everyone with that attention to detail. I’m not perfect but I know that I try.
The difference between you getting the client or making the sale could very well be that small effort. Every interaction you have with others leaves a wake. Make sure that what they remember makes them smile.
(Thanks to Virginie Dorn of Business Copy Center and Misty Mesel of Cumulus Bookkeeping Consulting.)