Happy Receptionist Day and Thank You!

By Terry Orr

From a business perspective there are to essential and critical jobs that either make of brake you – your receptionist and assistant!  Sometimes they are one in the same – but without a good one – life is very difficult – earned my PhD in life lessons regarding this tough lesson.

Remember:

• We only get one opportunity to make a good first impression!
• Whose is your potential new client going to speak to when they call?
• Who do you want taking those important messages? 

12 Tips on How to Be a Good Receptionist (according to WikiHow):

1. Dress appropriately
2. Have phone numbers handy
3. Be courteous
4. Have a positive attitude
5. If someone is still being unreasonable, find a way to diffuse the situation
6. Give good directions
7. Keep busy
8. As soon as someone enters the office, direct your attention to them, immediately, and give them a pleasant greeting
9. Answer the phone politely with a standard greeting
10. For visitors who come to the front desk, greet them with a smile and a standard greeting
11. Greet delivery personnel with the same professionalism and politeness as any other visitor
12. As an employee, if the boss asks you to do anything extraordinary, politely agree and follow through

Today we celebrate National Receptionist Day by thanking them for all they do. Cards, gifts, flowers, plants, balloons are all welcome.

References and Links:

http://bayintegratedmarketing.wordpress.com/2012/01/05/why-the-receptionist-is-arguably-the-most-important-person-in-the-office/

Build a Better Image Week

(Google Image) 

By Terry Orr

What kind of first impression do you, your company and or blog site make?  September 16-22, 2012 is Build a Better Image Week.  Give yourself a few minutes to think about this, what you can do to build that new image?

My wife and others believe that I am cursed – I am always looking for ways to improve things – never completely satisfied – will review an article, project, event, or whatever and say to myself (and others at times) – if I had to do that again, how would I improve it.  I believe the same is true in life in general.  Life is about change – incorporating change into our life – we are all agents of change in one form or another.  Much the same as we are in charge of enhancing our image – personal or otherwise.

Wanting to gather as much background information as possible before writing this article, I conducted a Google search on this topic and surprise on the lack of responses on this topic. I did find these topics to be plentiful:

• Build a better block;
• Build a better mousetrap;
• Build a better photograph;
• Build a better burb;
• Build a better website;
• Build a better business;
• How to build a better burger;
• Build a better blog; and
• Build a better you.

Politicians & Diapers should be changed often and for the same reason.  ~ Mark Twain

Life is like that as well – change in good.  We need to take stock of ourselves, environment, business, etc. from time to time – to assess what we can do to improve that image - from many different perspectives.

Then let us know what you did and how it worked out - thanks.

Receptionist Day 2011

Is observered on Second Wednesday of May. Don't confuse this day for Administrative Professionals Day or Secretary's Day.  Receptionists, this is your day! Okay, maybe it's not a day off. But, it's a day to recognize and appreciate all the things that you do!

Take a brief moment and think about the last five receptionists you have encountered.  You understand and know why it is important to have a good one greeting your clients and potential customers.

The purpose of Receptionists Day is two-fold:

• First, of all it gives recognition to receptionists. After all, they are the first person your customers see when they walk through the door of your company. The great first impression is molded in large part thanks to your smiling, cheerful receptionist.
• Second reason for Receptionist Day is to promote pride and professionalism in the position.  

On this day, treat your Receptionist with flowers, candy, or a lunch!