Video Chat - Amazing Props That Will Get You All the Attention

In the old days, you met someone at work, at school, or maybe if you were unlucky - or you lived in a Third World country - your parents found you someone to marry. Then came online dating and the world became a feast of delectable selections you could choose from yourself. Suddenly you could find your perfect match - that one other person in the universe who likes listening to Hound Dog while eating peanut butter and pickle sandwiches on the way to Graceland. You know, partners who are compatible on the most basic level. Well, technology marches on, and the need to date by actually getting together with someone - with the nice suit and the aftershave - have given way to another kind of virtual dating experience - the video chat. What!? Video chat? You mean, like they see me and I see them? Where's the protective layer of having 14 emails, 74 texts and 9 days built up before... face time? Well, when you consider that face time comes eventually, you may as well think of video chat as a time saver and friend. It breaks the ice and it may also save you the need for an actual date, since you no longer have to actually get together to sit across from each other and have the whole 3D experience. Making the Most of Your Closeup So, since people can see you, what are the most important visuals to have in your video chat? Clothing Clothing is not optional! You can do like Brett Favre did in high school on picture day when he wore a suit jacket with shorts. (I made that up, Brett - Don't call me.) Except, you're at home so why not just wear underwear with a flattering shirt? This will be fine as long as you're not so excitable that you jump up and reveal your boxers or thong. That might not give the right impression. Important People Around You So you once stole a life-size standup of KISS at a Gene Simmons event? Haul it out and set it up in the background. Don't mention that there's a famous 80s band standing behind you. Just let it speak for itself. You're a cool guy. You know people. And they're standing in some kind of frozen stupor in your livingroom. Cool Furnishings Fire up the lava lamp - those are cool. Though you'd have to make sure it was clear that you got it post-global warming and not in 1971 in order for it to be retro cool. Otherwise, you're just another one of those people who kept a closet full of bell bottoms "in case they come back." They did, but that doesn't make your moldy old collection groovy again. A Blank Canvas Upon Which the Viewer Can Project His/Her Own Fantasies Hey - how about a blank white wall? That way, they'll be looking at... you. If they ask if you're living in some kind of institutional setting, you'll have to come up with something, but that's a good problem to have, right? If they're asking about your environs, that means they're interested in you. Or maybe they're just trying to find out when visiting hours are. Whatever You Do, Do Not Say This About Your White Room - This isn't my house. - My parents won't let me put any posters up. - It's a painting of post-apocalyptic life on earth. - There's nothing behind me. Without you, my world is empty. Want to come over? - That's where you belong - behind me. Now It's Your Turn
Think carefully about how to "stage" your next chat. Particularly if you're a guy. Girls notice everything and they assign meaning to all of it. Video chat has given us all the chance to communicate without saying a word. As the mystics said, By your props, we shall know ye. Be sure you know what your stuff is saying about you.

"Give 'em the Pickle"

Pickles are those special extra things you do to make people happy. It's a special phone call you make to your customer or a handwritten thank you note that you include with every order. It is taking the time to walk the customer down the isle to find the item that they are looking for rather than pointing them in specific direction to the back of the store. It is offering them a special promotional item or even just calling them by their name. It is the art of finding out what your customers want and making sure they get it.

The Pickle Philosophy is the brainchild of Bob Farrell of Farrell Ice Cream Parlor fame.

He was a pioneer in the restaurant industry, having created one of the first national full service chain restaurants opening and managing over 150 locations before selling the chain to Marriott. It is Farrell's belief that businesses are in the "people business" and that it is not what you sell that is important, it is how you take care of the people who buy your product. It is about figuring out what would make your customers happy and giving it to them. That's the pickle.

It all started with a letter:

"Dear Mr. Farrell, I've been coming to your restaurant for over three years. I always order a #2 hamburger and a chocolate shake. I always ask for an extra pickle and I always get one. Mind you, this has been going on once or twice a week for three years. I came into your restaurant the other day and I order my usual. I asked the young waitress for an extra pickle. I believe she was new because I hadn't seen her before. She said, "Sir, I will sell you a side of pickles for $ 1.25." I told her, "No, I just want the extra slice of pickle. I always ask for it and they always give it to me. Go ask your manager." She went away and came back after speaking to to the manager. The waitress looked me in the eye and said, "I'll sell you a pickle for a nickel." Mr. Farrel, I told her what to do with her pickle, hamburger and milkshake. I'm not coming back to your restaurant if that's the way you're going to run it.

The customer

Mr. Farrell was successful at responding to the customer, apologizing and asking him to come back and has taken this letter to create the war cry "Give 'em the Pickle" so when something happens with a customer and you are not sure what to do? Give them the pickle. Do what you have to do to make things right.

This story applies to all businesses that want to put strategies into place that will keep the customers coming back. Focusing on providing excellent customer service at every touchpoint and building an organization whose employees are trained, motivated and informed about the company's approach to customers will exceed the customers expectations with each and every opportunity. So create an environment for your employees to excel at customer service by following the pickle philosophy:

-Service: Make serving others the number one priority of your business.

-Attitude: Choice a service-oriented attitude. How you think of your customers is how you will treat them.

-Consistency: Set high service standards and live them every day. Customers return because they had a positive expierence last time.

-Teamwork: Commit to teamwork. Find ways to make each other look good. In the end, everything ends up in front of the customer.