Designed by Dianna

Stop and Seize the Moment

Dianna — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:44:17 +0000

There are times when life is so busy that we do not allow ourselves any quiet moments to ponder, to appreciate, to be lazy, to rekindle our passions for our work. It is absolutely necessary to give ourselves permission to take those moments, refresh our minds, fill our souls with the surroundings that are our daily inspirations.

This month has been exceptionally mild, allowing us in the northeast to absorb the sunshine, breathe in the fresh air, basking in the outdoors, shaking off the cobwebs from winter and preparing ourselves for the tasks ahead. With spring just beginning, the flowering trees are in full bloom, the colors are fantastic, the warmth of the light amazing.

What do you find as inspiration in this season of transition? Whatever it is, be sure to take those moments, wrap your souls around them and save the memories for times when inspiration may not be so forthcoming.

Happy Holidays!

Dianna — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:50:08 +0000

Dear Friends,

We hope that 2011 has been a great year for you.

We are very excited at the prospect of bringing you new and exciting design tips and concepts in 2012 to aid in your creativity and in your business ventures.

We want to thank our readers for your continuing support of Designed by Dianna. We wish you and your family a season of joy and much happiness in 2012.

Happy Holidays,
The Designed by Dianna Team
Our Creativity is YOUR Power!

How are you at selling?

Dianna — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 11:06:42 +0000

Everyone in every organization is now part of the sales force AND part of customer service, but there are no customers without sales. Sales and customer service go hand-in-hand, but sales always come first. No matter if you’re the newest administrative employee or the CEO, your job is sales and then customer service, and if you don’t think it is, your business’s health is probably just as questionable as the rest of the companies out there. A business cannot survive without both. Customer service is now as important to those hired to actually sell as it is to the members of the production team and the people who answer the phones.

The really good sales professionals I know sell other people’s products just as readily as the ones they earn money selling. Successful sales people don’t push a product; they listen for people’s needs. Develop the habit of listening first. Find people’s needs – even when you are not working. Really listen. Hear more than what is coming out of their mouths. Find the way to be helpful and the habit will continue to pay you forever.

Customer service begins with empathy but cannot be exceptional unless paired with action. Sometimes, empathy is all you can offer. Take a delivery delay – that is out of your control, but first deal with the situation with empathy – be personal with all your interactions, and respond from the other side of the fence.

Empathy plus action is what makes really great customer service. Practice this as often as possible, do it at home. See the situation from the other person’s point of view as often as possible. Look for potential ways to help. And remember, really listening makes someone feel heard which is just as important an action as any other.

When someone asks if you are in sales, are you reluctant to admit that? What feels comfortable? What seems to need work?

A bright spot in the midst of winter

Dianna — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 11:19:11 +0000

Valentine’s Day is named in honour of Saint Valentine, the patron saint of lovers who, it is believed, was murdered on February 14 AD 270. The Roman emperor Claudius II cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome, as he believed married men, being emotionally attached to their wives and families, did not make good soldiers.

Valentine secretly married couples until he was caught. One legend suggests he left a farewell note for the jailer’s daughter before his death which said “Love from your Valentine,” the first Valentine’s card.

It was the pope who set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine in AD 496. However, the day was not often celebrated until the Middle Ages. Gift giving and exchanging of hand-made cards became common in England around the 18th century, while in the 1840s the holiday caught on in the US.

But while the day is about love, cards, chocolates and flowers in the US and Canada, the day is celebrated differently around the world. For example, in Finland the day marks the honoring of friends, not lovers.

So on this day, remember to honor your friends as well as your lovers!

And as a designer, don’t forget to add that bright spot of color in the midst of your winter designs.