Memorygirls - The Matrix Reloaded

scottishlass

Craftyscholar wrote: »

A general thought - offered to help, not criticise.

I know that several of you are running, setting up, considering starting your own businesses.

Being confident and positive and believing in your ability to succeed is essential, but 'stuff happens'.

Computer/internet problems. Illness, accident - to you or a family member. Supply/distribution snags.

There has to be a Plan B, some back-up in place. After all a lot of your customers will not be people you chat to who know your situation, they will be total strangers who expect a professional service.

I think you're completely right and reminds me of another thread that used to be on this forum somewhere which was set up by someone who made fancy candles cakes, although I only dipped into it ocassionaly from what I remeber she had personal difficulties and was unable to complete orders and stopped replying to customers - in the end the thread got quite nasty by irate customers who didn't know what was going on, I believe it got sorted in the end but it proves how things can change so quickly and that a Plan B is probably a good idea.

scottishlass

maryb wrote: »

That might have been me.

I don't think it was just you - there were a few mentions of bank transfers so I can see why the Mods may be a wee bit concerned

Hope you get a reply soon.

fantasia322

Agreed that excellent customer service is paramount to make any enterprise successful. It also leads to excellent customer goodwill, but issues need to be addressed not avoided or customer goodwill can be lost.
Communication is a 2-way street.

Firewalker

I have to say that I am inclined to agree with what was said about custoner service - it is hard not to agree. And, yes, I myself have been thinking more and more that any business plan has to include provisions for 'life' - unfortunately mine does not. Example of this is that I am away most of the month, doing work trips to couple of different places each time and doing stuff needing loads of preparation. Getting poorly, or a member of the family needing me will cause a total colapse.

I would like to say now that our lives are harder at times; we like to think that we have control but the part of our lives over which we actually have control is very small. Most of life happens - however much we try to guess we cannot predict what will happen. In this context there are two things that really matter: one is how much and what we have learned; and the second is plan B - which usually is about support networks and contingencies.

About the people around here who are starting businesses - I bet they all do the leartning bit; otherwise they would have not got even as far as they have done (MG included). As to Plan B - there is a choice; one either plays it safe so they can deal with bad things that might or might not happen (like parents passing away, getting ill, children getting poorly, the weather etc.) or they take a jump, take a bit of risk and have faith - in themselves and in their support networks. I know which one I would chose and which one I would support...the second one because great achievement (even if it is about personal growth) is not likely without risk.

This is when we need support; this is why I believed, and still do, that the Matrix is so powerful. Because the Matrix is about going beyond help and moving to support. Customer service is important - let us support the people who need support to achieve it. Lets support them through the bad times - and it is not about transferring money and sending gifts (although this can be nice). It is about patience, wisdom, ideas and advise (selflessly offered and discussed), about a good word; without ego, without expecting an immediate return...And there have been some very constructive suggestions around this thread - I am positive these are highly appreciated.

Socrates said "There is a Sun and each and evryone of us - we just have to give it a chance to shine." This is what I want for myself and for all - the wisdom, competence, skill, hard work and support that this Sun needs so that it can start shining.

Firewalker

clairewop

Good Afternoon

Been to see another house today, was huge but a lot of work needs doing to it.

As for the shelf in the shop I'm still not sure as there are a load of other jewellery artists already in there, although I'm not tied into a contract just month by month. Although not sure when to start if I do as I have reduced loads on the website and haven't sold, so not sure whether it is the products or the time of the year.

I agree with Customer service and after-care, plus what Firewalker said about the support the Matrix gives here, as you all know my lead to my laptop broke so I was unable to get online for 2 weeks and if it wasn't for MG and all of you being worried enough to contact me via mobile and MG getting me a new lead I would have been stuck.

maryb

Just to let you all know I have had a lovely PM from MG (all sorted now, by the way MG) and I fully understand why she has not wanted to tackle her inbox. It seems some 'phantom posters' have sent her some really nasty personal emails and she has, I think, been dreading what she would read next. It's hard to believe there are people like that out there when this thread is so supportive.

MG, you will bounce back from this just as you did from being left standing in the bank, and if we can help, we will. Remember to accept it.

And put the phantom posters on ignore, and delete their PMs without opening. Don't stay away from the forum, we all want to cheer you on as you regroup

Double_Trouble

Sorry I don't understand what is a phantom poster?

DTxx

maryb

Someone who registers under a different user name to the one they usually post under so that the things they say can't be traced back to them. Usually a troll on the forum but in this case it seems they have also sent upsetting PMs

clairewop

Double_Trouble wrote: »

Sorry I don't understand what is a phantom poster?

DTxx

I was going to ask the same

Bitsy_Beans

Double_Trouble wrote: »

Sorry I don't understand what is a phantom poster?

DTxx

also known as AE, alter ego, troll and people with clearly nothing better to do.
At the end of the day if I've got something to say I can quite clearly post it under my own name. But then again I am not the sort of person who'd need to go making personal comments to upset someone.

So who ever has been sending this pathetic PM's, shame on you. Perhaps you could act your age next time and not your shoe size?

I hope MG has reported the PM's to abuse.