How To Use Out of Office To Keep #CustomerRelationships Healthy

I hope you get to enjoy your well-deserved rest and relaxation this summer. Remember though that our out-of-office messages can help build good relationships with service users and make our life simpler.

Here are 3 lessons I’ve learnt over time, that have helped keep contacts updated (the ideas expand on themes in the video above). It is important to:

  • Identify who will engage with incoming messages, so contacts can stay connected
  • Make sure that colleague has the capacity to manage incoming email
  • Say who will manage email, in the absence of the alternative contact

Making time to manage our contacts in this way should help simplify our life and keep our relationships healthy.

Feel free to Like, Share and Comment if this reminder is useful (and Subscribe to the YouTube channel for more ideas to simplify your life)!

Goals 2014: How Does Coffee Psychology Reflect Your Personality?

Did you know there may be a relationship between your personality type and your favourite style of posh coffee?  There’s a flow chart at the foot of this post which illustrates the idea.

I came across this intriguing bit of knowledge two days ago, courtesy of Filter(ed) magazine, London’s latest urban lifestyle publication.  You can find the magazine online here or follow them on Twitter @filtered_mag.

Are you someone who has more than one flavour preference in coffee?  Does what you order from your friendly barista depend on the time you have available to savour your purchase?  Perhaps the deciding factor is your need to perk up, do a bit of work away from your desk, or chill out before catching your train? 

Although I missed hearing him speak at the Work & Family Show, I know Chris Ward has an interesting take on coffee shop culture and the wider context of flexible working.  His book ‘Out of Office’ makes the case for modern, Wi-Fi equipped, coffee shops as venues for productivity, creativity, entrepreneurship, as well as fun.  Could your local coffee shop become your informal office?  Chris’s website may give you more insight into his philosophy.

As the weekend is here why not sit down with a hot drink of your choice and try the ‘coffee psychology’ flow chart yourself.  The results may give you a fresh perspective on yourself and your goals for spring 2014 (in a different way to your Myers-Briggs profile). 

Feel free to share your results too, I’d be interested to see how closely the categories reflect your reality.  I usually order a Cappuccino or a Latte, in case you are wondering!

Check out the Archive section for more thoughts relating to your work and life goals.  There are further ideas on Facebook and Google+ too

Coffee Psychology Graphic

What Does Your Coffee Choice Say About You?