Update Your Database

Yesterday in the mail I received three identical non-profit direct mail pieces. All were to the correct address, but each one had a different variation on my last name. The pieces were pretty large and extra postage was required.

It is important for non-profits to regularly update your database. Not only will it save you money but it will make you money. It's more than just a wrong name, it's good donor stewardship. Nothing says we don't know who our donor is like spelling their name wrong three times.

When you value your data, you value your donor.

Just my two cents. :)

I Like Cream in My Coffee

I enjoy a good cup of coffee (or two) everyday.  I like to add flavored cream, and try various types but my staple seems to be French Vanilla.  Over the years, I have gone back and forth between International Delight and Coffee-mate.  But lately, I have been buying more Coffee-mate.  It's not because of the taste, when mixed into my coffee I really can't tell that much of a difference between the two because they both taste good.  It's actually more because of the packaging. 

While both bottles are tall and almost a slender pear shape, the pour tops are very different. International Delight's pour tends to be messy, the cream catches in the cap so when you open it your hit by a slight squirt, and the cream usually glops instead of pours out smoothly.

But to my delight (international delight), I just learned that International Delight just redesigned their bottle addressing and fixing all the concerns I just mentioned and making it look more Euro-modern.  Reports say the redesign will save the $1 million a year in production costs. Hey, maybe they will lower the cost of their cream now. They listened to their consumers on the redesign.  Any chance they'll listen to a consumer on the price? One can only dream.

With the redesign I will buy International Design and give it another try.  

Before

After

Looks like during the product redesign a little logo redesign occurred.  The G swirling into a coffee cup on the old product seems not to have transferred onto the new product.

Looking for a New Job? Get Your Resume Printed for FREE

I learned some great info from one of my Linked In groups that I had to pass along.

Tuesday, March 10th FedEx Office is providing free resume printing.  During "FedEx Free Resume Printing Day" you can get 25 copies of your resume printed for free at any of its 1,600 locations across the country.

The Details:

• 25 one-sided black and white copies on resume quality paper
  
• Valid only one day - March 10, 2009
  
• Orders must be placed and picked up in store
  
• Resumes can be submitted on paper or digital file
  
• Find a FedEx Office location near you here

There is time over the weekend to update your resume and get it ready for Tuesday's free print day.

Good luck!!

Verizon vs. Best Buy

Yesterday I took the plunge - the Blackberry plunge.  I am now the proud owner of a Blackberry Curve.  Before making the purchase, quite a bit of thought was put into the decision. Not whether I should choose the Storm, Pearl or Curve, but rather if I should buy the Blackberry from Verizon or Best Buy.

The final decision was to go with Best Buy.  The deciding factor was customer service.  Over the last few weeks we've spent quite a bit of time at the Verizon store for issues we've had with another cell phone.  While the sales reps at Verizon were friendly, we couldn't help but feel like we were getting the run around as tactics similar to car sales methods were used.   You know the ones . . . . let me go check with my manager . . . . I'll have to go check in the back . . . . we can't do this but we can do that . . .  Those tactics leave you waiting on the salesroom floor alone for quite some time and then leave you questioning whether you received a fair deal or not.  

But not at Best Buy.  They were straight forward, worked to meet prices and made sure I understood how to set-up all my features.  Great customer service, so good we'll be back for future purchases.

So does my experience hurt the Verizon brand?  Of course not.  I'm happy with the Verizon product regardless of where I purchased it.  But, would my experience if happened to someone else hurt the Verizon brand?  It's possible.  If they are so put off, they could turn to another brand. 

My suggestion . . . before throwing in the Verizon towel give Best Buy a try.  If it's anything like my experience, you'll be very pleased.