Service, a thing of the past?

I work very hard to keep the clients I have...maybe harder than I work at prospecting for new clients. But there seems to be a declining level of service in this country that I find disturbing. I'm not concerned when my competitors slip...I know I work harder than many (most?) of them, but I do become concerned when I encounter poor service, or no service, in the world in general.

I direct an organization that requires a luncheon for 60-80 persons four times a year. In my town we have a Holiday Inn struggling for business...but try to get them to accomodate my group with a minimal level of service (minimal...like getting a contract to me after four calls for a luncheon I'm trying to book with them). My members have asked why we return to a venue that treats us thus. I maintain we should try to keep business in our downtown...but that may have changed today.

Service does not mean going way beyond what is reasonable...but it does require at least paying attention to someone who is trying to buy. Seems simple.
Bill

http://www.smooth-male-voiceover-talent.com/

Beware service station coffee

Mid-morning coffee is important. About 10:30am each morning I really need a caffine fix. This morning I stopped at a service station to visit their "Java Hut" for my infusion...mistake. Actually, it wasn't the service station's fault, it was my choice that doomed me for an hour or so. I was swayed to purchase a flavored coffee...loaded with sugar; so now, I'm wired and my voice is "fuzzed-up." Same thing that happens if I have a soda (I don't drink soda any more).
Live and learn.
Bill

http://www.smooth-male-voiceover-talent.com/related_links.html

I am not an artist

A number of the people with whom I work and/or compete consider themselves to be artists...that bothers me. When I'm hired for a voiceover, I work for the client and provide what I am asked to provide. While I will offer suggestions when it seems appropriate, I am not there to tell the person paying the bill how I see their production. Often a client will ask for input which I'm happy to provide with the understanding that the final decision is theirs...after all, it's their business; I'm just a hired gun.
I have friends in the business who tell me they've walked-out on jobs rather than provide the sound the client requested (shades of Robert Novak...I'd walk out on Carvell (is that spelled correctly?) too). I respect the client and his efforts to succeed to the point where my services are appropriate. I think I'll trust his/her instincts.
Bill

http://www.smooth-male-voiceover-talent.com/contact.html

Mondays

Oh man, another week begins. Actually, I like Mondays; I start with a run, then relax for a few hours before beginning the business of the week. This week, I'm looking forward to billing a few new clients (always the best part) then taking care of the more mundane tasks we all face.
Next Saturday there's a 5K I've run for the last three years in which I fully expect to participate once again...although I've yet to register.
OK, let's kick this puppy off!
Bill

http://www.smooth-male-voiceover-talent.com/articles.html