SmartBusinessDiva.com » Giggles http://www.smartbusinessdiva.com Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:43:07 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 11 Delicious TextMate Themes for Designers and Developers http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/uWtbr3hWnyU/ http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/uWtbr3hWnyU/#comments Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:00:34 +0000 Christina Warren http://mashable.com/?p=324872 TextMate (TextMate) is one of the most used and well-loved applications for Mac OS X-based designers and developers. Even if it does look like TextMate 2.0 is likely vaporware, the existing app (currently at version 1.5.9) still delivers the goods. One of our favorite features of TextMate — and really, any modern text editor — is the ability to customize the look and feel. For designers and developers, this can be really fantastic, as we often spend the better part of our day in front of an open text editor and white on black text can sometimes get to be a little much. Likewise, having color schemes that can help highlight different elements of code that you frequently use can make the entire process much more enjoyable. ]]> http://mashable.com/2010/07/07/textmate-themes-list/feed/ 0 7 Ways to Control Chaos in Your Small Business from About.com http://www.smartbusinessdiva.com/2010/06/7-ways-to-control-chaos-in-your-small-business-from-about-com/ http://www.smartbusinessdiva.com/2010/06/7-ways-to-control-chaos-in-your-small-business-from-about-com/#comments Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:46:44 +0000 SmartBizDiva http://www.smartbusinessdiva.com/?p=2540 “I know it’s here somewhere.” “I’ll have to get back to you about that.” “Where’s that _____?”

Sound familiar? If so, chaos has crept into your small business – and is probably busy spreading throughout your organization like a virus. Disorganization and confusion are irritating, but they’re also just plain bad for business. Think of it as a formula, if you like: chaos increasing equals profits decreasing. What to do? Control chaos by applying these basic office management principles:

]]> http://www.smartbusinessdiva.com/2010/06/7-ways-to-control-chaos-in-your-small-business-from-about-com/feed/ 0 5 Steps To Managing the Impossible – Worklife Imbalance – Entrepreneur.com http://www.smartbusinessdiva.com/2010/04/5-steps-to-managing-the-impossible-worklife-imbalance-entrepreneur-com/ http://www.smartbusinessdiva.com/2010/04/5-steps-to-managing-the-impossible-worklife-imbalance-entrepreneur-com/#comments Mon, 26 Apr 2010 02:32:50 +0000 SmartBizDiva http://www.smartbusinessdiva.com/2010/04/5-steps-to-managing-the-impossible-worklife-imbalance-entrepreneur-com/ 5 Steps To Managing the Impossible – Worklife Imbalance – Entrepreneur.com

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]]> http://www.smartbusinessdiva.com/2010/04/5-steps-to-managing-the-impossible-worklife-imbalance-entrepreneur-com/feed/ 0 Outstanding Customer Service: Speedy Glass, Winnipeg http://www.smartbusinessdiva.com/2010/02/outstanding-customer-service-speedy-glass-winnipeg/ http://www.smartbusinessdiva.com/2010/02/outstanding-customer-service-speedy-glass-winnipeg/#comments Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:47:32 +0000 SmartBizDiva http://www.smartbusinessdiva.com/?p=2036 I had such great service this morning from Speedy Glass that I felt the need to give them a huge shout-out!

I took my vehicle in for stone chip repair of a chip on the passenger’s side.  There was another chip on the driver’s side that I had not noticed and they brought to my attention.

The whole process was going to take only 30-45 minutes for just the one chip, and a big longer for two, so I waited and got some studying done.

During the procedure, the technician cleaned all the windows on my vehicle, not just the front windshield.  I assume that this was a part of the service, to look for other chips.

But it’s what he did next that blew my mind.  He detailed the inside of my vehicle! We heard the vacuum start up and there he was, cleaning off the seats, floor, floor mats and truck! WOW!

Not only was I on my way in exactly 1 hour, with 2 chips repaired instead of just the one and a sparkling clean vehicle, but I was treated so well that I Twittered about it.

I  highly recommend this shop to anyone in Winnipeg who needs auto glass service or replacement!

]]> http://www.smartbusinessdiva.com/2010/02/outstanding-customer-service-speedy-glass-winnipeg/feed/ 0 Oh Canada – We Love our Beaver! http://www.smartbusinessdiva.com/2010/01/oh-canada-we-love-our-beaver/ http://www.smartbusinessdiva.com/2010/01/oh-canada-we-love-our-beaver/#comments Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:09:10 +0000 SmartBizDiva http://www.smartbusinessdiva.com/?p=1863 Canada’s history magazine, “The Beaver”, has just published it’s last issue under that name.  The new name, “Canada’s History”, was a necessity since the word “beaver” has evolved from a reference to Canada’s national animal to a reference to a part of the female anatomy :)

READ MORE HERE

]]> http://www.smartbusinessdiva.com/2010/01/oh-canada-we-love-our-beaver/feed/ 0 Does your offline business need to engage online? http://www.smartbusinessdiva.com/2009/11/does-your-offline-business-need-to-engage-online/ http://www.smartbusinessdiva.com/2009/11/does-your-offline-business-need-to-engage-online/#comments Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:38:39 +0000 SmartBizDiva http://www.vadiva.com/?p=112 Last night I contacted a local bricks-and-mortar company via their website contact page.  And I immediately took note of a couple of things.

First, there was no thank you for contacting us page.  One missed opportunity.

Second, there was no thank you for your submission autoresponder.   Second missed opportunity.

Third, they didn’t answer my email or call me back.  HUGE missed opportunity.

Having an effective website for your bricks-and-mortar business is essential in our increasingly digital world.  Not capitalizing on it, though, makes your website nothing more than pretty pictures.

At the very least, you should have a thank you page where potential clients are sent once they fill out your contact form.  On that page, you should let people know your turnaround time for a response, how to get in touch if they need you faster than that, and perhaps a special offer or handy tips.

Don’t let your website be just pretty pictures.  And yes, I got in touch with another company who did answer my email, and now THEY will be getting my business :)

]]> http://www.smartbusinessdiva.com/2009/11/does-your-offline-business-need-to-engage-online/feed/ 0 Want better service? Ask for it! http://www.smartbusinessdiva.com/2009/11/want-better-service-ask-for-it/ http://www.smartbusinessdiva.com/2009/11/want-better-service-ask-for-it/#comments Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:19:46 +0000 SmartBizDiva http://www.vadiva.com/?p=108 iStock_000005388159XSmallI received a note in the mail the other day from a local internet/tv/phone company offering a ridiculously low priced intro for their high speed internet service.  Considering I’m paying $50 per month, taxes in, for my internet, I saw the price of $9.95 per month and though hell yeah! That’s a significant pile of savings!

So I called my current provider to ask for a better deal.  And what did they say?

Hell yes!

I now have internet service for $19.95 per month vs. $44.95 (both figures before taxes).  AND they sweetened our cable package AND dropped the price on that as well! We were paying $39.95 for their basic + 3 specialty packages.  We are now going to be paying $29.95 for their basic + 9 specialty packages.  For a year!

All you have to do is ask.  Be polite, be honest, tell them what the competition is offering and see if they can give you a comparable deal!  Simple as that :)

]]> http://www.smartbusinessdiva.com/2009/11/want-better-service-ask-for-it/feed/ 2 Some Canada Day Chuckles for You http://www.smartbusinessdiva.com/2009/07/some-canada-day-chuckles-for-you/ http://www.smartbusinessdiva.com/2009/07/some-canada-day-chuckles-for-you/#comments Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:32:09 +0000 SmartBizDiva http://www.mywpdiva.com/?p=1236 This was so much fun the kids didn’t want to stop!

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