The Elocution, Etiquette and Ethics Academy

05/07/2016

Praying For Your Customers

I’ve often wondered: As an auto-mechanic, how would you pray for your customers even as you desire your own business growth?
Would you pray that their vehicles keep giving them trouble? That their automobiles break down on the road so that their calling you is inevitable? Would this not be evil of you?

Would it be wise for you to just take matters into your hands and give them half-hearted service when they come? That would mean that you fix the prob-lem such that they would have to come back for the same or another problem after some weeks. Would this not be even worse and outrightly wicked?
The options above are what our natural minds will suggest. It is what we conventionally and selfishly would tend towards. However, these come from a myopic view of things.

Think about it this way: What about first giving the customer the best of service, using the best of parts? Fix his vehicle such that he will almost never return for that same problem. Give him free tips on how to make the best of his vehicle and even offer general advisory services. You can do all of these at a premium, perhaps having your service more expensive than those of your contemporaries. With these, you would have won the customer's loyalty and perhaps referrals, especially in Nigeria where quality customer service is still at its infancy. Before long, you will be building a clientele base. You might wonder at this juncture, so, how will I get more business? Read on...

Then, start to pray for the prosperity of your clients; that the customer that had one vehicle prospers enough to get another and that the one with two cars increases to three. You can take it even further, praying that the customer that was working for someone is able to start his own business and prospers enough to have a fleet of vehicles…
I'm sure you are seeing how your own business has expanded by this simple change of heart and world view.
Interestingly too, by your praying you would have orchestrated your own prosperity, that of your customers, your community and the nation at larg-er. It is a complete win-win situation.

04/07/2016

12/03/2016

Hello Family!!
We really have been away for a while but we have not gone AWOL. We have been working behind the scenes to serve you better.

As such, in conjunction with our technical partners, we have come up with a mobile training service. We are beginning with something we think is dear to all our hearts now - Customer Service.

To subscribe to the service, simply send 'Customer Service' in an SMS to '40001' and you will get started. We have the service available to only Etisalat subscribers for now.

Please feel free to share with us, your experience with the service and also about the content.

10/02/2016

Etiquette: Wordings Matter

The choice of words used go a long way in determining how a message is received & responded to, even in writing.

Which would you respond more warmly to?

A. It is important we all make the meeting. Late coming will not be tolerated.

B. Tomorrow's meeting is crucial to our survival as a department. I know we are all tired from today's hectic activities, but let's try to take it a notch higher.

10/02/2016

Grammar: What Does the Phrase 'In Cold Blood' Mean?

This phrase describes a cruel deed done with deliberation and without mercy.

In medieval times, if you got angry or passionate, your blood was thought to heat up or even boil! So, when you calmed down, your blood cooled.

Thus, if you did something in cold blood, you did something unnatural. You did something violent or passionate—but without your blood heating up, a sign of cold-heartedness.

04/02/2016

Ethics: Keep On Keeping On!

Sometimes, missing your way is an integral part of the journey to your desired destination. When in that situation, it may seem the darkest & hardest thing you've ever dealt with.
Not to worry, it is said to be darkest before the break of dawn. Also, the muscles needed to survive & thrive in that destination are often developed in the hard times of the journey.
Keep focused & keep on keeping on!

03/02/2016

Etiquette: Learning Names

I've come to discover that calling people, especially those you just met, by their names can be magical.
E.g. You walk into a shop, notice the name tag on the salesperson & address her by name.
People feel respected & important just by this little gesture. It is part of social etiquette that puts smiles on people's faces & opens doors for you.

Have you had experiences with this? Please share!

02/02/2016

Grammar: Word of the Day

Ever wondered if there is a science or an art of good eating?

Yes there is. It is called Gastronomy. It is the art, science or activity of cooking and eating fine food. It is also used to describe culinary customs and styles.

Etymology: It is of French origin (Gastronomie) and the French word is of Greek origin (Gastronomia).

Example Sentence: Chef Fregz is a genius in gastronomy.

14/01/2016

It was attention to detail and mastery of controls that put man in the air. This was the edge the Wright brothers had over their peers who were also trying to fly.
Most of the time, the big breaks & successes we are expecting, praying for & striving towards come with the diligent application of the small things we know. It results in small adjustments that culminate in the big breaks & successes.

12/01/2016

Grammar: Incorrect Phrasing
Consider the sentence:
'The story centres around the atrocities of war.
What is wrong with the sentence?
The phrase 'centres around' doesn't make much sense as an expression. It is also a mix of two phrases that are synonymous - 'centre on' and 'revolve around'.
The sentence should read 'the story centres on/revolves around the atrocities of war. '

16/12/2015

Grammar: Word of the Day

Prima Donna

Background: 'Prima Donna' was the term used to refer to the lead female singer in the Italian opera. They were usually flamboyant and demanding personalities. That's why the term has evolved to its present meaning.

Meaning: A prima donna is someone who is temperamental and difficult to work with.

Example Sentence: Tari is our office prima donna; don't get into trouble with her.

03/12/2015

Ethics: Leadership

There's a salient difference between being in the leadership team of an organisation & actually 'leading people'. The former happens by appointment or election; the latter is a love based commitment that involves sacrifice to make sure these people prosper in their endeavours.
Appointments could lead to lording it over people but truly leading people produces humility.