Saturday, August 29, 2009

Off topic, RL related post. Please comment!

I've been complaining a lot about my work conditions on plurk, and I've realized that somebody needs to make observations. What started out as paper rant has now become an actual project. This is by no means the completed version. Comments are most welcome!


Lack of Communication:
-Between department heads
-Between departments in general
-Between management and staff
Communications are not only not open, but discouraged between departments. Tension is created because of impressions that all departments are intentionally working against each other. Even in the customer service department, tension is created by team leaders who give impressions that other departments want to see us “in trouble”. We are often told that other employees are “out to get us” and encouraged to keep records on other employees mistakes.
Possible solution:
Lack of Professionalism:
This is a huge issue in the customer service department. The representatives have no guidance as far as professionalism when speaking to landlords and tenants on the phone.
The general technique is to yell when yelled at. When voices raise on one end, a large number of the CSRs raise their voices in response. Landlords and tenants alike are routinely told “No, you are completely wrong!” in very strong voices instead of the “I'm sorry, you are mistaken/you have been given wrong information.” that is the standard in most call centers. Callers are often called liars, or it is very strongly implied. The initial response on call-ins is becoming increasingly belligerent from the beginning of the call, making it harder to resolve issues.
Possible solution:
Retraining of CSRs to ask questions politely, such as “May I place you on hold?” and examples of how best to convey that the information was wrong without being confrontational. There should be an enforced standards on courtesy instead of just did we give the correct information.
Lack of Consistent Standards:
Procedures for handling calls and issues are not consistently held or enforced throughout the department. Team leaders have different standards, making it harder to consult other team leaders in times of rush or when one is out. It slows down the process of correcting the issues accurately, and often increases the number of phone calls that go out to landlords and tenants for information.
Possible solution:
It would be enormously helpful if there were standardized information sheets that went to all employees. Also, if there were one person who collected the changes and formed them into a weekly or bi-weekly report. This person could also be in charge of the data resource sheets that all customer service employees use for their daily activities.
Lack of Ownership:
The customer service representatives and team leaders are showing constant and increasing lack of ownership in problem solving. In fact, very often, problem solving is frowned upon and seen as more of a bother than anything.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

You make me feel like dancin'!

Except that I can't dance. It doesn't matter though...the new Rebel-X release has made magical things happen!


Mareea - Black Swan's Swansong is a work of beautiful, light textures.. Very delicate and extremely well detailed.

The detail work on the seams are extremely well done, and I probably should have removed all the netting for this picture, but it's just as beautiful as the dress itself..

It's a very transient sort of outfit that could go for a number of occasions. All the prim attachments have a number of locations, so you could probably hook up a nice pair of wings with it as well.













The other wonderful thing is that if you're going out where you don't need the entire princess-like ensemble to get your point across, the jewelry and top go great with a pair of jeans...

I love the new Shag hairdo called Coy with this outfit, but I also love it with the new Reasonable Desires outfit, Alpine Beer Girl.



As with most Reasonable Desires outfits, there are a lot of different wearing options, all awesome. It also comes with a lovely detailed beer, either for drinking or holding..and a goat..which..is an excellent goat. I was attacked by a goat when I was nine, so there will be no goat on this page... Stupid farm animals.



I think this one is my favorite though, being a traditionalist, myself.



Loving the detail work with this dress as well! It always amazes me at the amount of talent you see in SL.





I'm sorry I wasn't very wordy. I kind of feel like both of these lovely outfits sell themselves! The quality of work is outstanding and both designers should be very proud of the work they've done!




This one is for you, Rouge and Austie!





!*Rebel Extravaganza*! - Thibedeau (43, 223, 22)
Reasonable Desires - Reasonable Desires (142, 185, 26)
Shag - Silent (199, 146, 35)