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Shout about it!

Eilidh Milnes 
Talk Confidence International - alert for headteachers  
Time to read:  301 words     Click here if you want to read previous issues

Do you have good news to broadcast to your community? Do you need more pupils? Do you have dropping numbers? Last week I was coaching with a deputy head teacher. She said her school always liked to keep their numbers up and to recruit new pupils.

Here are her two clever ideas:

  • Leave school leaflets with private and state nurseries, estate agents, health visitors, health centres, doctors' surgeries and toddler clubs.
  • Offer wrap around care with breakfast and after school clubs and shout about your quality services. This is a huge attraction and an excellent service to promote.

    My extra tips:

    • Consider a banner or sign inside or outside your school
    • Do a survey with Survey Monkey Survey Gizmo or use social media sites such as Twitter, to find out how effective your strategy has been.

    As I travelled to the coaching session I noticed a high school in the Cheshire with a banner on its boundary fence. It read - "Ofsted said, we are good with outstanding features" - I think this kind of sign is a great idea. It is worth serious thought. Having done a little research for you it appears that for less than £40 you can have a large laminated banner. And thank you to head teacher Ann for the website information.

    Might this be worth some discussion with your leadership team? What do you have to shout about?
    Nothing like sharing the glory...Parents, children and staff would all like to read an encouraging sign each day don't you think?
    This kind of left brain thinking is surviving in the box and thinking outside it at the same time. Read more on Latest Forum Posts: How schools and a nursery promote great results...

    Please tell your friends and colleagues. Thank you. And of course if I can help you in any way you only need to ask...

    Need professional coaching for you or your team?
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    Big it up!

    Eilidh Milnes 


    Time to read:  487 words  

    Forum Page Views:  29,468 since launch (81.1 page view per day)    
    Latest Forum Posts: How schools and a nursery promote great results...

    Catriona's Skype text read, "Mum, u have to get the movie out called 'it's complicated' with Meryl Streep its HILARIOUS! watching as i type. in hysterics! love you xx"

    Dale Carnegie said, "Be hearty in your approbation," and Catriona certainly understood this and how to "Big it up!" when she enthusiastically endorsed her film. I immediately ordered it - nothing is more effective than a genuine recommendation. Note in margin - Give praise publicly. Give criticism in confidence. I encourage you to be a good finder and to avoid being a negative know it all. You'll certainly win more friends and influence people this way.
    • Who can you praise today?
    • Does a supplier or a colleague deserve a testimonial? Maybe on LinkedIn?
    • Which business/organisation can you endorse?
    Last week I experienced exemplary service. My iPhone died. We tried all the tips and tricks to resuscitate it however the symptoms proved terminal. Electronics do fail at times. The issue then is no longer the problem but how the company seeks to resolve it.

    In the case of Apple, the process was totally painless and within 24 hours I had a brand new phone. We called Apple, an agent arranged an appointment with a genius at a local store. She confirmed this by email. At the store the service was fast and straightforward. And thanks to MobileMe all data on my phone was restored. Apple followed through with client satisfaction questionnaires to further improve their services. I gladly responded giving them A-star ratings. The serendipity - when you promote or praise a person or service not only does it acknowledge them, it makes you feel great too.

    While talking to a client Sharon - a senior HR manager with New Look - we discussed customer service and agreed that we can learn a lot from Apple. In her opinion Apple's success is due to recruiting the right people and supporting staff with quality on-going in-house training. "You have to love your brand," she added. And Sharon is a shining example of brand loyalty as every time I see her she is dressed head to toe in New Look fashion.

    Sadly many companies do not take the Apple view of customer care; rather than solving your issue they make YOU feel like the problem. Sadly many people are not good finders; instead they are rain makers who make your day miserable. Sadly not all employees love their brand.
    1. Are you a good finder or a rainmaker?
    2. Is you company/organisation going the extra mile like Apple?
    3. And... I wonder... will you be watching "It's Complicated?"
    Click here (scroll down to 9th Sept) to read more about Catriona's movie preferences and how "The Devil Wears Prada" prompted me to write about an unpopular man and vertical alignment...

    And of course if I can help you in any way you only need to ask...

    Need professional coaching for you or your team?
    Need an expert speaker?
    Need a facilitator or trainer for your next event?