 |
Look! It's a newsletter! Egad! And there is so much to share! I am nearly rubbing my hands together in eager anticipation.....
|
|
|
FINALLY!!! It has taken the better part of nine months but we FINALLY have another great team in place! Whew! That was a lot of work, trial and error, false hope, growing pains and hiccups! Thank you to all our clients for their patience!
Those of you who faithfully follow us know we have been in a bit of unrest ever since our previous operations manager, Mary, retired and Makenna left to become a nurse. But now we have promoted Robin to operations manager and she is doing an amazing job not only with her own clients but also overseeing our staff and working with vendors. And, we are also excited to announce we are still growing like crazy! New clients almost weekly! Both locals and snowbirds!
You know, running any business is a lot of work. But running a service-based business with ideals as lofty as our own can be extremely challenging. Given the security and confidentiality necessary for our clients, our list of qualifications and expectations for employees are very high.
Yes, we have documented policies and procedures which make training easier, but it's still a lot to learn and because of the myriad of services we offer, there is no 'black and white' solution to anything. That can be intimidating and overwhelming for a new person so finding just the right fit for our team is challenging.
I can also tell you we are adding new features to our software system --- you know, the proprietary system we developed in 2007 for automated data collection?!? Are you aware we use a system we developed in-house? Yep, it's true. And we enhance and upgrade or add new features as the needs of our employees and/or our clients arise. We can't quite share yet what we're doing, but suffice it to say, you might find it even easier to keep up with your home when we do!
So business is booming and now that the team has crystallized, I should be able to get back to writing newsletters with a little more regularity.
There is so much to tell you, I'm not sure if we can get it all in this month, but let's try to get some in, shall we? Here goes...
|
|
|
|
Now is the time to be defining your summer projects so we can get the quote process started. We do everything from changing shelf-liner paper to major remodeling. (Don't laugh; we HAVE changed shelf-liner paper for clients!) We do landscape remodels, kitchens and baths, epoxy garage floors, tile cleaning/sealing (or new flooring!), all sorts of home maintenance, handyman and paint, drywall, furniture repair, pool remodels, appliance repairs, plumbing, electrical, organization assistance, problem solving - seriously, if you need it done, we can likely do it!
All our in-house people are employees; yes we pay Worker's Comp, have the proper bonds and liability insurance and follow all the darn rules (as tough as that makes things!)
For subcontract type work, we do have a CA General B Contractor's license (#944447) and all the vendors we use are licensed and insured properly for their trade (and they name us additionally insured!).
Contact us today for a property walk or to discuss your particular scope of work so we may get you a quote for summer projects. Then we'll do the work while you're gone and we'll even send you progress reports with photos - how much simpler can this get?
|
|
 |
|
|
Did you know that it is better not to rinse dishes before putting them into the dishwasher? That's because the detergents we use are designed to attack and dissolve food. If there is no food to dissolve, they will attack the finish on your dishes instead and this can deteriorate them over time.
When loading silverware, always point knives down to avoid accidentally injuring yourself when reaching into the dishwasher, but forks and spoons are better pointed alternately up and down so there is better access for rinsing.
And finally, here in the desert, the water is so hard that it is necessary to use some sort of water softener additive; otherwise the hard water will leave deposits on your dishes and glassware that cannot be removed. Those deposits also coat and damage internal portions of the dishwasher itself. We happen to like Lemi-Shine (liquid if you can find it) but any dishwasher recommended water softener should do the trick.
If you follow these three tips your dishwasher should work well for years to come!
|
|
|
|
CLIENT MEETINGS & UPDATES
We love to touch base with our clients so when you have time, let's make an appointment to say 'hi'! We can discuss any profile updates, introduce you to your new concierge (if applicable) and otherwise just have a nice visit. We are available at a time of your convenience! Just give us a call at 760.898.9604 or you may email
Lspoor@executive-errands.com
and we'll set up a time. Can't wait to see you!
|
|
|
|
Eliminating Junk Mail
Junk mail can be an annoying and aggravating pain in the mailbox! Even if the volume of paper and its effect on our trees doesn't bother you; the sheer volume of junk mail can be exhausting. Especially all the catalogs!
Well now we can help eliminate junk mail for (almost) forever! We've discovered how to remove your address from multiple junk mail lists including Red Plum (the grocery store group of mail) and any type of catalog you'd like to stop receiving.
If you'd like to stop receiving the Red Plum fliers, just let us know and within 15 minutes, we can stop them. Please be forewarned, once we submit the delivery stop, it can take up to six weeks to go into effect.
If you'd like to stop receiving catalogs, either tell us specifically by name which catalogs to stop or indicate 'all' and we'll submit the delivery stop, which again can take up to six weeks to go into effect. But once the delivery stop takes effect, your mailbox will be breathing a sigh of relief! You can email us your request to stop deliveries at any time.
Lspoor@executive-errands.com
|
|
Client Shipments
One of the benefits of being an Executive Errands® client is you can ship packages to our office. Our clients love this option because of the enhanced security when packages aren't left at empty homes, in the sun/heat or where they are visible to passersby. You may email us for instructions on shipping small packages. 'Small' packages are defined as anything under 25 pounds.
We also are available to coordinate with freight forwarders for larger shipments. We will work with them directly, take the delivery, check for damages and make sure your larger items are placed where you'd like them. We also take photos, email you a status update and show you that all is well.
|
|
To Our Vendors...
Thank you to all our vendors --- we have the best vendors in town by the way! They are quality conscious, put a great face on Executive Errands®, bid fairly and are always available when we call for help --- which is usually on no notice and after hours! We love the suite of vendors we use to service our clients. Thank you! Thank you!
And thank you too, to the unsung vendors who work so diligently behind the scenes --- The people help us move forward every day --- Marty, Amy, Jeff, Amanda, Rachel and Lynda.... I don't know what we would do without you!
|
|
|
|
|
In Other News
I am doing a weekly Facebook Live session every Wednesday between 3pm and 4pm PST. It's for my other company, Concierge Business Solutions® and each week we discuss some sort of hints, tips, and guidance to help other small business owners build their own companies.
Concierge Business Solutions® is my small business consulting company and we have clients and software licensees all around the US. If there are local small businesses that need education/training, help with process and procedures, or just a shoulder to cry on, we would love to discuss mentoring and coaching with you!
We have a number of webinars already recorded and available to download from our website and we also offer a six DVD educational program titled "How to Start Your Own Business - with Leslie Spoor". This is a compilation of our best educational info designed to create a foundation for your small business. The DVD collection is available on our website and on Amazon.
If you haven't yet seen our website, please take a look at it. It is
www.conciergebusinesssolutions.com
and we hope you'll tune in on Wednesdays for our Facebook Live broadcast!
|
|
In Conclusion
The last year was really challenging. Not only did we have to completely rebuild our staff, but I also personally moved into a new home and moved the business too (still in Palm Desert; don't panic!). I finally found the man of my dreams and have worked semi-successfully to find a balance between work and my personal life (more on this in another newsletter).
Robin had a health emergency that kept her off work for nearly six weeks (she's perfectly fine now, thank goodness!), I fell down a flight of stairs less than a month ago (other than bumps and bruises, the only real damage was to my dignity!) and the consulting business has blossomed as well. If you want to know the truth, methinks we've utilized most of our 24 hour per day allotment each and every day!
As I sit here now and type this, I know there is much more to share with you, but already this newsletter is lengthy and my brain is not cooperating. It's been way too long since we last spoke, but we'll write more soon and we want to thank all our clients, colleagues, friends and employees for kicking 2017 off to a great start!
I am humbled by the blessings we receive each and every year. Now into our 11th year in business --- a fact that seems surreal --- we have clients with us since the beginning, new ones --- people who've known us forever but are just now signing up, and brand new clients we've never even met in person. We are referred by new home builders, realtors and HOA managers, our vendors and often people we don't even know. And we are eternally grateful.
It is our privilege and honor to care for your homes and to provide individualized and customized services for each and every one of you.
Until next time....
|
|
|
For a list of our most popular services, please see our brochure here:
After our last vacation, we wrote a travel guide! To download our
American in Cuba e-book travel guide, please
click here.
Sincerely,
|
|
Leslie Spoor
Leslie Spoor
Executive Errands®
CL#944447
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
