Business Relationships

Beginning last week, Cheers POS was thinking of switching our phone company.

Right now we have one line and are paying close to $65.00 a month for it when all is said and done.  If we add another line, we can pay half for each line each month, but, with taxes, it may be roughly the same price as we are paying now.  Add to that that in order to get this price, we would have to pre-pay for one year.  $65.00 x 12 is $780.00.  Though we would have unlimited outbound calls (good for calling liquor stores for sales and calling back people who have left messages or need help with something we could not get to right away), our inbound calls would be capped at 1,000 minutes (16 hours, 45 minutes, roughly) if we went with the $24.99 per month per line pre-pay deal (not good for callers with questions about the system, or, callers who will need help in the future with Cheers POS).  If we decide to pay $10.00 more per month, per line, pre-paid, (plus taxes), we can up our inbound call cap to 41 hours and 40 minutes.  $839.76 is a lot of money to pay up front for something that may or may not work for us all that time.  Who knows if we will use all that time OR if we will grow and need more (if we go over our allotment, we can pay 4 cents each additional minute).  [On a side note, why don't computers have the, "cents," symbol?  Typewriters used to have this symbol.  Have coins been devalued so much that it is not cost efficient to have a key for this?  Yes, we can add it in by copying, pasting, and formatting, or typing a series of keys, but, that's just not worth it...as opposed to going off on a rant about it.]

We mention all that to bring The Reader to this: we were looking around for other options and after playing phone tag last week, we got a call from a representative from a competing phone company this Monday.  Competitive Company acknowledged that for two lines, they may cost a little more, but,
--a) they do everything the company we are with now does
--b) no contracts
--c) U.S.A. based (Current Company only offers U.S.A. based support for companies with 20+ users)
--d) 09:00 - 21:00 Eastern Time
--e) one point of contact

Pay attention to e).  Please re-read e).  The guy who contacted us back would be our point of contact if we decide to go with Competitive Company.

There was a certain title he gave us if we chose to go with his company, but, ultimately, he would be our point of contact.

This is HUGE.  Cheers POS had a discussion and we have decided this is how we will be.  One person for each contact.  Our boss has acknowledged how annoying it would be if somebody called in, got the secretary/resident wonder woman who then transferred them over to the sales guy, who set up an appointment, only to have a third person here at Cheers POS call the person back to help him (because Third Guy could do better than Sales).  Who wants to deal with a business like that?  You never know who you are going to get; it's not personal.  FURTHERMORE, The Caller has to explain three different times his or her needs and/or concerns.

Not cool.  Totally not cool.

A company like that, one person taking calls only to transfer them so that other people in different departments can take care of certain needs is aiming for efficiency, not relationships -- kind of like how certain box stores recognize cashiers for excellency; they can ring up items and bag them quickly, but, they lack A LOT in the People Skills Department.  They make you feel like you are holding up the line when you are putting away your change other method of payment or loading up your cart.

We know, the companies can look at how many people a cashier is ringing up per hour (or day) and measure productivity that way, where as friendliness is not quantifiable (and furthermore, box stores are not going away anytime soon).

However, by having one point of contact, this phone company (we are back to the phone company now) is already establishing a relationship.  Even though we have not decided to go with this company (yet), this company is treating us like a person.  We can go to this representative during his regular hours and he will know what is happening with our situation and our account.  He will get familiar with us.

As stated a few paragraphs ago, Cheers POS will be like this: if a worker calls you and you would like to implement Cheers POS in your liquor store, that person will be YOUR person.  This is a good way to do business because business is all about people.

~Cheers!

Wastes of Times and Click Bait

We at Cheers POS HATE these.

This cannot be over emphasized.

We are a business, we have a service to provide, we expect quality, we know we need to provide quality.  We hate bait & switch, we hate pages that do not deliver what they promise.

We were looking around on Pinterest today to check what great new things are popular.  We found nothing of note.

What we found were a semi-fuzzy pin that led to an advertising website (that did not have the featured infographic AND that DID have a disclaimer), a link that led to the main Yahoo! page, but, not the article we wanted to see, a bunch of, 'What to do for your business in 2016,' pins (it involved a lot of reading and looked like the same-ol'-same ol'.  What we REALLY cannot stand, though, are the, 'Make Money From Home,' pins/adverts -- if it was really as easy as a website says it was, we would all be doing it.), and one kitchen-hacks article.  There were comments on Pinterest saying that the article was not as hack-great as it was proposing.  None of these were re-pinned or linked to because they did not deliver the quality they promised.

We would like to point out once again that before we post or share anything, we will TYPICALLY go through it for content.  We do not want to contribute to misinformation or inferior content, NOR, really, anything inappropriate or against decency.  We know we are a product for liquor stores, and typically liquor stores and bars are not known for reformed and conservative speech, however, we are also a business, and we are, "old school," in that we were taught uneducated people use such language when they have nothing better to say.

We also try to avoid posting links to where there is a lot of click-bait (especially inappropriate and indecent click-bait) on the sides or under the article.

We have found that if there is one thing wrong in the article or infographic, there are more things wrong later in it.  It is NEVER just one thing to overlook.

Even now, even with these small things, our reputation as Cheers POS is on the line.  We do not want to be thought of as irresponsible BEFORE we start really marketing our wares.  We have all seen websites that are unprofessional looking or link to dead links; we refuse to contribute to this.  We screen for content, hoping to provide our readers & our followers with quality articles and information.

We have switched over our server.  We have updated our cash register page and our receipts so that the checkout process is faster and more convenient.  This is atop our already secure sign-in.  We are doing little things now so that big things can be accomplished.  We expect the same from others.  Even if it is just people posting online.

Why waste YOUR time and others' time if your post isn't at least 100%?  WHY?!!  We cannot comply and we will not forward these postings.  We cannot afford to do so.

~Cheers!

Planning & Progressing

Sometimes things just do not go the way you think they should.  You have a plan in mind, but, that's not how the situation progresses.

This situation can explain Cheers POS at the moment.  The ideas we started with have evolved into more modern options and the hardware that we were once advertising is no longer what we are providing because we have found and chosen even better options for our system.

Since we are a small start-up, finding good people who share our vision (to partner with), getting the equipment that works best for us, and deciding priorities (EVERYTHING: NOW!!!!), is a bit daunting.  We are not an established corporation with a high turnover rate replacing faceless employees with others for whatever reason and outsourcing our calls to other countries or call centers; we have relationships and trust to build.

That takes time.

We have time.

We want everything now, but, that's not how things are happening.

We know we have the best product for our market, but, we know that by the time we REALLY start marketing it on a big scale, it will be even better!!

It will be BETTER than best!  It will be...BESTER!!

Right now, we have realized, we need to concentrate on some business things (one can read all the infographics and blog posts one wants, starting up YOUR business is different from any other business and you do not realize what you need until you have need for it, which may set you back in time &/or expenses). 

That is what we are doing right now.  Please understand, Cheers POS is up and running, fully operational, and able to be purchased, if you would like to go to www.cheerspos.com or give us a call (800) 769-5890; we are not going away ANY time soon!!  We know we have a great (the best!) product for our market available, but, right now, we have to focus on internal things.

That is where Cheers POS is right now: priorities are falling perfectly into place. :)

~Cheers!

What Not To Do At An Interview

Our secretary is looking up articles and infographs about interviews since Cheers POS will be hiring shortly.

She found the following the other day: http://howimetyouremployer.blogspot.com/2013/03/20-ways-to-impress-your-interviewer.html

She was FAR from impressed by it.  She has never been in a hiring position, but, she is familiar with the corporate world and office politics.  There are some things that we question with this article (click to see a bigger picture).  We wonder, as a matter of fact, if this is a joke.

1.  Agreed.

2.  We will mention, if it is a group assessment interview, is it really worth it?  We understand companies trying to get the right people, but, really, this is just trying to get people in their doors.  An interview with a big corporate business downtown is soul crushing enough, do you really want the added psychological insight that they already do not view your individuality at this point, BEFORE you are part of their team?  They want to pitch to everybody and their uncle their company; do they REALLY think you qualify?  Why can't they just do a one-on-one interview with you?  Will they compensate you for the drive or other expenses to get there?  Of course not.

3.  Agreed.

4.  Agreed...though, you will be ignored by everybody in the office or work environment...and the Interviewer will be late.  We agree with observing the environment, though.  This has turned us off to many a job position.  The cold, sterile environment giving way to the attitudes of the people there, all knowing they are not appreciated and replaceable is a good thing to encounter when you have your first contact with the company.

5.  We find this is only true in the very corporate world in larger cities and suburbs.  We have found some people to dress less than business casual (not slobby, though) for some jobs.  This surprised us because we have ALWAYS been told dress business professional.  Always.  WE DO NOT ADVOCATE DRESSING LESS THAN CONSERVATIVE, though we do question this.

6.  Eh.  Alright.

7.  ...Creepy...

8.  "Do not fidget," is good advice; all the rest afterwards, we are not sure you should strictly adhere to that.

9.  Specific answers are good.  We have read recently, regarding both resumes and interviews, to provide ways which you helped a company grow or solved problems...all very well & good if you are management or a CEO, but, if you are Human Resources of Customer Support, you probably do not have anything like that to provide.  You may have just came in to work, doing your job, day after day, adhering to policy, not making waves, not having the opportunity to do anything daring, because that was not your job.  You may have never problem solved because it was not your position to problem solve, you followed policy and the regulations your company had.  And you did.  VERY well, as a matter of fact.

10.  Ehhhhh....we've heard of taking notes AFTER the interview, once you get back to your vehicle.  We are not sure of taking notes DURING the interview, we really do not know how this would come across to the person who can determine your next job.  It comes across as arrogant to us.  If you did your research on the company (see 1 & 12), unless the interview is an hour or longer, we do not see the need to take notes DURING the interview.

11.  If one is needing a better job, does one have the ability (time or money) to obtain a nice pen.  If my friend is 20 minutes away, does it really do either of us any good to meet up, even half way, just to borrow said pen?  What do they mean, "nice," anyway?  We have found that the plastic packs of 20 pens typically write better and longer than the fancier ones.

We find this one almost as stupid as something read years ago along the lines of, 'If you arrive too early for an interview, drive around for a little bit, check out the area, buy some coffee.'  Like a friend of our secretary pointed out: Yes, drive around and waste gas and spend money you don't have on coffee.' (We assume the person does not have a job.  They may be interviewing to try to get a different or better job.)

12.  We have heard this elsewhere.

13.  We advocating reviewing it.

14.  We have heard this elsewhere.  We have implemented it.  We do not remember it getting us a job, though.

15.  Please note the, "u," in, "coloured," (also see 5).  We do not know about the plastic folders advice.  Clearly, this advice seems to be for seasoned professionals since we have always been told, unless we have been a big wig with a company for a while, stick to only a one page resume.

17.  We have heard this as well.  We have asked questions of various interviewers.  Our experience has been, though two or three were answered, they were a little rushed and answered in a way they wanted to get us out the door.

19.  This seems like good advice.

20.  Theoretical statement.

16. & 18.  These are included together because they are those with which we most disagree.  These come across as a combination of arrogant and creepy.  If you do not get the job, wouldn't you be wondering if it was because of speaking like this?  This is the type of talk that would set off bells and whistles; as far as hiring goes, we would not hire this person -- (s)he sounds like trouble already, not a team player.  This person seems like (s)he would be a cancer to the company and try to cause trouble if (s)he was ever let go.

Our secretary asked a friend what the friend thought about the link.  Friend's reply:

--Grin at the interviewer while looking them in the eyes without blinking and then ask him the questions he ahould [sic] ask you. Write down his answers with an expensive fountain pen which just sprayed ink all over you since it is borrowed and you did not know it would attack you. He will remember at that point that you asked before the interview if there would be any witnesses.

Our secretary's reply back:

--And also, act and speak like you already have the job!  As a matter of fact, come in the next business day and star working.  Give him the signed papers he needs to make this legit.

There is so much advice out there, not all of it good, not all of it works for all people -- it's kind of like a diet.

Read various articles.  See what they say, see if they directly contradict each other.

We have found that what helps get a job most -- knowing somebody on the inside.

~Cheers!

HAPPY EPIPHANY EVERYBODY!!!

Today is Three Kings Day. A Catholic priest has the ability to bless gold, frankincense, and myrrh this day. The woman who works at the liquor store next door bought a bottle of Goldschläger to be blessed.

True story.

At Cheers POS this morning, our secretary was doing two things:
1. Looking up web-based phone systems, and;
2. Looking up what's happening with the Epiphany this year.

1. If you have any suggestions for a certain cloud pbx, please let us know.

2. We will include some links we found.

Please take this article with a grain of salt; we cannot verify it (plus it repeats itself). We do not know how accurate it is, but, we include it since we found it interesting. ABC News Article Regarding Epiphany Celebrations

Please take this article with the Sifto Canadian, Inc. Salt Mines. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/12082544/What-is-Epiphany-Here-are-10-facts-about-the-history-and-meaning-of-Three-Kings-Day.html

There are other articles we came across that were even more poorly researched, understood, and composed. These are the facts about The Epiphany:
--It's the day celebrated by the Catholic Church of the Magi's arrival to Jesus.
--The Book of Matthew (in the Bible) says that the Wise Men arrived at the house and found, "the child with Mary his Mother," there -- that is, this did NOT happen the day Jesus was born. They came to the house, not the stable. Joseph was not mentioned. When you see the Wise Men in the Nativity, know this is NOT historically accurate (these things bother us).
--The Book of Matthew never says there were three.
--Nor does the Bible ever mention their names.
--This is the first time Jesus manifested Himself to the gentiles; that is why this day is so important.
--It may have taken around two years before the Wise Men (and all their entourage, including beasts of burden) got to Jesus.
--The three gifts are significant:
A: Gold -- Because Jesus is king.
B: Incense -- Because Jesus is priest.
C: Myrrh -- Because Jesus will die. (Myrrh is for anointing a dead body).

And now you know.

And, seriously, if you have a good cloud-based phone provider you are happy with, please let us know.

Thank you, kindly, and please use this day to celebrate (our secretary JUST tried Chartreuse for the first time). For some, it is Christmas (the birth of Jesus Christ), for some, this is the day where they get gifts (Christmas, December 25, is for religion, this day is for gift exchanges). We hope you can do something fun and relaxing this day.

~Cheers!

The Small Business Tips Post

Seeing as how Cheers POS is still a growing upstart, we have been checking out various articles (mostly from Pinterest) on what interests us.

We share these with you if you have a new business or if you may start one one day.

How to better your SEO in one day:  http://thebrandedsolopreneur.com/simple-seo-tips/

Again, we plan to be hiring soon (we called our phone company just yesterday to see what the cost would be to add more lines for this reason), and because of that, this caught our attention -- What Not to Say in an Interview:  https://www.themuse.com/advice/7-seemingly-harmless-phrases-you-should-never-ever-say-in-an-interview

Key phrases that it would not hurt to use if you are in a position for Cheers POS:
--Point of Sale System
--Cloud based
--Cloud based point of sale system
--For liquor stores only
Please check out our website for more.

We will keep you updated on our growing successes.

~Cheers!

(Photograph taken from the, "What Not to Say..." article website.)

A New One Just Begun (AND SO MERRY CHRISTMAAAAAASSSS...)

Happy 2016!!

We hope all our followers are having a wonderful new year!  Ours has been pretty rockin' here.

Our secretary is typing this from a new chair, on an ergonomically adjustable/hideable keyboard pad.  LOTS of new things going on here at Cheers POS!!

We will be adding new positions.  Check out our Facebook page for even more information.  https://www.facebook.com/liquorpos/?fref=nf  (Sorry for the short post, we are getting busy with other things today.)

~Cheers!