tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192044540545990806.comments2011-07-07T16:53:21.024-04:00Atlanta Biz WomanLya Soranohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16677200360169732962noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192044540545990806.post-64916754762671171142011-07-07T16:53:21.024-04:002011-07-07T16:53:21.024-04:00I feel like saying "me, too" - and, inde...I feel like saying "me, too" - and, indeed, I am lucky with [most of :-)] my current clients. Now if I can only find that next ideal client . . .Lya Soranohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16677200360169732962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192044540545990806.post-86784242764462706732011-07-07T16:43:05.499-04:002011-07-07T16:43:05.499-04:00My ideal client is a someone who is smart, open to...My ideal client is a someone who is smart, open to new ideas and the company supports innovation. My ideal client is someone who does not feel the need to micro manage and the company is built on a culture of trust. My ideal client is "nice" and the company pays what the project is worth and on time! <br /><br />Great question.Tobyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00040457020085852360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192044540545990806.post-81493958542183440432011-05-18T13:49:38.031-04:002011-05-18T13:49:38.031-04:00Way to go, Lya. How dare Ms. Walters suggest that ...Way to go, Lya. How dare Ms. Walters suggest that a rapist is simply struggling with a sexual addiction problem. Rape is raps and let's hope it never happens to her and she has to deal with the stupid biases of people like Ms. Walters.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192044540545990806.post-40777507935328769902011-03-27T00:40:15.832-04:002011-03-27T00:40:15.832-04:00Lya - Thanks for your very kind words; however, it...Lya - Thanks for your very kind words; however, it is *you* who is the inspiration! Hopefully working together we can bring some attention to the talented women working in social media in metro Atlanta.Tobyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00040457020085852360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192044540545990806.post-75515214434304981442011-03-21T11:34:49.244-04:002011-03-21T11:34:49.244-04:00Acclaimed designer Susanne Hudson & I teamed u...Acclaimed designer Susanne Hudson & I teamed up last year for the Penny McHenry Hydrangea Festival, building a conservatory, potting table, garden, including chandelier, French chairs, antique chest & etc...<br /><br />1st time for both of us to team up.<br /><br />Yes, received many comments about 2 successful women working together. Was it a problem? Were we worried about competition? Worried about losing your friendship?<br /><br />Pure junk.<br /><br />We had a blast. Doing it again this year.<br /><br />Go Lya !!<br /><br />Garden & Be Well, XO TaraTara Dillardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16233493520013405385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192044540545990806.post-34194491422027895712011-03-15T13:52:01.409-04:002011-03-15T13:52:01.409-04:00AIWN attracted my attention with, "...women e...AIWN attracted my attention with, "...women empowering women.."<br /><br />Exactly what you do Lya.<br /><br />Thank you.<br /><br />Garden & Be Well, xO TaraTara Dillardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16233493520013405385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192044540545990806.post-28436476832657262062011-01-31T18:01:29.961-05:002011-01-31T18:01:29.961-05:00Thanks :-{Thanks :-{docpegisinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13751237399605553502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192044540545990806.post-72687124111375792672011-01-31T15:03:52.937-05:002011-01-31T15:03:52.937-05:00Dear Atlanta Biz Woman,
I saw the thread in the gr...Dear Atlanta Biz Woman,<br />I saw the thread in the group you mention and unless the first commenter didn't change his comment after your blog post, you might have misunderstood what he meant. He writes "nothing better then to fall in love with an American lady!" and replies with that to the original statement of the job seeker who wants to live and work in the U.S., just because he fell in love. It might not be a great career advice, but I don't find it tacky when people share their personal love stories.<br />Respectfully,<br />AndiAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10714685634106135919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192044540545990806.post-63728925907148589532010-11-27T12:02:48.607-05:002010-11-27T12:02:48.607-05:00This is such good advice Lya! Thanks for the remi...This is such good advice Lya! Thanks for the reminder!EagleMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14300763505412626650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192044540545990806.post-29532059059398722522010-11-15T03:49:28.079-05:002010-11-15T03:49:28.079-05:00Excellent....Excellent....Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10781968847908198965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192044540545990806.post-49560451130715703712010-11-14T15:15:54.019-05:002010-11-14T15:15:54.019-05:00YES!
Great teachers, trainers and leaders walk the...YES!<br />Great teachers, trainers and leaders walk their talk! You cannot become an expert in one night ! It takes years of practice, many failures and few successes. Most of all you should always question if you are still at the top of your knowledge and be a lifelong learner.expatglobalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09606211354080335471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192044540545990806.post-69000403905757478752010-10-06T10:39:30.830-04:002010-10-06T10:39:30.830-04:00Thanks, Lamar – apologies accepted! I look forward...Thanks, Lamar – apologies accepted! I look forward to being at the Iron Grill under better circumstances.<br /><br />Janet, your point is . . . “I made them do it” . . .?<br /><br />It is clear that you have divided loyalties. You (and your husband) want the Iron Grill to do well (so do I!) and you want the business women’s group to do well (so do I!). I have already mentioned to Denise that it would be of interest to me to have a monthly luncheon or dinner meeting of serious business women and the Iron Grill would be a perfect location.<br /><br />This was the third time in a row that as a group we were not taken seriously (Hotel Indigo and Ciné did not seem to appreciate us being there, either). We carry economic clout; we do not have to have a $6.25 presentation fee or a $5 admission fee as our centerpiece and rely on free hors d’oeuvres, with some attendees having a glass of water as their sole beverage. We can afford a $20 lunch or a $40 dinner. Just like our male colleagues . . .Lya Soranohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16677200360169732962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192044540545990806.post-25593383446901882792010-10-05T11:44:03.821-04:002010-10-05T11:44:03.821-04:00As one of the organizers for our meeting that nigh...As one of the organizers for our meeting that night, it would have been nice of you to contact me before making this post. As some one said there is the story than there is the whole story. Clarity is needed before shaming a business publicly and I would have been happy to answer any questions if I had been asked.<br /><br />Denise the other organizer and I got there early to assess the area of where we were to meet. She wondered if this space would have been big enough. I assured her that our group had met there several times in the past and it had always been very accommodating.<br />With our recent attendance being light I felt comfortable that this space would meet our needs for our meeting. Our group started arriving and it became very obvious that this was going to be challenging for the amount of women who attended. Love that we are growing!! Our discussions got under way and everyone seemed to make the best of it. <br /><br />Your comment on the management. When we arrived Shirley the GM greeted us and asked if we needed anything. She was very attentive. I asked if we could have a few more tables set up, she and her staff were happy to oblige. Than she announced the Chef Lamar was making offerings of free food with no charge. The food was amazing and it was more that just appetizers. If anything appreciation is in order for the hospitality that was extended to us.<br /><br />Thank you Chef Lamar and Shirley!!<br /><br />The private room that is available was being used by a pharmaceutical group. Shirley did offer another space upstairs and I declined for the reasons previously mentioned.<br /><br />As for the error on keeping our group in the same location. After the meeting was over I stood and apologized for the lack of space and assured everyone that our next event would be in better circumstances. I called the other organizer and apologized to her as well. We really do want our meeting to be accommodating and for us all to have experiences that enrich us after we leave. <br /><br />For the future, before making criticisms or offering shame on businesses that are involved it would be wise to talk to the the organizers. You can reach me on Linked In, Face Book and I have given you my card.<br /><br />I am easy to find.<br />Janet Prince Kilpatrickjpkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10108340970727270997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192044540545990806.post-21005245788581443242010-10-04T19:47:03.863-04:002010-10-04T19:47:03.863-04:00Hello Lya Sorano,
I offer all apologies on the se...Hello Lya Sorano,<br /><br />I offer all apologies on the seating that you were given at our restaurant. <br /><br />I was busy making the appetizers (pecan big eye tuna tataki on watermelon and ginger slaw; shrimp mashed potato bruschetta) and was quite happy on having your business meeting here. A great deal of time was put into preparing complimentary appetizers that best represented the restaurant. I am sorry that you did not get a chance to have any of the foods offered. <br /><br />You are all of course important to us and there is no gender bias.There is no trend, just a neglect on proper handling of your group at that time. I offer all apologies to you and the Atlanta Business Woman group. I take all criticisms to heart and was excited about the group meeting here. <br /><br />If there is anything that I can do for you please feel free to contact me by email or in person should you come into dine. <br />If you have dined here I am open to opinions on the food and service. Shame is a harsh word to levy on anyone and all I can say is that I apologize, I did my best to present complimentary foods beyond any expectations, and was not clear on the seating for your group. I would have happily moved your group to the blue room/private dining room had I understood that the smaller private area and bar was not big enough.<br />All customers are equally important to us and I truly do care. <br /><br />sincerely,<br />H Lamar Thomas<br />Chef Lamar's Iron Grill<br />lamar@theirongrill.com<br />706.543.9955LamarThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01771913469280260192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192044540545990806.post-17747398232826034182010-09-22T07:49:27.460-04:002010-09-22T07:49:27.460-04:00This is what Anne Egros, former Atlantan, now livi...This is what Anne Egros, former Atlantan, now living in Brussels, posted on my Facebook page: "Hello Lya, I had a very similar bad experience recently in Zaventem. Obviously it is a global trend, some business owners don't care they want the cash now and don't want to spend more for an hypothetical ROI later. Hopefully I know you care and that is why you bring so much value on the table to anybody, clients or not, living in Atlanta or Brussels !"<br /><br />I'll have to look into this a bit further -- do restaurants treat groups of women differently from the way in which they treat groups of men?Lya Soranohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16677200360169732962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192044540545990806.post-76948301193165690652010-09-02T11:33:44.029-04:002010-09-02T11:33:44.029-04:00Lya,
You are so right. The company did not use th...Lya,<br />You are so right. The company did not use the rules of consistency. They made you feel special by using good quality paper, nice letterhead and first-class postage but they blew it when they used the "To Whom It May Concern:" salutation. That's when you realized you were no more special than the hundreds or thousands of other recipients. By personalizing each letter, which is not much more expensive, the company would have not sent mixed messages. Be consistent in everything you do. One must always ask one self: "Am I consistent in every phase of my life or am I inconsistent in the messages I send out to the world?Peggy Parkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12936827266680604021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192044540545990806.post-53309859970447576442010-09-02T11:22:11.598-04:002010-09-02T11:22:11.598-04:00Lya,
You are so right! The company that sent you ...Lya,<br />You are so right! The company that sent you the letter did not follow the rules of consistency. They made a great first impression by using good quality paper, nice letterhead, first class postage, and then blew it by using the "To Whom It May Concern:" salutation. They made you feel special at first and then you realized you were just one of the hundreds or thousands recipients. After spending a lot of money on letterhead and postage, they should have spent a bit more to personalize the letters. It does not take much effort but would have made a big difference. Remember, it's about consistency. Do not send mixed messages. Are you a first-class company or do you send out form letters?Peggy Parkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12936827266680604021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192044540545990806.post-62976575797864399072010-01-06T10:16:40.718-05:002010-01-06T10:16:40.718-05:00As a child, Spain was a scary place, but as an adu...As a child, Spain was a scary place, but as an adult it became one of my favorite countries to visit, especially the area inland from the Costa del Sol. <br /><br />Thanks for your comment, "Siberia" :-)Lya Soranohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16677200360169732962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192044540545990806.post-37504453935110396502010-01-06T08:01:41.127-05:002010-01-06T08:01:41.127-05:00So when you were a child you were visited by Sinte...So when you were a child you were visited by Sinterklaas. When for the first time my Dutch friend told me that trip to Spain with Zwarte Piet is a punishment I couldn't believe, for me holidays in Spain was always like reward, but now I know how this trip looks so I understand that for Dutch children is not their dream gift.Russian Sphinxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17187348086686401548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192044540545990806.post-76773130174728323682009-09-11T04:17:48.760-04:002009-09-11T04:17:48.760-04:00Thanks so much Lya for such a great tip. I did it ...Thanks so much Lya for such a great tip. I did it and it is now so much clearer for me to keep track on what I put on my profile. It is so easy I am wondering why Linkedin is not telling users ?<br />Best<br />Anne Egros<br />http://expatwomenbrussels.blogspot.com/expatglobalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09606211354080335471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192044540545990806.post-55888523923835481272009-07-04T11:12:51.542-04:002009-07-04T11:12:51.542-04:00I would like to join you in frustration. I regret ...I would like to join you in frustration. I regret your experience at Phoenix & Dragon Bookstore was tarnished by your class registration experience. However, my frustration is not with the sales associate attempting to help you, but with the sometimes cumbersome and less than people friendly constraints of the computer tools which are supposed to make all of our lives easier.<br /><br />I am sorry you took the look of consternation on my employee's face as suspicion. As we were not informed of this coupon ahead of time by the event organizer our computer was not programed to accept it. (I agree the coupon was a great idea!) In order to keep accurate records for payment to our presenters we need to request names, even on cash transactions and accurately enter the payment in a way that reflects the method of payment and accurately matches the charges. Thus the employee needed some guidance in how to fool the computer into accepting your payment. Oh for the days of a sign up sheets and a cash box. I wonder sometimes how much time and frustration is wasted on these "modern conveniences".<br /><br />I am surprised you found it unusual to be asked for your ID with a business check. I waited 15 minutes last week at Target across the street in the Prado for the appropriate supervisor to come approve my business check. On the bright side, it gave me time to market my store to the clerk and give her a gift certificate to Phoenix & Dragon. The lesson learned there was to turn what could be perceived as a negative experience into a positive opportunity to market your business. Again it was the tyranny of the computer system that has to sync all transactions with the customer who is signing the check and not duplicate entries having a separate business entry.<br /><br />I appreciate your taking the time to express your frustrations and am glad I was forwarded this blog by a friend. I will use this as an opportunity to see how we can improve our systems to decrease the negative impact on customers in the face any such unexpected coupon offers or other computer defying experiences. In the future, know I welcome any such feedback directly. It is the only way we can continue to work to improve our service to customers and clients. <br /><br />I regret your decision to not visit Phoenix & Dragon again. I would like to offer you a gift certificate in appreciation for you business over these many years and your frank input concerning your disappointment with your recent experience at Phoenix & Dragon. Since you graciously gave the clerk your name for our customer list we can enter your $10.00 gift credit there and it will be available for your next purchase at Phoenix & Dragon should you change your mind about visiting us again. - Candace AppleAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08760498061879936231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192044540545990806.post-31941190877296865002009-07-04T01:02:36.044-04:002009-07-04T01:02:36.044-04:00Wish I'd been there! I know I could not have ...Wish I'd been there! I know I could not have been "a nice girl" and sat through this woman's lecture. She sounds very condescending and patronizing. Guess you should have thanked her for that!!<br />I admire you two for staying. But as you said, the presenter was good. I know she is, we are in the same industry.Peggy Parkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12936827266680604021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192044540545990806.post-66124685632561473132009-07-03T17:38:57.329-04:002009-07-03T17:38:57.329-04:00What a bunch of bull! I'm all about being cour...What a bunch of bull! I'm all about being courteous and treating people with respect, but if the speaker is that inexperienced and insecure, she should find another line of work. Adults who have both traveled and made their mark in the business world, do not appreciate such juvenile treatment.Barbara Giamancohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16257186055386256834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192044540545990806.post-88674126760848436872009-07-03T17:36:31.273-04:002009-07-03T17:36:31.273-04:00By way of full disclosure, I've known Candace ...By way of full disclosure, I've known Candace Apple for years and love the store. At the same time, this is an all too familiar commentary on the lack of customer service. Great service should be the norm. Not rudeness and suspicion. Someone showing up to pay for your event should not be viewed as a "cheater" looking to save $5 bucks. Get a clue people.Barbara Giamancohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16257186055386256834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192044540545990806.post-14732429390951343542009-07-01T13:55:10.227-04:002009-07-01T13:55:10.227-04:00Very true! I’m the colleague who joined Lya for th...Very true! I’m the colleague who joined Lya for the workshop at Phoenix & Dragon. I also found it rather irritating to be given a lecture on manners, etiquette and cultural differences such as, for example: “We (as Americans, that is) are taught by our parents to say “please” and “thank you”. Maybe that is different in Europe”. (It is not). I was quite surprised and somewhat amused, especially since we had just been told before that we should always be “nice” and create “goodwill” since everyone could be our “next potential client”. As for the lecturing organizer, one thing is for sure: Two potential clients lost, and no goodwill created here. I humbly recommend comprehensive cross-cultural training – PLEASE!Katjahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04560751858066947363noreply@blogger.com