The suffix -pathy means “feeling” or “suffering” The prefix em- means “within” or “inside” The prefix a- means “not” or “without” By definition, empathy is the opposite of apathy. Empathy is defined as “the ability to understand and share the feelings of another” — within + feeling or inside + suffering. Apathy is defined as [Keep Reading…]
Alan Alda falls victim to McAfee’s dreadful customer experience
A month ago, my mom forwarded me an article from the New York Times that I only got around to reading now (as is known to happen with forwards from Mom). Turns out she picked a good one: a forehead-slapper about acclaimed actor Alan Alda’s helluva time canceling his McAfee email monitoring: Theater of the [Keep Reading…]
We Don’t Know Anything
We don’t know. We believe we know. Our experiences, education, instincts and values all add up to our beliefs. They also include assumptions and misperceptions and past truths. We believe something once and then we “know” it forever, because that’s easier than always having to ask. Asking isn’t easy. It takes time. It introduces risk. [Keep Reading…]
Fire your worst customers
In Seth Godin’s recent blog post, more, More, MORE!, he makes the unpopular-but-wise assertion that until you fire your worst customers, you’ll never be able to do your best. I think it applies to clients just as much as consumers. The bottom line: you can’t please everyone, and it’s stupid to try. You’ll end up [Keep Reading…]
Resolution Found with the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
I’m impressed. Within 12 hours from my initial complaint to the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel about their sub-par conditions, I had received an email apologizing for the discontent. Then within 20 minutes of my response today (to follow), we have received a refund for one night. I am very pleased with the outcome and the [Keep Reading…]
The Sheraton Responds!
[This is an update on the disappointing conditions I recently experienced at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel.] Within 12 hours of my critical survey submission to TNS Global — the vendor who handles Sheraton’s customer satisfaction surveys — I received the following email from Sheraton’s Manager of Experience Engineering. I’m really glad they’re listening. Read [Keep Reading…]
The Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel is a hot mess
Allow me to preface this rant by saying that the organizers of IDEA 2009 are in no way responsible for the poor accommodations and service at the Sheraton Center Toronto Hotel. Though it was the hotel recommended on the conference website and at which a group discount was provided, there is no way that the [Keep Reading…]
Apple Customer Support Fiasco
I just had the most inexcusably bad experience with Apple Customer Support. So shockingly bad that I can’t even believe it was Apple on the other end of the line. Let me preface my story by saying that I’ve been a devoted Apple customer since I was in the 5th grade — 17 years ago. [Keep Reading…]
The conditioner bottles at The Hampton Inn
When I was in Austin for SxSW Interactive, I stayed at the Hampton Inn a block away from the Austin Convention Center. I chose the hotel because it was convenient, even though the room rate was out of control — $299/night (which I got reduced to $259). I recognize that when 10,000 geeks descend upon [Keep Reading…]
Experience Design Lessons We Can Learn from My Nail Salon
I’m a native Manhattanite and uptown girl, so it should be no surprise that I’ve been getting manicures since I was a munchkin. It isn’t only about having freshly painted nails; it’s more about taking 30 minutes every few weeks to really treat myself and escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. I’ve [Keep Reading…]