Why do I say that?  Well…Let’s just put it this way.  In this past week, I’ve had a few issues that needed to be addressed, which meant dealing in “real time” with Customer Service representatives.  I’m not taking emails here.  No.  What I am saying is picking up a real phone.  Yes, moving away from my pc and talking to a ‘live’ human being.  Oh…the pain of it all!

I know, I’m ranting.  But then, let me ask you one thing… Is Customer Service a lost art?  Is the virtual so prevalent that it has changed what used to be called common sense and a certain degree of savoir faire?

The way I look at it, in this age of faceless websites and lost emails, would it not be natural as a business owner, to offer your customers a personalized service that makes them feel really appreciated?

What happen to the Mom and Pop business approach? The village corner store attitude where they knew their customers by name? Yes, this is 2010…So?

Is offering your clients excellence in service an experience from the past? Is respect for your clients and honesty in what you offer a bad word?

Times have changed… And as I sit here, still muttering to myself about the uselessness of the phone calls I made in this past week, I know one thing. I, as a Virtual Assistant and Business Owner still believe that offering quality and a personalized service to my customers is not a choice, but an obligation.

My customers are my partners; they work with me because they believe in not only who I am, but also in the quality of the services they’ve come to expect. They know they are special, and rightfully so!

The way I look at it, give your customers the same service that you would expect, and then go beyond. The excellence and attention you provide on a daily basis will not only create a long-standing business relationships, it will also become the pillar of your successful business.

“Another old blog post! Hey, I only have a few posted on this site, and I want to keep them! As for my point of view about the state of Customer Service in our day an age…that will be another blog post!”

Regardless of the route we take, finding the right name can make our company the talk of the town, or spell disaster in the future.

Now, I am positive that some of you reading this post are right in the middle of this dilemma.  You have more than a few names on hand, all as good as the last one, and you simply can’t make up your mind.

Well, let me tell one thing.  Been there, done that. And how long did it take me to make a decision?  To be honest, it took me close to a month to find the proper name for my Virtual Assistance Company!  Why?  For one thing, how do you describe in a few words the Virtual Assistance concept?  Remember, it’s always easier if your company name spells out well the type of services you offer!

So, with this being said, here are a few guidelines:

Create a winning business name. One that is easy to spell.

So what name did I choose?  Virtual Managing Associates.  Easy to spell?  Well yes, as far as I am concerned.  But then that’s me, and I write this name at least 10 times a day!  But is it easy for my present and future customers?  That another point!  Either they remember the name because of its length and somehow it hits them, or it’s a no go!

Your company name needs a visual element. It should explain what you do.

What pops into you head when you read Virtual Managing Associates?  Anything at all?  Are we a company of many because “Associates” is plural?  When choosing your company name, you have to be very careful of the spelling. In this case, “Associates” should be “Associate” as there is only one person managing this company!

Does my company name say that I am a Virtual Assistant?

Not really.  What it does say, is that my company works through a Virtual environment.  It also says that I offer my services as an associate, that manages my customer’s projects.

Your business name should be short

Obviously, I should have read that part!  On the other hand, using the VMA acronym has served me pretty well!

With this in mind, remember one thing.  Your company is your future.  It’s you.  It’s what you believe in.  It’s how you will represent yourself for years to come.

To your Business Success!