Archive for July, 2009

Gateway wins Chocolate Connection!

07.27.09

Michelle entered Gateway Centre a long, long time ago, so we were quite surprised to hear that we had won!  This is what was included in the basket:

* * A basket of chocolate treats made from the finest imported chocolate at Chocolate Necessities with 2 locations in Bellingham.
* * Chocolate Decadent cake from the legendary Colophon Cafe in Fairhaven.
* * FIVE pounds of smooth Mt. Baker Fudge from Paper Dreams in Fairhaven. 
* * Chocolate milk from Edaleen Dairy in Lynden.
* * 6 Chocolate/Carmel Apples from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Burlington!

All of our tenants enjoyed the treats!  Thanks to KAFE radio for all the yummy chocolate!

We have a new tenant!

07.21.09

Gateway Centre is pleased to announce the arrival of a new tenant, Dr. Kevin Zvilna. If you see him around, don’t be afriad to say hello. He is a great addition. Welcome to Gateway Kevin!

MVP Becky Raney almost speechless!

07.10.09

Bellingham Chamber of Commerce honored Ambassador Becky Raney with the July MVP (Most Valuable person) award.  Her husband and co owner Larry Raney was at our table and said that is the 1st time in nearly 20 years that he has seen Becky speechless.  Pictures will appear on the chamber website: www.Bellingham.com

WE GOT Feedback!!!

07.07.09

Wow… we posted a tip from one of our vendors because we thought it worthy to pass on.  AND they called and said they heard that we blogged their tip!!! Now that to me is great feedback.  So nice of them to call up and say they appreciated what we did.  Today’s encouragement… give someone some positive feedback… It might just make their day (week, Year?!!!)

U and Me Instructors Receive High Honors!

07.06.09

Instructors Nathan Simler, Mary Simler-Evans, and Lecie McNees recently completed their professional teaching exam for Associate in Salsa on 1 (LA Style) and Salsa on 2 (New York/Modern on 2) during the visit of World Mambo Champion, and National Examiner, Jami Josephson. This test was particularly difficult as it encompassed lead/follow knowledge, explanation and demonstration of 15 moves, as well as 19 teaching questions. The certification is done as an oral exam, with the instructors demonstrating both on their own, and with a partner. They all received High Honors, maintaining their excellent standards for teaching and dancing. Congratulations to Nathan, Mary and Lecie!

Lecie works for the Wanek Stein Tax Advisory Group in suite 210

Happy Independence Day

07.02.09

The staff at Gateway wish you a happy and safe 4th of July!

Our office will be closed on Friday 3rd July to observe this glorious holiday.

6 Phone Care Ideas from Ideacom Network

07.01.09

Keep investing in your phone system, especially now

Your telephone system is the lifeblood of your business, so keep investing in it. The recession won’t last forever, and you need a reliable phone system, despite ups and downs in the economy. Need further convincing? Below are six more reasons for the proper care and feeding of your phone system, now and always:

1. The phone is still a primary means of communication, especially for customers. Don’t sell your business–or your customers–short by skimping on providing the most indispensable of business basics.

2. The phone is more personal than email too. You can get much more information about a customer when talking with them vs. emailing with them. You get a chance to explore their needs and strengthen that relationship in a way you can’t do via words on a computer screen.

3. Although it doesn’t show up on any marketing plans, your phone system and how you use it are also part of your brand. When customers call, they want to be reassured that they’re doing business with a professional, credible organization. How well your phone system works is as important as how politely your employees answer when conveying that “brand” to a caller.

4. Everyone’s in a hurry these days, even on the phone. Confront callers with a complicated voicemail system or disconnect them unintentionally after they’ve patiently waited on hold for 15 minutes and you’ll likely never hear from them again.

5. Taking advantage of new technologies and services can save you some serious money every month. Today’s systems offer many new enhancements that increase productivity and efficiency such as “call presence” whereby you can ring multiple phones such as cellular or home phones in addition to your system extension. (Intrigued? Contact us to learn more.)

6. The care and feeding of your phone system means staying current with new software releases too. Most manufacturers will release new updated software every 9 to 18 months. By staying at a current software level, you extend the useful life of the system and often pick up enhanced capabilities along the way.

Right now you might be pinching pennies and looking for ways to trim costs. But your phone system is not the place to skimp. Ever.

About the Ideacom Network

You’ve received this issue of Ideacom Insights from a member of the Ideacom Network, a national organization of telephony resellers. Each member undergoes a thorough examination of its business practices and only those who demonstrate their commitment to customer care, financial stability and community leadership are admitted. Once members, these companies are part of a network that stays abreast of the very latest technologies, maintaining the latest technical certifications for the products they represent, and sharing best practices culled from decades of experience.