Love your business, love your clients: Intention is good, but action tells the real story.

I love my clients and I love my business. Making the connection with people and giving the ‘over & above service’ for them is what I love to do. It is so important that you connect the two because people feel it and know it without you even having to say a single word. Intention is good, but action tells the real story.

I had a fantastic time at our annual Driving Diva Holiday Event last night. It is our end of the year extravaganza night to give back to our clients, connect and celebrate the season with them. Yes – we had the major sales event and prizes, but most importantly – it was a time to enjoy our clients by offering an evening of fun, food & festive cheer. I could feel the amazing energy buzzing around me and it also gives me the opportunity to hear how we are doing as a business to serve them.

Giving back to the community, our staff and our clients feels great. When you are in the service industry and you shudder at the thought of having to ‘give back’, then I think you are in the wrong industry. You have to have the ‘spirit to serve’ in order to be genuinely successful. And that also includes giving back. To me, it’s not all about the ‘sale of the day’ it’s building and cherishing client relationships. We’re not just an automotive repair business – we’re really serving people.

Driving Diva’s Top 5 holiday gift picks…38 days left until Christmas!

I am thrilled and excited to offer our new arrivals for our Driving Divas this holiday season.  I love unique and practical finds – this season we have a wonderful selection for ‘girlfriend’ gifts, hostess giving and ‘Merry Christmas to me’ gifts.  To make it easier and more enjoyable for your holiday receiving, I suggest you print this page and leave in a visible area for your loved one to find.  All gifts are available in-store or by phone order (905) 524 9853 www.ladieschoiceautocare.com  Only 38 days left until Christmas!

1. Swarovski Crystal USB keychain.  This is a must have for the Driving Diva on the go – it’s stylish, practical and beautiful.  No need to carry around a boring plastic USB piece anymore – express yourself with a Yue-S-Bee!  12 styles to choose from – including a handbag for the purse collector on your list. Made by Yue-S-Bee Inc.

2. For the wine and shoe lover. Glassware adourned with a pair of handpainted Stiletto heels with a matching purse.  Each wine glass has a ‘one of a kind’ hand painted dress shoe with a coordinating purse to match.  A variety of shoes available in red, black or leopard print.  ‘His and Hers’ party shoes are also available.  Includes a lady’s and man’s dress shoe on each individual wine glass.  Available on white or red wine glasses.  A perfect hostess gift! **Too new for a picture – must see in-store**

 3. Diva Diamondz contain a powerful volcanic mineral, zeolite, that draws odor and moisture out of shoes.  The mineral is also antimicrobial, which means that is fights bacteria and fungus. Simply place a pouch inside each shoe at the end of the day.  Overnight the smell and moisture is absorbed into the pouch.  When the diamond starts to smell like your feet, place it in the sun to recharge.  You will have to recharge your Diva Diamondz once or twice a year. Non-scented, natural and guaranteed effective, Diva Diamondz will always leave your shoes good to go!

4. Wall decor Chinese symbols:  Kindness, Truth, Beauty or Love.  Black with burnished edge wooden wall decor.  Higher Ground gifts http://tinyurl.com/yk3be7k

5.  Pouchee Outback collection.  The purse companion for the Diva on the go!  The Pouchee makes it easy to switch handbags – simply transfer your Pouchee to your new handbag.  Features for this handy leatherette organizer:

• Handy Rings for ease of changing purses and bags
• Outside pockets for pens, sunglasses, mobile phone, credit cards, keys etc.
• Inside pockets for lipsticks or small flashlights
• Inside Zippered pockets for change or personal items.
• Inside dividers to keep everything organized

Pouchee’s ‘The Daddy’ and ‘The Junior’ car console organizer also available in store.

Interview on Roaring Women Radio!

Does the justice system allow us to serve our Civic duty?

Today I had attended the selection process for Jury duty. I have always wanted to be called upon for this privileged duty, but I had mixed feelings when I received the ‘official letter’ of role call. Why did I have to be called up now? For the next month – my schedule is absolutely insane! This is the busiest time of the year for business. Instead, I went in with an open mind and open to be flexible. After I heard the hearing from the judge and the type of case it was, I certainly wanted to be part of this decision making process.

We were told it would require a two week committment – two weeks? Hmmm….this might take a bit of juggling. As I reviewed my BB and tried to juggle my schedule around – I felt I could still make this happen. If I am selected, then I would be honoured to fulfill this important duty and offer my input towards the decision making process.

I was told that the court proceeding would start today.  Today!?!!!  Are you kidding?  Who can stop everything at the drop of a hat for two weeks? It was very disappointing for me. I had to ‘plea’ my case that I could not afford the time off with such short notice. 

As a business owner, it is a difficult feat to be able to stop everything immediately.  I have scheduled presentations and workshops that I will be hosting this week.  To cancel these, it would have a big impact on business.  Walking out of the courtroom I was followed by business people and a similar group of career professionals that were able to be ‘relieved’ from the jury process. 

The question I ask – if the judicial system is most effective to by having a a good representation of society, are they really allowing ‘reasonable’ expectations for people in business to serve this civic duty? or are they leaving us out?

From Wallflowers to Green Queen Driving Wonder Women

I am pleased to say that last week’s Diva’s Car Care Clinic was a fantastic evening.  It was a good turnout and the line up of guest speakers made it quite interesting. 

Paul Barrett of Green Venture (www.greenventure.ca) talked about ways to increase fuel efficiency and tips to saving money with our driving habits.  Chris Poscai of Wallflower to Wonder Woman (www.wallflowertowonderwoman.com) did a fantastic presentation of raising awareness about this valuable program offered for women. 

Paul offered a well designed PowerPoint presentation about the EcoDriver program and simple techniques to employ for reducing fuel consumption with our everyday driving.  Christine talked about the amazing program that they offer for women to help overcome life’s challenges and giving that helping hand for a step up in life.  Their program is quite powerful by empowering women to live their full potential.  

It’s great to work together with a group effort.  To see the passion that people have about their field of expertise and joining together with likeminded experts – it creates alot of good energy.  I certainly felt it.  I’m really excited about our coming year of Diva’s Car Care Clinics and having the opportunity to help raise awareness about the wonderful organizations serving the Hamilton community.  It’s all about education, building awareness and removing the barriers to empower women.  Hamilton, Ontario has alot of dynamic businesses and organizations which I look forward to blending into our clinics.

If you didn’t have the opportunity to attend our October clinic, you can hear more about our topics on www.Blogtalkradio.com  On Monday November 2nd at 6:30 pm Paul Barret from Green Venture will be my guest on our Ladies Choice AutoCare show program.  On Monday November 16th at 6:30 pm Chris Pocsai from Wallflower to Wonder Woman will be my guest on the show.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Tips to becoming a Green Queen Driver

Green Queen Drivers recognize that we need to find ways to reduce our carbon footprint and live a more sustainable lifestyle.   It starts with awareness and then taking action for change.

There are a number of different ways we can help reduce our carbon footprint including changing our driving habits, servicing our vehicles properly and the choices we make with the vehicles we buy.

Did you know that synthetic oils burn cleaner, are far superior for our engines and are not a non-renewable resource?  Premium synthetic oils require less oil changes (3-4 times longer between service) as opposed to the common conventional oil.  You will pay a bit more for premium synthetic oils, but in the long run – you are actually saving money $$. (an example of a premium synthetic: Amsoil www.amsoil.com)

Paul Barrett of Green Venture (www.greenventure.ca) will be our guest speaker at our upcoming Diva’s Car Care Clinic “How to Become a Green Queen Driver and save money, too!” on October 22, 2009.  Paul will be discussing EcoDriving techniques and proper maintenance to reduce a vehicle’s fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 35%.  To learn more about our clinic or to register, please contact our office 905 524 9853 or visit our website at www.ladieschoiceautocare.com

“The solutions to our environmental crisis can be found in part in how we conduct our daily lives. Hopefully, this daily act of consciousness in how we live our individual lives will also encourage each of us to more actively support the more large scale systemic changes that are needed to stem the environmental crisis.” 

Robert Stone, Documentary Filmmaker

What is a Driving Diva?

I’m often asked “What exactly is a Driving Diva?”.  For starters, it’s not what you may think.  You just might be surprized to learn that you may be a Driving Diva yourself!  So I’ll get straight to my definition of an authentic ’Driving Diva’…

The Top Ten reasons I know I’m a Driving Diva when…

1. I take care of my own car’s needs.  If I can drive then I am certainly capable of dealing with an auto repair shop myself.

2. I expect respect and honesty.  I’m not a fool - I know when I’m being ‘taken for a ride’ and won’t put up with it.  I like to be treated like a friend and know that I am being dealt with in the same way I treat others.

3. I need to feel comfortable when I have concerns or questions about the repairs being done to my car.  I like to be kept informed about what’ s being done to my vehicle because I want to be in ‘the know’.  I’m paying for it – so let me decide whether I want to have it done or not.  I really appreciate it when a technician takes the time to explain the issues to me AND gives me the space to call my own shots.

4.  Knowledge means power to me.  I’m not a ‘DIY’ and never will be (good grief – I find it hard enough to find time to see my hair stylist let alone crawl underneath my car to watch oil drip!).  But I want to have access to information so I can make an informed decision.  When a business shares free information & tips (rather than keeping me in the dark) I really appreciate that.

5. I love convenience! There are never enough hours in the day to get the things I need to get done.  Taxiing kids, work, groceries, house cleaning and errands is not even a full day of work for me!  If I could double up on tasks to save time – it’s a blessing for me (having a pedicure while getting an oil change done on my car at the same time… is a slice of heaven )

6. Appreciation is never overrated.  I like it when a business says ‘thank you’ and at least tries to remember my name.  And if they call me to make sure that my car is running well after service (a real voice on the phone), all the better. 

7. A comfortable and ‘clean’ office is my kind of space.  I don’t want to have to worry about getting grease on my suit when I sit down.  Leave the grease where it belongs!  And the wait time seems so much longer when I have to sit in a ‘dull’ boring office reading dusty magazines that are almost as old as my car.  If I can sit in a nice comfy ‘clean’ chair, read a good book, have a good cup of Java along with some good background music – I’m all set.  Take your time…

8.  I LOVE rewards programs.  When a business gives back to their loyal clients - they win my loyalty.  Don’t you hate it when ‘first time’ clients receive better specials than you, the long running client?  The fact that I’m given something back for my continued business – is a special perk I really appreciate.

9. Great customer service stands out in my books.  Too often, good customer service is hard to find nowadays.  When I’m greeted in a friendly way and I know my needs are always looked after - I look forward to going back again, and again.

10.  Finally – last but not least, I like the name.  Driving Diva has a cute ring to it

To all my Driving Divas (and Divos) ,  welcome home to Ladies Choice AutoCare.  We are “Home of the Driving Divas”!

Welcome to my Blog

Welcome to my blog fellow Driving Divas and Divos!  My blog is a space to share tips and advice on proper car care, child car seat safety, info about our Diva’s Car Care Clinics, updates on what’s new at our shop and a mixed bag of other interests for our Driving Divas and Divos.