Reflections
Erica’s 2013 Spring Reflection 1
0When asked why I came to Butler, I often jokingly respond that it was because of Excel. Whenever I have to make a big decision, like where am I going to spend four years of my life during undergrad, I make a table. I think of all the factors that are important to me—location, cost of living, retention rate, number of nearby churches—and I utilize the comparison to make a decision. I said all that to point out how ingrained technology is into my life. I’ve always been a somewhat geeky person. If I want to learn how to use a program, either I point and click until I understand everything or I find an instructional that helps walk me through it.
Working at Information Commons has given me the opportunity to do everything I love. I work with and learn new technologies every day. I am constantly teaching others and building instructional resources. But most of all, working at Information Commons has taught me how to truly be a leader. All of these skills are things that I will keep with me the rest of my life. Information Commons has been a high point of my experience at Butler and will always be what I credit as my first real professional experience. But what have I left behind me as a legacy? What have I contributed to the program that has poured so much into me? Now that’s a harder question to answer.
My hope is that my biggest contribution to Information Commons has been that I have been an example of leadership and mentoring. My first semester here was really tough because I came on to the job as an Associate, and most of the time felt like I had no idea what I was doing. That year and the next, I tried my best to model my actions and leadership after Kristen Allen. Kristen was the backbone of the program, and I wanted to make sure that her hard work did not go to waste and her vision continued after she was gone. Now, I hope that others can say the same of me.
My goal during my time here has been to be the best Associate I can be. I want to be an example of a trustworthy person. I want the new Assistants to see my work ethics and drive and understand that is what we want them to model after. I have tried to be a role model in leadership. I want model to others that leaders are still expected to follow the same rules as those who follow them. I want my team to understand that we work together; they don’t work for me. And I want to implement streamline processes and keep things organized so that anyone who comes in after me can easily understand and pick up a project where I left off.
One of the things I am most proud of and excited about is that Julianne has allowed the associates to help build and change the program. I had the opportunity to play an integral role in the creation of the new Specialist position. I have been involved in changing and implementing new policies that help keep the students accountable to the program and help us accomplish our vision. And most of all, I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to lead independently. Instead of just fulfilling a list of job expectations, I’ve branched out and created new responsibilities and opportunities for myself.
Coming into the job, I was pretty confident in my ability to lead by example. What I soon realized I was clueless about was how to be a true leader, because a true leader isn’t just an example, but has followers. Now, I feel that I have developed into becoming a leader through mentorship. It’s a learning process I’m still working on, but I now understand that just being the example isn’t enough. If I want others to follow my example, I need to mentor them by learning their strengths and weaknesses, helping them discover their fit in the program, making them feel important and necessary, and inspiring them to have continual growth. Part of mentoring is addressing weaknesses, and that’s the one area I still struggle with. I want to focus on people’s strengths all the time, but sometimes that creates problem areas that later become a big hindrance. My goal this semester is to learn how to help people with their weaknesses and still make their overall experience positive.
So what is my legacy? If I had to leave advice for future Information Commons students, this is what I would tell them:
- Be the initiator. If you don’t understand exactly what you are supposed to do, ask. If you think of a new project that would benefit the program, suggest it. If you want to become a leader in the program, display those characteristics now. If you feel that the program could be more effective in one area, bring that to the attention of your supervisors and then help implement the change. The Information Commons program isn’t bounded by a job description and set list of services. We are constantly changing, seeking improvements, and growing. But that process can only happen if you take the initiative and become the change.
- Expect to grow. Information Commons is a professional development program and therefore will challenge you to develop your abilities. If you feel overwhelmed at first by the magnitude of what we do, welcome to the club. We are all still learning and growing as the program continues to expand. While you may be the resident expert in one thing, most likely there will need to ask for help with something else. Use each opportunity to learn from those around you and always be willing to grow.
- Be a leader. No matter what your title is or how long you have been in the program, be a leader. Rise above the expectations and be willing to take on responsibility. Hold yourself to a high standard, but don’t expect others to do more than you are willing to do. Be understanding. Be a peacemaker. Be willing to apologize. Be the example. Learn how to mentor someone and then help them reach their full potential. Always look for the good in every situation and person. Always put the person before the problem, the program, or the position. Seek advice if you are struggling or at a loss. Information Commons has great potential, but the only way we can see the vision become a reality is by leading the way.
Megan’s Reflection
0This summer I read, Delivering Knock Your Socks Off Service, to prepare for this Fall. It was a very informational book that provided pertinent information about things you should do, as well as, things you should not do during work. The book covered a large variety of topics from trusting your co-workers, communicating with customers, and an important rule that is sometimes the most difficult to follow, being that the customer is always “right.” Sometimes, especially working in the library, some students or faculty would come in thinking they already knew the answer and would either insist they were still correct or would get discouraged because they couldn’t understand why they were wrong. The book gave some great tips on how to communicate with them in order to make them feel like they are correct or pointed in the right direction and ultimately getting their question answered or the help they need. A lot of the book seemed like common sense but also made a lot of good points and tips that can easily be forgotten but applied to our everyday job. Overall, I believed the book to be very helpful and a great review for the Fall Semester.
Cierra’s Reflection
0While reading iBrain for Info Commons the part that I found most interesting was the comparison between ‘digital natives’ and ‘digital immigrants.’ I found this important because I see it in everyday life. I see it during the summer while watching my grandmother and niece try to use an iPad, or other technology, together. My niece grew up knowing this technology and uses it with ease while my grandmother has more trouble using it, often giving up before learning how to use it. I also see this in our work environment. At the library many patrons are from an older generation and they often need help operating the computers or software on them. Most students are already acclimated to the technology and only have problems when the technology is not available for use. Some students do not know how to use things like a card catalog or print media. I have seen many students become frustrated when having to use pencil and paper to write down information rather than printing it out because a printer is broken. I knew there was a generation gap when it came to knowing about technology, but now knowing it comes from our minds being wired differently makes the difference more understandable.
Margaret’s Reflection
0For my summer reading, I read Delivering Knock Your Socks Off Service. The book focused on successful business practices from the customer service prospective. I have worked in the service industry before and there where many tips and practices that I could relate to personally.
One chapter of the book stood out to me the most. Chapter 11, “Creating Trust in an Insecure, Suspicious World” really hit home with me. I believe that this aspect of trust is one that so often gets over looked in the business world. The past two summers I have worked as a swimming instructor teaching children and adults to swim. There is a strong level of trust that you must have with both the student and the parents’ of the students. I quite literally had my students’ life in my hands. Without trust the process wouldn’t work. The trust that I built was crucial to the return of customers. I also found that the best way to create trust was communication. Talking to parents about what was going on in the water allowed them to feel a part of the process.
Although my work in the IC will be different in nature, the principles of building trust and re3lationships is still valid. When working in an academic setting it is important that your clients trust you and the information your provide them with. It is important that they know you are a credible resource. Just like my experience in the pool, it is the relationships and trust that bring customers back.
Kate Stelmack’s Response
0Reading Delivering Knock Your Socks Off Service, opened my eyes to a lot of things I had not considered about costumer service. Before reading this book, I felt I had a good handle on how to handle costumers based on my own experiences with costumer services. After reading, I found there was a lot more to it, and the tips I read were extremely helpful.
The “use the I instead of they or we” tip. This tip exists in the very first, ‘unbreakable’ rule. The book explains that, to the costumer, we are the company and need to take necessary steps towards solving the costumer’s problem. Because costumers expect us to make the organization work for them, we need to take responsibility for the problem and address it as such.
Rule 8, the Costumer is Always Right rule, was another that stood out to me. In this rule it states that though the costumer is not always right, and is actually usually wrong, it is our job to help make them right…or at least point them in the right direction. The book lists three different ways to make the costumer right. The first is to ‘assume innocence’. It further explains that just because the costumer sounds wrong to you, that does not make them wrong. Listening to everything the costumer has to say before jumping in to solve the problem is an absolute must. In my opinion, this is somewhat of an obvious fact, but in my experience often forgotten. The second way to make the costumer right is to ‘look for teaching opportunities’. To do this, you first have to figure out where the costumer went wrong, causing the misunderstanding. This is what I feel would be the most challenging. Many costumers already assume they are correct and do not need to be educated. Clearly, this technique should be used on a case-by-case basis. The last rule is to believe the costumer. This is also self explanatory, although often forgotten. The book explains that sometimes the costumer you thought was 100% wrong was in fact completely right, and when in doubt, give the costumer the benefit of the doubt.
Overall, I found this book extremely helpful, even beyond the main points I listed here. With the outline of tips, and things to keep in mind when dealing with a costumer I am now feeling even more confined in my abilities to do a great job this coming fall!
Meen’s Summer Reflection 08/09/12
1In preparation for the Information Commons this year, I read Delivering Knock Your Socks Off Service. I thought the book really geared towards businesses focusing on services particularly. The information was really interesting, although some were somewhat irrelevant to IC workers particularly but one could always apply it to the real world experience.
The researches were very interesting and I really enjoyed the quotes at the beginning and the end of every chapter. I thought a lot of them were very powerful and inspirational. I absolutely love the tip “How you feel about yourself in your job is as important to your self-esteem as the way you feel about yourself as a parent, a spouse, or a friend. No job is important enough to lie for, no paycheck big enough to compensate for feeling bad about your treatment of another human being. Perhaps the best reason to be honest with your customers is that it allows you to be honest with yourself.” This made me think of my experience working this summer. Some of my co-workers did not particularly enjoy/like the job but when I asked, they said they did. Although you can figure out what they really feel through the way they are treating their customers. Honesty within yourself really is the core for success.
For the most part the author explained everything in details, which was quite beneficial for the most part (the rest felt as if the details were space fillers). A lot of information on how to handle different types of people (different generations and personality for example), which I thought was the most beneficial part of this book.
Although I don’t necessary agree with everything the book said. As Keegan pointed out earlier that with certain phrase such as “I don’t know” would be an appropriate thing to say if you are sincere and are trying your best to help and guide the customers in the direction that they need to go (ask for help from someone who knows the answer for example.) The telephone chapter did not apply to Infocommons really since we don’t deal too much with phone but it was beneficial. Having to work as a commodity merchandiser this past summer at ADM for my internship really helped me see how I can apply these concepts into real life with angry customers over the phone.
Reading Kate’s reflection I think that iBrain sounds very interesting as well. Overall I thought this book gave nice information about services on the technical side. Although, personally I would rate the book from last year about social media to be more insightful and intuitive. This book has many general common sense rules rather than exploring why the people do the things they do and how we can use that to our advantage by understanding how people works. I think the last book give a greater perception of how to handle different situations within the scope of technology and it was more helpful to me. However, Delivering Knock Your Socks Off Service did a good job of reminding you the little things that make a difference for getting and keeping the customers as well.
Jessica Marie’s Reflection
0For my summer reading assignment, I read Delivering Knock Your Socks Off Service by the Performance Research Associates, Inc. I found this book to be incredibly interesting and pertinent to my job in Information Commons.
Last summer’s book related to this one in many ways. Both books talked about customer service and the use of technology within the service industry. In Information Commons, we are constantly dealing with customers. Not in terms of those who we rely on to make money, but we are an important service to students at Butler University. We also use technology and social networking a great deal in IC.
One of the most interesting parts of the book, in my opinion, was the discussion of “forbidden phrases” in Chapter 15. Some of these phrases are the ones that drive me crazy. I can’t stand being called “honey” or “sweetheart” by total strangers. If you are the cashier serving me, as an adult I do not want to be called “honey” as if I am that person’s child. I think it is important to choose the words you use very wisely especially when working in customer service. If you offend the person you are serving, you have a chance of losing a customer.
I look forward to discussing this book further with coworkers at our retreat in a week!
Joe’s Reflection
0For my summer reading, I read the book Delivering Knock Your Socks Off Service which to me is a version of Customer Service for Dummies. It outlines everything that should be common sense when you are the face of your workplace. It really gives a whole new importance to what you are charged with doing, and gives good examples of what to, and more importantly, not to do. The book really wants to make sure that you impress, but also to not unimpress because you never get a chance to make another first impression.
The importance of patience is obvious in this book because you have to have it when dealing with all different problems, and make sure you keep yourself under control no matter what the situation. It also made apparent the effect of negative phrases that can destroy the confidence of a customer or client, the most obvious being simply “I don’t know.” How much confidence does that inspire when you are on the receiving end of that? The answer is none. The author make sure that the points of keeping the client or customer involved is paramount, as well as being positive and accommodating to their individual needs. A lot of these lessons can carry over into people’s lives outside of the workplace and into your everyday interactions with people.
One thing that really caught my attention was the mention of Nordstrom customer service, which I have had the pleasure of receiving on a couple of occasions, and this book puts it in great context.
Another thing I wish the book would have included as a lesson in detail is a company in the UK called McLaren International. The facilities are a lesson in functionality and management. The factory floor is white tile floors that you can eat off of. For them, perfection isn’t good enough in the production or service department. Ron Dennis is the chief executive of McLaren, and the attention to detail is unbelievable. They also show how an air of confidence can go a long way. They also make sure their employees also show humility while still producing some of the best cars in the world, which is really hard to emphasize the impact that can have on customers and sponsors for them. The company strives to be the best in the world, which is to me a reflection of what everyone should strive for, which is perfection without an ego to go along with it. This is a lesson given to me by one of my friends, Keith Pulford, who used to work for Bonhams, one of the premier auction houses in the world. This is one lesson I wish was more explicit in the book, but overall it was a great intro so sales and customer service.
Lindsey’s Reflection
0Delivering Knock Your Socks off Service, is quite the name for a book that briefly touches on many different customer service scenarios, tactics, and outcomes. Before beginning the book, I was skeptical after working with thousands of customers, over the course of my five years at Deep River Waterpark. I did not believe this book would have much to offer me. After the initial chapters, I did begin to gain knowledge of how to better handle situations. One of the sections that I found most interesting discussed dealing with customers of different generations. Although there may be less of a variety working in Information Commons, I found this section applicable to my summer job, and can see the benefits of it for future job scenarios. It is easy to get caught up in a customer service situation, and to approach the customer as you would want to be approached. Prior to reading this book, I did not give much thought about how the customer would feel or how they would prefer being addressed.
Although when reading, the outcome or approach may seem obvious, it is sometimes harder to come up with resolutions on the spot. After reading this book, I tried to put into effect the tips suggested on customers at my work this summer. I always knew that I should listen carefully, empathize, and so on, but I did not realize how little I often show customers this. This made me more aware, and I began to make an effort to make it clear that I understood and was sorry for whatever inconvenience was experienced. This proved effective; once I became more self-aware, I was better able to serve the customer and their needs. Although the book did readdress many tactics I was already aware of, it was beneficial to become reacquainted with them. I began to not only analyze my response to customers, but also to watch more closely to see how the customer responded to me. This book has made me more aware of what a customer wants from me, and will assist me in providing better and more effective service to customers.
Kate’s Reflection
0In preparation for the Information Commons retreat, I read iBrain which focusses on technology and how it affects the brain.
While it was interesting to learn about the brain and technology, I found the comparisons between “Digital Immigrants” and “Digital Natives” to be the most fascinating part of the book. The chapter that focusses most on these two types of technology users is Chapter 2: Technology Dividing Generations. This chapter discusses how society can be divided into two different categories: Digital Immigrants and Digital Natives. Digital Immigrants are classified as individuals who were introduced to computer technology as adults and Digital Natives are those who were born into a world of computer technology.
I found this particular chapter very interesting because I see our generation of students as falling somewhere in the middle of these two categories. For me personally, I was introduced to computer technology somewhere around 3rd grade. I vividly remember that is when my family got our first family computer and I already knew how to use it better than my parents did. iBrain would say that based upon my prior knowledge at age 9, I am a Digital Native and my parents would therefore be placed in the Digital Immigrant category. Recently, I have noticed small things that differentiate me from my parents in terms of social media usage. For instance, I grew up in a time when social media was a part of my homework completion. iBrain talks about how students today multi-task with multiple things going on at once. For instance, a student could be on Facebook, listening to an iPod, on Wikipedia, and doing homework all at the same time. While some believe that this is not an appropriate way to focus, I think that it is simply a barrier that confuses Digital Immigrants.
Learning about the age barriers between those who have been around computer technology all of their lives and those who have not is an interesting way to learn how to better serve people of all ages. This will be especially helpful in the Library when a student asks a computer technology question versus if a parent has a similar computer technology question.