At Trio Solutions, we practice what we preach. One thing we always encourage our clients to do is market research. The Nonprofit Nook is no different. The Web site has launched, but that doesn’t mean it is complete. It is my hope that it will continue to evolve and truly prove itself to be a vital resource for nonprofits. Although we had some ideas of what would be beneficial on the Web site, we recognized that we needed to hear from nonprofits what they want from their membership in the Nook. Therefore we signed up participants to the first Nonprofit Nook focus group at the SCANPO conference. Focus group participants will be providing feedback on their experience with the Web site over the next few weeks. I am interested to receive the feedback and will be sure to share it with you.

We launched our official Facebook page today. Between Facebook and Google what does the future hold? One can only imagine. In the meantime, check us out on Facebook and become a Fan.

Trio on Facebook

One of our clients recently asked us about double spaces after a period. The funny thing is that double spaces after a period originated with the typesetting machine or typewriters. Adding an extra space made it easier for the reader. However with word processors and computers the need for that extra space diminished. It’s not incorrect to put two spaces, it’s just not necessary nowadays. The typeface of digital fonts and a single space provides enough space to indicate the sentence is over and the next one has begun. But if you are still working on a typewriter, be sure to add that extra space. The ironic thing is the other day my five-year-old son and I were visiting my mom at her office and he noticed the typewriter in the corner of the room. He said, “Grandmother, what is wrong with that computer?”

My son had a “perfect” day in kindergarten today. You wondering what that means? Well, put it this way - we have been struggling since the first day of kindergarten to get a smiley face for every section of his day. Learning to read - check; understanding the concept of adding and subtracting - check; goofing out in the bathroom - check; pouring milk into peas at lunch - check. You get the point. Well today we made a significant turn. The teacher was pleased with every aspect of his day. We made a big deal of this milestone and all he wanted in return were Legos. Legos it is! The feeling of accomplishment was priceless. His gold medal was Indiana Jones Motorcycle Chase. Watching his happiness made me yearn for the days when life was so simple. I thought to myself, if only I could go to the office and get through an entire day with smiley faces. Maybe if society followed the rules of kindergarten we could all get through the day with happy faces and Legos as our prize. Wouldn’t that be nice?

We are always good listeners.
We are helpers, not hurters.
We are walkers, not runners.
We are builders, not breakers.
We are talkers, not shouters.

Another Trio employee hard at work … Jennifer, VP of planning services discusses event logistics for the MedExpress grand opening.

Krista, our VP of marketing and PR strategizes with Lollipop on how to ensure the success of the MedExpress grand opening event.

I have never understood how an entire industry could get away with completely ignoring and now firing their current clients. It amazes me that you can be a customer of the same wireless provider for years and it means a hill of beans. You can go in to upgrade your account or change phones with one coveat - sign another two year contract! BUT if I had not given them my business for years and not have spent thousands of dollars with them and just walked in off the street I would be handed whatever I want. But screw their current clients. No bonus minutes for being loyal. No discount for being a customer for five years. No customer appreciation party. Hey there’s a novel idea. How about once a year the wireless providers open their stores and provider free appetizers, beer and wine with some live entertainment and thank us for dealing with all the crap we have to deal with as wireless customers?

Well it looks like instead of managing their brand or striving for customer loyalty they are now “firing” their clients because some of us have demands that are unrealistic. Hmmm. I would love to know what those 1000 Sprint customers were asking for. Perhaps they were driven to insanity because of the countless hours they spent on the phone with customer (un)support trying to get someone to help them figure out the ridiculous charges on their bill. Heck, by time you finally speak to a human who speaks the same language as you do you’re cross-eyed and ready to reach through the phone.

Oh wait. It gets worst. While writing this post, I figured I would google “Sprint” under Google News and the story gets worst. Some of the customers that Sprint has fired are U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq. Well guess what Sprint? My contract is fulfilled and I’m getting ready to fire you! Thanks for nothing. I’m now officially a new customer to some other carrier and let’s see what they are willing to give me. Anyone have any recommendations for a new carrier? Is there actually one out there that provides good service and appreciates more than just the next sale?