Natasha’s Notebook » 2008

What women wear

July 31st, 2008 by Natasha

I WANTED to discuss a very interesting topic with you today Natasha’s Notebook snoopers… women and what they wear.
Dress like a woman
A chat with a friend the other week left me convinced that women should actually dress like women… feminine. She added: “No wonder men turn to porn, they have nothing to look at during the day!”
Okay, her comment was quite extreme but this is a woman who dresses for her man. And she LOVES it! She wears heals and hold-ups and pretty dresses.
Let me wear what I want
Then, on another occasion I was nattering with a different friend who said: “I’m fed up with men poking their nose and making comments on my appearance”.
The woman in question was particularly annoyed with her father, who said she looked skinny. It was at this point that I thought every woman would like that kind of comment.
Comfort or dressing to impress?
Anyway what I am trying to ascertain is this… dressing for comfort or dressing to impress ~ which is best?
I once read somewhere that French women dress to show off their bodies while English women dress to hide them.
My fiance’ loves to see me, what’s the word… looking glamorous.
When I told this to my first friend, mentioned above, her reaction was this: “Listen Nat, if your boobs were hanging out or your skirt the size of a belt then yes… you should feel on show. But not if you’re wearing flattering clothes that simply enhance the figure.”
Maybe she’s born with it?
I once had a colleague who just oozed ‘I’m so comfortable in the skin I’m in’… a very carefree person to be around. She wore whatever her heart desired and always looked fabulous.
Put on and go!
So what’s the answer? I think as soon as you decide what to wear, put it on and forget about it for the rest of the day:0)

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Human train crashes… the price of fame.

July 30th, 2008 by Natasha

SO Sarah Jessica Parker’s beau has been seeing another women. Their marriage was considered as solid as a rock but now, like Madonna & Guy Ritchie’s ~ it’s on the rocks!
A price
Apparently it happened while SJP was away filming Sex And The City.. the movie.
As I’ve said in an earlier blog about the likes of Madonna and Kylie giving their all to their careers ~ unfortunately we cannot have it all! Fame and success comes at a price.
And sometimes that price can be turning into the human equivalent of a train crash! Step in Amy Winehouse, Peaches Geldof and Kate Moss’ ex, Pete Doherty.
Sad
The Sunday Times dedicated an eight page spread, headlined ‘Tortured Soul’, indicating Amy’s downward spiral into cocaine and alcohol abuse.
And this week’s Grazia, sadly compares Peaches to her late mother Paula Yates, who died of an overdose when the teenager was 11-years-old.
Peaches had apparently overdosed at the weekend and there are drunk pictures of her.. echoing the same lifestyle as her hard-partying mother.
Reality check
Fame and money is nothing to idolise.
Yes, we must pursue our dreams but not get so carried away that it turns us into monsters!
As one of my neighbour’s used to say: “There are thousands more worse off than me”.

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Want to feel fabulous? Give great customer service!

July 29th, 2008 by Natasha

WHEN Margaret Hartley gives her customer service training during induction day at work for new starters… people come out totally enlightened.
Meet Margaret
I wanted to share this wonderfully contagious woman with you readers. So meet Maragaret, managing director of Benchmark Marketing Services… in her own words:~
“I have decided that when I shuffle off this mortal coil and come back (and I am sure I will come back!) I am going to come back as an nPower (or any other Utility for that matter!)– customer service adviser!!!
The reason? They don’t give a toss – they talk to you like you are a child – challenge your authenticity – transfer you into oblivion! - never call back and when they give you their full name – nobody knows them when you call back!!! What an easy life that would be – not to care about customers!
Feeling bad
However, I am very different and I believe – passionately - in delivering good customer service – not only do I train it – I also deliver it from Benchmark.
I feel bad if I do not call back when agreed – don’t answer the phone in three rings – don’t take messages properly – don’t respond to an email within 12 hours or send out a quotation within 24 hours of receipt.
KPIs
Within Benchmark we have KPIs (Key performance indicators) which have to be adhered to – these are totally different from the SLAs (Service Level Agreements) which we have with our clients – they are, in themselves customer service – but they are dictated by the customer.
Key Performance Indicators are controls I put on myself and my staff to make sure that we get Customer Service right.
Rewarding staff
Did you know that 68% of customers stopped using a supplier because of an attitude of indifference shown to them by one of supplier’s members of staff? (Coca Cola)
That won’t happen in Benchmark – I lead from the front and reward the delivery of good customer service with a ‘thank you’ or ‘well done’ and even ‘smiley faced’ stickers!!!
The right one is worth the wait
However – I do spend a lot of time recruiting for the right person and good customer service personnel have a special DNA/blueprint which lets them deliver excellent customer service as easily as breathing – because it is in their genes. As Napolean said: ‘Time spent in reconnaissance is rarely wasted’
Sounds familiar
So? What am I going to do about nPower and the 4 hours I spent on the phone last Friday trying to get my bills and supply sorted out?
One thing I know from experience is that shouting gets you nowhere – but calm, fact (without emotion) is far more powerful.
The answer?
I am not going to let them get away with it and I have gone back to writing a letter and faxing the same letter to register my dissatisfaction. I have names, times and outcomes of every call and I am also clear what I want from them – an apology and a refund of one month’s direct debit payment.
Be specific with what you want
Rule number one of registering your dissatisfaction is: know what you want as compensation. Maybe only ‘sorry’ or promise of good service in the future – but facts and specifics get results.
By complaining ~ you care
There is another statistic that says only 4% of dissatisfied customers complain – the remaining 96% just walk away.
But by walking away you are not telling the company where they are going wrong - so they do not know what to put right!
Great tip
A tip I was told right in the early days of my career is that giving good customer service revolves around one basic principle:
‘Treat others as you want to be treated yourself (and if they are elderly treat them as you would your granny)’
If all else fails – SMILE! Face to face, it is a great first impression and by the telephone it makes the voice warm and approachable.
Either way – have a good day…”
Smile
So there you have it readers, smile and the world smiles with you!

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Insurance scams gone wrong

July 29th, 2008 by Natasha

WHAT a shocking story the Canoe Couple turned out to be!
ITV1’s documentary, One Man and his Canoe, the John Darwin Story, revealed some very sad facts about the depths John Darwin and his wife, Anne had gone to in order to secure life insurance money.
Crimes
I’m sure we’ve all experienced money issues at some point in our lives but to get into so much debt and then to commit the fraud of faking your death, lying to your family, taking on the identity of a dead baby, the crimes go on and on…
Dying for money
Flicking through The Week this morning I saw that police in New Mexico had to revisit an assumed homicide case after finding a gun, tied to some helium balloons near the body of Thomas Hickman.
At first it looked like he had been murdered beacuse his mouth was taped up with a bullet lodged in his head.
Discovery
But after watching an old episode of CSI Miami, where a man conceals his suicide by tying his gun to balloons to float it away from the scene ~ they then discovered that by making his death look like murder, Hickman had hoped his family could gain $800,000 in life insurance.

Posted in Observations, TV | No Comments

Kate Middleton could write a book… ‘Waiting for William’!

July 28th, 2008 by Natasha

KATE Middleton is really getting a mauling in the press these days.
In the Sunday Times Style magazine, poor Kate was in the ‘going down’ section, described as: “No personality, no career, no dress sense, no life. Get it together, girl”.
Publicity gizmo
Just as well her former boss at Jigsaw had some kind words to say: “she mucked in at Jigsaw” was the headline in the Evening Standard last week.
Belle Robinson was talking about her successful retail business and latest venture on the King’s Road, The Shop at Bluebird.
But of course the article was centred around her famous former employee, Prince William’s girlfriend.
Goodness… could Style magazine add to its list: “no doubt used as a publicity gizmo”?!
Waiting game
The nation has been waiting for years for Wills to pop the question to Kate. And I think the message here is ‘waiting around just ain’t cool… girl!’

Posted in Observations, Today's News | 1 Comment

Taking a holiday in the UK

July 28th, 2008 by Natasha

MUCH fuss has filled the papers with talk of taking holidays in the UK to boost economy and appreciate beauty spots closer to home.
Today, pictures of David Cameron kissing his wife on the beach at Harlyn, near Padstow in Cornwall harped back to a golden age when holiday makers headed for home coastlines instead of foreign lands.
Wells-next-the Sea
And guess what? That’s exactly what I did over the weekend ~ I took my notebook to Wells-next-the-Sea in north Norfolk. What a picture-postcard place!
We stayed in an old house where the local tax collector lived many moons ago, now restored into a B&B. We dined on three different varieties of bangers served with mash soaked in a gravy and onion juice.
Adventures
We ran into the wide open sea at Holkham Bay, picking shells along the way. We celebrated two birthdays at the Ray dynasty-inspired, hotel restaurant of The Victoria owned by the viscount of Leicester.. Tom Coke (pronounced Cook).
We walked around the grounds of his stately home, Holkham Hall, feeling like we were on the set of some Jane Austin film. The single girls in the group looked around for Mr Darcy look-alikes, while others bought gifts for folks back home from cute craft shops and ate fish and chips on the quay watching the world go by.
Some prefer jetting off
But some people like Boris Johnson writing the in the Daily Telegraph the other week say: “…whatever happens my leave will not be taken in some boarding house in Eastbourne. It will not take place in Cornwall or Scotland or the Norfolk broads. I say stuff Skegness. I say bugger Bognor!”
His comments may seem unfair but I have to say we were blessed with sunshine in Norfolk over the weekend and I don’t know if it would have been the same holiday in the rain.
Best of both worlds
Going abroad means heat guaranteed, which is why I’ll be taking a longer break in Italy come September. Perhaps we should rejoice knowing that we can enjoy the best of both worlds ~ beautiful Britain and suuny abroad ~Happy holidays:-0

Posted in Observations, Today's News | 1 Comment

One girl’s determination to make her dreams come true

July 24th, 2008 by Natasha

ANOTHER inspiring story for you Natasha’s Notebook readers… this time it is about a young girl who walked into our offices the other day with her business card. She had just set up, on her own as a personal stylist after years of working in retail.
I was so taken aback by her belief in herself that I just had to interview her for my blog for you ~ enjoy!

So Michelle, tell us a little about yourself… are you a fashion student if so where did you study and where have you worked?

Well I moved to London from Newcastle about six years ago, at the little old age of 16 to try and make a success of myself and prove to the family back home that I could do so!
Although I studied computer software development and business, I was also working part time in a bag shop.
As I got older fashion became more of a passion for me loving all new styles and trends; reinventing the vintage look and generally just getting excited about anything I could just put together.
Working hard
It was around that time that I decided to follow the route of fashion and took on a full time job in a concession in House of Fraser. I was also working part time behind the bar in a night-club and although this was tiring ~ I was able to do this as the days of my college decreased.
When college finished I worked even harder to receive promotions and eventually becoming a store manager. During his time I got a thrill, just helping a customer, styling them to boost their self-confidence.
In those years I wasn’t only a sales advisor or store manager I was a friendly ear, giving advice and becoming their friend. So much so I still keep in contact with a few.

Are you London-based?

I am London based. I live in south Croydon so it’s easy to travel around. With the service I provide I will travel anywhere within or around London to shop in a location the customer prefers and feels comfortable.
A questionnaire is sent out to the client before the shop, this allows me to identify what stores in the area chosen, are best.

How about your age? (I know you should never ask a girl but it helps to create a picture & you look really young anyway)

LOL. I do look young, but I get told I look younger with my fringe up and unfortunately for me, today was a bad hair day! I’m 21.

What made you do such a brave and wonderful thing as set up on your own?

I have worked for a few well-known higher end bands. Working myself up from a part-timer to store manager. I am very thankful for all the opportunities I have received within my career, however I have always wanted to work for myself.
To bring back the dream I left Newcastle with and become successful by doing something I love and have a sincere passion for but without being modest, something I know I’m good at. So why not? There is only so far you can go within retail.

How did you go about creating your little business ~Michelle Cole, Personal Fashion stylist?

I sat my partner down and wrote a plan of action and everything that needed to be sorted. I’m currently creating a website at the moment so I am very excited.
I also completed my own market research and out of 20 fashion stylists across London I was able to set a great price that undercuts all my competitors.
I have contacted all the great high street brands and alongside my partner (who is a visual merchandiser at House of Fraser) I am able to get a lot of information on the next seasons colours, trends and styles.

You must have had to do quite a bit of research… calling all the department stores/retail outlets asking them prices etc… to ensure you offer a competitive price to clients as you start off.
And Where do you hope to go with it?/Where do you see the business/you five years from now?

At the moment my business is really freelance work for myself.
My visions however for the next five years are to expand it into a business, employ ladies and gentlemen who are truly interested in this side of fashion but who hate working in retail and think that they will be stuck there.
And set up a training programme to boost their own self confidence, this will show them that styling is rewarding.

Would you consider yourself a fashionista? What is a fashionista in your words?

I love that word… fashionista. I think this word represents a person who is individual, creative but not miss-matched!
Someone who loves all trends, colours and styles and isn’t afraid to play around. We have to remember that although there are trends out they may not be to everyone’s taste.
However it doesn’t mean we can’t dress with basics and classics and add some accessories or jewellery to update your look.

Who do you admire in the fashion world?

I know it sounds crazy but I don’t have a particular fashion icon. I think having an icon can make you loose your creativity within your wardrobe.
I do love eras however. One of my favourite eras has to be the 1920’s - 30’s and a little of everything else.

With all these make-over shows on TV (like how to look good naked etc) are you hoping people are getting the bug for a bit of personal styling for themselves?

You see with my job, I don’t just tell my client what is hot and what looks great and hope that the next time they need help they come straight to me (although that would be nice) I provide notes that were taken on the day about the advice that way given.
I advise they look back and try and install the tips learnt during the next shopping trip and see how successful they become.

I think the main problem many women have is self confidence ~ even whe not aware that this could be the case ~ how can we women look good dressed (never mind naked)?!

I enjoy all TV hype about fashion at the moment, and praise Gock as he has done this in such a good way.
He has shown ladies all across the UK that they can be the person they want to be and also boosts their confidence just by choosing an outfit that compliments their shape.
However there is one TV programme where they promote cosmetic surgery as the way forward?! I mean what’s that about? You shouldn’t have to change your looks or body to feel great, I mean doesn’t that just tell the ladies that they were right all along? That they weren’t good enough? hmm I don’t know!

Breaking the mould
Well, I think I do know Michelle… I think you should be made an example of. Many young people today just follow the crowd or lack motivation to do something positive for themselves.
They become like once-juicy apples, rotting on the ground in an orchid. You instead are nurturing yourself to your potential. Don’t be surprised readers if we see this girl on TV oneday with her own show!

Posted in Out and about in London | 1 Comment

One of life’s miracles

July 23rd, 2008 by Natasha

WHAT an uplifting story!.. This afternoon I spoke to a man who witnessed a miracle. Okay, so the Vatican hasn’t confirmed it as such yet but, in my book, if it increases faith and happiness and hope ~ it has to be one of life’s miracles:-) enjoy…

Interview with Rocco de Vivo, head of UNITALSI in Gela (Sicily)
(UNITALSI is a Catholic charity transporting the sick to Lourdes)
“We were going to Lourdes by train and we had just passed Genova on the Ligurian coast, in a town called Ventimiglia to be precise, just before crossing the border into France, when a priest came round the carriages to bless the pilgrims.
Now, Giuseppe Tallarita, a young boy with very bad vision was travelling on the train with his mum, a teacher and his dad who works at Agip, the petrochemical plant in Gela.
Giuseppe’s twin sister and two other sisters, one older another younger, were on board. They were part of the Bambini di Pace pilgrimage group, in carriage number 12.
Mamma I can see!
As the priest blessed Giuseppe’s carriage, Giuseppe who was asleep stirred and then awoke and suddenly called for his mum.
Giuseppe started saying that all he could see was black and then it turned to white and then: ‘Mamma, mamma, I can see!’
All gathered round, me included, and someone gave him a text to read and he could! He could see everything around him.
When the family arrived in Lourdes, Giuseppe went up to the statue of the Madonna and said: ‘if this is a miracle please let there be a sign’.
One doctor says ‘unexplainable’ another says ‘possible’…
At that moment a drop of water appeared from nowhere and fell onto one of the boy’s eye.
Medics checked him in Lourdes and further medics saw him here in Italy. His parents had to take him to Rome, where one doctor said these things can happen and another who said there was no explanation.
We have to wait and see what the Vatican makes of it now.”

Posted in Today's News | No Comments

Who says romance is dead? Not Sandeep!

July 22nd, 2008 by Natasha

LAST week a young man by the name of Sandeep who works at the same London offices of this international recruitment firm made all the girls swoon… he bought the reddest roses you have ever seen for his ‘missiz’!

So I thought I would interview him for Nat’s Notes (and the July edition of our company newsletter).
For all you love cynics out there… just get a load of this ~ (LOL is laugh out loud, if you didn’t know already)

Nat: So Sandeep… those ROSES you bought the other week ~ who were they for?

Sandeep: They were for my wife for being so good and supportive to me. Plus a ‘Congratulations’ for her as well, as she achieved her promotion for her HR Consultancy post in the NHS.

I normally buy her Roses once a month but since we moved home, I kind of lost touch so I’m bringing back the tradition, she truly deserves LOL, and for my guys on my floor - yes I did take her shopping for treats as well. I have also booked a weekend away for her as well.
Nat: What did she do to deserve such a token of LOVE?

Sandeep: Well for marrying me for a start LOL. My daughter, my life. I owe it all to her cause she has been very supportive of all the things I do. I don’t think there’s anyone quite like her. She’s truly my queen.

Nat: There wasn’t a girl who walked past that afternoon who failed to notice those ROSES. Many asked who there were for and who bought them ~ your reaction please…

Sandeep: My Reaction will remain the same. They are for my wife and always will be. She’s a dream come true to me so I’m lucky, very lucky.

Even though I have had some ladies asking me to buy them some roses, but I can only say when you find someone who cares a lot for you and would do anything for you, then I’m sure they should get the same treatment.

Maybe not all the time but a man should treat and love a woman with the upmost respect because a woman does a lot for a man and I think men should understand that too. Let that be a lesson to all men lol. Sorry Lads.

So there you have it girls and boys. Who reckons we need to get this guy his own school? A school for husbands perhaps?! :-))

Posted in Out and about in London, Observations | No Comments

Madonna’s rocky marriage rumours

July 21st, 2008 by Natasha

MADONNA’S rocky marriage rumours has raised questions about ambitious women and whether they can really have it all.
Madonna’s brother has just released a book on living in his sister’s shadow and how she put everything into her career, often at the sacrifice of family relationships.
There seems to be a change in the air. Hard-working women like Madonna and Kylie are starting to appear like heart-rending cases.
Having it all ~ a myth?
Women are beginning to realise the emptyness a high-flying career can bring if they have no-one to share it with or if they have been neglecting their family life.
At the weekend I spent my time cleaning my flat, improving and polishing my personal life, if you will.
I could have been researching features I am working on but I have come to the conclusion ~ I can’t do it all, so I won’t ;-)) ps: also… a clear mind is a creative one

Posted in Observations, Today's News | No Comments

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