Costa Women Blogs

Just this week, I received EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE from a company that I had never even shopped with.  My best friend´s mother recently passed away, and I wanted to do something special and organise two beautiful rose bushes to be planted – one in her dad´s garden, and one for my friend´s garden.  I live in Spain, and my friend is in Scotland. Due to time restraints, current restrictions and the time of year, it was proving impossible.  Florabella Bothwell, a local florist in the area where I used to live, went above and beyond.  As they were unable to help, they tried to come up with another solution for me and were even willing to go out of their way, and in their own time to find something that might be suitable by going to a larger business and buying an alternative.  This was absolutely amazing of them.  I cannot recommend them highly enough, and there is no doubt in my mind, if I am planning to send flowers to any of my friends in Scotland, I would not look anywhere else.  Thank you   It´s get to know your customers day today! This takes place on the third Thursday of each quarter (January, April, July and October). It´s a good time to reach out to your customers and think of ways to go above and beyond and provide amazing customer service with the fantastic range of products or services you have available. Get to Know your Customers Day from Costa Women on Vimeo. Here are some top tips;   BE HELPFUL, KNOWLEDGEABLE AND PASSIONATE You don´t need to just sell your products or services – you need to live them, and go that extra mile.  Be memorable! Answer questions fully Provide support over “pain points” Share useful information   CREATE A BRIEF SURVEY In the recent months, your customers attitudes and buying trends may well have changed.  Create some questions to help you find out. What has changed for them since COVID? What are their least favourite and most loved products/services that you provide? What can you do to make your services more convenient? These are just some examples.  Ask meaningful questions, thank your customers for their time, offer a small token of appreciation – perhaps a gift card or a discount voucher.   RESPOND ON SOCIAL MEDIA Be visible and consistent on your social media platforms. Respond to both negative and rave reviews/comments Prove that you are listening to their concerns and compliments by replying to comments.  Don´t just add an emoji! It only takes a minute to share your contact information Thank and acknowledge any third party referrals Comment and offer to help any enquiries Ask long term clients to leave a positive review BE PERSONAL – BE HUMAN – BE APPROACHABLE – BE YOU This is so important for rapport and building long term relationships and word of mouth referrals from your clients. Use your customers name A “hello” can make anyone´s day brighter, but using their name shows you have remembered) Whether in your premises, over email or on the phone, it´s a simple way to keep your customers from feeling just like another euro or number OFFER A LOYALTY PROGRAM They encourage repeat purchases Loyalty programmes are an easy way to see exactly what rewards motivate your buyers For example – what makes your clients lives easier – a free sample oil, or a discount from a massage? Use this data to inspire future promotions and address your clients “pain points” head on   KNOW WHERE YOUR CUSTOMERS HANG OUT More so now as we move much of our businesses online, it is vital you know this and are able to understand how the platforms can work for you. Do they use Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn – or other platforms? Do they ask questions through your website, email or WhatsApp? Do they prefer to be face to face (or on zoom)? Get a better picture of your clients by spending some time and attention toward the social media channels they are using in their daily activities.   HOST AN EVENT Encourage your customers to get to know you.  “Know, Like and Trust” is what it is all about.  Some people will buy simply because they need something and you can provide it – others will take time to make a buying decision – but people buy from people, and if they know you, like you and trust you – why would they go elsewhere? Relationships are a 2 way street Make yourself available Invite clients to chat with you – maybe once a month or so ONLINE or over a coffee if you have premises/boutique or salon etc You could organise an “ask me anything” session, an open evening, casual chat, or networking event You could organise a private/VIP (numbers are restricted now anyway) for a beauty event, a preview of new fashion stock, a demonstration of how you design your jewellery etc   KEEP IN TOUCH Stay in contact. Be proactive, but not bothersome.  Don´t just wait until they come to you each time. Keep the converstation going over email/newsletter Follow up after a purchase with a thank you or ask them how they are loving their new item Send monthly emails with discounts or offers or a friendly reminder when you know they should be about to need your services or products again soon Communication doesn´t always have to be sales orientated – in fact, it shouldn´t.  It should be a mix of business, information, maybe something fun or personal or behind the scenes, offers and also asking for feedback   PERSONALISE YOUR SERVICE You can really only do this when you know your customers – but it will go a long way in receiving their loyalty and recommendations Offer discounts tailored to their needs Personalise your interactions with them (birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, number of years they have been your client etc) Offer special gifts/giveaways or even chocolates or flowers to your regular clients Please share any tips you might have for getting to know your customers.  We all need to pull together and help.  I hope some of the above ideas were useful as well as the fantastic example of Customer Care. REMEMBER – CUSTOMER IS KING! (OR QUEEN)    

Do you have a word for your 2021?  Back in 2017 I started to have one word for my year.  It’s one word I could focus on every day. The one word could sum up who I wanted to be, how I wanted to live, or what I wanted to do. When I started the Planner project, back in 2018 this exercise had to be included in the Planner because it became my northern star, the compass for my year.  For the last 3 years in the Planner group we have been sharing and using our word for the year. And we discovered, if you let it, your one word will shape not only your year, it will also shape you. Be careful which word you choose – it can take on a life of its own!     You can’t break a word as you could a goal!   Here’s my four easy steps to finding yours:-   STEP ONE: WRITE DOWN the first thing that comes into your head when you think of a Word. Some words to get your juices going could include COURAGE, MORE, EFFORTLESS, ABUNDANCE, GRIT, BALANCE, JOY, ENERGY, GRATITUDE, THRIVE   STEP TWO: LOOK UP the Word on Google and find the dictionary definition (and what the opposite means).  Search hashtags on Instagram and Pinterest and see if it feels right for your year.   STEP THREE: THINK HOW the WORD impacts your life in the following areas:-     My Self care With my Family & Friends …. My finances  … My Business …. Life Planning  … Learning …. Habits …. My Health ….   STEP FOUR: CHOOSE your WORD and write in down your Planner and share here.   Once you have decided on your word, surround yourself with reminders.   Create a Pinterest board Add images to your screensaver and phone screen, update your passwords to include the word.   Look for images and quotes which encompass your Word. Follow hashtags on Instagram. Create a Facebook Collection with the Word and save videos and quotes to your collection.   Search for books and blogs which help support you to make it happen.    What is your word for 2021?  Mine is Fearless! 

Clean Off Your Desk Day is all about preparing your workspace for the new business year and beginning things on the right note. As more and more of us are now working from home, it is important to recognise this day, and practise it on a regular basis – don´t just wait for the annual reminder! Remember, a messy desk is an invitation to chaos! A clean desk, on the other hand, helps you focus, be more productive, and generally makes you feel good about your workspace. And when we say clean, we don’t just mean dust or physical clutter – your computer desktop counts too. Drag those files into nice, neat folders! How you position and treat your workspace is not only good for your mind, but also for your physical health. Here are some ways to clean off your desk and start to bring some calmness, harmony and good health to your workspace. BE BRUTAL!  SAY GOODBYE TO THE JUNK Just like when you go through your wardrobe, you might put things into three piles – “Throw, Shred or Recycle!”. Cleaning begins with getting rid of what you don’t NEED. ORGANISE, DECLUTTER AND DESTRESS Even though I do believe in “organised chaos, a cluttered desk can create anxiety which will not help if you have a busy workload. BE HEALTHY AT YOUR WORKSPACE It is so easy to become engrossed in your work especially when working in the comfortable surroundings of your home, but as we have no social interaction, we tend to work more and take less breaks.  Often, we do not have the correct office furniture, and find ourselves working in unhealthy positions without realising. PHYSICAL CLEANING We all remember to clean and polish our desks, mop up any coffee spillages etc, but do we remember to clean the keyboards.  We are now used to using hand sanitisers, washing more regularly, but when we are out and about, we touch things, we touch our mobile phones and then our keyboards.   Aside from the recent crisis, did you know that in an office there could be as many as 16 million microbes!!! (One blessing about working from home). By at least taking some time to think about “Clean Off Your Desk Day”, perhaps it will make us more inclined to clean and organise our workspace to make it more functional and practical for us when working at home as now it is not just a temporary space.  When it is more organised, it will help us to be focus better, think about our health, be more productive and stress less. GET THE PROFESSIONALS IN We all probably think there is nothing wrong with the way our home office is set out – but here are some tips from the professionals as to how you can make some easy changes to provide the biggest benefits: HEALTH: Mariëlle de Bruin is a fully qualified Osteopath and Physiotherapist and sees many patients with problems that often-simple fixes at your desk and in your workspace environment could have prevented.  Here are Mariëlle´s top tips. DECLUTTER YOUR DESK/HOME OFFICE. Make sure it´s a healthy place! The following steps will take only 5 minutes to do. If you use laptop / tablet: ideally, connect them with an external keyboard and mouse. Place the screen on a little drawer organiser or similar so the top of your screen is about eye level. Place a pillow in the small of your back to support an upright position and make sure you sit back in your chair. In case your feet don´t reach the floor, place a foot support. (In these cold days it keeps your feet warm as well) place your screen and keyboard far away from you on the desk and pull your chair as close to the table as possible. This will allow your forearm to rest on the table, which relaxes your shoulder and neck muscles. Reading glasses are made for a short distance (reading a book). Your screen is further away than that. Usually, you need about 0.5 less strong for the computer (so +1,50 instead of +2,00) You can buy computer glasses, they have a special anti-reflective coating or tint that blocks the blue light of your screen, lessening the strain on your eyes. Taking short breaks in which, you take your eyes of the screen and move arms, spine and neck are the best way to prevent or reduce work related aches and pains. You can download a ¨behind your desk¨- exercise program and use a timer on your computer or phone to encourage you to remember to take these short breaks.   There is much more to say about how you can optimise your position behind the desk, but if you can build these “easy to do” tips into your routine, you will go a long way already to get the job done in a healthy way. Take care of yourself! Mariëlle de Bruin Osteopath – Physiotherapist 670663910 contact@marielledebruin.eu www.marielledebruin.eu FB: @osteopathycostadelsol   CALM: Nadine Kazerounian is a De-cluttering Professional and Personal Image Coach. “A tidy desk means a tidy mind”, so said my old maths teacher. And she was right! So, where to begin? Here are my Top Tips: Before you begin, take a picture from your office doorway, and take a long hard look at it to observe clutter hotspots & get a fresh perspective. Practise the FOUR R´s. Clear everything off your desk, sorting into boxes of ‘Rubbish’ (old Post-its & receipts), ‘Recycling’ (papers no longer needed), ‘Return’ (whatever does not belong there), and ‘Retain’ (all the essential work items). Clean & disinfect all surfaces including desktop & shelves ensuring all cables are tidy and hidden if possible. Reorganise with a purpose. Ensure essential items are always to hand & store what’s used less often to ensure a smoother workflow. Create work zones on your desk for ‘research’, ‘writing’, ‘meetings’, ‘emailing’ etc. When everything is accessible, each day will stop feeling like a struggle. Use desk drawer organisers, filing boxes and desk top containers for essential items. Go paperless – go digital – use cloud storage! Initially, break this task down into bite size chunks to make it less daunting, tackling one file box or folder of paper at a time. Thereafter, plan to do this daily until it’s finished. Be ruthless. Be consistent. Going forward, allocate 5 minutes at the end of each day to tidy your desk ready for the next day. Each new day brings fresh opportunities. Be ready for them! And at the end of each week, set your intentions for the following week, make your plan, and have a mini clear out so that, on Monday, you can start the week afresh. If you are seeking inspiration whilst at your desk, spend a few hours creating a Dream Board & put it up on the wall where you can see it every day to boost your creativity, your productivity, and your mood. An organised environment really does create an organised mindset. So, don’t delay. Begin now to set things in order and leave behind the frustration & stress of clutter that may have been holding you back. Follow Nadine on Facebook for regular Top Tips & Freebies: (3) The Style Guide | Facebook   HARMONY: S Lee Wright is a holistic & Feng Shui Interior Designer.  She believes you can creatively adjust your office space to meet your new requirements of working from home in an eco-friendly way which will leave your healthier, happier, and more empowered to be productive.  Home office designs need to be altered to emphasise self-sufficiency.  The outcome of this crisis brings the need for a renewed sense of appreciation for our workspace as most of our day is based there and is therefore the foundation of a harmonious working environment. Connection to nature, by either being near a window or by bringing nature indoors is extremely important.  A simple plant or some colour, even a picture on the wall can help calm the mind.  Aligning your inner vision with your physical environment is truly the portal to living and working in balance.  “It´s not just a pretty space!” Your home office can radiate happiness, health, and harmony. Why is Clutter Bad for You? The “Clutter Effect” limits our ability to think and act.  We have a decreased sense of pleasure. We eat unhealthier and have less self-control. Disorganisation leads to a loss of time.  Imbalance is a result from visual disorientation.     ·        Everyone needs a place to keep paperwork. Even in this day and age of paperless, and digital offices, we still seem to have a load of paper that comes into our lives that needs to be dealt with regularly. If you keep on top of it, you will be grateful later. ·        Gather all your paperwork together in one place. If you are like most people and do not have an organised system already in place or do but it gets overwhelmed, then this is always my first step.  So, go around and get all the paperwork together. ·        Separate into the read/file category, read/recycle category, read/do something category. Then there is the URGENT category of things you see that you meant to do ages ago but forgot to do.  Just do not get distracted and do them until after you have decluttered your paperwork. ·        If you do not have a system of how to manage the paperwork you ought to invest in designing and or purchasing one. They are a lifesaver of hours and hours of your life. No more time wasted looking for that document, or tax bill or letter.   Good things take time to build and this is one that the long-term benefit to your quality of work/life will vastly improve once this is your new norm. Mindfully addressing the things, you allow into your workspace is the first BIGSTEP you can take to regaining CONTROL of your life and creating a workspace that supports your overall health & happiness. https://www.changeyourspace.info www.holisticinteriordesigns.com www.linktr.ee/sleewrightltd    

How to prevent a cold or flu in these cold and rainy days? I would like to share a very effective yet simple method to prevent a cold or flu and strengthening your immune system.  Have you ever heard about oil-pulling? Oil pulling is a relatively uncomplicated, very old procedure that is suitable for the daily detoxification of the body. It has its origin in the Ayurveda. By rinsing your mouth with oil, a wide variety of symptoms are cured and diseases are alleviated. Often, oil pulling even saves from a surgical intervention. This has to do with the fact that sucking and slurping the oil in the oral cavity has a certain self-healing effect. One advantage of oil pulling is that the natural flora of the mouth is not affected. The positive effect of oil pulling is based on the enormous healing process caused by the substances contained in the oil. Oil slurping prevents the destruction of the intestinal flora in the mouth and helps maintain a balance between healthy and disease-causing germs. Oil pulling is also a detoxification. All you need is a spoon of an edible oil, cold-pressed, organic varieties are best. Research says that it does not matter, which oil you will use, e.g. coconut oil, olive oil, sesame or sunflower seed oil, which I personally prefer to use. It rather depends on your personal preference. Of course each oil may have extra individual benefits.  The toxins and germs in the mouth after getting up are removed. It is as simple as that: In the morning after you get and do anything take a spoon of oil into your mouth and chew it for 15-20 minutes. By pulling and mixing with saliva, pathogenic toxins come out of the blood. For this reason, the oil should not be swallowed! Then brush your teeth.  Oil pulling can be supplemented by a final tongue cleaning. When taking the oil pulling cure, make sure that you are sober. Then the tolerance is at its highest. What are the benefits: – detox from bacteria, viruses and other germs – eliminate fat dissolvable toxins from your brain. This over time may contribute to more clarity in mind. – important in dental care, supporting healthy gums, great help with periodontal disease or receding gums  – helps with acidity of the organism, arthrosis, insomnia, psoriasis, migraines, high blood pressure, fibromyalgia, asthma, eczema and inflammation of the frontal and paranasal sinuses … and much more… Considering this amazing effect, oil pulling is considered an inexpensive, gentle and easy-to-implement form of treatment for numerous acute and chronic ailments. I use it since many years for health supporting purposes.  When starting with oil-pulling may lead to initial worsening. As contraindication are considered amalgam fillings in the teeth as it may release mercury into the body. In this context, it should be noted that oil pulling is not a cure all remedy. It can therefore be concluded that oil pulling cannot replace sound medical treatment. Enjoy your practice! Thank you for your attention. I love to support your health and wellbeing: www.christine-heckel.com

Tasks of the immune system Identify “foreign” Microbes and Antigen  Decide if “the foreign” is “dangerous” and worth spending energy on or if they are actually OK To destroy / degrade / deal with these  MOST IMPORTANT: TO SHOW TOLERANCE! Inflammation – Specific • Inflammation is an appropriate response when there is a real threat and it occurs delimited Targeted bacteria, cancer cell, parasite, fungus, virus or the like a splinter in your finger Limited time Inflammation – Nonspecific Inflammation does more harm than good when it is non-specific and persistent The immune system responds to “indifference” The immune system quickly damages tissues “State of emergency” leads to decay and “error priorities” The reaction goes on, on and on   This is seen when you have allergies The specific reactions of the immune system are governed by: TH1, TH2, TH3 and Mastcells that release and control histamine. These cells control how the immune system responds to stimuli and “provocations” Histamine triggers “fires” on surfaces – that is, mucous membranes in the mouth, eyes, nose, intestines, skin. The cardiovascular system, brain and stress responce will be affected. The ability to control TH1,2,3 and Mastcells is affected by the diets we eat Diet affects the intestinal flora, your microbiom, that affect the immune system (Activate the TH1,2,3 and mast cells)   The diet may include allergens and intolerance Diet affects energy production which maintain for a strong immune system And dietary antioxidants, must deal with damage from the inflammation or allergy What influences when the diet pulls in the wrong direction in relation to allergies. Disturbed intestinal flora/  microbiom Lack of vegetables / plant food Lack of antioxidants Lack of omega 3 Unhealthy fats such as blend oils ( all the oils that a not cold pressed and virgin) and palm oil Lack of vitamin b ( complex) Lack of vitamin d Lack of vitamin A What you should avoid: Roasted onions Fast food eg french fries  Cakes, biscuits and a lot of bread  Broth cubes Powder soup Many ready meals, eg potatoes  Mayonnaise from the store  Margarine  Tortillas Chips Dough mixes Braced exotic fish  Canned fish with oil All food there have been tru a deepfryer   What should you prioritize to eat: Olives and olive oil Cold pressed rapeseed oil  Nuts, seeds and kernels  Seaweed   Eat as often as possible:  Ginger and galangal (fresh or dried) Turmeric (fresh and crushed) Green tea and white tea Rose hips Chili onions, leeks, chives, garlic, spring onions, etc.) Tomatoes broccoli, all kinds of cabbage, radishes, radishes, mustard and rapeseed) Cocoa (eg small amounts of dark chocolate) Citrus fruits Berry stinging nettle Fish ( no farmed fish)  roe and shellfish Avocado All the Mediterranean spices (rosemary, sage, oregano, thyme, etc.) Soy (like miso, tofu, natto and good soy sauce) Be careful as wheat is added to many soy sauces Mushrooms (mushrooms, shiitake, maitake, reishi, Carl Johan, morels, etc.) Legumes (lentils, beans and chickpeas … both fresh and dried)   Take these supplements:  • Ginger: ≥10 g fresh daily • Turmeric: 1 tablespoon daily (preferably powder) • Omega-3 fatty acids: 10-30 gr daily Vitamin D: Enough for the blood concentration to be> 125 nmol / L  Stinging nettle extract Green tea Zinc • Lactic acid bacteria / a good probiotic  • Vitamin C for intestinal tolerance (it can be anywhere from 1-20 grams) • Vitamin E in natural form • 5 HTP in the morning • Fermented dandelion juice   Has the damage occurred Avoid the foods you know you are reacting to Strengthen your gut and think about strengthening it Take DAOSIN before each meal as it reduces the effects of histamine. Avoid stress Eat 100% gluten-free – gluten affects the intestinal mucosa and can activate your allergy Eat vegetables and the above supplements   If you have a pollen allergy, avoid for a period (before your pollen allergy becomes active) the fruits / vegetables that cross-react with the pollen you react to.   A disturbed intestinal flora has for most people occur already in childhood, if you were born by caesarean section, have received penicillin, have been stressed, do not get your 600 grams of vegetables – then you can definitely count on, your intestinal flora/ your microbiom being disturbed.

An entire new industry is growing in front of us! This reminds me of when I started my Digital Marketing company in the US in 2004, before Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, etc.. Very Exciting!