
The ‘ber months—September, October, November, and December—are a period that signifies the winding down of the year. A beginning of new season, and a heightened sense of celebration, charity, and family time.
But this was how I feel when I was younger then and with a carefree attitude towards my personal life, my career, and everything about me.
But nowadays, there seems to be a complete 180 degrees turn in my outlook as the so called ber months come along.
For example, since the onset of the current month (September), there is no day that we have less than 3 very important activities to do or accomplish at AMAD.
That’s why I felt like the ber months we used to be excited about are actually moving us into this annual stressful season of work marathon just to cope with our annual targets.
Aside from the routinary report writing, attendance to meetings or training sessions, we are also dutybound to formally open our three-day Kadiwa for Locally Sourced Food Exhibits Usually done at any given time.
Apart from this, we also need to attend to interagency invitations and even our own agency’s program-level assessment and review to know how far we have been in our various program implementations.
So, that’s how busy we are during ber months time – day in and day out.
If before, we always look forward and eagerly wait for the ber months, but with the enormous task that comes our way, it would seem that we now dread for this period to come as swiftly as possible due to overwhelming workloads.
For instance, yesterday (September 9), Ms Cherrymae Cabatingan, one of our MDS Staff (also, our point person for Benteng Bigas), and myself, had to rush to Isabel, Leyte in order to attend another interagency Benteng Bigas rollout.
It was a DOLE-initiated activity, but our involvement is very crucial since we are the designated lead agency responsible for the overall implementation of the Benteng Bigas Program.
After that activity in Isabel, we prepared to travel back to Tacloban, but along the way, we have to drop by at BINAPRIMCO in Merida, Leyte, to monitor and routinely provide technical advice pertaining to their FCA accreditation as possible partner outlet in the selling of Benteng Bigas. So, we had to personally talk and explain to the Coop Chairperson and other Coop personnel as regards to the rationale of the entire accreditation process.
But before we call it a day, we still need to passby Ormoc City and join the Team of our Agribusiness Promotion Section who were conducting an Agribusiness Investment Forum.
So, that’s it guys! Working for the government is not always a walk in the park. It really doesn’t come easy as what is commonly perceived by many.
Certainly, not all public servants are enjoying an easy and affluent way of living. Like other workers in the private sector, many of us are also experiencing great challenges or difficulties in trying to perform our duties and getting measly salaries.
But we are consoled with the fact that every person’s perception on the nature of work depends on his or her intrinsic qualities, characteristics, and fundamental elements that define a particular job or task.
As government employees, we should be familiar with the nature of our work and always be ready to cover the duties you’ll be asked to perform, some routine tasks, and other responsibilities that may pop up during the course of your day.
We, Filipinos, are known to be the people in the world who start the Christmas Celebration during the ‘ber’ months. This is because the 100-day Christmas countdown normally occurs during this time and, as such, this has become part of our tradition and psycho-social preparations for the Christmas season,”
But on a lifhter note, many of my coworkers – especially at AMAD, are already complaining that whenever the ber months come, “waray na kuno hira lovelife dara hit kabusy ha trabaho.”
Are you feeling this way too?
The power of positive ratings: Building trust and success
In today’s interconnected world, online reviews and ratings have become a cornerstone of consumer decision-making. An “overall positive rating” isn’t just a number; it’s a powerful indicator of quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction. This article explores the significance of consistently achieving positive ratings and how businesses can leverage them for growth.
The Impact of Positive Ratings:
A high overall positive rating acts as a powerful social proof mechanism. Potential customers are far more likely to choose a business with glowing reviews over one with mixed or negative feedback. This trust is built upon the collective experiences of previous customers, offering reassurance and reducing uncertainty. The benefits extend beyond simple sales:
– Increased Brand Reputation: Positive ratings are the cornerstone of a stellar brand reputation, driving loyalty and organic growth.
– Improved Customer Acquisition: High ratings attract new customers, boosting sales and market share. Search engines often prioritize businesses with positive reviews, improving visibility and organic reach.
– Enhanced Customer Retention: Satisfied customers are more likely to return for repeat business, contributing to long-term profitability. Positive ratings reinforce their positive experience.
– Competitive Advantage: In a crowded marketplace, positive ratings provide a significant competitive edge, differentiating a business from its rivals.
– Pricing Power: Businesses with consistently high ratings may have more flexibility in pricing strategies, as customers are willing to pay a premium for quality and reliability.
When a certain brand is posted by a satisfied customer, the positive feedback helps the brand gain more recognition online. This is similarly magnified when the brand is endorsed by a celebrity. With the recent issues that has been connected with some celebrities being dragged down by “scammers”, this has become a huge lesson to them – brand endorsements is not just for the sake of earning from brands. It can also affect their reputation as well. Therefore, truly making their own research about the company is an integral part in accepting such offer from them. Thus, these huge names in the industry should strive in ensuring that the products that they endorse are of high quality. Hence, when Celebrity endorser X stands for the brand’s quality, his/her followers are likely to purchase. And when they do experience the same as what this celebrity claims, the brand or specific product goes viral online, which means an increase in revenue for the company.
Strategies for Achieving Positive Ratings:
Building a portfolio of positive ratings requires a proactive and customer-centric approach.
Here are some key strategies:
– Deliver Exceptional Customer Service: This is the foundation of positive ratings. Delight customers; consistently surpass expectations. Anticipate needs, personalize interactions, and resolve issues swiftly and efficiently. This proactive approach fosters loyalty and positive word-of-mouth referrals.
– Proactively Seek Feedback: Encourage customers to leave reviews by providing easy-to-use feedback mechanisms.
– Respond to Reviews (Both Positive and Negative): Acknowledging reviews, thanking customers for their positive feedback, and addressing negative feedback professionally demonstrates engagement and care.
– Continuously Improve: Use reviews as valuable feedback to identify areas for improvement and enhance products or services.
– Monitor Online Reputation: Regularly track online reviews and ratings across various platforms to identify trends and address potential issues promptly.
Have you experienced not being treated positively when you asked for assistance at a particular shop? How did you feel about it? Even if you know how good a certain product is, but you did not receive the expected service from the company, it’s likely that you will eventually consider finding another brand.
Conclusion:
An overall positive rating is more than just a numerical score; it’s a testament to a business’s commitment to quality, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement. Exceptional customer experiences and proactive online reputation management are crucial. Positive ratings build trust, attract new customers, and fuel sustainable business growth. Prioritize both for lasting success.
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If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!