HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1989-10-25, Page 5omparing retailing and sports might be a strange way to
make a point but it's the best analogy I could come up
with to demonstrate the importance of always trying to
improve. If you follow sports you'll soon learn through
interviews that the best players are usually the hardest
workers. The athletes with the top batting averages take the most
-. batting practice. Hockey players with the most points arrive at prac-
tice early and are usually among the last to leave. The athletes are
fully aware that even a small increase in their level of talent will
pay big dividends. On the retailing side of the coin, Jerry and Gary
MacLean, who say they owe the success of MacLeans in Exeter to
customer service believe there is always room for improvement.
Last Thursday evening they sponsored a seminar for their staff and
area Home Hardware dealers stressing the importance of providing
top quality service. About 60 people were in the banquet room at
the Three AAA Restaurant to hear David Prentice of Learning Corp
tell them they should always strive to give the "ultimate in custom-
. er service".
"It's more important than ever today to understand we must give
customers the service they expect," Prentice said. "If we don't they'll
take their business to the competition. Prentice said a scarce element
in today's retailing is attention and service.
Replacing Cost customers
If you're in retailing and have been wondering what happened to
people who used to frequent your store but are nowhere to be found
lately perhaps this is the answer. According to an article published
in an Ontario Community Newspaper newsletter, 66 out of every
100 customers stop doing business with a firm for the following
reasons.
1% die
3 % move
5 % Influence of friends
9 % Price
14 _% Unadjusted complaints (unhappy with product)
68 % Indifferent ATTITUDE of management afid staff.
Something to think about isn't it?
Hallowe'en Howl
Exeter's B.I.A. is promoting a few fun activities for area young-
sters with their second annual Hallowe'en Howl this Saturday. A
hay ride will be held from the Town Hall between noon and 3 p.m.
The pumpkin carving contest will be judged at the Town Hall park-
eue at 11 a.m. (Just show up with your pumpkin already carved).
The children's costume judging will be at the same time.
Santa Claus parade
Area businesses who are interested in putting a float in this year's
Santa Claus parade are reminded that this year's parade is slated for
Saturday, December 2.
Accepts transfer
Bob Laramie, Exeter and area's Co -Operators Insurance representa-
tive has accepted a promotion to district sales manager of the Grey -
Bruce office which is located in Owen Sound. Lammie is also Exet-
er's B.I.A. chairman which means that organization will be looking
for a new leader.
New taxi owner
After 40 years of transporting the public around, Earl Dietrich is
turning over the keys of Earl's Taxi to his son-in-law Ron Walker and
daughter Sylvia. In the three decades since Dietrich started the busi-
ness, the service has grown from one vehicle to 10. Although Die-
trich will no longer be behind the wheel, the name Earl's Taxi will
still be on the roof of every cab.
Block Parent Week
October 23 to 29 is National Block Parent Week.
• Local Block Parent Committee members will accompany Police to
town and area schools this week to remind younger children about
safety rules regarding Strangers.
More Block Parents are needed (there should be at least two on
every street).
If you are interested in becoming a Block Parent contact the Exeter
Police.
Bookkeeping
Services
COMPLETE MANUAL AND COMPUTERIZED
BOOKKEEPING SERVICES
INVOICING -ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
PAYROLL - ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
JOB COSTING - GENERAL LEDGER
BUDGETS - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
G.W.(Gerry) Parsons
CMA
G.W. Parsons &
• Associates Inc.
396 Main St. S., Exeter
235-1304
NEED A MORTGAGE?
1st, 2nd, Multi Family or Com-
mercial, flexible terms, fast,
confidential service, Caii "The
Mortgage Mart"
London - 433-6666
1-800-265-1508
WE GET RESULTS!
You are cordially invited
to attend a
SEMINAR
on
Investment, Tax and Retirement Options
Thursday, Oct. 26
3:00 p.m. and. 7:30 p.m.
Royal Cana1ia►1�1.� ^SIL
v
8 Ontario Street Nortih, 0), t• Bend
L..uest Speaker: Tom-Mcln rney, -
Division Manager Investo Group
'London and area Region 0lice
Please call 238-2120 to confirm your reservation
Investors
Group Since 1896
"Profit from our Experience"
f rxl
GIC's Tax -Preferred Services -Investment Funds}
t RRSP's-RESP's-Insurance-Annuities
Baskets for
all occasions
If you would like to find gift bas-
kets for all occasions, two Lucan
and area ladies have the answer.
Faye Van Oss of 97 Langford
Drive and Rhonda McTeer of R.R.
2, Lucan at St. James Drive, near
St. James Anglican Church started
their business in July. It is called
Unique Design Baskets.
The ladies say, " Our baskets
have a unique and handcrafted touch
and are created with you the cus-
tomer in mind."
Fun is
the key
fitness
secret
EXETER - While geuing fit and
staying that way is hard work, Lou
Ravelle thinks the whole process
should be as comfortable and
pleasant an experience as possible.
The Rec Room is Exeter's latest
answer to the fitness industry since
Total Concept closed earlier this
year. Ravelle is planning to make
his club the social meeting place
that other fitness clubs have be-
come elsewhere. In keeping with
that idea, a lounge has been built at
the front of the club for reading,
talking or watching television.
Ravelle has placed a lot of em-
phasis on a variety of sophisticated
cardio -vascular equipment such as
exercise bikes, stair walkers, a
treadmill, a rowing machine and a
cross-country simulator. Some of
them are programmable for differ-
ent workouts.
"I wasn't even going to open un-
less I had this stuff,' said Ravelle
about the electronically controlled
machines designed to make the ex-
ercise as interesting and beneficial
as possible.
Freeweights are still popular,
however, and Ravelle says he
saved money by welding the equip-
ment himself with the help of his
brother.
A whirlpool is slated to go beside
the suntan bcd room.
Altogether, The Rea Room is
geared up for a membership of
300-400 people. Ravelle is confi-
dent the demand is there.
"It's just a matter of the right lo-
cation, and this is it," he said, ex-
plaining he has worked at a number
of small-town fitness centres and
feels that his spot at the north end
of Exeter is close to perfect.
The mornings and evenings are
the busiest titnes at the club, but its
owner has also created workout
"packages" tailored for those fining
a visit to the club into their lunch
hours.
Ravelle even has plans to install
televisions in front of the cardio-
, vascular machines. He doesn't
want his customers to find any ex-
cuse for not keeping fit.
That, he says, is the key to a
good fitness club. Sound and mu-
sic are essential to keeping the ex-
ercise environment lively and mak-
ing the workout a "most
comfortable, pleasing experience".
A. John Hughes, C.D.
Denture Therapist
Box 819
37 Green Acres,
Grand Bend. Ontario
(519) 238-5300
409 Raker St. (Rear)
wnuun;. Oniano
(519) 439.9386.
Comp -Account
Computerized
Accounting
For small d medium size4 bue)-
nesses. Private corporation*.
manufacturer* ,'
• Financial statements i
and projections
• Accounts receivabje/
• payablerPay
• Complete management
accounting and
bookkeeping services
Call Now - 262-3431
HI. hwa 4 - �Hehsall
Now the specialty baskets in-
clude tea and coffee; country col-
lections; hostess baskets, wine and
cheese for Christmas or special oc-
casions and they are planning a
basket featuring products for men.
They wilt come up with baskets
for any and every need.
They are pleased that with oper-
ating the business out of their two
homes, they are able to combine
business and family and are open
six days a week.
Unique Design Baskets will be
on display at the craft show on No-
vember 5 at the Exeter Legion Hall
and November 11 and 12 at the Lu -
can Community Centre.
They added, ' For a gift that will
be sure to delight that special
someone, come and browse in our
homes and we can arrange or re-
arrange baskets to satisfy every-
one's needs. We will see you at the
shows in Exeter and Lucan."
Times -Advocate, October 25. 1989
Page 5
For all occasions -Faye Van Oss and Rhonda McTeer of Lucan
have opened their home business of providing Unique Design
Baskets for all occasions.
The Rec Room - Lou Ravelle is not only proud of the equipment he has bought for his fitness
also the equipment he has made.
club, but
We want you t0 fry u5 6U-e-CaIiSe we believe We'rethe.best financial inslitulion in fake
care of your savings needs. So Standard Trust is giving away free Royal Doulton gifts to -
• new savings account customers who deposit $2,500 or more.
New customers will select exquisite Royal Doulton china and glassware from our
catalogue. The more you deposit, the more valuable your gift. We're giving away these
beautiful gifts simply to encourage you to give us a try. And we'll even hand deliver the
gift! Once you're here, we know you'll want to stay.
This offer is good for a limited time only and funds must remain on deposit for a
minimum of 90 clays. Drop in to our local branch and ask us for details.
386 Main St. S., Exeter
235-1060
Member - Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation
STANDARD
TRUST
^YOUR IN)slF:ruw% SAS I'.c;ti' F.\ I pi. -7N