Marketing Misadventures

I am feeling good today, and wearing the kind of heels that will make a guy snap his neck to take a second look, or more likely, the kind that will snap your ankle if you step off a curb the wrong way. Hopefully the former will not be following the latter. I am walking down a hospital corridor with my heels making a satisfying "clack, clack, clack" on the linoleum floors, when I see heads start to pop out from open doorways in a very similar fashion to a game of Whack-a-Mole. I realize something vital a little too late: the clacking of heels echoing down a hall has the same effect on social workers as flipping a light switch has on cockroaches. Suddenly, social workers are scattering and the "thwack, thwack, thwack" of doors slamming is in perfect rhythm with my heels.

I have learned many things about marketing since beginning my job at Comfort Keepers. For instance, I have now traded my noisy heels for the less attractive ballet flats. What they lack in style, they make up for in ninja-like stealth. I have also learned that when you are introducing yourself to a doctor don't expect to get on his good side by mistaking his only son for a pretty little daughter. "Well, the lacey white tunic you have him dressed in certainly compliments his golden curls."

Most importantly, I have learned to only work for a company that you can stand behind proudly. A big part of why I don't get discouraged when a social worker shuts the door in my face when they just can't take another rep that day is the knowledge that I am working for a quality company. I know that when our care coordinators meet a family for the first time they see a family in need of help and not dollar signs hanging over their heads. I know that when our caregivers go into the home of a client they do not view that client merely as a job to be done, but an extension of their family to be cared for. I know that our caregivers have the best training to take care of our clients because the nurses who train them take personal responsibility for the education of our caregivers. I also know that our human resources department will only hire someone if they would send that caregiver into the home of their own family member.

So go ahead and slam the door if you're having a bad day; I'll be back tomorrow with my ballet flats.

Tags: care, health, home, marketing, seniors

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Comment by Misty Powell on December 16, 2010 at 10:34am: Ashley, Awesome post! I could see your vivid imagery and feel your heartfelt pride. Comfort Keepers is extremely lucky to have you.

Comment by Susan Pait-Nieves on August 18, 2010 at 9:25pm: Kudos to our Comfort Keeper team who aligns their daily agenda with the mission of Comfort Keepers and the belief that quality supersedes quantity.

Comment by Pati Mills on August 12, 2010 at 5:33pm: That was too sweet. I work as a volunteer for the neighborhood senior service center. I couldn't get a job/project so I started looking at my skills....Education...and Abilities,,,,
No Education but a whole lot of experience so I share and share and somehow most of the bills get paid...So Hooray to You as a caregiver...Just a touch of a caring hand a kind look and give them your divine attention.You Go Girl...Blessings (Love your writings)

Comment by Jason Northington on August 12, 2010 at 11:43am: Awesome post! Most people can't say that about where they work...The ninja part or the belief in their company part. You should challenge the docs to a foosball match - actually no, you probably shouldn't - unless you plan on taking a dive which we both know wouldn't happen...

Comment by Liz Craven, WtoW Editor on August 12, 2010 at 11:27am: You said it, sister! Being able to rest your head on the pillow each night knowing you represent something honest and good is priceless. Keep up the good work!

Comment by Woman to Woman Magazine on August 12, 2010 at 10:29am: Great blog. Lots of lessons in this blog all rolled up into one. And one of the lessons that I learned, I still feel in my neck:) Wes Craven