So much of the brain research today seems to support the idea that what we perceive defines our reality. Isn’t it interesting how our perceptions rule our beliefs and actions?

This article examines the role that perception plays in the minds of consumers. Is the glass half empty or half full? The definition resides in your customers’ eyes!

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People Perceive Quality in Many Ways

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Regardless of how good you believe your offerings or project solutions are, your clients and customers will be responding to “quality in perception” even more than “quality in fact.”

Quality in fact refers to the features that we believe we’re paying for, such as how much something weighs, how fast it runs, or various other characteristics.

Quality in perception pertains to things like special considerations, courtesies, a caring and personalized attitude, and many other subtleties that can lead us to believe we’re receiving more than what we’re paying for. Effective quality in perception can help compensate for any gaps in quality in fact that could otherwise irritate or inconvenience consumers.

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Often, Perceived Value Is Not about Cost

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Some years ago, I was a volunteer mediator in the Small Claims Court system. During my involvement in the court system, I became fascinated with the number of cases involving alleged wrongdoing or incompetence. People were suing businesses such as termite services and auto body painters, and even former best friends and health care providers over a variety of grievances! The suits often sought fairly small amounts of compensation, which meant that the financial aspects were not the primary concern.

What repeatedly emerged in the mediation sessions was that each plaintiff felt that the vendor, service provider, health care provider, or ex-friend had not listened to his or her concerns. Many of the plaintiffs believed that their concerns about shortcomings in services, products, or communications had simply been ignored.

Had the defendants in these cases earlier offered something as simple as a sincere apology — and had they made a concerted effort to communicate while also taking timely remedial action — I believe the resulting quality in perception could have prevented many of these lawsuits, even if the quality in fact still left something to be desired.

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New Proof of the Power of Apologies

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The New York Times recently reported that sincere, heart-felt apologies coming from doctors, surgeons, and hospitals who made serious medical mistakes have the effect of greatly reducing the likelihood that patients will sue for malpractice. Further, patients who settle out of court are often willing to accept lower settlement payments than when doctors become defensive and deny what happened.

“Deny and defend” is the advice that malpractice lawyers and insurers typically give to doctors in the U.S., according to the Times. Studies that show that as few as 30 percent of medical errors are ever disclosed to patients. However, since malpractice claims have helped fuel skyrocketing medical costs, drastic changes in approaches to handling these high-stress situations are sorely needed.

According to the article, two years ago, the University of Illinois Medical Center initiated a program of openly acknowledging and apologizing for its medical mistakes. Since then, the number of malpractice filings against the center dropped in half. And in 37 cases where the hospital acknowledged a preventable error and apologized, only one patient has filed suit.

In one patient’s situation described in the article, “the doctor was completely candid, completely honest, and so frank that . . . all the anger was gone.” This apology also helped settle the case for a significantly lower amount.

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Creating a Perception of Seamlessness

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To help ensure the continuity of our customers’ perceptions, we need to create consistently pleasant experiences in every interaction each person has, from visiting a Web site or bricks-and-mortar location, to asking for more information, to buying products, to receiving shipments, to interacting with the actual products or services, to asking for help, and so on.

Consider this very important point: People perceive a series of interactions with your organization and offerings as one cohesive experience — as if everyone and everything represents threads in the same seamless piece of woven fabric.

Customers don’t care whether behind the scenes, your business is spread out all over the world, or whether individual departments consist of contractors or employees, earthlings or aliens. Whenever customers call technical support representatives, for example, they expect them to know all about the features advertised on the Web site that are supposed to be in the product.

So, if there is any type of communication disconnect, you might be able to explain it to yourself, but there’s no logical explanation for it in your customer’s mind.

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Prescriptions for Boosting Quality in Perception

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These important findings show the power of apologies and candid communications in influencing the perceptions of clients, customers, or patients. To make sure you’re not overlooking potential ways to create quality in perception, consider:

1) Special courtesies that can set your offerings apart from your competitors’(

2) Your ability to listen to and handle complaints quickly and diplomatically(

3) Your willingness to be honest with clients about problems and shortcomings(

4) Clear, prompt, and courteous communications that convey consistent details

Remember that quality in perception is not a substitute for quality in fact. But it can go a long way toward minimizing customer and client dissatisfaction, as well as powerfully reinforcing stellar quality when you ultimately deliver it.

About the Author:

Adele Sommers, Ph.D. is the creator of the award-winning “Straight Talk on Boosting Business Performance” success program, and specializes in helping people align their life passions with their business purpose. To learn more about her tools and resources and sign up for other free tips like these, visit her site at http://LearnShareProsper.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – The Power of Perceptions in Shaping Customer Satisfaction

Houston is a big city wherein many people are driving their car. Thus, it is just normal to see traffic in this city which sometimes results to accident. Because of this fact, the law has required anyone who owns a car to insure their car with adequate auto insurance policy that will protect them in case of such situation. Residents of Houston have their options to save money while protecting themselves with Houston auto insurance.

It is not really impossible to get the best policy even if you have a limited budget as long as you posses the quality of a smart shopper. Your intelligence and determination is badly needed in your search. You cannot use the excuse of being a low income driver by not purchasing your own auto insurance policy because the government has made sure that everybody can avail of auto insurance perfect for their budget.

All insurance companies are offering discounts to their beloved policyholders. Your task is to inquire how you can be eligible in such discounts. It is very important to be choosy in your insurance company to make sure that you are on the right track. A good insurance company will give you the important information on how you can save in paying your monthly premium. Increasing your deductibles is not always the best way to lower your Houston auto insurance rates although many drivers are doing this.

Insurance rates in Houston, Texas have decreased and so you have to take this as the perfect time to look for your own auto insurance policy. Getting insurance quotes is a good start to save lots of dollars in your policy and this is not a hard task since there is now the internet which can give you a hand in accomplishing your goal. Yes, with the presence of comparison shop, you can now get multiple insurance quotes and compare without spending much of your time. This is easier than visiting several insurance sites because you are only required to fill out a single information sheet that will become the basis of your requested quotes.

In filling out your form, you should be wise enough to decide on what type of coverage you want to include in your policy. You should not be contented in buying the minimum liability requirement of your state because this will not cover all the expenses you might have in such unwanted situation. Aside from this, you should think of adding your coverage to become well protected. Of course this might cost you more but this will give you the most financial protection.

Do not think that finding ” target=”_blank”>www.houstonautoinsurance911.com”>Houston auto insurance is a sacrifice. In fact, you can take this as a fun task. As long as you know how to make use of your intelligence and wisdom, you can make sure that you are making the right choice. You have to listen to your heart and not to someone else’s suggestion. One thing you should not forget always is to study everything in your contract before signing in.

Everybody has the right to become safe while on the road. So even if you are just a simple employee who is just earning the minimum wage, you have to work to get the auto insurance that will ensure your safety in the future.

About the Author:

Divine Wesley is a researcher that compiled her researches about different car insurance in different states which hopefully help people find the suitable auto insurance for their cars. Here is one worth recommending of: Houston Auto Insurance

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Purchasing Houston Auto Insurance is a Good Investment

As the unstable economy continues to affect everyone across the world many insurance companies have seen an increase in both automobile arson and theft fraud in California over previous years. Recent reports from a number of providers have stated an increase of 25% of these cases over 2008 so far this year alone.

What this could mean for honest consumers seeking insurance is that insurance companies may now run the risk of compensating for fraudulent claims by increasing premium costs across the board. They may also take additional time investigating any claim you may have to ensure no fraud has occurred. This can mean delays for you getting any payments you may need to get yourself back on your feet again and getting proper transport to go from place to place.

While there may not be much that you can do directly about other people reporting fraudulent claims you can still prepare yourself by selecting an insurance company that can offer you the best service and most comprehensive coverage for the lowest price in your area. This means the rather than simply settling for namebrand company or some other firm that has been established for quite some time look for those that are reliable and can offer you the best incentives. You should search around and seek out a company that meets your needs specifically and can help you receive the treatment and coverage that you need most.

In some cases smaller insurance companies may even provide faster responses as they may have less cases to handle on a regular basis. The downside of this is that smaller companies may not be able to offer you the same coverage larger companies can at the same prices. You’ll need to weigh out the pros and cons of this for yourself in particular when making a decision on who to choose for your auto insurance provider. Just be sure to fully research any company that you will choose well as both small and large companies could potentially have a negative impact upon you and all of their other clients should something bad happen (let’s not forget the Enron fiasco and the involvement of Arthur Andersen, one of the top five accounting firms in the world at the time that now no longer exists due to its fraudulent activities). A quick internet search on sites such as Ezquoteguide.com every now and then can help keep you up-to-date on all the most recent happenings and help ensure that some important event that could drastically affect you won’t slip by.

If you’re stuck and need some help finding good information online try using Ezquoteguide.com for finding the right local insurance information you need right away to help you fulfill your auto insurance needs.

About the Author:

I focus on saving people money and writing on affordable niches. My primary focus is on affordable insurance. In addition, I have had a passion for affordable dental and medical care.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – California Auto Insurance Fraud on the Rise – Seek Protection Now Before Rates Rise

I have some questions in regards to starting up a financial consulting business?

I want to start up a financial consulting business. I have 3 questions.

1) Does anyone know of a broker dealer who will sponser me, along with a ball park estimate of fees I would have to pay for the sponsorship.

2)Second question is how can I go on about selling auto insurance along with securities and life/health insurance? What license would I need for the auto insurance?

3) Approximately, what is the commision structure for like for auto insurance?

Thank you very much for reading, I look forward to hearing from you.

1. you would split fees/commissions 50/50 if you work for another broker.

2. You need to get a license to sell insurance and securities, in your state. You need property/casualty for auto, life/accident/health for life & health, and there are a VARIETY of securities licenses depending on what you want to sell. Each license requires a different test.

3. Auto commissions range from 8% to about 15% depending on type of risk and carrier. Again, if you use someone else’s contract, HALF of the commission would go to them.

Can I pay a AAA Auto Insurance bill online?

I’m in California but I don’t know if that makes any diffrence.

If you are insured with CSAA (Northern California) you can pay online. Log onto csaa.com and log in to your account. On the right side of the screen is a link that says “make an insurance payment) and go from there.

If you are insured with Auto Club of Southern California, I have no idea but I don’t see why you wouldn’t be able to.