Monday, August 13, 2012

Cox Classic: Kenny's Story



During the week of the Cox Classic, many of our concierge staff were strategically located throughout the course as well as at the Lexus dealership providing assistance where needed.

Kenny Matthes, a Counterparts employee, shares his experience working the Cox Classic:

"I started off the week with Monday and Wednesday morning player check-ins.  Throughout the week I assisted with pickup and drop off of the players' dry cleaning and helped with Lexus valet parking.  During the week I met with Cox Classic directors to discuss how things were going through the week -- Counterparts was there to back them with anything that came up on short notice.

 I was able to spend time with the folks from Creighton College at their viewing box on the 18th Hole.  On Friday afternoon I met with a few clients at the Lexus Sky Box and the Grey Goose Sky Box where we enjoyed watching some great golf as well as mingling with old friends and new acquaintances.

 I also cannot leave out what a great time it was having lunch in the club house over the weekend.  The buffet and the choices of what to eat were overwhelming for sure. Let me also add that all of the volunteers were on top of everything they were requested to do."

Counterparts was the official concierge of the Cox Classic this season.  We hope to continue to assist this annual tournament in the future!

Join the Counterparts community on Facebook and Twitter!

Counterparts: The Official Concierge of the Cox Classic 2012



              Counterparts is proud to be the official concierge of the 2012 Cox Classic Tournament!


This week-long tournament featured professional golfers on their way through the Web.com Tour.  From July 30 till August 5, Counterparts provided complimentary concierge services and assistance to all golfers and their families.

Just like our existing clientele, the golfers were able to use Counterparts'  personal assistants to drop off/pick up their dry cleaning, make dinner reservations, plan a relaxing night of entertainment, etc...  The list of possibilities seems virtually endless!

Counterparts teamed up with Lexus of Omaha for professional valet services running throughout the tournament to enhance the entire VIP experience.

Make your request for various services on line at myCounterparts.com/request.  It's Just That Easy!

Along with valet services, Pro-Am registration at Champions Run is one of the many support opportunities that we were privileged to be a part of this season.  


 

Monday, July 16, 2012

"Jazz on the Green"


"Jazz on the Green" concert series kicked off its first event this last Thursday, July 12.  Since its debut in the mid 80’s, "Jazz on the Green" has entertained thousands of individuals and their families while providing a fun, family-friendly environment for all ages.  Every Thursday evening, families from all around Omaha join together to enjoy an evening of relaxation, conversation, and live jazz.  This well-known Omaha tradition originally took place at the Joslyn Art Museum and entertained over 5,600 attendees per concert at the end of its final years at the Joslyn.  It was not until 2010 that "Jazz on the Green" was moved to a new venue: Turner Park at Midtown Crossing.  This existing venue guarantees the future of Omaha’s summertime tradition while enriching the audience experience. 

 "Jazz on the Green" experience promises a variety of different jazz artists, including the likes of "The Lil' Slim Blues Band" and "Joseph Vincelli Quartet".  The variety of music that "Jazz on the Green" provides caters to a  much broader following of jazz enthusiasts.  

Be sure to look for the Counterparts staff in the familiar blue shirts as we again provide event support for this annual event. 

Need more information?  Visit "Jazz on the Green" website: http://www.jazzonthegreenomaha.com/ 

Have any questions for your friends at Counterparts?  Call us at (402)932-2220 or visit our website: http://www.mycounterparts.com/

Join us on Facebook and Twitter!

Monday, July 2, 2012

Architects of Air 2012


The Architects of Air “luminarium” is a monumental inflatable structure, a dazzling maze of tunnels and soaring domes that immerses visitors in the beauty of light and color.  Each luminarium consists of panels of uniquely-produced plastic, fastened on-site to occupy nearly 11,000 square feet.  An interplay of Gothic cathedrals and Islamic architecture, the structure is anchored and then, in just 20 minutes, inflated to its monumental size.                                     (Taken from http://midtowncrossing.com/events/architects-of-air/)

Counterparts sold tickets, answered questions at the ticket office, and assisted in event experience interaction designed to create a memorable guest visit.  We partnered with Midtown by assisting with crowd control, as traffic exceeded 10,000 guests including early morning surges that were handled with composure and professionalism. Counterparts was asked to change the box office times to a whole hour earlier than usual due to the incredible heat that day.  At a moment’s notice and without hesitation our experienced concierges were able to set up shop and open the ticket office an hour earlier to accommodate guest needs. 

Thank you Midtown Crossing for allowing us the unique opportunity to participate in this outstanding event.  Proceeds from ticket sales were donated directly from Midtown Crossing to the Nebraska Arts Council.  We hope to see the Architects of Air luminarium again in Omaha in years to come.

Like this article?  Want more information about Counterparts or Midtown Crossing?
Follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook to keep in communication with Counterparts!

Monday, June 25, 2012

Questions you should be asking your concierge provider

While a day consists of 24 hours, sometimes our busy schedules make it seem like there are severely fewer hours in the day to get the important things done.  Trying to balance work, family, and leisure time can often be a struggle for the common business person working 40+ hours a week.  That being said, Concierge services are becoming a more efficient way for families, businessmen, businesswomen, and anyone in between to complete errands without having to leave the family or risk a low in production.  The only thing often holding people back from utilizing such helpful services from concierge providers is this reoccurring question:  How can I allow a stranger to complete some tasks that sometimes can be personal?
To help answer this question, it may be of interest to you to ask questions before turning away concierge services without thought.  The following is a list of questions you should consider asking the next time you interview a concierge service provider who you are trusting to help you get caught up on your day. 

Are your employees fully insured and bonded?
As a rule, all employees should be fully insured and bonded.  By hiring an insured and bonded concierge/errand service, you are protecting yourself from loss, as well as choosing a service that is responsible and professional.  Make sure to ask not only about liability insurance, but also, messenger insurance which covers your items while they are being transported between locations.

Are your employees fully trained?  What kind of training do they go through?
Before fully committing to a concierge, look for answers to this question that is along the lines of the following keywords: Time Management, Business Etiquette, Confidentiality, Professionalism, and Utmost Quality Service.  You should make it a priority to find concierge providers that offer trustworthy, professional service.  

Can your employees help us with notary matters?
It can be to your benefit to choose a service with licensed notaries.  This way, they have the ability to validate and witness financial and legal documents that you may have.  

What can I expect from your company in regards to my confidentiality?
A professional concierge service requires all of their employees to undergo extensive confidentiality training.  With this training, you can rely on your concierge service providers to keep your information under lock and key, keeping it safely away from anyone that does not need to know your personal information.  In addition, all employees are required to sign a confidentiality agreement in order to minimize the exposure of your privacy. 

How do you insure the Security of my possessions?
Concierge services not only have proper insurance in place, but also have policies in place to assure basic security of your items while they are being transported.  For example: Our employees are trained on proper handling and transporting of customer possessions.
What kind of response to my emails and phone calls can I expect?
If you need a concierge, your time is short and a quick response is necessary.  A concierge company, such as Counterparts, is prepared to handle you’re calls and emails at the very least during normal business hours.

How do your employees dress?
All of our employees are required to maintain an outward appearance that parallels our company’s standards of professionalism and customer service.  With that in mind, our employees are always dressed appropriately and professionally.

How are your employees selected?
By asking this question you are not only showing interest in the employee selection process, but also are interested in the types of people that are selected to help you complete your vigorous to-do lists.  Our employees are handpicked from within the Omaha area.  They go through intensive background checks and are closely monitored to ensure that you and your possessions are safe and in good, caring hands.
Counterparts has a desire to serve and are passionate about outstanding service to our clients.  Our goal: bringing you success and productivity by eliminating jobs and tasks that get in the way of what you believe is important.  We are committed to always providing exceptional service to our loyal clients. 
The above represent minimum standards of Service every professional concierge company must commit to before servicing their customers.

Could you benefit from using a concierge service?  Give us a call to set up an appointment or to inquire about more information. 

LIKE us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter to stay up to date with current events and communicate directly with us!


Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Time is our Constant Companion

Time is our Constant Companion

There is no right or wrong way to use our time, but many of us are curious as to how we compare with others. So we have gathered together what we believe to be interesting glimpses into time's uses.

More Time = More Options


Top Time Wasters

· Nothing

· Paperwork / administrative tasks

· Interruptions by phone or in person

· Time management

· No focus / doing too many things

· Procrastination

· Poor planning

· Socializing / breaks / calls to friends

· Customer complaints

· Lack of knowledge / training

· Facebook / e-mail / texting / social media

Things we hate most during meetings

· People drifting off subject

· Participants lack of preparation

· Questionable effectiveness

· People not listening

· People's wordiness

· Length of time taken

· People not participating

· Emotional outbursts

· Cell phone ringing, talking on cell phone

· Texting or playing games on phone

Which days are we most productive

Tuesday 51%

Monday 17%

Wednesday 15%

Don't Know 11%

Thursday 5%

Friday 1%

What are our favorite pastimes?

· Reading 29%

· TV Watching 19%

· Family Time 12%

· All Other 6%

OPTIONS TO GET MORE TIME

Write it down / list

Only touch it once

Prioritize

Build a routine

Declutter all areas of your life

Modern life can leave many of us to feel desperate for a little help. And as more people are getting busier, employers and individuals are hiring Counterparts to stand in DMV lines, pay bills, deal with dry cleaning, walk the dog, get those tickets and arrange the oil change.

Ask yourself how many hours a week you would have to allocate towards running personal errands? And do these errands interfere with your ability to find new business, be available to your existing customers or spend time with your family? A concierge ultimately pays for itself while completing your to do list.

How to use a Concierge

Plan ahead – As specific items come up, put them on your Counterparts list.

Start small - give us the clear, cut and dry tasks to build your comfort level.

Be specific – Tell us the boundaries and we’ll run with the task.

Be consistent – Having an “errand day” helps you get the tasks off your plate.

Be prepared – Errand delegation will be energizing for you.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

DYI Weddings

Are you a Do-it-yourself’er? When I planned my wedding I was. I loved all the planning, preparing and creating, but when it came time to enjoy the wedding day, I didn’t have anyone to turn over all the details to so I could just enjoy the day.
Sound familiar? Well, Counterparts can help with that! You can be free to plan every detail exactly how you want it, then sit back and let us pamper you and your guests on your wedding day. We’ll coordinate, offer transportation, deal with any “emergencies,” switch over your room from the ceremony to the reception, take care of packing up all your personal items and returning them, provide childcare for guest that want to stay and enjoy the party after the little-one’s bedtime, and pretty much anything else that comes up.
For more information, call 402.932.2220, or email me,  julie.boysen@myCounterparts.com.

www.myCounterparts.com