Archive for January, 2009

January 28, 2009: 3:01 pm: Automotive, Business, Economy, Finance, Industry

Almost all businesses that have customers at some point receive complaints from these customers. Often these complaints are perceived as an inconvenience. To some they can even be a major concern. You should note that complaints are not necessarily a bad thing. They are an opportunity to improve. Many quality systems such as ISO identify complaint handling as necessary.

Collection and processing can be one of the biggest challenges associated with customer complaint handling. This is because complaints often arrive into the business in many different ways – letters, emails, sales reps, phone calls etc. This results in the fact that often complaints get ignored, mishandled or lost. The ultimate solution is to have procedures developed so that all complaints can be processed and recorded.

Central customer complaint handling systems such as complaint handling software is often used. This type of system means that staff throughout the organization, and out in the field, a way to record and store each complaint they receive in real time. The software can include methods to attach documentation and also to assign tasks to others for investigation and resolution. It can also be used to record corrective actions, root causes and outcomes. The result of using specialized complaint handling software is that the history of each individual complaint is recorded from the initial contact through to final resolution. Production or service improvements can be determined from this type of information.

January 25, 2009: 8:10 pm: Travel

Tourists are drawn to the exotic city of Chennai for its interesting blend of traditional and modern India. Formerly known as Madras, Chennai serves as the Tamil Nadu capital, making it the center for Tamil culture and food as well as the arts and performing arts. It’s the major producer and distributor of Tamil language film for not only India, but Tamil communities throughout the world.

Founded in the 17th century, Chennai was a major British naval base and economic center during the colonial era. Since Indian Independence, the city has grown into one of the country’s expanding mega-cities, a bustling urban metropolis full of restaurants, shops and markets, 5 star Chennai hotels, and numerous clubs and lounges.

Those wanting to escape the urban landscape will find numerous opportunities to do just that. The city has a number of beautiful beaches for relaxation as well as recreation. Chennai also has an entire national park within its borders. Guindy National Park is home to a wide variety of species of wildlife and plants. The Vandalur Zoo includes an aquarium and several safaris. Chennai’s Botanical Garden is an oasis of plants and flowers, including a fossilized tree trunk that is believed to be at least twenty million years old.

Chennai is known for its variety. There are Hindu temples as well as several amusement parks, including a large water park. It boasts the best Bhratanatyam(classical Indian dance) performances in the world as well as sporting events such as cricket, tennis, and motorsports. Shopping ranges from traditional arts and crafts available in bazaars to modern electronics markets and designer boutiques.

January 17, 2009: 9:33 pm: Travel

Visitors to Catalonia’s charming capital will find much to love about this unique city. Barcelona offers an exciting and enchanting experience as it blends Catalan, Moorish, and Mediterrarean influences with modern Spanish sensibilities. The city is known for its amazing food, friendly residents, and beautiful architecture. Barcelona’s rich cultural heritage offers a variety of attractions and sites to delight visitors.

Barcelona’s museums offer an range of cultural artifacts and history. Art museums include the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona, the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya in the Palau Nacional, and the Caixa Fòrum. The city is also home to museums bearing the names and works of Picasso, Miró, and Tàpies. The Museum of the City of Barcelona offers access to underground Roman ruins while Catalan culture is celebrated in the Museu d’Història de Catalunya. Barcelona is also home to science, ethnography, archaeology and national history museums. There is also a Maritime museum and a privately-owned Egyptian museum. The city offers an “articket” that allows holders admission to eight museums at a discounted price.

The city is home to a thriving performing arts community that features theater, opera, and live music. The Barcelona and Catalonia National Symphonic Orchestra performs over seventy concerts a year and is housed in l’Auditori. Other venues include the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya, Gran Teatre del Liceu (opera), the Palau de la Música Catalana, and the Teatre Lliure. Barcelona also hosts the annual Sónar Music Festival every June.

No visit to Barcelona would be complete without taking in some of the amazing architecture throughout the city. The works of architects Lluís Domènech i Montaner and Antoni Gaudí have been designated UN World Heritage Sites. Some of these sites include the stunning (and still under construction) Sagrada Família, the Palau de la Música Catalana, the Palau Güell, the Casa Batlló and the Hospital de Sant Pau.

In addition to the many cultural attractions, Barcelona is home to parks, beaches and several major sports venues. Tourists will also find luxurious 5-star hotels in Barcelona as well as terrific nightclubs, abundant shopping and some of the finest restaurants in Europe. Everything you could ask for to ensure a wonderful vacation.

January 9, 2009: 5:39 pm: Health, Real Estate

Anthem is a development to the north of Phoenix in Arizona. It is close to the town of New River. It is a planned suburb that opened in 1998. It presently has an estimated population of around 40,000 people.

Anthem has many attractions including mountain views, and recreational activities such as hiking, water sports, sports leagues, kids and teen camps, golf and community carnivals. Services include a high school, shops, churches, restaurants, doctor Anthem, dentist Anthem, lawyers, guitar instructor, financial services as well as other amenities such as family dentist Anthem and vets, and other local services.

Access to Anthem is via the I-17 freeway. It was developed by the builder Del Webb to provide affordable housing and services in a beautiful setting out with the city. Many families chose to move away from the hustle and bustle of the big city and live in a friendly community located in a peaceful area.