Sunday, April 19, 2009

Who's Calling, Please??

"Hello."

"Yes, is this Mr. Soon_ _ _ airr _ _ barrg??"

"Almost. Who's calling, please?"

"Hello Sir. This is Todd Pimpkin calling from BankOne. How are you today?"

"Not interested."
(click.)

Ah, yes... a topic near and dear to all of our hearts. Telemarketing.

Most likely near, but definitely not dear, telemarketing is indeed a part of our reality. And the conversation above? That was me a few years ago before I finally got rid of my land line and went exclus
ively to a mobile phone. But even if you migrate to the land of cellular towers and satellite beams, the threat of unsolicited advice and "free trial" offers will continue to make its journey directly to your telephone. Congratulations! Didn't you read the fine print...?

However, in response to an ever-pressing need to "do something about this craziness", as my friend Shawn would say, I've compiled a few tactics and strategies you can employ to cope with the all-you-can-eat sumptuous buffet of delicious subsidies of which telemarketers are trained to feed you. It just so happened that I've prepared a short eLearning module (thanks to Tom Kuhlmann) giving you the latest lowdown on how to deal with telemarketers--well, with my "spin" of course. How could I resist?!

Click on this snap below to check it out:


I hope you enjoyed my lively and informative module. Just be thankful I didn't add a quiz or proficiency test. Oh, I've got it--just try out some of those lines on your next telemarketer and be sure to let me know the results, and if you do find true love you'd better invite me to the wedding! Now that would make quite a unique blog entry... hmm...

Incidentally, I produced this eLearning module using Articulate Presenter, one of the many quality products by Articulate, Inc., a growing technology company and global online community with whom I've had the privilege of partnering the past couple years, most recently producing a case study about creating effective blended learning from boring PowerPoint. Their products are quite easy to use (and affordable, as well ;o) Check them out!

Tomorrow I'm off to the Spring CEdMA Conference in
San Jose to present the case study and assist more of our national training leaders with eLearning transition tools like Presenter. Getting back in the conference loop these past months has been such a great way to keep me "movin and shakin" since returning from India. After all, the best knowledge is that which is shared.

Happy Spring to All,

The Ambassador of Goodwill