To say that good communication is a two-way street is a cliche.
I often communicate with representatives from foreign companies with whom we have working relationships. It is a characteristic of different cultures to exhibit different styles of communication. I have found that Asians are more interested in relationships than Americans.
Typically, Asians are more courteous and patient than Americans. Asians focus on relationships first and business second. Americans are just the opposite. Americans are often unnecessarily impolite and impatient to their own disadvantage.
When it comes to architectural design, interior decorating, garden planning or monument and memorialization design, I encourage prospective clients to give us an opportunity to get to know each other. We have a lot of knowledge that we share for free. Too many folks have a strongly held, but uneducated opinions that are incomplete at best, and wrong at worst. If we can establish good communication and mutual respect with prospective clients, we seek to educate as part of our service.
At the outset, please provide us with your name, city, phone and email address, and provide us with as many details as possible, including the place of installation.
Starting off a relationship by asking "how much?" without anything more will not receive the same type of reply as a slower, more open approach to relationship building.
Please don't misunderstand me as we happily serve a wide range of personalities; however, life is short and we want to serve you effectively, efficiently and happily. We take great pride in our relationship building and our workmanship; however, we also care about our clients. Please take the time to be patient, open and sharing and you will be surprised at how much rewarding relationships will be.
We are here to serve you and we look forward to communicating with you. Give us a call, toll free at 888-9Statue (888.978.2883) or email us at Desk1@ValdostaMemorials.com. We serve clients throughout the United States and other countries. Now, remember that good communication is a two-way street, so let's talk soon!
Share with us by emailing your thoughts to Burton@USAMonuments.com.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Beautiful Memories & The Wisdom Of Clients
I have great relationships with our clients. In one way or another, I seem to learn something from all of my clients. Sandy Reeves hired us to build a memorial for her dad. A message on her email had the following quote: "I dropped a tear in the ocean. When they find it; that's when I'll stop remembering you..."
Those words speak volumes about the bonds we form with our loved ones. I hope you share those same bonds with others in your life. I also hope when you pass away someone will memorialize your memory for eternity. After all, every life is precious and through memorialization, we communicate our love to others.
Sandy, thank you for giving me inspiration.
"I dropped a tear in the ocean. When they find it; that's when I'll stop remembering you..."
Share with us by emailing your thoughts to Burton@USAMonuments.com.
Those words speak volumes about the bonds we form with our loved ones. I hope you share those same bonds with others in your life. I also hope when you pass away someone will memorialize your memory for eternity. After all, every life is precious and through memorialization, we communicate our love to others.
Sandy, thank you for giving me inspiration.
"I dropped a tear in the ocean. When they find it; that's when I'll stop remembering you..."
Share with us by emailing your thoughts to Burton@USAMonuments.com.
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Creating Positive Sentimental Memories
I wrote the following article "Creating Positive Sentimental Memories," earlier this year. The original article, with photos of some of my family, can be found in the articles section of our website at http://www.valdostamemorials.com/articles/CreatingMemories.asp. The story and photos express one of those sentimental experiences that each of us should strive to create whenever we can.
I am lucky to have a great relationship with my sister Emma Jean and her family. Over the years, our relationship has strengthened and I now consider her to be one of my best friends. I call her nearly every day for a few minutes of catch up.
I wish I had such a great relationship with all of my family; however, life does not always come to us in the manner that we would like. All we can do is take what we have and make the best of it while striving to create as many positive sentimental memories as the people and events in our lives may allow. Positive sentimenal memories can be planned, and they should alway be cherished. Burton//
The Memorialist: Creating Positive Sentimental Memories
Author: Burton Fletcher
Publication Date: 2006-02
Daily, we are creating memories that will serve to either unite or divide our family that will be stored and invested, to be recalled later with either sadness or happiness.
Celebrations for birthdays, weddings, and funerals are events where long-term memories are created. As part of our construction of the Fletcher Memorial, my brother-in-law, nieces, and others, worked together to build the concrete foundation that would later be covered with granite chips.
I thought this would be a grand opportunity to write our names in the concrete in an area that will hopefully not be disturbed by future burials. This also serves to create a treasure that will evoke positive memories. In essence, this is a time capsule within the collective memories of those who worked together, known to each of us, and available to anyone who may desire to sweep back the granite cover at some future point in time for a peek into the past. I can visualize descendants’ generations from now standing at the memorial site being told the story of the construction of the memorial and how we worked together to create a beautiful family memorial.
While I do not often think of this quality of my character, surely, I am a sentimentalist. Unquestionably, sentimentalism is a quality to my personality that serves me well as a memorialist. I would not want to work with a memorialist who was not a sentimentalist, as emotion and art go hand in hand throughout the creative process.
Just as it is true that you should take time to smell the roses, also take time to write your name in the concrete. Create your own living time capsule of symbols that reinforce a common heritage and family unity; after all, it is the right thing to do!
Share with us by emailing your thoughts to Burton@USAMonuments.com.
I am lucky to have a great relationship with my sister Emma Jean and her family. Over the years, our relationship has strengthened and I now consider her to be one of my best friends. I call her nearly every day for a few minutes of catch up.
I wish I had such a great relationship with all of my family; however, life does not always come to us in the manner that we would like. All we can do is take what we have and make the best of it while striving to create as many positive sentimental memories as the people and events in our lives may allow. Positive sentimenal memories can be planned, and they should alway be cherished. Burton//
The Memorialist: Creating Positive Sentimental Memories
Author: Burton Fletcher
Publication Date: 2006-02
Daily, we are creating memories that will serve to either unite or divide our family that will be stored and invested, to be recalled later with either sadness or happiness.
Celebrations for birthdays, weddings, and funerals are events where long-term memories are created. As part of our construction of the Fletcher Memorial, my brother-in-law, nieces, and others, worked together to build the concrete foundation that would later be covered with granite chips.
I thought this would be a grand opportunity to write our names in the concrete in an area that will hopefully not be disturbed by future burials. This also serves to create a treasure that will evoke positive memories. In essence, this is a time capsule within the collective memories of those who worked together, known to each of us, and available to anyone who may desire to sweep back the granite cover at some future point in time for a peek into the past. I can visualize descendants’ generations from now standing at the memorial site being told the story of the construction of the memorial and how we worked together to create a beautiful family memorial.
While I do not often think of this quality of my character, surely, I am a sentimentalist. Unquestionably, sentimentalism is a quality to my personality that serves me well as a memorialist. I would not want to work with a memorialist who was not a sentimentalist, as emotion and art go hand in hand throughout the creative process.
Just as it is true that you should take time to smell the roses, also take time to write your name in the concrete. Create your own living time capsule of symbols that reinforce a common heritage and family unity; after all, it is the right thing to do!
Share with us by emailing your thoughts to Burton@USAMonuments.com.
Tell Me About Head Stone Cleaner?
"Head Stone Cleaner" is an item we are receiving inquiries on so I thought I might as well address the subject here.
We sell a Head Stone Cleaner with Teflon Protectors that is represented to remove dirt, moss and mold and to restore the natural luster to granite, marble, concrete and stone.
The manufacturer says it is as easy as spraying on and waiting for 60 seconds before wiping with a clean cloth or paper towel.
I have also used Pledge on polished granite with a desirable effect. We have another cleaner in the office that we use to clean stone.
For those folks who desire to prolong the polished finish of bronze, I recommend car polish and a soft cloth.
Please share your experiences with cleaning products and I will be happy to pass them along to our clients.
Share with us by emailing your thoughts to Burton@USAMonuments.com.
We sell a Head Stone Cleaner with Teflon Protectors that is represented to remove dirt, moss and mold and to restore the natural luster to granite, marble, concrete and stone.
The manufacturer says it is as easy as spraying on and waiting for 60 seconds before wiping with a clean cloth or paper towel.
I have also used Pledge on polished granite with a desirable effect. We have another cleaner in the office that we use to clean stone.
For those folks who desire to prolong the polished finish of bronze, I recommend car polish and a soft cloth.
Please share your experiences with cleaning products and I will be happy to pass them along to our clients.
Share with us by emailing your thoughts to Burton@USAMonuments.com.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
What Do You Expect In A Website?
As you view www.USAMonuments.com or www.ValdostaMemorials.com, please take a few moments to bookmark our site so you can locate us in the future. Also, please provide us with feedback on our site and express your likes and your dislikes. You can email me directly at Burton@USAMonuments.com or you may call me toll free at 888.978.2883.
Unlike most monument companies, we import products directly and we also serve an international clientele. We have clients from throughout the United States and other countries with a growing list of satisfied clients.
We hope you enjoy our selection of products. We are diversifying and in the future we will be opening up a stone products company named www.InternationalHouseOfStone.com. Under whatever name you may know us, we hope you will visit often as we are a dynamic organization focused more on the present and future than on the past as so many of our competitors seem to be. With your support and assistance we will continue to be in the vanguard of companies totally committed to our client's satisfaction.
Unlike most monument companies, we import products directly and we also serve an international clientele. We have clients from throughout the United States and other countries with a growing list of satisfied clients.
We hope you enjoy our selection of products. We are diversifying and in the future we will be opening up a stone products company named www.InternationalHouseOfStone.com. Under whatever name you may know us, we hope you will visit often as we are a dynamic organization focused more on the present and future than on the past as so many of our competitors seem to be. With your support and assistance we will continue to be in the vanguard of companies totally committed to our client's satisfaction.
Visiting Cemeteries Is A Fun Experience
Visiting cemeteries is an enjoyable experience to me. Too many folks have hangups regarding cemeteries. Sooner or later, everyone is going to die, and most of us will probably wind up there. Accept the inevitable and enjoy every moment along life's journey.
Recently, I visited Jacksonville, Florida and stayed with my aunt Dorothy for a couple of enjoyable days.
Before my visit, I called funeral directors and asked which cemeteries were worthy of photographic or historical significance.
With the names in hand, I researched the addresses and used www.mapquest.com to compile directions to the various cemeteries.
As many of you know, Jacksonville, Florida is a large city. Though I have lived in a large city most of my life, I know the importance of using extra caution in visiting cities in which I am unfamiliar. Just having directions is not enough for an enjoyable visit.
I had the opportunity to stop by a center for folks who are in need of financial resources. I asked whether anyone with intimate knowledge of the city was interested in assisting me with my tour in exchange for financial compensation.
Fortunately, I met a gentleman named "Shorty" who agreed to work for me during the visit. Shorty was an excellent companion and tour guide. He might not have known about all of the cemetery locations; however, with directions in hand, and his knowledge of the local area, I had the time of my life.
I took nearly 500 photographs during my trip and posted approximately 350 of those photographs in our cemetery section of www.USAMonuments.com.
My advice: Plan your sightseeing trip; know your destinations; obtain directions in advance; and hire a local guide from the pool of available labor who are in need of financial assistance. Finally, with digital camera in hand, and lots of rechargeable batteries, enjoy the experience!
Share with us by emailing your thoughts to Burton@USAMonuments.com.
Recently, I visited Jacksonville, Florida and stayed with my aunt Dorothy for a couple of enjoyable days.
Before my visit, I called funeral directors and asked which cemeteries were worthy of photographic or historical significance.
With the names in hand, I researched the addresses and used www.mapquest.com to compile directions to the various cemeteries.
As many of you know, Jacksonville, Florida is a large city. Though I have lived in a large city most of my life, I know the importance of using extra caution in visiting cities in which I am unfamiliar. Just having directions is not enough for an enjoyable visit.
I had the opportunity to stop by a center for folks who are in need of financial resources. I asked whether anyone with intimate knowledge of the city was interested in assisting me with my tour in exchange for financial compensation.
Fortunately, I met a gentleman named "Shorty" who agreed to work for me during the visit. Shorty was an excellent companion and tour guide. He might not have known about all of the cemetery locations; however, with directions in hand, and his knowledge of the local area, I had the time of my life.
I took nearly 500 photographs during my trip and posted approximately 350 of those photographs in our cemetery section of www.USAMonuments.com.
My advice: Plan your sightseeing trip; know your destinations; obtain directions in advance; and hire a local guide from the pool of available labor who are in need of financial assistance. Finally, with digital camera in hand, and lots of rechargeable batteries, enjoy the experience!
Share with us by emailing your thoughts to Burton@USAMonuments.com.
Monday, June 05, 2006
What does it mean to be professional?
Just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the idea of professionalism varies from monument company to monument company. We consider ourselves to be a stone company as we market a much wider selection of products than monument companies.
The hallmark of professionalism is doing what you say you are going to do. We work hard to achieve the trust of our clients. Good communication and promptness in communications is fundamental to the development and maintenance of professional-client relationships.
In everything we say or do for our clients, we hope to be professional. You deserve nothing less.
Share with us by emailing your thoughts to Burton@USAMonuments.com.
Just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the idea of professionalism varies from monument company to monument company. We consider ourselves to be a stone company as we market a much wider selection of products than monument companies.
The hallmark of professionalism is doing what you say you are going to do. We work hard to achieve the trust of our clients. Good communication and promptness in communications is fundamental to the development and maintenance of professional-client relationships.
In everything we say or do for our clients, we hope to be professional. You deserve nothing less.
Share with us by emailing your thoughts to Burton@USAMonuments.com.
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