Recent research indicates that as many as ONE out of FIVE Americans is interested in Green Burial*.

Green burial uses less energy and creates less waste than conventional burial, commented Joe Sehee, Executive Director of the Green Burial Council (www.greenburialcouncil.org). “Renaissance and Pine Forest are the future of funeral service. We are proud to have them as approved providers and pleased that families in the Triangle now have the option of eco-friendly end-of-life rituals.”

Renaissance and Pine Forest are among the three funeral homes and three cemeteries in North Carolina that are approved by The Green Burial Council to offer these services.  They are the only ones serving the Triangle Area. “Natural Green Burial allows the family to mourn and take an active part in the burial in ways that a traditional burial does not,” said Dyanne Matskevich, General Manager of Pine Forest Memorial Gardens (www.pineforestmemorial.com). “It is a humbling, quiet ‘saying of goodbye’ surrounded by nature in the serenity of the woods, returning a body to the soil from which it came.”

Contacts:

Joe Smolenski, Owner, Renaissance Funeral Home: (919) 866-1866, joe@nhpfh.com

Dyanne Matskevich, Pine Forest Memorial: (919) 556-6776, pfgmemorial@yahoo.com

Joe Sehee, Executive Director, Green Burial Council: (888) 966-3330 ext 101

*Source: The American Association of Retired Persons and The International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association

Raleigh, N.C. – January 11, 2009 — Recession-related sales slow downs and downsizing, coupled with offshore outsourcing, have heightened competition for customer service jobs, while exerting downward pressure on sales professionals’ compensation. These factors are causing many service professionals to consider changing careers, but they’re understandably concerned about wasting their investment in their education and experience.

That concern should be dispelled by “Going Above and Beyond: Reach the Pinnacle of Customer Service by Learning How to Think and Act Like a Concierge” (www.KatharineGiovanni.com), which demonstrates that service professionals can leverage their experience to enter many fields other than traditional sales careers, while reducing or eliminating their vulnerability to offshoring.

Katharine Giovanni, the author, along with Peter Drucker, Harvey Mackay and Michael LeBoeuf was a pioneer in the “customer service” movement. She founded the International Concierge and Lifestyle Management Association (formely ICEA), teaching thousands of groups, individuals, and corporations how to improve client, employee and customer retention and satisfaction by implementing CONCIERGE services, treatment and concierge-like thinking to better serve each of their audiences.

Giovanni’s experience enabled her to identify 20 of the top tips and tactics every service professional can use that will cement their position within their organization, build solid and loyal customer relationships and ensure that in a few short weeks, they will become IRREPLACEABLE!

For example:

Please don’t say “you’re welcome” ever again, say “it was my pleasure” instead. If you only do one thing to change your customer service level, this is it. These four little words will blast your service level to the highest degree!

Never (and I mean never) shorten their first name! Not everyone whose first name is Victoria likes to be called Vickie. Not every Thomas enjoys being called Tom.

You need to go five steps beyond, not just one. When you get a request, go the extra miles! People will notice, trust me. Here’s an example: “When does the seven o’clock movie start?” Rather than roll your eyes and laugh, take it up a notch by answer­ing as follows: “It starts at seven o’clock. However, it gets really crowded right before curtain time, so make sure you get here at least thirty minutes early. If you stand right under that tree over there, you’ll be in good shape because that’s where the line starts, and you should be one of the first ones in the theater.” Always go above and beyond.

Never say “no.” Everything is now your job. The word “no” should be eliminated from your vocabulary. Please do not say: “No, I can’t do that for you.” Instead, try saying this: “I don’t provide those services. However if you give me your telephone number, I would be happy to find someone who can.” Or, “Sir, our hotel is full tonight, but the hotel around the corner has avail­ability.” (Then offer to call your competitor and make a reservation if you want to go above and beyond!) The moral here is that if you have to say no, then always provide the client with another option.

Be warm, friendly and approachable 100% of the time. SMILE!  There are no exceptions to this rule … ever.

As Giovanni describes each tactic, readers will:

* Understand why concierge is a lifestyle, not something you do once a year in a workshop. It’s a way of life that should be practiced seven days a week, 365 days a year. * Understand how providing incredible customer service can increase their revenue. A happy customer will always come back and refer their friends.

While there are many books providing career advice, Giovanni’s gives new – and much broader – meaning to the term “Customer Satisfaction,” demonstrating that a service professional’s knowledge constitutes precious currency in a world dependent on computer technology.

Reader Testimonials:

“This book is an essential training guide for any company trying to take their customer service to the level expected by consumers in the current marketplace.” — John M. Rose, President, Travel Guard Assist

“From the woman who set the standards for the Concierge Industry comes a refreshingly new take on customer service that is all about the “nice” factor. If you are a Concierge you’ll appreciate the insight of industry leaders but every business person looking for an “edge” in the competitive marketplace will find that delivering customer service like a Concierge will change the way clients view your business. If you value excellence, recognize quality and understand your clientele, delivering customer service the Concierge way will take you above and beyond your competition.” — Jackie Farley, Professor of Women’s Studies, The University of Oklahoma, and C. E. O., Wise Women Incorporated

This book is good for anyone in a service oriented job. I’m a physician and found many good ideas to help me serve my patients better. — Dr. Vivienne J. Halpern, MD, Chief, Vascular surgery, Phoenix, AZ

CONTACT:

Katharine Giovanni

919-453-2850

kgiovanni@triangleconcierge.com

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Raleigh, NC – December 1, 2009 – Triangle Concierge, a leading international concierge training and consulting company, will present the latest in their Concierge Webinar™ series on December 10, 2009. The webinar, conducted by Triangle Concierge president and co-founder Katharine C. Giovanni, CCS, will deliver a comprehensive program aimed at teaching attendees how to start a new concierge business

The Concierge Webinar™ is a series of three 120-minute sessions conducted on-line via the internet and/or telephone. Attendees can listen over the phone while they view an online presentation. Registrants are provided a telephone number to call, a secure URL, and access to both the audio and online elements of the presentation. This webinar marks the initiation of telephone conferencing, allowing two-way participation between the facilitator and the attendees.

“The response to the webinar series has been amazing! We look forward to this latest installment in the series to continue providing our clients with a detailed road map on how to start up their business.” says Giovanni, “I’ve been teaching these seminars LIVE since 1998 and am now offering the same seminar via the web, which is very exciting.”

The Concierge Webinar™ series was initiated in January, 2009 by Triangle Concierge president and co-founder Katharine C. Giovanni, CCS in order to provide a wider audience with a convenient way to learn how to start a concierge business. The goal is to provide webinar attendees with a detailed road map of exactly how to start a concierge business of their own, by eliminating much of the guesswork involved. Topics to be covered include how to set fees and how to coordinate logistics behind offered services.

To register for the December 10^th webinar, visit www.triangleconcierge.com and click on the “Training/Workshops” link. Sessions begin at 10am, the cost is $497.

About Triangle Concierge

Triangle Concierge (www.triangleconcierge.com) been called the world’s leading concierge training and consulting company, and that’s no exaggeration. Shortly after opening its doors in the fall of 1998, Triangle Concierge became one of the first companies in the world to offer concierge consulting. Since then, Triangle Concierge has gone on to provide consulting services to individuals and companies in every state in the United States — and 40 countries around the world.

About Katharine Giovanni

The industry expert behind Triangle Concierge, Katharine is an International Concierge Training Expert, Award Winning Author and consultant, Certified Concierge Specialist (CCS) and International Speaker. She can be reached via email at kgiovanni@triangleconcierge.com.

Contact: Katharine C. Giovanni, CCS

Phone: 631-267-4300 ext. 2

Email: kgiovanni@nc.rr.com

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Raleigh, NC — Social The Magazine (www.SocialTheMagazine.com/raleigh) has announced that they will premiere the first episode of the “Social in the City” TV series on CW22 on Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 7:30pm. Social The Magazine has partnered with Creative Force Studios to film and produce the show, which aims to highlight the Raleigh, NC and surrounding area’s burgeoning fashion, nightlife and entertainment scene.

The television show film crew will travel along with Social The Magazine’s guests, local personalities and celebrities on a specially designed tour bus to various locations to capture live action and conduct on-camera interviews. These events are open to anyone who would like to attend and be a part of the show.

“Our goal is to feature the excitement and fun this area has to offer and present it in a completely new and different format that will encourage people to get out after dark and enjoy themselves.” says Social The Magazine publisher Chris London, “The concept is unique, and everyone involved is very excited about it.” The show will also feature additional elements, such as a behind the scenes look at a Social The Magazine cover photo shoot, interviews with local personalities, features on local fashion boutiques and salons, and highlights from Social sponsored events such as the annual Reader’s Choice Awards show.

Each “Social In The City” episode will air three times a month at 7:30pm on CW22 starting December 5, 2009. In the spring of 2010, a new episode of “Social In The City” will air each week.

The next episode of “Social In The City” will be filmed on November 20, 2009. To participate, people can join the group when they see the specially marked Social tour bus or visit the website at www.socialthemagazine.com for complete details about when and where filming of “Social In The City” TV show will take place.

About Social The Magazine

Social The Magazine (www.socialthemagazine.com) is a Raleigh, NC based entertainment, nightlife and fashion magazine featuring professional photography and editorial content from local trendsetters covering a wide range of topics. Social The Magazine also sponsors multiple high profile events throughout the year, including concerts & festivals, grand openings, parties, fashion shows, modeling contests, wine tastings, golf tournaments, and the annual Social Magazine Reader’s Choice Awards Show. Social The Magazine recently hosted over 6,000 attendees to downtown Raleigh, NC on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 for the “Tuesday Night Live” Crystal Head Vodka promotional tour featuring Dan Aykroyd.

About Creative Force Studios

Creative Force Studios ( http://www.creativeforcestudios.com) is a marketing and advertising agency that specializes in individualized campaigns designed to meet the multi-media needs of each client.

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Contact: Chris London

Phone: 919-247-0818

Email: chrislondon@socialthemagazine.com

Thursday evening

November 12^th, 2009

7 to 9 p.m.

Artspace, Downtown Raleigh

The book is a completely new way of looking at how the contemporary world works and how human civilization developed. Amazingly, the human world works exactly like the atom. Refreshments and snacks will be served, books will be available for sale, and Mr. Eason will give a brief presentation of his ideas.

Please check the website for book launch details: www.theimpacts.com. Please direct all inquiries to deason@theimpacts.com and RSVP to the same address. Please do not contact Artspace as they are only providing the venue.

Some topics covered in the book:

• Learn why the complexity that we feel when trying to figure out the universe may be a ruse. Everything may be a whole lot simpler than we ever imagined.
• A very important variable has been missing from our study of human behavior and human civilization. Find out what it is.
• The people known as the IMPACTS are the glue that holds human society and human civilization together.
• Find out why males and females are manifestations of the two major energies in the universe.
• Why are the two hemispheres of the human brain also the manifestations of the two major forces in the universe?
• Learn why autism may have been responsible for the beginnings of modern humans, and what it has to do with the shaman and the valence electron.
• Discover why bonding, molecular and human, is the most important thing in the universe.
• Discover why nurturing and innovation usually go together.
• Helping the sick was the basis for homo sapiens but it was not the basis for previous human species. Why the difference?
• Almost everyone on earth can trace his/her lineage back to the San tribe of Africa.
• Why is the piano the most frequently seen musical instrument among the IMPACTS?
• Why is the philosophy of a successful modern businessperson almost exactly the same as that of a shaman from 130,000 years ago?
• Why would extra-terrestrial life, if it exists, be based on electron bonding—probably? And why probably and not definitely?
• Learn why Plato was an IMPACTS-person and why the early Christians loved him though he died 300 years before Jesus was born.
• Discover what is really happening in the Middle East and why it is totally predictable and understandable, and why resolution is so difficult.
• See how everything is connected—science, history, philosophy and religion, art and culture, contemporary society, the San tribe from over 100,000 years ago, medicine, business, philanthropy, the universe—all of it.

 Contact:  Dickey Eason, 919  858.8020, DEason@theimpacts.co,

Clearwater, Florida, USA — October 20. 2009 – Next Sphere Technologies (http://www.nextsphere.com) announced it has attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program with competencies in ISV/Software Solutions and Business Intelligence, recognizing NextSphere’s expertise and impact in the technology marketplace. As a Gold Certified Partner, NextSphere has demonstrated expertise with Microsoft technologies and a proven ability to meet customers’ needs. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners receive a rich set of benefits, including access, training and support, giving them a competitive advantage in the channel.  Less than 9% of participating companies reach Microsoft’s highest partners levels of “Gold” and “Certified” with the Gold standard being the top level which can be achieved.

Next Sphere Technologies offers comprehensive IT consulting services, including a full suite of predefined offerings as well as the management, development, hosting and maintenance of enterprise software applications. They are a top mid-market IT company that successfully combines software and hardware development. NextSphere has gained a reputation for delivering high quality end-to-end solutions  in software development market, has wide experience, unique developments and highly qualified staff.

“We are extremely pleased to have attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program. This allows us to clearly promote our expertise and relationship with Microsoft to our customers,” said Raju Dantuluri, Ph.D., NextSphere CEO. “The benefits provided through our Gold Certified Partner status will allow us to continue to enhance the offerings that we provide for customers.”

“Customers are looking for partner companies that can bridge the gap between their business demands and technology capabilities,” said Allison Watson, corporate vice president of the Worldwide Partner Group at Microsoft Corp. “They need to trust in a company that can act as an expert adviser for their long-term strategic technology plans. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners, which have certified expertise and direct training and support from Microsoft, can build a positive customer experience with our technologies. Today, Microsoft recognizes NextSphere Technologies as a new Gold Certified Partner for demonstrating its expertise in providing customer satisfaction using Microsoft products and technology.”

As one of the requirements for attaining Gold Certified Partner status, NextSphere had to declare a Microsoft Competency. Microsoft Competencies are designed to help differentiate a partner’s capabilities with specific Microsoft technologies to customers looking for a particular type of solution. Each Competency has a unique set of requirements and benefits, formulated to accurately represent the specific skills and services that partners bring to the technology industry. Within select Competencies, there are Specializations that focus on specific solution areas that recognize deeper expertise within that Competency. Serving as a specialized path to earning those Competencies, Specializations give direct access to the tools and resources that support that specific area of focus.  In addition, for certification, NextSphere had to develop and maintain a Microsoft certificated product.  For this portion of the process, NextSphere choose to highlight their TradeShowManager® product, their highly successful application for streamlining all aspects involved in planning, operation and managing the trade show process as an exhibitor or an organizer.  

“We are very proud to receive the title of Gold Certified Partner,” stated Raju Dantuluri, Ph.D., CEO of NextSphere. “It enables us to reach out to  new businesses, better serve our clientele, and offer systems not available from most full service IT companies. The new status allows us to demonstrate high skill level and technical knowledge of our employees as well as adding effectiveness to our existing clientele, such as  Corpsavers Healthcare.”

Dan Siewert, III, Corpsavers Chairman and CEO commends NextSphere “for both the professional way they conduct themselves and, most importantly, getting our major new system developed and implemented using latest Microsoft Technologies on a timely and seamless basis. The NextSphere team is among the most professional group of people I have had the pleasure to work with on a project of this magnitude. The NextSphere team has been responsive to all of our needs and has delivered a high quality product on schedule.  I recommend NextSphere very highly.”

The Microsoft Partner Program was launched in October 2003 and represents Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to the success of partners worldwide. The program offers a single, integrated partnering framework that recognizes partner expertise, rewards the total impact that partners have in the technology marketplace, and delivers more value to help partners’ businesses be successful.  Today there are has about 34,000 at the Gold or Certified levels.

About NextSphere

Next Sphere Technologies, Inc. (“NextSphere”) is an Information Technology company that provides outsourced IT services and software solutions to middle market companies. NextSphere offers comprehensive IT consulting services, including the management, development, hosting and maintenance of enterprise software applications. NextSphere utilizes a flexible on-site/off-shore model that allows its customers to contract and interface with a U.S. company, but realize the cost saving benefits of an outsourced operation. NextSphere is headquartered in Clearwater, Florida, with additional offices in Cary, North Carolina and Hyderabad, India. 

Next Sphere is known for their client satisfaction record of over 98%, fixed-price-and-fixed-time solutions at a cost savings of 50% to 60% to their customers, and turnaround time that is half that of other firms by utilizing and maximizing productivity of their highly trained, adaptable and easy-to-work-with global workforce. For more information, please visit www.NextSphere.com

CONTACT:   Sunil Kurapati

Sunil.Kurapati@NextSphere.com

Off: (727) 230 9185 X 214

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 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  – 15 September 2009 – Cary, N.C. – NextSphere Technologies (www.NextSphere.com), a Clearwater, Florida based IT consulting and enterprise software development company has opened a sales and client support office in Cary, N.C. to serve existing clientele and expand their reach to mid-market healthcare and financial firms in the area. The company is known for their 100% client satisfaction record, providing cost savings of 30% to 50% on customer engagements and turnaround time that is half that of other firms by utilizing and maximizing productivity of their highly trained adaptable global workforce.  

Cary-based Horticulture Asset Management, Inc. (HMI) has been a client for three years. Company CEO Doug Cowles underscores NextSphere’s efficiency and economy. “Software services delivery from NextSphere has enabled HMI to have an efficient IT support model within a controlled budget.  From streamlining our software and hardware configurations to modernizing our applications to Microsoft .NET, NextSphere has been supporting us around-the-clock for the past three years.  The NextSphere Team has a great attitude and is easy to work with. As a true technology partner, NextSphere is fully committed to our operating needs and success.”

About NextSphere
NextSphere Technologies offers comprehensive IT consulting services, including a full suite of predefined offerings as well as the management, development, hosting and maintenance of enterprise software applications. They are a top mid-market IT companies that successfully combines software and hardware development. Company’s developers fulfill not only industrial orders but also highly-customized science-intensive programming projects. NextSphere has gained a reputation for quality in software development market, has wide experience, unique developments and highly qualified staff.
For more information, please visit www.NextSphere.com

About HMI:

HMI is the only source for standardized replacement cost data and objective inspections of the condition of trees on residential and commercial properties. Working with leading horticultural and arboricultural experts, HMI has developed proprietary data collection software which enables its national network of qualified arborists to efficiently and accurately inventory the trees on a property. When this data is uploaded to HMI’s patent-pending evaluation system, the company is able to provide property owners, buyers, insurers and others with detailed reports about these assets.

CONTACT:       Raju Dantuluri, Ph.D., CEO

Email:  Raju.Dantuluri@NextSphere.com
Phone:  727.230.9185