Recently I saw an ad for Grand College Tours, a program to check out 12 Florida Colleges over 5days/4 nights. Hotels, meals and charter bus was inclusive in the tour.
I thought this was a pretty great idea. Schools on the tour trip from large and smaller schools.
I thought this may be an opportunity for active adult and senior communities--sure they compete for the same customer but perhaps this approach offers an interesting adventure. I think the CCRC would probably be more plausible since it's generally geared to couples who are younger than those considering a independent living community.
It shows creative marketing. Just something to ponder. If you have a senior community that would consider this; let us know.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Retirement-Will We Ever Use This Word?
For many seniors retirement either is not an option due to financial challenges or simply because they want work that gives them purpose.
More and more seniors are working past the traditional Social Security age of either 62 or 65 when benefits kick in.
Have a younger boss? It's not unusual. A government-subsidized nonprofit that finds part-time jobs for the elderly where they can learn new skills to re-enter the workforce is a resource seniors can utilize. AARP also offers a job-training program; the Senior Community Services and Employment Program.
In a book, 30 Lessons for Living: Tried and True Advice from the Wisest Americans, by Karl Pillemer; the author surveyed 1200 older American about success. found older workers are as competitive as younger workers. They are dependable, more instructive, and more loyal in the workplace.
My friends and I are working and enjoy its benefits. I wouldn't find as much satisfaction playing golf or lunching with friends. My friend Leslie found a great environment of people in a luxury real estate office where she now works. After six weeks of not working she had caught up with old friends and finished home projects. Her new position gives her purpose and a sense of well being.
My photography school's favorite instructor hardly considers himself retired. He teaches fewer of the classes but students flock to the one's he teaches in master fine art photography and he's in his 70+.
Us boomers may nor oly redefine retirement--maybe it will be a word that simply goes out of fashion.
More and more seniors are working past the traditional Social Security age of either 62 or 65 when benefits kick in.
Have a younger boss? It's not unusual. A government-subsidized nonprofit that finds part-time jobs for the elderly where they can learn new skills to re-enter the workforce is a resource seniors can utilize. AARP also offers a job-training program; the Senior Community Services and Employment Program.
In a book, 30 Lessons for Living: Tried and True Advice from the Wisest Americans, by Karl Pillemer; the author surveyed 1200 older American about success. found older workers are as competitive as younger workers. They are dependable, more instructive, and more loyal in the workplace.
My friends and I are working and enjoy its benefits. I wouldn't find as much satisfaction playing golf or lunching with friends. My friend Leslie found a great environment of people in a luxury real estate office where she now works. After six weeks of not working she had caught up with old friends and finished home projects. Her new position gives her purpose and a sense of well being.
My photography school's favorite instructor hardly considers himself retired. He teaches fewer of the classes but students flock to the one's he teaches in master fine art photography and he's in his 70+.
Us boomers may nor oly redefine retirement--maybe it will be a word that simply goes out of fashion.
Senior Games Offer Great Exercise Incentives
I recently learned about the organization for senior games and competition. Events are varied and may competitive activities may include tennis, archery, swimming, golf, bocce, bowling, basketball, volleyball, shuffleboard, dominoes as well as track and field and there probably are more.
The Florida Sport Foundation www.flasports.com works with cities and recreation departments to host events that are sanctioned. Local events are a qualifying event for the Florida Senior Games State Championships in Dec. and winners from that event can compete in the 2013 National Senior GAmes scheduled for Cleveland.
People participating are of all ages and we had the opportunity to meet one of Florida's notable winners, Essie Faria who at age 77 is a 20 time gold medal winner.
This is a great opportunity for senior communities to launch their own competition and send winners to compete. The registration fees are nominal and can you imagine the publicity and goodwill a commuity's team could garner.
The Florida Sport Foundation www.flasports.com works with cities and recreation departments to host events that are sanctioned. Local events are a qualifying event for the Florida Senior Games State Championships in Dec. and winners from that event can compete in the 2013 National Senior GAmes scheduled for Cleveland.
People participating are of all ages and we had the opportunity to meet one of Florida's notable winners, Essie Faria who at age 77 is a 20 time gold medal winner.
This is a great opportunity for senior communities to launch their own competition and send winners to compete. The registration fees are nominal and can you imagine the publicity and goodwill a commuity's team could garner.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Retaining Sales Staff Aided by Mystery Shopping
Many times sales team are intimidated if they learn that mystery shopping is being conducted at their community. It's a common lament, we don't need shops or we can spot shoppers is typical.
We advocate telephone mystery shopping as a starting point in assessing sales people rather than live shopping. Time is saved and since many families initially call a community for information; this is a suitable way to learn presentation strengths and weakness.
A bad hire of an employee could cost $150,000 or more when factoring recruitment, screening, training and the time for them to settle in to their job.
A sales team may not have all top performers but using mystery shopping as part of training can greatly help someone improve their conversational skills and customer relationship abilities.
Telephone mystery shops also help identifying community's initial first impressions made by those who answer an incoming call at various times of a day. This is a value added component of mystery shopping.
We advocate telephone mystery shopping as a starting point in assessing sales people rather than live shopping. Time is saved and since many families initially call a community for information; this is a suitable way to learn presentation strengths and weakness.
A bad hire of an employee could cost $150,000 or more when factoring recruitment, screening, training and the time for them to settle in to their job.
A sales team may not have all top performers but using mystery shopping as part of training can greatly help someone improve their conversational skills and customer relationship abilities.
Telephone mystery shops also help identifying community's initial first impressions made by those who answer an incoming call at various times of a day. This is a value added component of mystery shopping.
Value of Skype at Senior Communities
With families living further apart than previous generations,
ways to stay in touch with loved ones has become even more important. At The Carlisle Naples, a luxury resort-style senior living community in Florida, technology is being used to connect residents and families – despite the miles between them.
The community recently partnered with Advocate Home Care to create Skype sessions with residents and their out-of-state family members. The video-chatting technology has been well received by Carlisle residents and families alike who are now able to see each other’s facial expressions and body language during conversations.
“It makes it more real for me to be able to see her face,” said Karen, daughter of Carlisle resident Josephine. “When she’s smiling I know she’s happy there at The Carlisle and that makes me very happy too.”
WZVN, the Fort Myers ABC affiliate, recently visited The Carlisle
to talk to residents and their families about keeping in touch from half a
world away, especially during the holidays.
Please click on the link to watch the full segment: http://www.abc-7.com/story/17353713/technology-brings-families-closer-during-holiday-season
ways to stay in touch with loved ones has become even more important. At The Carlisle Naples, a luxury resort-style senior living community in Florida, technology is being used to connect residents and families – despite the miles between them.
The community recently partnered with Advocate Home Care to create Skype sessions with residents and their out-of-state family members. The video-chatting technology has been well received by Carlisle residents and families alike who are now able to see each other’s facial expressions and body language during conversations.
“It makes it more real for me to be able to see her face,” said Karen, daughter of Carlisle resident Josephine. “When she’s smiling I know she’s happy there at The Carlisle and that makes me very happy too.”
WZVN, the Fort Myers ABC affiliate, recently visited The Carlisle
to talk to residents and their families about keeping in touch from half a
world away, especially during the holidays.
Please click on the link to watch the full segment: http://www.abc-7.com/story/17353713/technology-brings-families-closer-during-holiday-season
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