Our Front of House Can Be Your Front of House

"We are convinced we the did the right thing and picked the right company. Things are getting done that were overlooked before because we have the manpower and expertise that was lacking, and as a result, improvements are being made all the time."

Good Morning Folks,

What an awesome week we had entertaining over 200 candidates who braved the winter weather to “audition” to join our GREAT team here at The Happiest Place To Work On Earth – FSO J

But while we greeted some of the most talented folks on the planet, it was our greeters, the FSO Front Of The House team that were the most admired stars of the day. In our house, our guests were greeted with the excitement and buzz of our office and the majority of them commented about what a GREAT vibe they felt from the second they walked off the elevator. Ahhhh, hospitality – that is what we are all about!!

Since we outsource our Front of House team from ourselves, I want to brag about it today and tell you why it's deserved all that attention and kudos... why we’re different and so special.


If your company doesn't have that "vibe" from the moment your guests arrive, you may be putting your brand reputation at stake. How goes that saying "you never get a second chance to make  first impression."


Our front of house is the storefront for your organization. Our team brings your brand values to life and make visitors feel warmly welcomed. We deliver high-quality visitor experiences that perfectly reflect your values.

INFORMATIONALIST HUB™: THE CENTERPIECE OF A MEMORABLE GUEST EXPERIENCE

The Informationalist Hub is staffed and managed by FSO's specially cross-trained teams or "Informationalists" who provide an endless array of possible administrative services behind the Front Desk.

Each call answered in a warm, efficient and positive manner provides an excellent first point of contact for your clients – projecting your brand values. We create a professional ‘home’ for receptionists – nurturing their talent and offering a long-term career in the front of house.

Unlike we’ve seen with our competitors who provide a person who stays idle between visitors or calls, we ensure staff are fully utilized and constantly on-the-go. Our Informationalists are trained to support everything from Meet & Greet to meeting room bookings, supply management, invoice reconciliation, scanning and hot desk/hoteling management services. Innovative expansion of services include: social media support, remote worker co-ordination, help desk overflow services and presentation services.

CORPORATE CONCIERGE

Every organization looks to make a great First Impression and FSO's Concierge Associates are all about that first smile, service and information delivered as an ambassador for the organization. FSO ensures our customer service oriented staff perform at 5-star levels to make that front desk experience a truly warm and memorable experience.

(re)IMAGINE LOBBY RECEPTIONIST SERVICES TO A CONCIERGE DESK AND EXPAND CAPABILITIES:

• Local area information

• Car & Limo booking

• Restaurant booking

• Drop off & Pick up Laundry services

• Shoe shines

• Charging station for electronics and phones

• Spare pens and stationery for guest emergency needs

• "Seasonal Service Program" 

(water bottles, sunscreen, hand-sanitizer, umbrellas, mints, etc)

Best of all, while one vendor may offer you a standard receptionist or does reception and not mail, we do it all. Our clients don't see us as their vendor but as a true strategic partner that always has their back, anywhere they need us.

Whether you wish to increase employee productivity, enhance your employee’s work/life balance or attract and retain the best talent - our Corporate Concierge services are designed to make your employees’ time at work easier, rewarding and more productive. 


Our dedicated team of experienced concierge associates with their highly valued contacts work tirelessly to help you get things done. So you can get the things you need to get done in your business.


Here's what customers are saying:

"The level of energy they emit is contagious."
 


"FSO can pull high-quality people out of a hat where and when needed"
 
 

"They have done well by us. People show up and work gets done. The front desk changed to outsourced model and is very successful."
 


"Since it's not our core competency so it’s nice to have someone else who is managing it and know show to hire and train in that type of role.”
 


"I get more attention that with the previous vendor. Partners are happier with saving money and they like the FSO people better”  

“I couldn’t be happier with my decision and when I walk in the door and present this building to my customers.”
 


"Our staff is more responsive, trained better and deliver higher level of customer service."

It's time to discover the better service and lower costs you deserve front of house. Let us prove how we make an unexpected experience the expected experience.

Talk to us. WITNESS us. Let's educate you briefly about what is working for other companies and how we save our current clients money; it could work for you. Call me directly at 212-204-1170.

Thanks again to everyone who put the word out and brought in referrals. Don’t be shy and keep those referrals coming. Positions are still open. The more the merrier!

From our wonderful FSO Family have a GREAT day, *light up a nation*, be happy and… Love Life!

Mitchell D. Weiner

Chief Happiness Officer  

Recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of the nation's fastest growing companies for the second consecutive year, FSO's growth and success can be attributed to making a positive and powerful impact on their clients' bottom lines, as well as their employees' careers and lives. Learn more about what differentiates FSO here.

Inspire ME Friday: The List of "10"

"Remember that friends are what really matter"

Good Morning Folks,

As another week ends, let us think about this list of 10, as we go about our coming days.

1. Challenge Fear
2. Be Bold
3. Have Gratitude
4. Take Action
5. Have Faith
6. Embrace Setbacks
7. Look Inside
8. Learn From Suffering
9. Don't Be Concerned With What Others Think Of You
10. Do What You Love

With the market on our side we have recognized the opportunity for limitless growth. And it wouldn't be possible without your support. And for that I am eternally grateful.

Have a safe, HAPPY and healthy weekend as I look forward to seeing all of you soon.

Mitchell D. Weiner
Chief Happiness Officer

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“The happiest people don't have the best of everything. 

They make the most of everything."
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Inspire ME Friday: Just "3" Things...

"FSO did not get to this place by luck. With the market on our side, we have limitless growth potential."

Good Morning Folks,

Folks, there's is so much awesome "stuff" happening in our great company. We have awesome leaders; awesome people; and a market that is so in love with us so competitors can't keep up. I have huge aspirations for the future of FSO.

It looks like our Inspire ME Friday series has struck a chord with a lot of you. Thanks to those who have been writing back personal messages. 

So here's a bonus for today!

==>Three things in life that, once gone, never come back 
-1. Time 2. Words 3. Opportunity

==>Three things in life that can destroy a person 
- 1. Anger 2. Pride 3. Unforgiveness

==>Three things in life that you should never lose
- 1. Hope 2. Peace 3. Honesty

==>Three things in life that are most valuable 
- 1. Love 2. Family & Friends 3. Kindness

==>Three things in life that are never certain 
- 1. Fortune 2. Success 3. Dreams

==> Three things that make a person 
- 1. Commitment 2. Sincerity 3. Hard work 

Thank you again for your amazing energy that is fueling the FSO fire across the country. FSO did not get to this place by luck. With the market on our side, we have limitless growth potential.

Have a safe, HAPPY and healthy weekend as I look forward to seeing all of you soon.

Mitchell D. Weiner
Chief Happiness Officer

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“The difference between success and failure is just getting it right more than getting it wrong"
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LinkUP Thursday: The Best Business Books In Brief...

"People want to be part of something that is bigger than they are"

Good Morning Folks,


Want to read 15 famous business books in under a minute?

To save you some time and money, Business Insider's made it possible. They boiled down some of the most popular and influential business books out there to their central lessons.

For those looking to bone up on some business theory, here are the highlights.

Read all about it: http://www.businessinsider.com/famous-business-book-summaries-2013-10#ixzz2jd8lh8HT

Have a GREAT day. Love LIFE!

Mitchell D. Weiner
Chief Happiness Officer

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"Never stop working at what you love because that's the fuel that makes life worth living. Happiness is about making dreams come true, no matter how long it takes."
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Inspire ME Friday: Happiness Is A Happy Boss

"Regardless of what it says on your job description, your real job is to make your boss successful. There are no exceptions to this rule. None."

Good Morning Folks,

Geoffrey James' "Sales Source" *(@Sales_Source) (formerly "Sales Machine" on CBS) is the world's most-visited sales-oriented blog. 

Geoff's recent INC column, "8 Core Beliefs of Extraordinary Bosses," drew a flood of responses. 

But there's one thing he didn't mention: An extraordinary boss communicates his expectations clearly to his team. That way, everyone understands what it will take to make your company succeed.

With that in mind: If you are the boss, you'll want to share this column with your team, because it will make your job a heck of a lot easier. And if by chance you're not the boss, memorize this column-because it contains the key to long-term success

==> 8 Ways To Keep Your Boss Happy By Geoffrey James

Here are the rules for keeping your boss happy:

1. Be true to your word.
Your boss wants to trust you. Really. Therefore, whenever you accept an assignment, follow through religiously, even fanatically. Do what you say you're going to do. Never overcommit, and avoid hedging your bets with vague statements like "I'll try" and "maybe." Instead, make your word carry real weight.

2. No surprises, ever.
The secret fear of every boss is that employees are screwing up but are not saying anything about it. So even if you're afraid some bad news might upset your boss, make sure he's informed. Note: If your boss consistently "shoots the messenger," you can ignore this rule-because his behavior shows he doesn't really want to be in the know.

3. Be prepared on the details.
Your boss wants to believe you're competent and on top of things. That's why she sometimes picks an aspect of your job and begins randomly asking penetrating questions. Therefore, whenever you're meeting with the boss, have the details ready so you can answer these queries with grace and aplomb.

4. Take your job seriously.
Bosses appreciate individuals who truly care about what they do and willing to take the time to achieve a deep understanding of their craft. Bosses need people who have unique expertise. You don't have to be a pro at everything, but you should definitely have a specific area of knowledge that your boss values.

5. Have your boss's back.
When you see your boss about to make a foolish decision, it's your responsibility to attempt to convince him to make a different one. Make your best case, and express yourself clearly. However, once the decision is actually made, do your best to make it work-regardless of whether you think it was the right one.

6. Provide solutions, not complaints.
Complainers are the bane of your boss's existence. Nothing is more irritating or more boring than listening to somebody kvetch about things that they're not willing to change.  So never bring up a problem unless you've got a solution to propose-or are willing to take the advice the boss gives you.

7. Communicate in plain language.
Bosses are busy people and have neither the time nor the inclination to wade through piles of biz-blab, jargon and weasel words. When dealing with your boss, speak and write in short sentences, use the fewest words possible to make a point, and make that point clear and easily understandable.

8. Know your real job.
Regardless of what it says on your job description, your real job is to make your boss successful. There are no exceptions to this rule. None.

And, by the way: Your boss's real job is to make you more successful. The reversal of these priorities is the source of almost all organizational problems.

Have a safe, happy and healthy weekend as I look forward to seeing all of you soon.

Mitchell D. Weiner
Chief Happiness Officer

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“Being able to be truly happy at work is one of the keys to being happy in life”
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Inspire ME: Do 80% of People Quietly Despise Their Lives?

"While the more you can do the thing you love the better off you will be, the more important thing is to identify why you wake up in the morning. You need to come to grips with something that you value and be willing to make sacrifices in order to move towards it."

Greetings Folks,

Steve Spalding suggests that 80% of People Quietly Despise Their Lives. Are you among them?

This isn't a statistic, it's a casual observation based on talking to way more people about their careers than any normal person should. I'm convinced that most people dislike their lives, not in any robust way but with the kind of casual contempt that can be easily ignored by a society that prizes movement and action above just about everything else.

They dislike their jobs, they dislike their boss, they dislike the things they must do in order to make the living that will allow them to continue disliking their life.

They don't yell and scream and complain about it, in fact, they shuffle their way through it peacefully enough and teach their children that life is hard and painful and that they should appreciate any ounce of goodness that the universe deems them worthy of.

I think that the older you get, the more likely it is for you to fall into my 80%.

Children typically like life a lot. Teenagers are a little wishy-washy on it, but for the most part they think it's the tops. The problem starts somewhere around the mid-20s, when we get thrown out into the world to do "whatever we want to" and we realize that the majority of that time will be spent surviving and helping others to survive.

Kind of a bummer, especially when you spend the majority of your early days looking forward to the freedom of being an adult. This realization is enough to cripple most of us, and very few who survive it make it through unscarred.

So who, you might be wondering, are the elusive 20% who are actually enjoying the ride?

The richly working.

More than any other criteria - age, class, wealth, sex, whatever - it's the people who have a purpose, who have something they believe in and are willing to work on it despite whatever obstacles might get in their way who end up being happy. It's the people who wake up and know they are moving in a direction, towards something that is important to them, that end up loving their lives. It's the people who don't think about retirement because whatever it is that they are doing is truly meaningful that end up being truly content.

Before you ask, you don't have to quit your job and move into a commune to pull this off.

Having a purpose doesn't mean devoting your entire life to that purpose. While the more you can do the thing you love the better off you will be, the more important thing is to identify why you wake up in the morning. You need to come to grips with something that you value and be willing to make sacrifices in order to move towards it.

It might take you 20 years to write your novel, but put a sentence or two on a page every day.

It might take half your life to save up enough to open your restaurant, but do save and make concessions, make sacrifices to see to it that you will eventually get there.

Don't just hope that things will work themselves out, understand that you can make goals and as long as you actively pursue them it's not foolish or crazy to think that you can really accomplish something.

A big part of happiness is having something that makes you happy. A bigger part is doing something with it, developing real, practical steps that you can use in order to reach your goal. You can work your entire life and never do anything that you like. Considering time is the only resource that is truly scarce, you have to ask yourself whether it's worth it.

What say you about this? Let me know by reply.

Have a safe, happy and healthy weekend as I look forward to seeing all of you soon.

Mitchell D. Weiner
Chief Happiness Officer

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"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower" 
~~Steve Jobs 
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InspireME Friday: On a Positive Note, Let's Be Grateful.

"The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings."~~ Eric Hoffer

Good Morning Friends,


Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity.... It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.

These words remind us that all of us at FSO we have lots to be thankful for.

Indeed, we do.

Here's a life lesson my mother taught me:

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the best you can, happiness will find you.

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decisions.

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch- holding hands, a warm hug or just a friendly pat on the back.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

Sometimes you need just a little something to make you smile. 

At times like these we all need to smile. 

People forget what you said, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

You should pass this along to someone you care about. I just did. 


And always remember what John F Kennedy said: “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”

Here is how you say Thank You in 465 languages.

Have a GREAT day as I look forward to seeing all of you soon.

Mitchell D. Weiner
Chief Happiness Officer

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People may not always remember what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel. 

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InspireME: Bringing Out Talent in Others

"A superior leader is a person who can bring ordinary people together to achieve extraordinary results."

Good Morning Folks,    Thank you for today's wonderful article, Bruce.  Recognizing talent is relatively easy, no offense to successful recruiters be it in business, college or sports. However, "cultivating" talent is a gift because it requires really listening and looking for the unspoken words more than the spoken words as you note. But apply this to a team, many leaders are befuddled and look for the easy fix of drawing to people that think like themselves.  There is great merit in exploring the talents people have, developing them, encouraging them, and taking them to the next level. With good leadership, every day, regular people accomplish amazing things when they work together as a team doing what they do best.  Indeed - the mark of a true leader is getting others to perform beyond their own expectations. Parents and sports coaches alike can agree to this.

==> The Best Talent Is Bringing Out Talent in Others by Bruce Kasanoff Entrepreneur. Writer. Speaker. "A superior leader is a person who can bring ordinary people together to achieve extraordinary results." Many years ago, an entrepreneur told me that. He was right. But this isn't just true of leaders. It's true of all human beings. I've come to believe that the most valuable talent is being able to recognize hidden skills that others possess. Why? There's only one you, and you only have so much time. But if you can bring out the best in others, you gain remarkable leverage. So very hard... I'm not just talking about recognizing talent. I'm talking about being able to recognize a look in someone's eyes that tells you something valuable is burning inside that person. I'm talking about realizing that if you take Jake's drive, mix it with Julie's intelligence and Dave's creativity, then you will transform three mildly effective people into a spectacular team. I'm talking about looking past what's "wrong" with others, and instead seeing what's special about them in very pragmatic and actionable terms. How do you do this? Here's a short list of ways you can bring out the best in others: 1.) Let your gaze - and your attention - linger.  Instead of rushing past a person, or barely acknowledging their existence, you could choose to stop and really look into their eyes. Look at their body language. Consider what they are NOT saying and NOT doing. Ask yourself why. Consider two possibilities. One is that they have more value to add, but are unwilling (yet) to show greater initiative. Another is that they lack the confidence to utilize their "hidden" talents in a public fashion. Then look for ways to offer motivation and support. 2.) Magnify the quietest voices.  Money, power, and influence often flow towards the loudest voices in an organization - but sometimes the quietest voices possess the best answers. Can you think of a way to magnify the quiet voices? For example, I once visited an organization and was greeted by dozens of outgoing, warm people. But one young woman sat quietly in a corner, studying a book. It turned out she had recently moved from China, and did not yet have a strong mastery of English. But she was a genius, had performed at Carnegie Hall as a teenager, and had both a broader and deeper perspective than virtually everyone in the room. Think about ways you can identify and encourage these quiet gems. 3.) Mix things up.  Watch for opportunities to create non-intuitive combinations of people, ideas and circumstances. You can do this through social events, discussion groups, or even a carefully orchestrated meeting. You can do this by introducing people via email, and giving them a reason to interact. Many times, we make the mistake of waiting for others to initiate change. You might be thinking: this isn't my job, I'm not head of the department/division/company. Anyone can do this, and no matter who does it, that person is cultivating the amazing skill of bringing out the best in others. 4.) Look past your own biases.  Most of us are drawn to certain types of people. They might be like us, or they might simply be people who like us. If all you do is to follow your natural instincts, then you will be blind to most of the talent on Earth. You need to cultivate an appreciation for people who think, act, and feel differently than you. This is a tremendously difficult challenge. One way to start is to make others feel important by listening, really hard - with 100% of your attention - to what they have to say. Then repeat back what they told you, so that they know you understood. It's a small step, but an important one in the right direction. If you only interact with people who are within your comfort zone, you will seldom achieve anything great. Almost by definition, spectacular progress requires disparate ideas and talents to come together in unprecedented ways. Become one who cultivates talent in others. It will enrich your life and supercharge your career.

Have a Happy, Healthy, Safe and Refreshing Weekend, Love Life! Mitchell D. Weiner Chief Happiness Officer   Learn more about what DIFFERENTIATES FSO here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . .  "Doubt is an old disease. Faith is an old medicine. Compassion is an old doctor. Concern is an old nurse." ~~Sri Chinmoy (1931-2007, spiritual teacher) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . .

LinkUP Thursday: The Secret of Being Fearless

 “We all start out with this grand idea of where we want our careers to end up. Don’t ever lose that. Years from now be able to say, I’ve done what I always wanted to do.”

Good Morning Folks,

Today’s LinkedUP is for women only.

Citibank is sponsoring a YouTube series of brief online course to help women become more fearless in the workplace.

On today’s video, Alison Arden is the publisher of Advertising Age and the author of "The Book of Doing." In this episode of Get Connected, Allison shares her secrets to being fearless and persevering in order to achieve your goals.

Get Connected: Season 2 is a video series tied to Connect: Professional Women's Network, a free LinkedIn group powered by Citi. In each episode, we gain access to some of the most high-powered female executives in the business world to hear insights, tips and tricks on how they made their way to the top, and what keeps them there.

Watch the video at this link or below: http://youtu.be/bScZQT2LMwQ
 


Says Allison, “I took me a long time to be comfortable in my own skin. I wish somebody told me at the start of my career to just be more fearless. Just put yourself out there. Don’t worry about what other people really think. And just be you. It’ ok if you fail at first, but perseverance is key— get up brush yourself up and move on.”

Stay connected with ongoing motivation and inspiration by subscribing to the YouTube Channel or The professional Women’s Network, Powered by Citi. 

Have a GREAT day as I look forward to seeing all of you soon.

Mitchell D. Weiner
Chief Happiness Officer

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“You probably won't hear opportunity knock if your television is on all the time.”
~~Joe Moore

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