Council & Associates - August 2018

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AUGUST 2018

A LOT OF THE SKILLS I LEARNED AT BASKIN

THE VALUE OF Customer Service

ROBBINS HAVE AN EFFECT ON ME TO THIS DAY. MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE, THAT JOB TAUGHT ME THE VALUE OF CUSTOMER SERVICE. ”

WHAT I LEARNED FROM BASKIN ROBBINS

I

‘ve always been a self-proclaimed busybody. I got my first job when I was in high school. Most parents

no longer sell it to a customer, and we weren’t about to throw away a perfectly good cake just because it had a few less-than-perfect icing flowers or a spelling mistake. Instead, we’d get to eat the “mistake cakes,” which was all the incentive we needed to have the occasional mishap … especially when the cake had Pralines ‘N Cream in it. A lot of the skills I learned at Baskin Robbins have an effect on me to this day. More than anything else, that job taught me the value of customer service. We had plenty of regular customers, and I can’t tell you how happy they were when I remembered their order. Whenever I would see a frequent customer, I’d be sure to greet them the second they walked in. “Welcome back, Mr. Smith,” I’d say. “I know exactly what you

want.” By the time the customer made it to the register, their preferred item would be there waiting for them. That might not seem like a big deal, but it made a big difference. Seeing the smiles on customers’ faces helped me realize just how important friendly, reliable service can be. You can buy Baskin Robbins ice cream from hundreds of places. In fact, it’s a whole lot cheaper to buy a pint and scoop it yourself. So it wasn’t the savings or some exclusive flavor that kept our customers coming back. It was the service that they received. They didn’t just want the ice cream — they wanted the experience of buying it at our shop. Today, I still strive to replicate the experience the “Mr. Smiths” of the world had at Baskin Robbins when I was an employee. I want all of my clients to know that they are working with attorneys who care about getting to know them, learning about their lives, and delivering not just exceptional results, but exceptional service.

would probably thank their lucky stars to have a daughter who actively wanted to start working, but my folks were a little confused. I was a busy student, a cheerleader, and I was involved in a number of extracurricular activities. “You know,” they told me, “you don’t have to work.”

“I appreciate you saying that,” I replied, “but I really want to have a job.”

My first job was nothing glamorous. I worked at Baskin Robbins, serving customers and decorating cakes. I can tell you from experience that there are indeed 31 flavors, but it’s probably been too long for me to list them all. What I can tell you is that my favorite flavor was Pralines ‘N Cream! Working at Baskin Robbins might not sound like a dream job, but it was definitely a dream first job. I mastered my scooping technique, which is Instagram-worthy to this day, while learning to decorate cakes. I have to confess, we would occasionally mess up cakes on purpose. Once a cake was flubbed, we could

–Lashonda Council- Rogers, Esq.

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YOU NEED A LAWYER WITH EXPERIENCE TRUCK When YouGet in an Accident With a Last month, I discussed why accidents involving semi-trucks can be extremely dangerous. I’m returning to that topic today, but I want to take a different approach. When people are in an auto accident, they sometimes question whether they should hire an attorney. For cases involving commercial trucks, the answer is almost always a resounding yes.

With the school year fast approaching, families are in preparation mode. Parents are busy buying new clothes and school supplies and thinking about the best way to get their kids safely to school. Keeping your child safe on their commute starts with knowing the transportation method that works best for you and the rules that accompany that method. TRANSPORTATION SAFETY TIPS PROTECT YOUR CH I LDREN DUR I NG THE I R COMMUTE According to the United States Department of Transportation, the school bus is the safest means of transportation to and from school. Buses are built to withstand a hit and distribute the damage throughout the vehicle, keeping its passengers safe and sound. Knowing basic bus safety will help kids be mindful when taking the bus. Before the school year starts, take your children to the bus stop and show them where they should stand when the bus approaches — a minimum of three large steps or 6 feet from the street. Tell your kids about the importance of sitting still and not standing in the bus while it’s in motion. TAKING THE SCHOOL BUS

Trucking accident cases are much more complicated than your garden-variety car accident. If you get in a small fender bender, you may not need an attorney. But accidents that include an 18-wheeler almost never result in minor scrapes. Odds are you’ll miss work and need serious medical

attention due to a trucking accident. Making sure you get what you deserve requires working with an experienced attorney. In addition to the factors that cause regular accidents — speeding, distracted driving, intoxication, etc. — there are considerations exclusive to trucking cases. Have you ever

YOUNG PEDESTRIANS ON THE ROAD

Whether your child is biking, walking, or even skateboarding, it’s vital that they know and follow the rules of the road. All children should practice road safety behavior, such as riding on the right side of the road, wearing helmets, stopping at stop signs, and watching out for cars. Internalizing these habits will help them stay aware of their surroundings when traveling to and from school.

seen a shredded tire on the highway? It’s probably from a blown-out tire on a commercial truck. These blowouts occur when trucking companies and their drivers don’t adequately assess tire pressure before driving. A runaway truck can cause serious damage to a number of vehicles. If you don’t have an attorney, you might not realize that you can hold trucking companies accountable That’s just one example. We can also investigate whether the company hired somebody unfit to drive, whether the driver had been overworked at the time of the accident, and if the truck was hauling in excess of its maximum capacity. If you’re injured in an accident with a massive truck, you want to work with a law firm that will turn over every stone related to your case. That’s exactly what the experienced lawyers at Council & Associates will do. for such lapses in judgment.

SHARING THE ROAD

When school starts, the roads become even more cluttered than usual. On top of people heading to work, there are large buses making frequent stops, parents rushing to drop their kids off, and young kids biking or walking to school. With the added tension on the road, it’s important to be alert and move cautiously. Slowing down in school zones or around young pedestrians will keep you vigilant and could potentially save lives. Teach your kids to be prepared and safe on the road to ensure that they have a healthy and safe school year.

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August’s Silliest Holidays

ARE THESE ON YOUR CALENDAR?

August 13: Left-Handers Day

February has Valentine’s Day; September has Labor Day; December, of course, has Christmas; and August has, um, National Raspberry Cream Pie Day. August may not host any major holidays, but it doesn’t lack for some of the goofiest on the calendar.

it makes sense that there is a day devoted to them. Take the day to hunt for lost treasures and screaming deals. Many thrift shops also benefit nonprofit organizations, giving you even more reason to frequent them.

About 10 percent of the population is left- handed. Lefties may be stuck in a right-hand- dominant world, but on August 13, they rule the roost. Originally founded in England, Left-Handers Day has taken off in the U.S. Righties are encouraged to try out a left-handed approach for the day. Lefties, for their part, are free to be themselves.

August 27: National ‘Just Because’ Day

August 6: National Wiggle Your Toes Day

This celebration is really scratching the bottom of the holiday barrel. Joseph J. Goodwin created National “Just Because” Day in the 1950s. It’s a day to do something “just because.” Be spontaneous and have a little fun. There’s no one way to celebrate, which is fitting, given that the existence of the holiday seems to defy logic altogether.

While the origin of this holiday is uncertain, it’s held every year on August 6. To celebrate, people are encouraged to wear sandals, flip flops, or other toe-exposing footwear. You can also frolic barefoot in the grass or simply stretch those digits throughout the day. Just don’t expect to see any Hallmark cards devoted to National Wiggle Your Toes Day anytime soon.

August 17: National Thrift Shop Day

Thrift shops are a staple of American commerce, so

Local Business Spotlight PERSONALITY ON A PAGE

Ask anybody who’s ever applied for a job, and they’ll tell you that crafting a compelling resume is one of the hardest parts of the process. No matter how sterling your qualifications, a drab, unprofessional resume can leave you at the bottom of the pile. As an experienced HR professional, Tiffani Murray has seen countless resumes come across her desk, so she knows what makes candidates stand out. That’s why she created Personality on a Page (POP) — a resume writing and career consulting service that helps job seekers land their dream careers. Personality on a Page (POP) will analyze your resume and help you improve it. The company and Murray have been featured in Money magazine and on the blogs for Monster and Glassdoor. When you use Personality on a Page (POP), you know you’re working with an expert. You can go to www.PersonalityOnaPage.com to learn more about this awesome company.

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Inside

31 FLAVORS OF HARD WORK 1 KEEP YOUR KIDS SAFE ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL WHAT CAUSES TRUCKING ACCIDENTS 2 THE STRANGEST HOLIDAYS IN AUGUST MAKE YOUR RESUME SPARKLE 3 GEORGIA’S FAVORITE FRUIT 4

THE HISTORY OF

Georgia Peaches

Peaches didn’t become the official state fruit of Georgia until April 7, 1995, but the fruit’s connection with our area dates back centuries. Peaches are native to China but were first introduced to Georgia in the 16th century, when they were brought over by Franciscan Monks. Since that time, they’ve been grown regularly, but they didn’t develop their iconic association with our state until after the Civil War. From the 1870s through the 1920s, Georgia produced an increasing number of peaches, leading to the state’s nickname as the Peach State. In fact, we even have a Peach County, which was incorporated in 1924, at the height of the peach boom. Funnily enough, production levels FROM THE 1 6TH CENTURY UNT I L TODAY

have steadily declined since the all-time high of 8 million bushels in 1927, but the relationship between the state and the fruit has only grown stronger. Today, Georgia and peaches go together like Maine and lobsters or New York and bagels. On New Year’s Eve, Atlanta celebrates with a giant peach drop. Every year, Georgia bakers make the world’s largest peach cobbler, which measures 11 by 5 feet. No matter which state grows the most peaches (California, if your curious), there will only ever be one Peach State.

Polaris Lounge uses peaches in their daiquiris, which have become one of Atlanta’s signature cocktails. Farm Burger, an Atlanta burger staple, slathers peach chutney over beef patties during the summer. If these sound wild and crazy to you, you can always head over to Busy Bee Cafe to try their world-famous cobbler. Some consider it the city’s best; others just say it’s as good as it gets. Peach season is in full effect right now, so I hope you have the chance to enjoy them before it’s too late. If you have a favorite peach-based recipe, I’d love to hear it. We may not produce the most peaches anymore, but we still produce the best!

Georgia chefs, bakers, and home cooks have found thousands of creative uses for peaches.

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