Arianna Georgi

 Although I do a lot of other things at my work (lots of copywriting, proofreading (I know, funny, right?), general sales support stuff, and lots of listening to books on tape on my I-Pod) it’s not enough for me, so I also answer the phones and sort mail (because I choose to, damnit!).  This, I guess technically means I am the receptionist.  This is probably why I was the recipient of a very special brochure that came in mail today entitled “The Exception Receptionist.”

Is being a receptionist like really, really hard?  Could you really use some help figuring out how to answer phones?  How about sorting the mail or speaking to people that enter the office out loud?  If so, this class if for you!  The brochure encourages you to ask yourself, HAVE YOU EVER: Had trouble keeping your desk area tidy and organized amidst your busy day?

YES!  Between the craziness of answering phones and placing Staples orders I just let the used Kleenexes, take-out food boxes, and empty printer cartridges pile up!  In fact, I can’t even really see my monitor anymore so I am probably missing out on some pretty important forwards about how Bill Gates wants to give me a million dollars and Target supports terrorism!

Been unsure about how to deal with rude or pushy people?

YES!  When people are rude to me, I totally don’t know how to deal with it.  Normally I just hide beneath my desk and cower, but my boss recently spoke to me about this so I should probably learn.

Wondered how you would handle a dangerous security threat?

YES!  Often at work, I have extended fantasies about my office have a dangerous security threat.  I also worry about security threats occurring in my car, at Vons and on my back porch.  I wish there were classes to help me deal with those.

Anyway, the class has a lot of thing to recommend it.  As if writing a list that speaks strongly to my own, personal thoughts and concerns wasn’t enough, the Seminar Agenda has even more valuable information to give.  I can learn “Common Mistakes Receptionists make that scream, “Unprofessional!” or “Quick stress-busting exercises you can do at your desk without being noticed.”  Somehow I feel like these two would negate each other.  For instance, if I am sitting at my desk doing stress-busting exercises like the kind I do at home (i.e. punching my pillow repeatedly while muttering “you don’t talk to me that way!”) it might look sort of unprofessional.  On the other hand they said these techniques would keep me from getting noticed so maybe it’s tips on how to punch the pillow UNDER my desk.

I was already sold and convinced that my work should pay a few hundred dollars to send me to the Holiday Inn downtown to learn “Calming phrases to use with angry or complaining visitors” but the brochure also has testimonials if you aren’t.  They include such rave reviews as “this seminar…kept me interested throughout.”  Wow!  You mean you were able to focus your attention for half a day?  What an accomplishment!  Another comment states that “I feel empowered!”  That’s pretty impressive too.  That woman is probably all empowered and ready to go out there and practice “the fine art of saying “no” without causing offense or feeling guilty” in the office and in her boyfriend’s apartment!

I know where I will be August 1st!