I reached out to Tara, The Written Word, Co-founder, based in Wheaton, IL. by phone regarding my…read more6-yr-old son.
Allow me to share a little nugget of information: I'm a business owner 15-years, newspaper and and media industry, and member of several executive boards. I share this to emphasize two points: I make it a practice to be balanced and objective. When doing business, I pick up the phone and call prospects as a courtesy not only out of appreciation their time and consideration, but to better understand the clients/partners needs. Now with that said, let's get down to the good part.
The following are the communications between Tara and myself (sent from her iPhone) :
TARA:
"Hello Nicole,
Thank you for contacting me.
Are you interested in receiving help for your son?"
ME:
Hi Tara. Yes, I am seeking assistance for my son, Joseph, 6.5 yrs in the 1st grade,
Joseph recently transferred from a private outdoor school, (located) in Wheaton.... The transition (to his new school) has been challenging.
Joseph is extremely intelligent, altho he's a left brain thinker. His brain filters and processes information from left to right.
He performs exceedingly well in math, in some aspects, but struggles with math concepts presented in traditional school. He's an unbelievable narrative and conceptual thinker. Although he struggles, which is an understatement, with numbers transposition, letter transposition, phonics and short-term memory. His long term memory goes back to the womb.
What's the best time to talk or meet?
-- Still no phone call --
TARA:
Hello Nicole,
I'm sorry to hear your son has had a rough transition. It sounds like he has a lot of strengths. Unfortunately, I am not accepting new students. I am full before and after school.
ME:
I'm not seeking before or after school assistance. I'm seeking during school (hours). Joseph will be homeschooled next year.
-- Still no phone call --
TARA:
Nicole,
Are you available to meet during the day? If so, what day and time would work for you?
I'll stop the email banter right about here, for now. I set an appointment with Tara. I rescheduled our initial appointment more than 72 hours in advanced due to a work conflict.
Prior to our appointment, I suggested we facilitate the meeting over Facetime or Skype. I mean why drive 30 minutes to meet someone who cannot pick up the phone and call a prospective client.
In reply to this request, sent from her IPHONE, she stated:
TARA
On Monday, December 3, 2018, 11:12:14 AM CST, Tara Chapman tara.chapman@thewrittenwordtww.com wrote:
Hello Nicole,
"We can talk over the phone. Neither one of those options (Facetime or Skype) work for me.
Thanks,
Tara
Sent from my iPhone"
ME:
"BTW Facetime is standard with iPhone, but if you prefer to talk minus video that's fine, too."
Now seeing that Tara's preference of communication is email, and a bit impersonal for me given the subject is a child, I was bewildered that she didn't jump on the Facetime/Skype-wagon. I said to myself, "young kids today just don't understand the value of interpersonal communication and its importance in business". However, when I looked up Tara's picture online before writing this review I see that she's old enough to know.
In Tara's last communication, which I received less than 24 hours before our "meeting"
TARA:
"Hello Nicole,
I heard back this evening from a family I met with last week. They decided to hire me, so I will be enrolling this new student. Unfortunately, I will not have any additional availability during the day next year. Best of luck to you as you interview other tutors. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to reach out to me."
Perhaps Tara knew innately she would be out performed by other tutor candidates who show more sincerity and professionalism. She certainly did not discern from the credentials in my email that newspaper folks write and interview with our noses - or least she doesn't care.