The Voice: Dan Palmere's Blog

Keezer's Classic Clothing

At the recommendation of a friend, I stopped by this "little place off Central Square" to find a good deal on a tuxedo purchase. I knew it was an investment that would pay off and could be used for gigs with the quartet and other personal social events. 

I got off the bus at Central in Cambridge and eventually made my way into Keezer's. I'll admit I was a bit skeptical at fist sight from the outside and boxes lining the entry hallway, but soon had a change of heart. Dave was extremely helpful with picking sizes for jacket, shirt, and pants. He made easy conversation; I was impressed when he introduced himself before anything. 

Maggi, the store dog, was a nice touch and couldn't have been friendlier. It was all around a really comfortable shopping experience and I didn't break the bank, like I could have done at other popular chains. The tux looks great. I'll have to find a tailor to hem the pants, as they don't offer alterations there.

Keezer's sells thousands of suits, tuxedos, and shirts. Along with an assortment of formal accessories, they offer rental tuxedos for a great price.

Definitely add this place to your list when shopping for formal wear. Chances are you won't be disappointed. 

Keezer's Classic Clothing (Est.1895)

140 River Street, Central Square

Cambridge, MA 02139

Monday-Saturday: 10 am - 6:00 pm

The interview

Today I had an interview for a position in the Music Production & Engineering Department at Berklee College of Music. I took note of a few ideas and tips for your next interview:

1. Arrive early, but not too early.
2. Make small talk with the person at the reception desk.  
3. When your interviewer arrives and introduces him/herself, say something like, "Hi ____, nice to meet you. The key is using their name. 
4. Thank the person at reception on the way in and on the way out. 
5. Smile. Show off some of your person personality, not just the office side.  
6. Keep eye contact. Don't look down or away when listening or answering a question. 
7. Have stable and confident sitting posture. 
8. Know some facts about the company or person interviewing you. Something may come up in conversation and you'll come across that more impressive. 
9. Listen: 75%. Talk: 25%. 
10. Send a follow up email later after the interview thanking the person for their time and consideration. Point out anything else you wanted to bring up. This also is a good opportunity to show off your blog or website.       

Remember: (very cliche) Be honest with yourself and to them. You'll be thankful later.
  

New Business Card

Here's my new business card I had designed and printed at Reliance Media. 

Stores of the future

While I was running errands around town today I took note of the atmosphere in different stores. I estimated that for a new customer to enter a store they'd never been to, it only takes 3 seconds for them to sync with the vibe. Everything from the music, lighting, smell, population, and product influence how long they'll stay---be it just browsing or looking for a particular item. 

The "self-check out" item is a glimpse into how stores will operate in the future. I think nowadays people love being able to control as much as possible. Applications are much more user-friendly, the touch screen feature is becoming more mainstream with the introduction of the iPhone and similar products. 

Remember in Minority Report when Tom Cruise enters Gap? There was a robotic receptionist who scanned his eye and asked about his last purchase. This almost seems viable, though some may feel wary. 

I think stores of the future will be like a combination of online shopping and reality. You customize your order and its available right then and there. A one stop customer experience.

Customer Satisfaction

My car's passenger side front tire went flat. I knew immediately  where to go. 

I think that's the sign of a great business. When both customer satisfaction and low price work harmoniously. I brought my car there, and within 30 minutes they had it repaired at no cost. Granted, I was a repeat customer, but, this simple action results in me spreading the word about the "best" place to go if you need a tire change. 

Whenever I need a tune-up, I'll take my car to another place. Auto-repair is pricy, but these people know customer service. Just simple gestures like a follow-up call a few weeks later and a Christmas card go a long way. 

My philosophy is to never lose business over price. If a customer can't afford an item, meet them halfway. True, you're losing profit. Think about the repercussions of that gesture. Word-of-mouth advertising is still the best form in my book.