My first job as a 411 operator

Posted by callthatgirl on February 22, 2010

Below is a picture of me sitting in front of a USWest/Qwest terminal. I was a 411 operator from 1988-1995. I look back at this picture and just laugh. The reason why I am holding up a little notepad with the word “jerk” on it was because one of my co-workers just bought a new camera and was taking pictures of everything. So I wrote that up and when he said he was taking my pic, I flashed the “jerk” sign. What is really more hilarious is the big ol green screen monitor working off  a terminal system. Little did I know back then I would own a computer repair company 20 years later (eeks! 20 years flies by!)

The Qwest job by far was never one of my favorites, but I was making great money for a kid that age. I drove a sports car and took trips often. Ah, the good old days of having freedom and not caring about anything but where I was going out that night. I had to work many split shifts and weekends, but that was the life of a 411 operator. Times have changed now, we get the computerized 411 lady now–which I hate. As I build my business I have learned a few things…I will do the exact opposite of everyone else and NEVER ever, no matter how big my business gets, ever have a phone queue, “press 1 for this, press 2 for that”. 

Call That Girl will always always always have a live person answering phones…unless of course, I’m out of the office or busy with a client, but we are changing that too now….changes coming folks!

Fun blog today about people and their computers

Posted by callthatgirl on December 2, 2009

Nothing too special today folks, just some “fun” comments I have.

One thing that kinda gives me the “weirds” is when someone comes over and says, “Can I use your computer”. I don’t care, but I always feel weird about it. Computers are VERY personal these days. They are YOUR life! Most adults have their own and some with children have to share. (but many now are getting their own). And doesn’t it seem when someone borrows your computer, something is wrong with it afterwards?

Time after time I hear stories like these, “my brother was over for the weekend and now I have viruses all over and my internet isn’t working” “My mom came over and now I have a coupon page that pops up” or my favorite!!! “My ex-boyfriend came over and said he wanted to do something on my computer, popped in a flash drive and saw a window moving for 20 minutes” (WOW, he was TAKING HER STUFF!!!).

Eeks! We all need to be somewhat careful when we borrow our computers. Not everyone is as savvy as you are right?

Back to the creepy feelings…computers are now an extension of “us”, it’s how we work, play, eat, sleep and breathe. Ok a bit extreme, but for the most part it’s true. I had a computer stolen from me once and I didn’t care about the data (as it was backed up) but I felt more violated and “who is using it now!!!” I missed it actually.

To close for today, Happy Hump Day!

My favorite prank phone calls. I’m not a call girl!

Posted by callthatgirl on July 8, 2009

I get prank phone calls on occasion, lately I’m getting more of them. I know, I know! It’s the name of my business..but I’m not changing it for a few randoms that are searching for call girls in Eden Prairie on Google at 12:30 at night. (yep, that’s what my stats says).

Yesterday while driving home from work, I was on Penn Ave getting on to 394 eastbound and I got a call…here are the details.

Me: “Call That Girl this is Lisa”

Dude: “Do you really send hot girls out to fix computers”

Me: Silent

Me: decides to look at my rearview window to see who is behind me, more often than not..I get calls from people behind me while I’m driving (many become clients!). I see a young kid smiling and on his cell phone.

Me: “Are you behind me right now?”

Kid in SUV: “Yes”

Me: “Do I look hot to you?”

Kid in SUV: “I can’t see you”

Me: “I get calls like this from folks driving behind me all the time, I do computer repair”

Kid in SUV: “oh ok”

Click.

Me: Laughing at the kid.

Last night at 12:30 am, I get a missed call. I know it’s a call girl type call, so I leave it. Then they called back, I didn’t get that one. They called back again and I picked up.

Me: “hello”

763-639-2641 “what other kinds of services do you have”

Me:”You know what, I fix computers and I really don’t appreciate you calling me at this hour, and I’m tracing this call!!”

click.

I’m posting his number for the world to see because if he has the audacity to call me at 12:30 at night 3x in a row, his phone number should be posted. Idiot.

More bloggin’…

Nice…I totally spaced off Monday and Tuesday. But that’s a good thing I guess, I’m busy and loving it! As of yesterday I had my week almost booked up. I have a wee bit of room for a couple of emergencies, but other than that…life is good at Call That Girl Land.

This week I trained the interns on how to run projects. They just finished up their first rounds of projects and moved them to the next level. Many of them are working on great proposals or marketing plans and project training was in order. Mostly because of the ways I run projects, I felt I had to teach them how I work so they have some foundation to work with. Then we had LinkedIn training, phase I. As I am a LinkedIn maniac, it only seems appropriate that they all learn LinkedIn from me and have great profiles and connections. Most of them are graduating in 2010 and I am excited to have them all for another year!

I’m meeting with Arend Geurink of InHouse Productions to start working on a viral video. I met him via LinkedIn at a happy hour and am thrilled to have him assist me and the interns on this project!

Other than that…busy with this and that! Client load this week was awesome and business is growing. A Girl can’t be happier.

Lisa