Q: Why choose the Concierge industry for your new business?

A: This is a baby-boomer industry that has been growing at an average rate of about 28% per year since 1999. Baby-boomers, above all others, seem to have a realistic view of time and what it costs. As baby-boomers continue in the workforce long past their planned retirement, they increasingly adopt the Concierge lifestyle as by outsourcing their tasks in order to save what little time they do have for leisure activities.

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Q: Why choose Concierge Business Solutions™?

A: The Concierge Business Solutions™ is a fully turnkey system. The application for automating the administrative functions of a Concierge company is a mature software program. It has been used daily for the last five years for the Executive Errands® company (www.executive-errands.com) and has proven invaluable both for data integrity and as a time-savings tool. Included with the Concierge Business Solutions™ program is all the documentation, forms, templates – even articles – you'll need to get your business off and running without the costly trial and error associated with regular startups.

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Q: Why do I need to automate the administrative functions of a Concierge company?

A: It is imperative that your records (i.e. clients, referrals, time collection) are impeccable. Manually tracking all the data associated with a Concierge company is not only laborious, it is easily prone to error. As your company grows it will become more and more difficult to maintain not only accurate record keeping, but also making sure you bill your clients for every bit of your time. Automation solves many of the issues associated with a growing and multi-functional Concierge company.

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Q: Why engage Concierge Business Solutions™ consulting services?

A: Our consulting services are borne out of real world experience in the Concierge industry. We have created Concierge-specific forms, procedures and templates. We know how to network and advertise a Concierge company and can mentor your Concierge business so that you may best position your company for your particular geographic location.

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Q: How is Concierge Business Solutions™ system different from other similar applications?

A: There are no other applications like the Concierge Business Solutions™ system. Other software companies offer time scheduling applications, but this is the first system that addresses Concierge administrative duties. Due to its web-based design and email driven processes, the Concierge Business Solutions™ system is equally appropriate as an administrative solution for existing companies and as a foundation for new Concierge or Property Management business opportunities. It operates from any device – computer, laptop, iPad or Smart phone.

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Q: How long does it take to implement the Concierge Business Solutions™ automated process system?

A: Our goal is always 30 days or less, but that assumes you make decisions in a timely manner and you've made yourself available for training.

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Q: What happens at the end of the implementation period?

A: As soon as we take your version of the Concierge Business Solution automated process system 'Live', you assume all the day-to-day usage of the system. If additional support is required, you may elect to engage in our consulting services.

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Q: I don't have an existing website – can I still use the Concierge Business Solutions™ automated process system?

A: Yes. We'll create a website for you, using your business name and we'll help you select pictures and write content to make the website uniquely yours. Then we'll train you how to use the new automated functionality.

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Q: I do have a website and I'm really happy with it. Can I still use the Concierge Business Solutions™ automated process system?

A: Yes. We'll copy our functionality to a new website and overlay your existing website on top of that. This means we will assume the hosting services for your website. It is necessary for us to host as the software code is proprietary and we can't have anyone else accessing it.

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Q: I don't have a concierge company yet, but I've been thinking about starting one. How might the Concierge Business Solutions™ automated process system help me?

A: Our website based system may be the foundation upon which you build a new concierge services company. We can help you determine the business model that works best in your community, procure a domain name, build you a website and train you on usage. In addition, Concierge Business Solutions™ includes written procedures and access to proven brochure, advertising and networking templates.

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Q: I'm not sure if the business model I've been using (or am thinking about using) is the correct one for my concierge services company. Can you help with that?

A: Yes. The Concierge Business Solutions™ automated process system includes two business models: Concierge Services and a Service Provider Referral network. It doesn't matter whether your company is for the average homeowner, the high end executive, a corporation or a planned community – this system supports all those scenarios.

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Q: Do I need to take credit cards to use this system?

A: Yes and No. The Concierge Business Solutions™ automated process system does encourage and support the use of cards for both clients and service providers; however, you can have clients without the use of credit cards and you can still utilize all the functionality (except automated billing). The service provider database does require credit or debit cards in order to process membership and automated referral fees.

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Q: How will I get merchant services set up?

A: We may be able to do it for you but the preferred method is for you to contract your own merchant services company and we'll work with them to get the interface set up.

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Q: What all comes with the Concierge Business Solutions™ automated process system?

A: A website that contains all of the functionality of this system, written procedures, access to brochure templates, consulting assistance for branding, networking, advertising (during the implementation phase) and a Train the Trainer workshop.

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Q: Why include a Train the Trainer workshop?

A: This program has helped many individuals overcome shyness when speaking in front of groups of people. And that is true whether a 'group' is just one person (i.e. in networking scenarios), fifty or less people (i.e. at mixers) or in front of 50+ people (conferences or corporate meetings).

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Q: Do I need any special licenses or permits in order to operate the Concierge Business Solutions™ automated process system?

A: Not for us or this software. You'll need to follow the guidelines set forth by your State and local agencies for any special licensing or permits for your business itself, but nothing special is required for this software system.

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Q: If there are 'future enhancements' to the system will I be expected to pay for them?

A: No, not unless you are the one who generates the request.

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Q: Will I need any special hardware for the Concierge Business Solutions™ automated process system?

A: No, none other than a device to access the internet – an iPad, a laptop or a smart phone all work equally well.

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Q: What platforms will this system work on?

A: The Concierge Business Solutions™ automated process system works on both PC's and MAC's. We have Concierge's doing electronic absentee home checks in the system from their iPad, from their smart phone and from a laptop.

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Q: Are there any browser restrictions?

A: None that we've noted. We've run the system through both Safari and Explorer. If you can access the internet, you can use this software.

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Q: When I purchase the Concierge Business Solution automated process system, do I own it?

A: No. This is a licensing arrangement. You pay an upfront fee, then a moderate monthly lease fee. Unlike traditional franchising, there are no royalties tied to monthly revenue. In this case we set a monthly lease fee which is paid on a rolling six months in advance and then there is nothing else expected unless you opt to engage in our consulting services. Included in your monthly licensing fee are your yearly website hosting services and we will make sure any future enhancements are also included in your version so you will never have an out of date configuration.

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Q: What if I want the system to do something else?

A: You may submit a request for new functionality (a form will be provided for your convenience). There is a non-refundable $150 charge for a feasibility review. Requests for new functionality shall be reviewed by both Concierge Business Solutions™ and the code developer to see if it is a feasible or necessary change. Assuming it is feasible and deemed necessary, a quote for development cost and schedule shall be given to the requestor. Assuming the quote is accepted, a technical spec shall be developed by Concierge Business Solutions™ with input from the requestor. The code development shall be performed in our staging database, all test scenarios shall be performed by Concierge Business Solutions™ and with review by the requestor and then, when the new functionality is tested and approved, it will be rolled out to all users at a time that will not interfere with daily business functions.

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