Alicia Nichols Easter is the Director of Client Support Services at SouthData. She's been with the company for 23 years. Alicia took some time to talk about what her role encompasses, the best piece of advice she's ever been given, and the one thing that would surprise her co-workers to know about her. 

SouthData has always prided itself on setting a high benchmark for quality customer service. Part of that process is identifying where we can improve and then making adjustments that push us forward as a company. That’s why we’re excited to announce some changes we recently made to our HOA Customer Service Division. Here’s what the model looks like now.

Lora Southard is the Vice President of Sales for HOA, Government and Utilities Markets at SouthData, Inc.  She’s in her 13th year with SDI, and here she talks about growing with the company, her proudest accomplishment thus far, and what she’s most excited about looking ahead. She also reveals what she looks for in a new hire and—get ready, locals—her favorite spot to eat in Mt. Airy.

Look for new way's to send the message, deliver better customer service, and increase your revenue. 

The United States Postal Service recently released their 2016 Household Diary Study, which, since 1987, has set out to collect data on household use of mail and how that use evolves over time. The survey “collects household information on demographics, lifestyle, attitudes toward mail and advertising, bill payment behavior, and use of the Internet and other information technologies.” It’s a long, comprehensive, and interesting (really!) document. We pulled three facts worth noting about transactions mail.

Working with clients on their critical communication needs means we get insight into how different types of companies transmit information and which methods prove most effective for them. Here are some general observations that apply to anyone trying to create a better customer experience.

Summer brings so much possibility: Long days by the pool, drives to the beach, and better looking invoices.Now is an ideal time to update your invoice package, whether you use electronic billing services or print and mail. Ideally, the refresh would accomplish three things:1. Present a more polished, modern look for your company.2. Tighten up the organization of the invoice’s elements, and perhaps even incorporate some targeted messaging.3. Improve customer response time. (Translation: Increase your cash flow.)The SouthData design team understands the balance between creativity and clarity when making this kind of change. By incorporating color, improving image quality, and drawing the eye to neatly organized sections, your invoice can help streamline your branding and provide clarity for your customers simultaneously. It’s refreshing for everyone.Interested in this for your business? Contact us.

Back to school isn’t a day or a frame of mind—it’s a powerful marketing season that kicks off earlier than you might think. (Some schools start up again in early August.) And as one of the biggest spending seasons of the year, back to school is also an opportunity to drive some new business and get creative with your marketing efforts. In other words, summer is over, but that can be a good thing. The monthly invoice package you send customers can include an insert that’s designed within this framework. Offer “last chance” summer sales, promote the latest products and services you have, and anticipate your customers’ needs. These inserts are also a great way to touch base with them before the next big spending season. SouthData has a lot of experience creating these types of targeted messages, and we can come up with a fun campaign that fits within your brand guidelines and taps into this market. Contact us for more details before ...

At SouthData, we offer a variety of customer communication solutions, but we recognize that a bill's efficiency and clarity come before any other bells and whistles. Here are the two questions every bill should answer immediately. 1. "How much do I owe?" This is a case where the bottom line should be the top line, whether it’s a paper bill or an electronic bill. The number could never be too obvious. Loud and clear, front and center. 2. "When is it due?" The final call for payment is almost more important for you than it is for the customer. Don't bury this somewhere on the bottom of the paper or screen. Any other messaging, information, or design should support these two pieces of information, because the third question is the one we've all asked ourselves upon opening the mailbox or inbox: 3. "Is all I ever do pay bills?" Well, yes. That's all any of us do. To take the edge off and strengthen customer reten ...

While the Big Branding Things at a company get done, it’s the Little Branding Things—the ones that seem too obvious to mention—that can slip through the cracks. It happens. Here are three quick check-ups to ensure your company branding is in tip-top shape.1. Sincerely, All of Us.Anything that leaves your office is your office, which is why consistent email signatures are important. If Diane, Jim and Sam have the same sign off, but Todd changed the font and added his favorite GIF to the bottom, someone should ask Todd why. Personality is important, and there may be allowances depending on the industry, but there’s something reassuring about clean messaging. Consistency is not boring; it’s got a nice hum.2. The newest logo is the only logo.If you’ve refreshed, tweaked or bulldozed your company logo over the last few years, make sure everyone has the latest one. Even better, make sure that logo is on everything: invoices, press releases, business cards, brochures, t-shirts, etc. When ther ...