More and more, the theme "Work-Life Balance" is creeping into the American psyche.  How would you feel about having a Personal Concierge service your team or company so you can focus on work instead of being distracted by everyday errands and other personal needs? 

Haha, I was nervous/anxious because I had a lot to say and not a lot of time to get it in ... but it was a great experience!! 

Andrew -- where are you based in the UK?  We would love to have a reason to open an office overseas!! 

Is that anywhere near Plymouth?  My grandmother was born and raised there (her family still lives in Plymouth).

Interesting question...there is a local (southeastern Michigan) concierge company that has been talking with various groups about doing just that--setting up a corporate account to allow people to use the services (not sure if it would be paid for by employer or employee, or at special rates perhaps).

Mixed reactions.  The positive is that (1) employees learn that such helpful companies exist, and (2) employees worry less when they travel for business, etc.  The downside is that when for some reason the service was less helpful than expected, it can be bad both for the concierge company and also the sponsoring company.  I think communication from the concierge service directly to employees might be good so that expectations are appropriately set on both sides of the deal.

Personally, I`ve used this particular concierge service and been quite satisfied.  They are definitely growing in our area!

Hi Jim!  I`ll be glad to answer your questions, best I can.

1.  It was intriguing to think that I could hire someone to help me in a way I`d only had `volunteers` before.  Using a neighbor, for example, to help with meeting a delivery person at my house or something like that.  Using free help created an obligation in my mind, which was an added stress that at the time I really didn`t need!  It was much `cleaner` to pay someone to help me, if you know what I mean.  I was so busy at that time in my life that feeling I`d have to pay someone back for a favor seemed impossible with my schedule.
2.  The service advertised the professionalism of their employees, and the fact that they were insured and bonded.  This  was reassuring, as I was inviting them to have a key to my house and access without supervision although I had no idea who the actual person was who would be there.
3.  They did go above and beyond the first time they helped me by responding within hours--something they would not normally do.  I was very appreciative and did not take advantage of that the next time, and scheduled ahead.

However, I need to say at this point that I referred them to a business colleague who travels a great deal and it didn`t work out very well.  While they were taking care of the colleague`s house, we had a huge storm and a tree broke through the window of the house.  While the service took care of it by informing the owner and following her instructions as to what to do after that, when she got the invoice she was shocked at how high it was.  They had charged for every ten minute increment they`d been at the house as though they`d been there an hour.  This was NOT clearly spelled out in any paperwork.  My colleague has not used them since, I haven`t either, and I also haven`t recommended them again.  They never followed up with my colleague to find out why she didn`t, nor have they followed up with me.  It seemed like an extraordinary situation during which the service would have garnered incredible good will by being a little less focused on the money and more on the service.

4. I contacted them because I`d met the owner of the business at a networking event.  However, there has been no follow up contact, as noted above. 

I hope this all helps!  I know one person`s experience is a very small sample.  Please feel free to ask more questions if I can assist further.

Regards,
Nancy