Story 11 - When a tuition coordinator falls ill
2007-03-21 16:42:00
As we all know, tuition coordinators are also human beings and there will definitely be times when they fall ill. Have you wondered, what exactly happens when these coordinators take leave? Curious? Then, allow me to share with you my experience for the past few days. For these two days, I took medical leave as I was still sick from fever and cold. During these two days, there were incidents which took place that delighted me while there were also some which darkened my day. What made me upset was a parent calling to complain about a tutor not turning up for lesson. I expressed my apologies and listened on as the parent proceeded to talk about the tuition fees. At that point of time, I was feeling rather absurd because the parent did not clearly explain who she was. Eventually, I actually had to flip through my data before I realised whom she was. Well, perhaps you might call it the grumpiness of a patient but I guess we have to sympathise the tuition coordinators at times as well. Esp
Story 10 - Parents who backed out
2007-03-13 12:02:00
Previously, we mentioned about tutors who backed
out from assignments at the last minute. As a result, coordinators were unable to close the cases successfully. Of course, this is only one scenario which may result in the failure of cases. Another scenario would be the backing out of parents at the last minute.Just recently, I lost a few cases when parents backed out at the last minute, even after we had settled every detail for the arrangement of the first lesson. This is definitely very common but as a tuition coordinator, how would you feel at this point of time? Disappointed? Irritated? For me, I would say it is a mixed feeling of both. Since I entered this career, I always believe that tuition coordinators will put in their heart to service the parents. Often, it does not take a few but many calls to actually get the right tutor for the parents. Then, there would be alot of convincing to take place, especially if the parents called many agencies. Eventually, the parents get back t
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Story 9 - Cunning tuition coordinators
2007-03-01 16:55:00
Although belonging to the same occupation, tuition coordinators from different agencies actually see their competitors as their greatest enemy. This time round, I would share with my readers a saddening experience that I encountered some time ago.Just a week ago, I was searching for a tutor for my client when I received an sms saying that he is keen to teach. As the assignment is quite rare, with lesson frequency of once in a fortnight, I asked for only a few details from him before closing the case. The details I requested included the number of years of experience he has in giving tuition, the levels and subjects he has taught before, and also if he currently has any student of the same level. After these details were sorted out, I messaged him the address, timing and date of tuition. For play safe, I passed him the contact number of the parent as well. Of course, tuition coordinators will only do this with the permission of the parent.I was so happy that I can clinch the deal when I
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Story 8 - Tutors/Parents who do not reply
2007-02-23 16:10:00
Dear tuition coordinators, have you ever encountered such a situation before: You found a suitable tutor after putting in loads of effort only to realise that you cannot get in touch with the parents. By the time you managed to contact the parents, they have already engaged the services of another tuition coordinator. How wasted!Now, if it was just the parents alone who do not reply
, the tuition coordinator is considered to be a lucky one. This is because I have also experienced before, the feeling of being ignored by a tutor. Of course, I understand that sometimes, when tutors do not reply, it could probably be that they are still having lessons. However, some of them do not reply at all, not even a sms, at the end of the day! At times, I really do wonder, does it really harm to sms a simple reply of either yes or no? Nonetheless, tutors still continue to get back to you only when it is too late. As a result, you fail to clinch the deal and end up disappointing the tutor. Therefore, I
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Story 7 - What happens when it is festive season?
2007-02-19 15:46:00
In the blink of an eye, Chinese New Year has arrived and everyone seems to be in a pretty good mood because of the festive season. The same goes for us tuition coordinators as we take a break from our hectic working schedule. On New Year eve, you sit around the dining table, enjoying your reunion dinner with your loved ones when suddenly, the phone started ringing. You answered the call and realised that it is a concerned parent looking for a tutor. Thus, you decided to put aside your meal and service this parent. More calls then started pouring in and they are calls either from tutors or parents. "Oh dear, is the break over for me?" you thought silently to yourself. Eventually, the phone calls ceased and you are back to your peaceful rest. As the clock struck twelve, you hear people around you rejoicing at the arrival of Chinese New Year. You smile to yourself thinking, "This is a whole new beginning. Be it for relationship, career or anything else." You are full of hope for the futur
Story 6 - Parents who do not pay
2007-02-13 10:36:00
Here is an apology to all readers for the late update because I have been trying to collect back commissions from parents. As tuition coordinators, I believe many must have experienced delayed payments from parents and having to chase them for the commissions. Sometimes, having to chase after debts is quite a chore because of two likely scenarios that might happen. 1) We offend the parent unknowingly through a gentle reminder sent to them. Example, some may feel that we are trying to imply they are running away with our commission. Being in the service industry, relationships with the parents are important and we must constantly be aware if we could be saying the wrong thing through a slip of tongue. 2) Due to fear of offending the parents in any way, some may choose to wait for parents to recall the payments and send the cheques back to them. However, there will always be times when parents are tight up with work and forget all about the commission. The poor coordinators then either
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Story 5 - Tuition coordinators/tutors who lie?
2007-02-05 16:58:00
This entry is definitely familiar to many tutors and tuition coordinators. Think about it, have there been times when you are tempted to lie so as to close the case/get hired by the parent? For me, the answer is simply yes. Most of the time, parents will request for experienced tutors but sometimes, it is really difficult to find one that fits the bill nicely. The tutors who are experienced might not be satisfied with the rate or are willing to travel the extra mile. On the other hand, the tutors who are keen to take up the assignment have either no experience or little experience. At this point of time, you would probably be thinking to yourself, "How about just exaggerating about the years of experience the tutors have actually?" Of course, another side of you would be trying to abolish this thought because it is not the right thing to do. So which side emerges as the final winner is dependable on your determination to resist the temptation. I understand it is hard to resist sometime
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Story 4 - Tutors backing out/running away
2007-02-03 17:37:00
"Yes, I am very interested to take up this assignment." Isn't this a delightful statement to a tuition coordinator? Especially when this means you no longer have to search high and low for a tutor? You then arrange for the tutor to go down for an interview/first lesson and to which, the parent called to inform you the tutor did not turn up. When you asked the tutor why, all he/she can say is, "I am too busy to commit." How contradicting from the keenness shown previously. Well, this is not the worst scenario a tuition coordinator has to face. What is worse is actually tutors who go missing after the first lesson. Then, to avoid calls from tuition coordinators, they will reject your calls so you cannot get in touch with them. In the end, you have to appease the parents and start your search all over again. "A waste of time and effort", you thought to yourself. For me, it is not just about that but also the destruction of trust we placed in that tutor. Of course, I have also encountered
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Story 3 - Unreasonable parents
2007-02-02 17:11:00
This story is actually provided by my partner, Blue.Here is how the story goes: Recently, he found a tutor for a pair of parents and after the first lesson, the child has actually commented that he likes the teaching method of the tutor. Lessons went smoothly till the fourth lesson which the tutor cancelled because she would be really late. The enraged parents called up my partner to complain about the tutor not keeping to her promise. He got in touch with the tutor and found out that this was the only time since her past assignments and what actually happened was she cancelled the lesson due to responsibility. Do take time to ponder, if you have to delay your lesson almost 3 hrs later and it would be late at night, would you postpone it or cancel it?For me, I would do the same as the tutor - cancel it. This is because I feel that the child would probably be tired late at night and the lesson would not be as effective as it was intended to be. My partner, Blue, then called back the par
Story 2 - Thanks for your efforts!
2007-02-02 05:06:00
As promised, this entry will be about the pleasant encounters of a tuition coordinator. Ever been to a restaurant and tip the waiter/waitress for his/her good service? Yes, tuition coordinators need tips once in a blue moon as well to keep their morale and spirit up high. Except that our tips are in the form of testimonials and simple thank yous from parents. There was once when I called a parent to find out how was the tutor at the 1st lesson. To which the parent replied with delight, "Thanks
Red, my child likes the tutor very much. Thanks for asking too." That was all it took to brighten my day despite the many problems which followed.Actually, as a tuition coordinator, I do not ask for much. All I wish for is some appreciation shown for my efforts at times. Indeed the commission should be my reward but how about those times when we are unable to service the parent well enough? No job is too easy and this is the case for tuition coordinators as well. However, with a little motivation
Story 1 - A change of tutor please
2007-02-01 16:52:00
"Hello, may I speak to Red please?" "Yes, this is Red, how may I help you madam?" "Remember the tutor
you recommended me previously? She came yesterday and she's no good. I want a change of tutor." The call ends here. Does this scenario sound familiar? Indeed, this happens to us coordinators all the time. Some may feel that this is something good because it would mean being able to draw commission again. On the other hand, this can be really some bad news, especially if you actually do not have any replacement in mind. Thus, the search begins and as usual, to no avail. However, when lady luck shines on you, miracles do happen.For assignments which have been pending for a while without a tutor, tutors are now streaming in to assist the students. They are just like the gifts sent down from heaven. If you happen to be down on luck, then what is likely to have happened would be the parent telling you she/he has gotten another tutor. This seems so saddening for coordinators, doesn't it? I
Story 12 - A need for updated profiles of tutors
2007-04-05 11:05:00
Recently, I was searching for a full time tutor when something struck me. Out of the many calls that I had made, some of the tutors were no longer giving tuition. In fact, they sounded pretty irritated when we called them up, as if we were harassing them for nothing. Also, there were circumstances where the tutors had actually converted from full time tutors to part time tutors and vice versa.As a result, those who are now part time would assume that we are ridiculous to require them to give tuition during working hours. Meanwhile, those who are now full time tutors would complain that we never bother to give them a ring when there are assignments. Through these few incidents, I realise that there is an urgent need for the tutors to update their particulars in their database.Honestly, what is the use of a database if you have to ask every question you need to know about the tutor? I am certain that by the time the phone call ends, both parties would be quite tired from all the asking a
Story 13 - A gentle reminder for tutors
2007-04-09 19:27:00
When I first started out as a tuition coordinator, I kept hoping for an assignment to come soon. When the first one finally came, the next thing to do was to find a suitable tutor to send down for lessons. Soon, I received a few more assignments and it was at that time when a problem cropped up. One of my tutors who was supposed to have tuition on a particular day, did not turn up at all for tuition. Of course, the parent was boiling mad because the tutor did not make a single call to explain himself. It was only when I called up the tutor that I realised, he had gotten the tuition day wrong. Since then, there had been a few more similar cases, only that the tutors got the timing wrong. In fact, there were some who went to the wrong place because they got confused which parent was which. It then struck me that there had to be something done and it had to be done- fast. Thus, I decided to send gentle reminders to tutors to ensure that they can go down for lessons smoothly. Initially, so
Story 14 - Lonely tuition coordinators
2007-04-21 12:36:00
Many people have the perception that tuition coordinators work individually because they are fearful of their own clients being snatched away by other coordinators. However, tuition coordinators should work hand in hand instead to secure clients by their side. Why is that so?Imagine having many allies whom you can rely on to get tutors for your clients. How would that feel? Indeed, there might be a chance that your client then becomes loyal to your co-broke partner in future but it can be the same for you too! Just like you refer clients to your partners, so will your partners refer clients to you. In fact, yout clients will even be touched that you have their interests at heart and they end up becoming your loyal clients for long.Now, imagine having many other coordinators ally against you. Do you feel even more threatened because the chance of losing your client is even higher? Facing the many other choices that the opponents provide, how confident are you of servicing the parent wel
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Story 15 - Tutors or parents who delay your time?
2007-04-30 05:57:00
Dear tuition coordinators, have you ever felt that there will always be tutors or parents who tend to waste your time? For me, I have often felt so. On advertisement days, I will often receive two types of calls. One would be to enquire about the hiring of private tutors and the other would request us to search for a private tutor. For the latter, I would get the necessary details and embark on the search of a suitable candidate and after some time, get back to the parent. Out of which, there is only 50% chances that I will actually close the deal successfully. Here are a few reasons why:1) Other agencies provide better tutors or tutors who charge lesser.2) The parents decided not to get a tutor after much consideration like time arranging and costs.3) The students do not have the parents' permission to hire the tutor. I believe the above scenario is familiar to many and it does not feel nice when you go all out and face rejection in the end. On the other hand, there are tutors who te
Story 16 - Parents who delay payment?
2007-05-24 11:08:00
Sometimes, we often encounter cases where tutors get dismissed after the first lessons. Some are sacked because they performed under expectation while some were rejected because there was a lack of communication between the tutor and the parents/student. Whatever the reason, in most scenarios, the tuition coordinator would embark on the search for a replacement tutor.Logically, till the time you find a replacement tutor, the parent would usually owe the tuition fees for the previous tutor unless they had paid right on the spot. Some parents are really nice and pay off immediately as they understand we have to answer to the tutors. However, some would be less sensitive and delay till the tutor starts chasing the debt.It could have been past 1 or 2 months and the parents not yet settled the tuition fees. Thus, the tutors start coming to the tuition coordinators and the coordinators had no choice but to remind the parents of the unpaid tuition fees.To avoid trouble, some pay up immediatel
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