IJL in the News
Skip Logging On & Log Some Quality Face-to-Face Time
It's Just Lunch helps busy professionals make the most of their mid-day breaks, according to "The Rules of Engagement" article in the February 2012 Canada edition of Reader's Digest. "The pros take care of the compatibility question, scheduling and restaurant reservations; you just show up with an appetite and an open mind," the article said about the face-to-face value of It's Just Lunch's Canada offices.
Right now is the best time to try something new. According to a recent survey conducted by It's Just Lunch, many singles see February 14th as a day to try something new or even expand beyond one's dating boundaries. Over 83% of respondents said they would accept a first date request if it falls on Valentine's Day,and over 70% said they would be open to being set up on a blind date.
When it comes to first dates, It's Just Lunch is the one to count on to get the ball rolling. Over the past 20 years, we have helped thousands of busy professionals in over 100 locations worldwide find a fresh approach to dating.
So, what do our clients have in common? They have made a decision to change their approach to dating and made a simple phone call. Why not be one of them? Call It's Just Lunch today at 604-633-9980 (Vancouver and Victoria) or 416-703-3900 (Toronto) and start dating tomorrow.
___________________________________________________________________Have Lunch, Find Love
In a Sun News segment, It's Just Lunch managing director Jacquie Brownridge talks about how outsourcing your dating life can help you win at love.
Lying May Be More Common While Texting
In the report from CBC News Vancouver, "People tend to tell more fibs when they're texting, B.C. researchers say.
"A study by the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia compared the level of deceit people use in a variety of media — text messages, audio, video and face-to-face interactions — using students making mock stock transactions."
It's Just Lunch director Cindy Rettmer reveals why face-to-face contact has a huge, positive impact on interpersonal relationships.
___________________________________________________________________"Men Don't Hate Valentine's Day - They Fear It"
From the Vancouver Sun on Feb. 11, 2011:
Do men hate Valentine's Day? No, they are just afraid of it, according to a new study by It's Just Lunch, a dating service.
Polling 4400 North Americans about their priorities, 42 percent of males said finding a mate was top of list. However, 35 percent said they spend no time looking for one, and a full third of single men intentionally avoid getting into relationships between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day "perhaps because of perceived threats to their egos and wallets".
However, 40% of women surveyed don't expect a Valentine's gift unless in a committed relationship, or three months of dating. And for women dating less than two weeks, 4% expected a Valentine's Day gift.
So, if women say they aren't expecting the world, why are some men worried about delivering it?
It’s Just Lunch spokesperson, Jacquie Brownridge says keep it simple: “"If there's ever a time for men to shed their shyness, Valentine's Day is it. It takes much less than men expect for women to feel appreciated, and every gesture gets bonus points on Valentine's Day. At the very least smile at a woman you've never met before, she'll think cupid's taking aim and may strike up a conversation."
From the Globe and Mail:
"Love is in the Air. “There are two types of people: the ones who take advantage of every opportunity to meet somebody and others who go on automatic pilot as soon as they board,” says P.J. Osgood, a franchise owner with It’s Just Lunch, which sets up drink dates for busy professionals worldwide. During a flight, introduce yourself to seatmates instead of pulling out the in-flight magazine. Pre-select a middle seat if you can, to guarantee a potential date on either side. Carry gum, since raunchy breath isn’t attractive, and keep a handy supply of business cards as a neutral way to give out your number, Ms. Osgood advises. And after touching down, consider sharing a ride into town – it’s a tip the matchmaker herself has tested.
From the National Post:
"Jacquie Brownridge, It's Just Lunch franchisee Jacquie Brownridge owns It's Just Lunch franchises in both British Columbia (Vancouver, Victoria, the Okanagan), and in Toronto. Clients can choose between a premiere membership at $2,200 for a detailed one-on-one introductory session and 12 months of dating, or a concierge package of up to $10,000, which includes personal coaching and wardrobe makeover support.
To qualify as a franchisee, Ms. Brownridge had to demonstrate she had business-and people-management skills and financial backing. Her franchise fees entitle her to training, advertising and public relations support, website framework and content, and more. She pays office leasing and staffing costs and provides monthly royalties plus a contribution to IJL's national programs.
When the recession hit in 2008 and her professional clients took a dating hiatus, Ms. Brownridge got support from her peers on a global franchisee council to brainstorm survival tactics. She then invited a multi-franchise owner to work with her team for a month and learned critical elements, such as lead generation, lead flow follow-up and contract renewal. Business improved dramatically, with her franchise earning Vancouver's Consumer Choice Award for Best Dating Service two years straight.
Her advice: "Support your people. It's normal for an entrepreneur to expect their staff to jump over any hurdle and to be disappointed if they don't. Take the time to ask open-ended questions. Much like your customers, listen and learn, and then support them with systems, training and your trust. A well-functioning team can accomplish so much more than a single hard-driving person."
Watch Jacquie Brownridge, Managing Director of It's Just Lunch Canada as she discusses finding that special someone on the Fanny Kiefer show.
From the Globe and Mail:
Sure, single women may be toying with the idea of chasing a taken man, but that doesn't mean most are about to pull an Angelina Jolie, says Jacquie Brownridge, managing director of It's Just Lunch, a dating service franchise in Vancouver.
"I don't think it necessarily means that all women are like Sex and the City, looking to find any man that's attached and go for the jugular," she says, noting that a similar study of single women past university age may yield different results.
From Vancouver Global:
Click here to view our segment, "Love is in the air" on Vancouver Global.
From Canada AM:
Click here to view our segment, "Finding a Mate" on Canada AM.
From the Today Show:
The current recession is giving one thing a boost: romance. The Today Show interviewed It's Just Lunch clients about what role the economy has played in their decision to join a dating service. When asked if she felt the expense was worth it, one IJL client ansered “For me, at the end of the day money in the bank get you nowhere. I’m looking for somebody to share my life and those life experiences. So it's worth every penny." View the segment here!
