Meet Etiquette

Even if you dread them, meetings put you in front of coworkers and bosses who you may not work with on a regular basis. That means how you conduct yourself in them may leave a lasting impression. Is it acceptable to eat during a meeting, or check your phone? Should you be the person asking questions at the end? If broken, the unwritten rules of meeting professionalism may damage your reputation. 1. Be on time. Make sure you come on time and prepare for the meeting ahead of time, says Pachter. You don’t want to waste anyone else’s time by not being punctual. “Leaders need to start on time so people can depend on that,” she tells us. 2. Make introductions. If everyone doesn’t know one another in the meeting room, you need to make introductions. You should do this by starting with the person of the highest rank first, says Pachter. For example, “Ms. Greater Importance, I would like you to meet Mr. Lesser Importance.” 3. Have a strong agenda. This is part of bei

Complaint: “I’ve been waiting here forever!”  Response: “I realize that, and I really appreciate your patience. We’re doing our best to make sure we get this issue resolved quickly.” Unfortunately, sometimes the customer just has to wait due to a variety of reasons. Acknowledge the fact but don’t blame it on some managerial short-coming like understaffing. Thank them for their patience (which you hope they will begin to implement) and let them know you’re still working hard. Complaint: “I keep getting shuffled from one person to the next.” Response: “I apologize for that. Let me personally take care of this for you.”   Customers just want straight answers and to feel like their complaints are being dealt with, rather than just passed off. Go the extra mile and it will go a long way to resolving any issues. Complaint: “You don’t seem to care.” Response: “I do care, and I am going to do what I can to make this right.” This is the #1 customer complaint. Actions speak

There are a number of common complaints that customers make relating to products and services. Having procedures in place that find solutions to common complaints will help you resolve issues quickly and efficiently. Faulty product Investigate the fault with the manufacturer. Offer a replacement item or replacement model. Repair the product if it is under warranty. Consider replacing the product even if it is no longer under warranty. Train staff to explain warranty conditions at the time of sale and repair. Incorrect descriptions of the product Train staff about the products they are selling. Ensure product literature is accurate. Investigate the product with the manufacturer. Make sure staff explain warranty conditions. Poor client service   Investigate the areas of issue. Train staff in customer service skills. Rotate staff so they can increase their knowledge of other areas. Encourage and support teamwork. Slow delivery Investigate lea

Harmony: A  celebration of our cultural diversity – a day  of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home. Held every year on 21 March. The  Day  coincides with the United Nations International  Day  for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Since 1999 , more than 70 , 000 Harmony Day events have been held in childcare centres , schools , community groups , churches , businesses and federal , state and local government agencies across Australia. The "message" of the Day:  The Day coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The message of Harmony Day is ' everyone belongs ', the Day aims to engage people to participate in their community, respect cultural and religious diversity and foster sense of belonging for  everyone . Australia is a vibrant and multicultural country — from the oldest continuous culture of our first Australians to the cultures of our newest arrivals from

Common Sources of Work Stress Certain factors tend to go hand-in-hand with work-related stress. Some common workplace stressors are: Low salaries. Excessive workloads. Few opportunities for growth or advancement. Work that isn't engaging or challenging. Lack of social support. Not having enough control over job-related decisions. Conflicting demands or unclear performance expectations. Effects of Uncontrolled Stress Unfortunately , work-related stress doesn't just disappear when you head home for the day. When stress persists , it can take a toll on your health and well-being. In the short term , a stressful work environment can contribute to problems such as headache , stomachache , sleep disturbances , short temper and difficulty concentrating. Chronic stress can result in anxiety , insomnia , high blood pressure and a weakened immune system. It can also contribute to health conditions such as depression , obesity and heart disease. Compound