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Conflict Resolution

“Every conflict we face in life is rich with positive and negative potential. It can be a source of inspiration, enlightenment, learning, transformation, and growth-or rage, fear, shame, entrapment, and resistance. The choice is not up to our opponents, but to us, and our willingness to face and work through them.” Kenneth Cloke and Joan Goldsmith

Differences are inevitable among-st any group of people with different experiences, attitudes and expectations.

However, some degree of conflict can be necessary to support organisational goals and too little conflict may lead to apathy, lack of creativity, indecision and missed-out deadlines.

But managing conflict in a productive and positive way can be challenging. How do we make the transition from opponents to problem solving teammates?

Learn more on conflict in the office.

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Importance of Team Building

Team building in an office helps to foster better and open communication between the employees themselves, as well as between the employees and management. It goes a long way in improving professional relations, understanding and co-operation, and this is very much reflected in the quality of work being done.

Team building in the workplace significantly contributes towards employee motivation and building trust among the employees, thereby ensuring better productivity.

Team leadership and team building go hand in hand. Successful team building in the workplace often translates into success for everyone. It is not difficult and does not require you to go out of your way or do anything extraordinary as a common man. As the popular saying goes, “Teamwork is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.”

Climb High For more information on our team building services and training sessions. 

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Ways to Listen Better Today

Hearing is easy! For most of us, our body does the work by interpreting the sounds that we hear into words. Listening, however, is far more difficult. Listening is the process of looking at the words and the other factors around the words (such as our non-verbal communication), and then interpreting the entire message.

Below are six examples that you could practise to become a better listener;

  1. When you are listening, listen. Don’t talk on the phone, text message, clean your desk or do anything else.
  2. Avoid interruptions. If you think of something that needs to be done, make a mental or written note of it and forget about it until the conversation is over.
  3. Aim to spend at least 90% of your time listening and less than 10% of your time talking.
  4. When you do talk, make sure it is related to what the other person is saying. Ask questions to clarify, expand and probe for more information.
  5. Do not offer advice unless the other person asks you for it. If you are not sure what they want, ask.
  6. Make sure the physical environment is conducive to listening. Try to reduce noise and distractions. If possible, be seated comfortably. Be close enough to the person so that you can hear them, but not too close to make them uncomfortable.

Active Listening is a good way of improving your communication skills.

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What is Time Management?

Time management refers to the way that you organise and plan how long you spend on specific activities.

It may seem counter-intuitive to dedicate precious time to learning about time management, instead of using it to get on with your work, but the benefits are enormous:

  • Greater productivity and efficiency.
  • A better professional reputation.
  • Less stress.
  • Increased opportunities for advancement.
  • Greater opportunities to achieve important life and career goals.

Failing to manage your time effectively can have some very undesirable consequences:

  • Missed deadlines.
  • Inefficient work flow.
  • Poor work quality.
  • A poor professional reputation and a stalled career.
  • Higher stress levels.

Spending a little time learning about time-management techniques will have huge benefits now – and throughout your career.

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Thank You Notes

Thank you notes are a sign that you are interested in building a long-term relationship with a client. They show clients that you value their business and that your interest in them did not end when you closed the sale. We often hear in this day and age of lack of politeness and many decry the cursory way that transactions are carried out. Although almost all companies make a greater play of offering “excellent customer service” there is a world of difference saying that you offer something and offering it every time.

The effect of a thank you note is to make a customer feel that they have been more than just a number. They will read the thank you note and feel positive about their purchase. Taking time out to write a thank you note that shows you remember the customer may well be what it takes to encourage them to come back to you when they need something else, and pass your details onto anyone they know who is planning to buy in the same niche. Pitching a note on the right level is important.

To learn more about effective selling tips, click here Sales Fundamentals.