Feuding Employees: How to mediate conflict between employees

 How you can tactfully turn conflict into consensus between feuding employees

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How to mediate conflict between employees – Customer service mediator

It’s natural to try to avoid conflict, but as a manager, you’re going to eventually have to deal with a conflict between employees. It is inevitable that there will be some amount of conflict on a team with a variety of industry experts and leaders. Some amount of conflict can be healthy, as long as it is discussed and a conclusion is reached. Clashing personalities or opposing viewpoints can actually bring new thoughts and discussions on aspects of a project that had not been imagined before.

Use the following methods to create harmony in your team and your project.

  1. Be Aware That Conflict Occurs. …
  2. Set the Ground Rules. …
  3. Learn About Destructive Conflicts. …
  4. Stop Conflict When it Happens. …
  5. Get the Whole Story. …
  6. Meet for Resolutions. …
  7. Discuss Both Sides of a Perspective. …
  8. Make Compromise a Goal.

The type of conflict you have to worry about more is unspoken resentment that can erupt in an outburst, or even more deadly, in quiet mutiny or deviation from agreed upon roles, tasks and goals.

So first be aware that conflict occurs

Knowing that conflict may and will occur is the first step to resolving it, especially if you know that certain team members may disagree with each other. By recognizing that there will be conflict, a project manager knows what to expect.

Secondly, set the ground rules

At the beginning of your project set some ground rules in your first meeting. Be sure to address what process will be taken to address conflicts, as they are bound to rise and will need to be taken care of before they spiral out of control. Tell team members that everyone’s ideas are valid and that they shouldn’t be dismissed, even if you do not agree with them.

Then learn about destructive conflicts

Conflict becomes destructive when no resolution is in sight or the issue cannot be resolved. A psychological model for explaining destructive patterns is the persecutor-victim-rescuer triangle. The persecutor would be the bad-guy or bully in this scenerio, but the rescuer is also placing him or herself in a position of superiority over the supposed victim. Stop yourself if you see yourself slipping into any of these roles and also try to recognize it in your team.

How you can tactfully turn conflict into consensus between feuding employees
It is inevitable that there will be some amount of conflict on a team with a variety of industry experts and leaders. Some amount of conflict can be healthy, as long as it is discussed and a conclusion is reached. Clashing personalities or opposing viewpoints can actually bring new thoughts and discussions on aspects of a project that had not been imagined before.Use the following methods to create harmony in your team and your project.

  1. Be Aware That Conflict Occurs. …
  2. Set the Ground Rules. …
  3. Learn About Destructive Conflicts. …
  4. Stop Conflict When it Happens. …
  5. Get the Whole Story. …
  6. Meet for Resolutions. …
  7. Discuss Both Sides of a Perspective. …
  8. Make Compromise a Goal.

The type of conflict you have to worry about more is unspoken resentment that can erupt in an outburst, or even more deadly, in quiet mutiny or deviation from agreed upon roles, tasks and goals.

Why You Should Be Radically Transparent With Your Customers

Always set yourself up for success with your customers

Being more open about your products, prices and results will set you up for success. For example when you say, ‘we list our fees on our website and level with potential clients about what they can realistically expect from us’. It makes them feel relaxed and willing to do business with you. 

When it becomes clear that a potential client is hoping, then you will deliver incredible results in an exceedingly short time-frame, be frank with them about how achieving their desired results could require more time. Contrary to what you might think, this level of honesty isn’t killing your sales. Potential clients respond well to straightforward talk about what you can and can’t do for them. Since you don’t over-promise, you are less likely to under deliver. 

In an effort to stay under the radar, sometimes it’s easier for employees to keep concerns to themselves. Given how uncomfortable some companies are with transparency on the inside, it’s not hard to imagine how afraid they’d be of being transparent with their customers.

But as scary as the idea of transparency might seem, in the long run, it’s good not only for your customers but also for your business. In addition to attracting new customers, transparency allows you to better serve your current ones, ensuring they stick with you.

Working too much can cause heart disease and diabetes – Janine Morgan

Steps companies can take to avoid employee burnout

A survey presented on Pulse shows that companies are facing an employee burnout crisis. In a hyper-connected world, it’s very easy for employees to work longer hours. The rise of instant messaging makes work-life balance increasingly rare. If not managed properly, employee burnout can lead to unproductive workers and even the loss of talent. It can also cause numerous health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, and gastrointestinal issues.

1. Get Regular Feedback

It’s important for managers to regularly get feedback from their employees. We suggested that through feedback sessions management will learn what their workers need to stay engaged and productive.

At the same time, it’s a way of saying that you value your employees enough to listen to them and adjust office policies to meet their needs. Studies have proven that getting honest feedback can do wonderful things, such as reduce turnover rates, create higher sales, and improve customer relations.

2. Encourage Teamwork & Connections

Employees are less likely to burn out when they are able to lean on their officemates for support, and it is recommended that managers set collective team goals. When an office is working towards something together, it’s more likely to foster collaboration and strong employee relations.

Another way to encourage teamwork is to set out-of-office bonding sessions where employees are able to get to know their team members outside of a working environment.

3. Support Employee Vacation Leaves

Encouraging your employees to take days off is important in keeping up good office morale. Holiday leaves help employees get the rest they need to come back to the office refreshed and ready to work. Some companies are apprehensive about encouraging employees to go on leave because of the pending work that gets left behind.

This is especially important if your employees are managing valuable clients who require regular coordination. Temporary workers ensure that operations continue while your employees are getting the proper time off to avoid burning out.

4. Set Realistic Goals

Computer World reminds office managers about the significance of setting realistic goals. This allows employees to work at a reasonable pace while still meeting the necessary deadlines. Unnecessary pressure will not do anything for your employees, and could actually be detrimental to them.

Remember that missed deadlines can be very stressful for employees. During times when management does need to push in order to get something accomplished, be transparent with your staff. Help them understand that the extra work is not normal, nor will it be an ongoing demand.

Workers who know that the intense grind won’t last forever will take on the task more efficiently than those who think the daily grind is never-ending.

Build Consumer Trust Naturally

To establish trust, you need to Improve your security and make sure your customers feel safe when they shop with you We live in an era where everyone wants to do things at their convenience. Hence, ordering for things online, making complaints online or placing a call through to customer service, instead of taking a trip to the office of the service provider.

So to gain their trust, try to convince them without forcing them into anything. Give the customer the choice of decision by trying to understand the need of the customer and then make them understand how your product or services can help them out. Give the customer a choice

A staggering majority of consumers now expect businesses to proffer solution and support within few minutes of a complaint or inquiry—24 hours a day. And our smartphones and other internet-enabled mobile devices come into play. We see so many businesses now with websites, chat bots, customer care lines & social media handles. Most consumers reach out with the expectation that they can get an immediate response at the press or click of a button or at the sending of a message online.

But what happens when a consumer has a question, faces an issue with your service or product and you can’t provide an immediate response, solution or assurance of solution? You stand the risk of losing your customers and fail ultimately at providing a compelling customer experience.

A phone call or chat from a customer is an opportunity to establish trust with a customer. Use every connection – whether voice, sms, or online – as an opportunity to wow your customers and communicate your value.

Establishing trust can make a customer use your service or buy your products again. Every time a customer interacts with your company, it is a chance for you to exceed expectations. Therefore, it is only right that you inculcate the right attitude and empower your customer service staff with the right skills.
Unfortunately, even the best customer trust strategies require time and patience to cultivate. So, start now.

Cyberattacks: Protect Your Business and its Data

Why do hackers target small businesses?

Are you ready to protect your business and its data? Then these best practices will keep your company as safe as possible. Many entrepreneurs don’t realise that small businesses are just as at risk for cyber-attacks as larger companies, but they are. The truth is small businesses fall into hackers’ cyber-security sweet spot. They have more digital assets to target than an individual consumer has but less security than a larger enterprise. 

The other reason small businesses are appealing targets is that hackers know these companies are less careful about security and to some they share their passwords and confidential information with different people.However, there are several reasons why small businesses are a prime target for cyber-attackers.

Ultimately, it’s because they’re easy to attack due to this complacent attitude and a lack of investment into cyber-security measures. In almost every case, the end goal of a cyber-attack is to steal and exploit sensitive data, whether it’s customer credit card information or a person’s credentials, which is then used to manipulate the individual’s identity online.


There are a few different basic types of security software on the market, that you can use to protect your data and that of your customers. Antivirus software is the most common and will defend against most types of malware. 

Following a research made by the global head of security threats and testing at IBM Charles Henderson, few years back. He advised running a risk assessment, preferably through an outside firm. Another security solution you should try is Firewalls, which can be implemented with hardware or software, provide an added layer of protection by preventing an unauthorised user from accessing a computer or network. Most modern operating systems such as Windows 10 come with a firewall program.

The next is Cobb, of ESET, advised that businesses invest in three security solutions. The first is a data backup solution so that any information compromised or lost during a breach can easily be recovered from an alternate location.

The second is encryption software to protect sensitive data, such as employee records, client/customer information and financial statements. The third solution is two-step authentication or password-security software for a business’s internal programs to reduce the likelihood of password cracking.

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all security solution. 

Real life: Tell us your customer service experience

Experience in good customer service is different from company to company, but the key characteristics of good customer include: a rapid response time to customer requests, responding to all feedback and requests (positive or negative), self-service help documents and FAQs, a frictionless process for getting in touch with a customer support rep, a willingness to apologize and compensate for errors, empathetic solutions to problems, and helpful recommendations customers can use to learn and grow.

One bad customer service experience can swear you off a product forever. But one exceptional experience, on the other hand, can turn you into a lifelong and loyal brand advocate.

See customer’s real life reviews:

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  • csm_ng What is the worst customer service you ever received ?14h
    • allthingswholesaleWaybill o. I sent some goods to ife and it took them 4 days to get it12h1 likeReply
      • View replies (1)
    • zita_collectionsGoing to get my goods that just arrived to a logistics company,d workers were looking for it for like hours,only for me to bring in the attention of one of the customer care rep,she was like,’who is helping this girl to look for her goods’ imagine…a madam like me.lol12hReply
  • eleccionscenthub Not receiving response on time and answering rudely12h1 likeReply
    • babydollconceptNot responding to messages ontime12h1 likeReply
      • View replies (1)

Jottings from a CEO Note Book: How to Get (and Stay) in Touch with Your Customers

For a CEO to lose touch with what his customers want, need and feel is a surefire route to failure. So do you want to stay in touch with customers without seeming obvious or gratuitous? It’s easy. The key is to stay in touch in a meaningful and memorable way.

What is memorable? Having a purpose that benefits the other person–not you. Here are some ways to pull that off:

Set up an alert on each customer.

One of the tool that will help you keep track of customers (or competitors). Google Alerts.

Pick a tool and set up an alert on the person’s name, company name, her industry, maybe topics of personal interest … and then you can reconnect with something to offer: congratulations, information about new competitors, trends in the industry, etc.

The key is to turn a generic “Thinking of you” into a much more meaningful, “I immediately thought of you when I saw this.”

Offer to recommend.

Many people feel uncomfortable asking others to complete LinkedIn Recommendations. Instead of waiting for a customer to ask, jump in and write one. You will not only strengthen a connection but also get the chance to (subtly) describe your business and services when you discuss how you and your customer did business in the past.

Or go further. Be a matchmaker and recommend a customer’s services to another customer. If you pick the right people, both will be grateful for the introduction.

Never forget: People tend to like, and remember, the people who like them.

Cyber-security Tips for Entrepreneurs

First we will like to explain what cyber-security means. It simply means
the practice of protection of computer systems from theft or damage or you say, defending computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from malicious attacks.

So here are three basic tips for getting started. :

  • Keep all of your software up to date to cut down on vulnerabilities that bad actors can exploit. 
  • Back up all of your files via a cloud storage service, external hard drive or — even better — both. 
  • Always turn on two-factor authentication, which incorporates texts and emails into the login process. Where you can, consider opting for three-factor authentication, which combines the use of a password, an item you have in your possession (such as a fob) and a characteristic that’s unique to you (such as a fingerprint or face ID). 

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