Category: CUSTOMER INFORMATION

“A Reasonable Expectation of Humanity”

Paul Wagenaar

We move through and interact with dozens of organizations and people every day, healthcare, government, work, housing, commerce, and community spaces. Most interactions are brief, yet over time they quietly shape our sense of dignity, trust, and belonging.

This post explores a simple idea: a reasonable expectation of humanity in those interactions. Not perfection or special treatment, but clarity, respect for time, basic human regard, competence with humility, fairness, and accountability when things go wrong.

As you read, notice where these standards are present in your own interactions, and where they quietly fall away. And if you work inside an organization that holds power over others, consider how humanity is supported by design, not just individual effort.

As with most of my posts, this is a little longer than most, thank you for taking the time to read.

How well do you read social cues?

Paul Wagenaar

As a career advisor who works with people who live with barriers it is interesting reversing perspectives about social cues. Most people who live with barriers have to learn to adapt to social cues that are not intrinsic to them, what are you doing to recognize and accommodate their social cues?

This post is a brief introduction to social cues that could add understanding and appreciation to our daily interaction with people who experience barriers. The more we support diversity, equity, and inclusiveness; the more opportunities for growth we all have.

Employer’s Expectations/Student’s Expectations

Paul Wagenaar

Recently I sold some property and when sought legal advice it was supplied by a lawyer who had been once a summer student I had worked with. Thinking about them, I thought about all of the other summer students I had been lucky enough to know. They inspired this post about things I wish I could tell future students as well as future employers.

I hope that you read this, apply the points, add to them, and share them. As employers we can make a tremendous difference for students. And, for students, consider the tips provided to help your employers as well.

“The customer is not always right”

Paul Wagenaar

“The customer is always right …” is not a valid argument. “The customer has rights,” is. You have rights and you have responsibilities.

Take a few minutes, you will find this to be a short guide to finding the right retail organizations for you.

Help to Make an Informed Decision

Paul Wagenaar

Part of my job for many years was to examine advertisements and figure out exactly what they really said. For you, whenever buying anything for your home or any other large purchase, take the time and do some research. Read what the advertisements say, filter out the noise, the gimmicks, and the fluff; and then make an informed decision.

I hope this post helps you to recognize the “hooks,” ask questions, and make an informed decision.

Success is often found in small details

Paul Wagenaar

Often lost in everything that is written or said about great leadership are small, but very important attributes. Leadership is about building relationships with people, gaining willing cooperation, consistency, and thoughtfulness. Please take a few minutes, read this post, share the points, and add anything that you think is missing.

21 Things you should know when Buying a Washer and Dryer

Paul Wagenaar

Recently a friend asked me for some tips on what to look for when buying a mattress. As a former furniture and appliance manager/buyer, it was nice to help them out. Someone else asked about Laundry Teams so this one is for them.

We all try to help with what we have to offer.

B2C/C2B – Building Connectivity between business and charity

Paul Wagenaar

Supporting charities and operating a profitable business are not mutually exclusive.

Businesses can help in so many ways, but like any collaboration, charities and service clubs can also help businesses.

If you let them … instead help them with tools, training, and a process that works.

Paul Wagenaar

Nothing about difficult situations and angry people is ever simple.

Rarely is there one trigger and one solution. Nuance, exceptions, and the lack of anything resembling black and white all are factors in finding solutions to their problems. There is never just one or two sides to a story, there are usually forty-two sides!

This post is about a process, the tools, and the training required to anticipate, avoid, and ultimately how to deal with these situations when they occur.

FP/NFP – The Key is Customer Service

Paul Wagenaar

The concept of “No wrong door” is a great philosophy to build “customer service” standards. Regardless of whom a client/customer speaks to, each associate has been trained to help that person work towards solving his or her problem. That does not mean that everyone is cross-trained on every nuance and issue that a customer might have. It means that each associate understands the importance of the following, and they know that how each client/customer is handled in every single encounter determines whether the organization will be successful or not.