Category: HR/Associate Development

There will be a variety of posts, encompassing everything from hiring checklists to training ideas and documents based on more than 25 years of experience and learning from the best people in the business.

Day to Day Management

Paul Wagenaar

Although the focus of this post is on “Retail Management,” the issues discussed are transferable to many other sectors.

Retail management can make you feel like a “pin-ball” some days as you juggle the inevitable day to day questions and issues that fill a manager’s or supervisor’s day. It is important to remember that the interruptions that keep you from doing your job actually are your job! Taking care of your associate’s questions and allowing them to look after your customers or your clients is really, what makes a manager successful.

Through the other person’s eyes

Paul Wagenaar

“The best way to win a fight … is to avoid having one,” this oft forgotten lesson from Dale Carnegie is one of the fundamentals of “How to Win Friends and Influence people.” It is, however, only part of his lesson. A missing link is to remember that you should always try to “appreciate the other person’s perspective.”

EVERYONE IS RESPONSIBLE – But are you prepared?

Paul Wagenaar

According to the Ontario Ministry of Labour’s website, in Ontario more than 250,000 workers are injured in workplace accidents annually. Their most recent statistics show the average direct cost of these accidents can be more than $20,000; in medical expenses, lost time, lost productivity, etc. In certain cases, direct and indirect costs can exceed $80,000. Accidents can injure associates and visitors, result in fines, penalties, and lawsuits that in some severe cases can result in organizations being shut down. Many of these accidents are preventable or can be mitigated if an organization, from the top to the bottom, commits themselves to a culture of proper Health and Safety.

GIVING BACK – Coaching Minor Sports

Paul Wagenaar

Some of my posts are about building the culture of organizations. A great way is to encourage your associates to volunteer to help with minor sports. These are a few tips and lessons that people shared with me and I believe made a significant difference helping me to coach, and helping the players to learn and have fun.

HEALTH & SAFETY BASICS – Students & New Hires

Paul Wagenaar

Did you know that Students and young workers have a much greater chance of being hurt in the workplace than older workers?

Part of the reason is inexperience and lack of training; another part though is a lack of understanding of the protections that are in place for all workers regardless of experience. Consider this to be an introduction which outlines some of the government legislated protections that are in place for you.