Tag: Culture

The people we don’t see …

Paul Wagenaar

Three years ago, I left the world of business and charted a new path in the charitable sector. I had always thought I was well informed and knew what was happening in my community. I was completely wrong. I am grateful for the people who volunteer and work for the United Way and the Canadian Mental Health Association for helping me to see what I couldn’t see before.

I have reentered the business world, but I am forever changed by what I learned to see, and hope to help other people see, what many of us miss every day.

Why now is a good time to plan your Christmas Party.

Paul Wagenaar

This might seem like the last item on your list of priorities heading into likely the warmest month of the year … do yourself a favor and give me five minutes.
Christmas parties can be more than just seasonal staff party. Done well with planning and preparation they can be your annual key event to build morale and staff retention.
See what you think, and if you liked this post check out more than 220 others for small and medium-sized organizations at salestrainer.blog.

To be successful in sales don’t sell!

Paul Wagenaar

Covid 19 changes how we did things, many things suffered including how many people approached sales.

Sales is about solving issues; satisfying wants and desires. It is also not limited to furniture, automotive, and real estate. Virtually all of us are involved in sales, the traditional definition as well as for ideas, new concepts, and to lead change in organizations.

I believe sales is not selling, give me five minutes and see if agree.

Ask your people, “Do our meetings suck? … … lessons for every sector from retail to charities

Paul Wagenaar

At the risk of being flippant, this topic is very important. Too many meetings and training sessions for organizations are ineffective. This post is just a start, but it is a good place to start thinking about make changes in your approach to meetings. Leading innovative, interesting, and effective meetings and training sessions can make the difference between engagement and failure.

For students of all ages, from teenagers to senior citizens

Paul Wagenaar

Recently, I listened to a story about how an entire generation of students are writing exams for the first time and that inspired me to write this post about how to prepare and write an exam. Whether you are one of those students; a high school or college student, or a professional preparing for a course exam; there should be something in this post to help you.

Mind the gap.

Paul Wagenaar

Many organizations are increasingly recognizing the importance of “On-Boarding” new people to their teams. Taking the time to introduce “Team Charters” and developing “living processes” that help nurture and develop people are vital to increase staff retention. Managing “off-boarding” is also important. It is a process that should not be ignored, to gain valuable insights and feedback but also to ensure the organizational relationship is ended properly.

Common Sense, the least common of all senses, and Lesson’s Learned.

Paul Wagenaar

Learning from mistakes, encouraging feedback, and applying lesson’s learned should be common sense … you would think. Unfortunately this is not always the case. One of the most important “Tools Everyone Can Use,” is incorporating some method of applying “Lesson’s Learned” to things you or your organization do.

Tools Everyone Can Use to Handle Pressure

Paul Wagenaar

A friend asked for a post on pressure. I wrote this with them in mind using tools other have shared with me. I hope that it might help other people as well. Handling pressure is a learned skill and sharing skills and stories is a great way to help friends and family.

A pathway to success

Paul Wagenaar

Several years ago I did a series of workshops for a government program called the “Targeted Initiative for Older Workers.” I was grateful for the opportunity but I did not fully appreciate their difficulties until I experienced what they went through myself. This post is dedicated to them and their perseverance.

Many of us will experience the need to transition and redefine what success looks like.