Frequently Asked Questions About Conflict Resolution

There are many ways to resolve conflicts – surrendering, running away, overpowering your opponent with violence, filing a lawsuit, etc. The movement toward Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), sometimes referred to simply as conflict resolution, grew out of the belief that there are better options than using violence or going to court. Today, the terms ADR and conflict resolution are used somewhat interchangeably and refer to a wide range of processes that encourage nonviolent dispute resolution outside of the traditional court system. The field of conflict resolution also includes efforts in schools and communities to reduce violence and bullying and help young people develop communication and problem-solving skills. More

When Helping Hands Hurt Your Cause

One of our volunteers is a bit challenging to deal with at times. And, as the course of human nature runs, there may be at least one such volunteer at your organization as well. This can manifest in many different ways, such as misrepresenting skills and abilities, ignoring directions, straying off-task, chatting too much with staff or other volunteers, or wanting to revamp everything about your agency. More

Give Power Away

These days, businesses are focusing more and more on the bottom line. This needs to be true for community service organizations as well, not in terms of profit, but in terms of product. The best intentions and the kindest hearts in the world mean nothing unless positive action follows. Nonprofits increase their limited resources by using volunteers; they can increase their power in the same way. More

When Should a Volunteer’s Expenses be Covered?

One of the questions that often causes more anxiety than it should is determining whether or not a volunteer's expenses should be paid. Many volunteers are financially able to give both time and money to the organization of their choice. Many are not. Whoever is in charge of budgeting an event or campaign should be careful to spell out the ground rules in advance. Those volunteers who aren't in a position to cover their own expenses should not be made to feel inadequate or compared in anyone's mind to those who don't need to have their expenses covered. Time is worth money and the hours donated by a volunteer are just as important as a check - sometimes even more so. More

Stay Sane During the Holidays

Ah, the holidays. A time of joy, family, community and, for retail store managers, grueling 80-hour workweeks, rapidly graying hair and an endless parade of employee- and customer-related fires to put out. Ho, ho, ho. The good news? It doesn't have to be this way. More

Cutting Edge in Retail Sales and Training

Today, so much more time has to be spent on greeting a prospective client. So many average retail salespersons skip this step entirely, or even worse are rude. That is why they will always remain average salespeople. Even a mandatory and effective greeting like, “Hi and welcome to our store” falls flat if it is not warm, genuine and sincere. Here is where one becomes a human and not just a salesperson, therefore gaining trust and becoming more likeable. Remember the old quote, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” More

The Psychology of Customer Service

People buy from people they like. That’s a fact. You may believe that if you have the best products at the lowest price, that’s what really matters. However, if a potential client doesn’t like you, they are likely to do business somewhere else. When it comes to dealing with customers, it’s all about human psychology. Despite the importance of involving psychology in customer service practices, there are still far too few businesses that have undertaken this effort. More

Report: In-Store Displays Drive More Sales Than Discounts

Price discounting is seemingly the one sure thing in an economic downturn, but research by WPP Group shopper-marketing agency OgilvyAction indicates it's still not as effective a sales tool as that old stalwart: in-store displays. Research OgilvyAction conducted with more than 6,000 shoppers across multiple channels in the U.S. in February and March indicates far more impulse purchases are driven by tactics like those low-tech cardboard displays found at the end of aisles rather than temporary price reductions. More