How To Manage Difficult Phone Calls

Handling a frustrated or angry caller is not an easy feat! While the stress and anxiety of managing these situations fade as you learn more about your job, the importance of dealing with difficult clients never fades.

When it comes to client support, dissatisfied clients air out their sentiments more than the satisfied clients. Bad news travel faster than the good. Thus, you must ensure that the client hangs up with a happier disposition.

#1: WORK EFFICIENTLY

Time is money. The more efficient you can be, the more clients you can help throughout the day. You need to address all the concerns as quickly as possible. You must be organized because clients get frustrated when they wait or when they are put on hold for a long time.

#2: BE PREPARED

Before starting the call, ensure that you pull out all the relevant files and reviewed all the notes pertaining to the case. Being prepared will help you to avoid asking for the client’s story again. After the call, take down notes on what was discussed. This will help you know what to follow-up next time.

#3: ACTIVELY LISTEN

In general, one of the vital aspects of handling difficult callers is active listening. Listen to your clients while simultaneously showing concern and getting insight into the issue. This will help you arrive at a solution.

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#4: REACT POSITIVELY

Train yourself to be pleasant during stressful situations. Practice your tone of voice and use a calm approach. At times, callers can test your patience to the limit. You must separate yourself from their emotions and treat the issue objectively. Reacting with anger can only exacerbate the situation.

#5: LET IT GO

It is worth your time to apologize for any problem or inconvenience caused. If the problem was originally the client’s fault, blaming the person will make it worse. Remember that the client should be your ally and not your enemy. Assist the client to arrive at a workable solution together.

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When the challenging call is over, take a deep breath and let it go. Hanging on to the stress of the demanding situation can affect your relationships at work. There is simply no benefit in reliving the difficult call.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Adequately Managing Your Business’ Finances In The Digital Age

Everyone knows that the professional landscape is always evolving and shifting, adapting and relining with the way that the world around it is functioning and thriving at any given time. We have seen an incredible amount of attention to detail and overall emphasis that is focused primarily not just on what works for the industries at any given time but also what is going to be most effective for the moving forward. There is a lot to be said about the fact that while there is significant interest and investment in powering for the current era in this particular field, there are always ways to enhance and improve. And now that we are moving into a modern age that is all about embracing modernisation like never before, this is truer than ever.

How the digital age impacts businesses

In the digital age, there is genuinely so much to be said about the fact that it has truly impacted and entirely revolutionised every aspect of life as we know it every corresponding industry in their own ways. For businesses of all natures, shapes, and sizes around the globe, there is quite a lot to be said about understanding not only how businesses are able to navigate their way through the beginning stages but also how they are able to do so on an active and ongoing basis moving forward from here on out. What has always worked so well for businesses is perhaps no longer as relevant and so the digital age is impacting businesses of all natures, shapes, and sizes by inspiring them to embrace modernisation and work towards finding better ways to move forward, onward, and upward.

Adequately managing your business’ finances in the digital age

Each and every aspect of how business functions and thrives today has been and continues to be impacted. This of course includes the business’ finances. Adequately managing your business’ finances is all about understanding that while there have been significantly successful innovations in the past, the best way to embrace they are moving forward is to figure out how they can be impactful in the future. Business finances today can be made more convenient and efficient by being streamlined online. For your business expenses, you can pay bill online for faster transactions and easy tracking of payments.As a result, adequately managing business finances in the digital era is all about embracing the digital landscape and utilising it to your distinct advantage in a way that allows you to come and pursue the longevity and success of your company.

Why this is always going to be of the utmost important

Without a doubt, the finances of a business is one of the most important meeting pieces. The corporate account of a business ultimately says a lot about how the business operates and functions on a daily basis as well as how it is able to withstand change overtime. And this is always going to be incredibly important to understand. Regardless of how the nature of business is going to evolve over the years, the importance of being able to manage professional finances for the business and surrounding the business is always going to have a significant role to play.

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5 Valuable Tips To Help You Succeed As A Freelancer

Due to the effects of the recent pandemic, companies began to hire more contract workers over full-time employees. The “freelance economy” became a viable option for many Singaporeans. However, with many freelancers in the market, it is harder to stand out.

Much of the freelancer’s income depends on his or her reputation and capability to fulfill the customer’s request. Here are some valuable tips to get an online job if you want to stay in the game for a long time.

#1: INCREASE YOUR SELF-AWARENESS

Knowing yourself means recognizing different parts of your personality such as your strengths and weaknesses. The goal is not to criticize yourself, but to acknowledge where you need to improve and where you can excel. Be honest about your capacity to commit time, your home situation, and your attitude towards deadlines.

Some people look for a 9-to-5 job while others need more freedom. Some people prefer working with a team while others prefer working on their own. Find out who you really are to know who to work with.

#2: SAVE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN

Freelancers are project-based workers. This means that they can work anytime, as long as they finish their tasks. The downside is, they do not earn money when they do not have projects. The influx of projects is influenced by the season. For instance, you can feel an abundance of work during special events or holidays.

It is essential that you save money to cover the periods when you do not have a pipeline of projects coming your way. This way, you will be able to cover your bills and other expenses.

#3: MARKET YOURSELF

Entering the freelancing world is not easy. The competition is high! Making a name for yourself can be challenging. Thus, you must use social media or other websites to market yourself.

The key to success is being active in these platforms and having an attractive profile where your information as a freelancer can be retrieved. Samples, testimonies, and feedbacks from your past clients will make a big difference.

#4: ESTABLISH REFERRAL PARTNERSHIPS

There are three main channels where you can get clients. These channels are inbound, outbound, and referrals. Inbound refers to using methods such as content marketing or search engine optimization (SEO) to attract potential clients. Outbound refers to reaching out to potential clients by sending emails, responding to job advertisements, and so on. Lastly, referrals refer to having clients recommend you by word-of-mouth.

Many freelancers focus on networking with prospective clients only. However, you can establish referral partnerships with businesses, entrepreneurs, and other freelancers. Having a wide referral network will help you gain more access to different clients.

#5: RESEARCH YOUR COMPETITION

Spend some time researching the market to discover online portfolios and to see what others are doing. Find out the supplementary skills that they have to improve yourself and your career (e.g., photography, video editing, or podcast creation).

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Grasp a bigger picture of what your competitors are doing and how much they are charging. This is vital in evaluating how much your service is worth. Set a reasonable price list afterwards.

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How To Master The Art Of Giving Speeches

For some people, merely thinking about public speaking can cause their palms to sweat. It is one of the most common fears out there. However, there are many ways to overcome your fear and deliver a memorable speech. Here are some useful tips.

#1: DO YOU KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE?

Know the reason why you are asked to talk in a room full of people. Identify your audience. It is important to identify your audience to know what they want or need to take away from your speech. If you are speaking in front of your friends at a wedding, entertain them. If you are speaking in front of your co-workers, inspire them.

#2: HAVE YOU REHEARSED?

Make time to practice your speech. Write down your goals and the content of your speech ahead of time. This will ensure that your muscle memory will work while you deliver your speech. Try practicing despite having different distractions to mimic real-life situations.

#3: WHICH STYLE WORKS FOR YOU?

While others may benefit from having their script memorized, some may perform better with a few notes on a paper. Different events will usually require a different style. Know which style works for you.

#4: HAVE YOU TESTED ALL THE EQUIPMENT?

Nothing is more frustrating than last-minute technical difficulties. Avoid adding more stress to your day by testing all the equipment and audio visual presentations ahead of time. It is best to have backups too.

#5: HOW DID YOU USE YOUR BODY LANGUAGE?

The right physical or non-verbal communication can have a profound impact on how your message is interpreted and received. Be aware of your body language! For instance, you must make eye contact. Face your audience and stand straight. Avoid crossing your arms or putting your hands in your pockets.

#6: DID YOU GRAB ATTENTION?

Grab attention by refraining from starting a speech with what today’s talk is about. Instead, use an interesting anecdote or a shocking statistic to kick things off. Conclude your speech with a summary and a strong statement that your audience will remember.

#7: HAVE YOU TRIED ENJOYING THE EXPERIENCE?

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Fake it until you make it. If you look bored, then the audience will think that you not interesting. Exude confidence by adding a little humor (i.e., as long as it is appropriate) and interesting anecdotes. This will help you and your audience relax. Remember to eliminate sentences that does not clearly support your purpose. Remember that it is not about you, it is about your audience.

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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Advantages Of Having Multiple Sources Of Income

Times are tough. Amidst the chaos, who does not have an additional source of income? Side hustles are lifelines in this ever-changing economy. As my full-time position is on halt due to school closures, I exhausted all of my efforts in writing for a couple of websites.

Having multiple income streams allows you to secure your savings in the long run. If you are working full-time as a teacher and are selling cupcakes on Instagram, then you have two income streams. Say you are an investor too! That grows your income streams to three. Not to mention, you may also earn money by selling your stock photos online. That will enable you to generate income from four streams.

As you can imagine, maintaining a day job and running multiple side hustles can be quite overwhelming. Such endeavors require a considerable amount of time, effort, and commitment. However, you cannot deny the benefits of having multiple sources of income!

#1: BROADER SKILL SET

Your multiple streams of income allows you to experience different issues and solutions. It will widen your skill set. Some experiences will call for an analytical mindset, while others will require your creative juices. You have to be able to adjust to the demands of your tasks.

You can develop new skills as a result. Not only can this be extremely gratifying, but they also provide you with an extra layer of security should you apply for a promotion or leave your job.

#2: FINANCIAL SECURITY

It does not take a genius to conclude that leaving your fate in several wheels will expand your chances of winning. Industry wages simply have not caught up with inflation over the years. Even if your job provides you a six-figure paycheck monthly, that goes out the window once you hit retirement age.

Multiple streams of income creates a good safety net. You may also invest some of your extra income to a diverse portfolio.

#3: WIDER NETWORK

Having multiple businesses or positions allows you to meet different people and acquire several partnerships. In the age of social media, opportunities to collaborate with big brands or personalities are as abundant as ever.

Do not underestimate the power of a useful content. You will never know who might be reading, watching, or listening!

#4: BETTER MINDSET

There is a learning curve to all of this. Do not feel bad if you stumble during the initial phases. Your first attempt to sell your items online may not be successful, but you have learned valuable lessons along the way. Use what you learned in digital marketing and e-commerce to provide better consumer services on your second round.

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According to Meir Ezra: “Your income is proportional to your control.” The willpower to control your finances is in your hands. The future is in your hands. Start growing your income today! Chances are, you already have a few ideas tucked away anyway. So, do your research and char potential clients and suppliers. Your bank account will thank you later.

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