Ever notice all the music around you? 

It’s played in grocery stores, restaurants, elevators, doctors’ offices, nail salons, car dealerships, gas stations (yes, while you are pumping gas), business offices and even the parking lots!

Is music appropriate in the workplace? You bet it is.

Does music boost employee morale? Yes to that one too.

Music plays a positive role in most of our lives personally and professionally.

Music acts as an important component in building a customer service culture in the workplace.

• It improves alertness
• Creates team interaction
• Increases employee morale – break out in song once in a while and see what happens!
• Stimulates productivity
• Music makes us happy! (We love happy)
• and the beat goes on

Your favorite music automatically puts you in a good mood. And most importantly, an employee’s good mood means a happy customer!

Back in the corporate days on my way to work, I would pop in a CD and listen to, ”We Are the Champions”  by Queen for quick motivation.  Don’t know why this song had the impact it did, but it helped me motivate my team for sales contests at work. (Really, crank it up and see!)

If you know you have a tough day ahead, try listening to some of your favorite songs before you get to work or right before an event. Seriously, this works.

We recently attended a workshop and observed our speaker putting on a headset just prior to starting the event.  Watching as she moved to an unpopulated area, we instantly knew she was listening to a song(s) that moved her mind and soul into the motivation and energy she needed for a long day ahead.  Wow, the impact and power of music. By the way, it was by far one of the most informative workshops we have ever attended.

We are big believers that starting off your day with music can set the tone for the entire day.  We would be remiss if we didn’t make a comment of how it has its place at home too.  Being Motown gals, Aretha and Smokey continue to be our constant motivator for some serious house cleaning!

About Client Retention
Client Retention is a customer service company. Keeping businesses connected to their valued customers and clients is our passion. Our mission is to help business owners and entrepreneurs consistently follow up with and connect with their customers in an effort to build customer loyalty. We create and implement customized greeting card programs for you that promote business growth.
Helping you achieve loyal customers that continually reward you with repeat and referral business is our commitment. Individual connection and personal service are what business relationships are built on, and our fabulous cards achieve this.
Check us out online at www.ClientRetentionInc.com

What determines a bully?  Bullies purposely try to make people feel uncomfortable OR purposely put people down.  Some also have a habit of keeping you in a state of “psychological emergency.”  This makes them feel important by continually keeping you in a scrambling mode. You are constantly walking on eggshells around them and they love it.  This is one of the worst forms of bullying.

Here are some other tactic bullies at work use:

1. Condescending or demeaning language
2. Flaunt their authority
3. Talk about others behind their back
4. Use the “silent” treatment
5. Yell, shout or insult
6. Dirty looks or negative eye contact  -  rolling their eyes
7. Belittle someone’s opinion - such as, ”What a stupid idea.”
8. Purposely choosing not to respond to emails or calls

What can you do about bullying at work?

First of all, you must stop being silent. This is tough on many levels but you must speak up or this unacceptable bully behavior will continue.  Confront that person on neutral ground. Restrict to basic behavior and don’t try to analyze.  During this conversation, specify what behavior change you want from that person. Something like,  “you not only embarrassed me but you also embarrassed yourself.” If there are any specific issues that need to be addressed, state that you would appreciate the respect of talking about them privately.

In addition, don’t give your personal power away. Regardless of the setting, stop listening to their lies and insults and walk away.  This actually is very powerful because it defuses the bully and he/she does not know what to do.

For additional support, you may want to recruit some allies.  Check with co-workers and ask if they are experiencing the same thing you are.  Talk openly and stand together.  Listen to others, but trust yourself.  If you have an option, you may want to move to a different area or department.

Something else you must do is document each and every incident. Keep your opinion out of it.  Document the date, time, witnesses and the facts.  Hold on to this information in the event you need it for further action.  You can also email this information to your boss and/or talk to someone in HR.

You may also prefer to talk to a counselor or someone objective.  If the bully happens to be your boss, you may have to make a tougher decision.

Remember . . . People cannot bully you if you don’t allow it!

About Client Retention
Client Retention is a customer service company. Keeping businesses connected to their valued customers and clients is our passion. Our mission is to help business owners and entrepreneurs consistently follow up with and connect with their customers in an effort to build customer loyalty. We create and implement customized greeting card programs for you that promote business growth.
Helping you achieve loyal customers that continually reward you with repeat and referral business is our commitment. Individual connection and personal service are what business relationships are built on, and our fabulous cards achieve this.
Check us out online at www.ClientRetentionInc.com