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Improving Workplace Culture: A Carnegie Challenge at Royal Blue Services

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This February, Royal Blue Services embarked on an enlightening journey with Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” Our aim was clear: to make significant strides in improving workplace culture and communication. The book sparked discussions and deep reflections, setting the stage for transformation.

The Power of Genuine Connections

Diving into Carnegie’s principles revealed a transformative insight: genuine interest in others is crucial for improving workplace culture. This concept has now become a central effort in our mission. Empathy and understanding bridge diverse backgrounds, leading to changed team interactions and deeper connections.

Cultural Nuances and Communication

Exploring the nuances of expressing appreciation and the cultural context of smiling showed us challenges but also growth opportunities. These discoveries highlighted the importance of sincere communication in improving workplace culture. Motivated by our findings, we’ve adopted more direct communication methods, enriching team dynamics.

Carnegie’s Principles in Action

Putting Carnegie’s strategies into practice has notably enhanced our workplace environment. Active listening and open appreciation have cultivated a supportive atmosphere. These actions, rooted in Carnegie’s teachings, advance our goal of creating a workspace where everyone feels valued and included.

Forward with Empathy and Openness

Our reflections on Carnegie’s insights have solidified our dedication to fostering an empathetic and open workplace. Looking forward to the lasting positive impact on our culture and relationships, we see this journey as just the beginning of our continuous path to improvement.

What’s Next?

Dive into how “Uncommon Service” reshaped BHX’s focus towards a customer-centric approach in this article.

January Book Club: “Uncommon Service” and Its Impact on Royal Blue Services

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In a market where exceptional customer service is not the norm, Royal Blue Services stands out by setting a new standard in Bosnia. Our commitment to excellence in customer service is deeply influenced by the insights and strategies from “Uncommon Service.” This January, our team delved into this impactful book, drawing lessons that are reshaping our approach to service and setting us apart in our industry.

The Uncommon Path to Service Excellence

In Bosnia, the concept of customer service often falls into traditional patterns, with many companies viewing it as a secondary concern rather than a core business strategy. At Royal Blue Services, we challenge this norm by prioritizing customer service as a key differentiator. “Uncommon Service” offers a compelling argument for making strategic trade-offs to excel in areas that matter most to our customers, a principle we’ve embraced wholeheartedly.

Implementing the Book’s Strategies

One of the book’s most impactful stories is about a bank that chose to operate its branches on extended hours and weekends, a time when most banks were closed. This decision was based on understanding and prioritizing customer needs, even if it meant additional costs or operational challenges. Inspired by this, we’ve tailored our services to ensure 24/7 support for our clients, recognizing that the logistics world never stops. This commitment to availability and support, rare in Bosnia’s service landscape, has significantly enhanced our client relationships and satisfaction.

Another lesson from “Uncommon Service” is the importance of empowering employees to deliver exceptional service. The book highlights how companies often fail not because of employee indifference, but because systems and policies don’t support service excellence. At Royal Blue Services, we’ve taken this to heart by investing in comprehensive training programs that equip our staff with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed. Our training goes beyond standard procedures, focusing on developing empathy, problem-solving skills, and a deep understanding of our clients’ unique needs and challenges.

Setting a New Standard

These lessons from “Uncommon Service” have become a cornerstone of our operational philosophy. By choosing to excel in customer service and making strategic decisions to support this goal, we’re not just providing a service; we’re offering an experience that’s rare in Bosnia. Our approach has led to noticeable improvements in customer loyalty, employee satisfaction, and operational efficiency.

In a landscape where exceptional customer service is uncommon, Royal Blue Services is proud to lead by example. Through the insights gained from “Uncommon Service,” we’re not only challenging the status quo but also demonstrating how prioritizing customer service can create a competitive advantage. As we continue to implement these lessons, our goal is to not only transform our company but also inspire a shift in the industry’s approach to customer service.

 

5 Things to Ask Before You Apply for a Job

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Searching for a new job isn’t always easy, whether you already have one or are currently unemployed. But before you get to blasting out resumes and hitting apply to a bunch of online listings, take into account the following tips. These are sure to greatly increase your chances of securing a position at any great company. 

  1. Do I actually want this job? 

Go through the job description. Be honest with yourself, is this a job you see yourself enjoying? Go through that job description and a few others like it. This will help you get a clear understanding of the work you would be doing. The responsibilities that you would be undertaking, and the expected level of performance. This would be a good time to research salary expectancy as well. On average, what are companies offering for this position? Is that something that would work with your lifestyle? 

  1. Do I meet the job qualifications?

Read the job requirements carefully. Do you meet at least most of them? I would guess that as many as half the applications we receive for open positions are from unqualified applicants. This doesn’t mean that you have to have every requirement down to the nail. Be aware of the requirements you meet and where you fall short. This information will aid you in selling yourself in the future interview. I once interviewed a gentleman who told me exactly where he lacked, according to our expectations, and how he planned on rectifying it. That gentleman still works with us today, and we hope to keep him for a long time to come. 

  1. Do I know anyone who works there? 

Obviously, you’re probably already aware if your friend or cousin works for the company you are looking to apply to. But what about your good friend’s cousin? Your cousin’s boyfriend’s sister? Or the friend of a friend you met over coffee last Tuesday. Having an inside connection, even if it’s not one who knows you well enough to recommend you for the job, can be a great advantage.  Maybe they can tell you who the hiring manager is and what they are like. They may know the role you’ve applied for or the department head you’d be working under. They will definitely be able to fill you in on the company culture. There have been many times when even the mention of knowing someone that works within our company has had me pushing an applicant to the top. Companies get hundreds of applications a day. Any link you can make between yourself and said company will only help.  

  1. Did I research the company?

There is nothing more off putting than calling an applicant and them having little or no knowledge of the company they’ve applied to. Read the company website, google them for news articles or magazine features, check out their social media presence. You can find out the company’s mission and values, how their industry is run, and details about their brand, culture, and marketing. 

  1. Did I clean up my social media platforms?

Lastly, before you send out your application you should review your online reputation. For those that were not aware, the company you are applying to will google you! Your future employment will depend on what they find or don’t find. Let’s discuss what they could find first. Excessive drinking, drug use, foul language, angry rants, poor grammar, and spelling to name a few could all be potential red flags. We once received an application from a candidate whose own Facebook profile picture was of him making racial hand gestures. Now that’s just foolish any time, but especially when you’re applying for jobs. Remember that our public social media accounts are just that, public. If you don’t want the world to see it, don’t put it up. Another thing that could potentially be a red flag for your employer is if they find nothing about you. That means either of two things to most employers, you don’t know how the world works today or you’re hiding something. Neither of those two will help you get that job. Google yourself and see what comes up. Set up accounts on free platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, etc.

Work-Life Balance 

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Once upon a time the boundaries between work and home were much clearer. Today, however, technology has enabled a constant connection that can allow work to bleed into your time at home, or vice versa. That, compounded with our rush to “get it all done” at the office and at home, leaves us “super stressed” which is neither balanced nor healthy. Here are a few practical steps we can all take to win back the balance in our lives. Read on and reap the benefits. 

At Work

  1. Set manageable goals each day.
    • Checking off boxes on our mental “to do” lists makes us feel a sense of accomplishment and control. Be realistic about your workload and the deadlines you need to meet. 
  2. Use your time efficiently.
    • Time is your most valuable resource, don’t let procrastination rob you of it. If you are facing a big project at work or at home, divide it into smaller, more manageable tasks. 
  3. Communicate Effectively.
    • Let those around you know when you need help. Don’t just complain but suggest practical alternatives. Getting someone else’s input on a situation can also reduce stress. 
  4. Commit to a Bigger Future.
    • You have the power to decide what you want to work towards in the present moment. How far into the future you want to set your goals is up to you. The future is yours to plan, but it only comes from investing time now to think about where you are and where you want to go. 
  5. Make the most of your vacation time.
    • When you take time out for yourself, you will gain clarity on what’s most important. You will come back to work refreshed, energized, and motivated. 

At Home

  1. Unplug!
    • We have all heard that bit of advice time and time again. The same technology that can make our lives so much easier can also burn us out. 
  2. Make the most of your time off.
    • Plan fun activities for your personal time. Get organised with family and friends, to ensure your personal time is fulfilling.
  3. Don’t over commit.
    • In other words, don’t go too crazy with tip number two. Do you feel stressed when you just think about your upcoming “time off.” You probably  overscheduled yourself with activities, learn to say no. Remember, the key word here is balance. 
  4. Stay Active.
    • Aside from its well-known physical benefits, regular exercise reduces stress, depression and anxiety.. It’ll also boost your immune system and keep you out of the doctor’s office. 
  5. Treat your body right.
    • Along with exercise, eating right and getting adequate rest increases your tolerance to stress and reduces sick days.