How to Handle Workplace Conflicts
When dealing with conflict in the workplace, the most important rule for handling it is dealing with it head-on. If a company ignores conflict among coworkers, it can snowball into something bigger and eventually cause problems for more than just the parties initially involved. There are a few easy ways to deal with conflict and stop it before it even becomes an issue. If ignored, there's the potential for people quitting, lawsuits, and even workplace violence.
Open Door Policy When leadership has an open door policy in place, people are more inclined to come to them with problems. Upper management must set aside time for all employees to go to them with any conflict they may be dealing with. This way, employees know they have an outlet for when they need to talk. It's a way for them to be heard, and it's a way for them to know that management cares about their happiness and emotional health.
Create Practical Solutions When two employees can't seem to get along, management needs to intervene. If conflict isn't addressed, fights can happen, which creates a more significant issue than what was there in the first place. Employees involved in a conflict need to feel like their voices are being heard. Management shouldn't just brush off concerns even if they may seem trivial at the time. If a solution can't be found, management may need to consider different shifts or workspaces for involved parties.
Address Rumors to Avoid Future Problems Rumors will inevitably pop up in the workplace. How a company deals with those rumors says everything about them. Rumors are a substantial contributing factor to workplace conflicts and even workplace violence. That's why it's important that employees have someone they can ask about rumors and someone they can go to should a rumor arise about themselves. Perhaps the most helpful way to deal with conflict is to stop it before it arises. Companies should have policies in place that deal with bullying, rumors, and other problematic behaviors. By having a zero-tolerance rule, people can come to work feeling safe in the long run. Employees should also know when and where they can find HR. Creating a zero-tolerance policy for bullying is also a great way to keep all employees on the same page and avoid showing favoritism.
Branding Essentials for Startup Companies
When starting up a new company, there are three essentials that the business needs for visibility: a trademarked logo, a website, and a domain name that matches the brand.
Business Logo The logo is the picture customers and clients use to remember the brand and what it represents. This needs to be unique to the business and should be trademarked to protect others from using it as their own. The logo is what introduces people to the company and should create a positive impression in their minds. It represents the company’s values and purpose, so the design and colors should reflect those things.
Website The website is often the first place people read about a new company before trying their services. In today’s world, a website is essential for a business to thrive since so much business is done online. A nicely designed website will have details about the product or services offered, the background or history of the company, and contact information, such as email and phone number. The website should incorporate the logo of the brand and have links with which to navigate the website easily. Some businesses offer a scheduling option on the web page, making it easier for service-oriented businesses to schedule times with customers. If the business sells a product, the website should be created to make online sales as easy a possible for both the customer and the company.
Domain Name The domain name is what people type as the URL to access the website for the business. The domain name for the brand should match closely with the name as much as possible. Sometimes an exact match is not possible because a specific domain name may already be taken. The domain name may also use search engine optimization (SEO) words, which are words used to search for that type of business or service in a specific location. The business owner could do some of these things himself, but often it is better to hire a professional to help design a logo and create a website. When a new business has a great logo, a website that is easy to use, and a domain name that matches its business name, the essentials are in place for a great start.