How do you ensure you are taken seriously by an institution, especially when you feel they are working against your best interests?

How to speak with institutions:

The most important factor in dealing with an institution is that you have to be confident when you deal with them, and be assertive in getting the transaction done for yourself. You should be vocal in how you express yourself to the institution, in that they know what you want exactly. Although you should be firm with them, you should be polite and speak with them in a positive manner; so as to maintain an open line of communication in case you need to come back in the future. If you feel that an organization is not working in your best interests, you should be prepared to take action and stand up for yourself in a manner appropriate to the situation.

How to prepare for dealing with an institution:

Before you deal with an institution, you should be preparing yourself to speak with them so that you are taken seriously and you get what you want out of the transaction. You need to remind yourself that they need your business, and that with the adequate amount of research and documentation, you can get what you want from them. Make sure that you have all of the important information you could need available, and you know what you are looking for. You should know about the company you are interacting with, in terms of their standing in the market and what their goals are. After your research and interaction with the institution, you should be able to make a decision that benefits you and looks out for your best interests.

Being prepared to stand up for yourself:

When negotiating a deal with an institution, you should be sure to follow through with any claims you may make. This demonstrates you are serious and can affect their business with your end feelings. Meaning, if you say you will take your business elsewhere if need be, then you actually will because you are the consumer and should be looking out for your best interests. You should make sure you are protecting yourself from the institution, while recognizing that there are other companies out there also looking for your business.

Who you are speaking to within the institution:

When negotiating with an institution, you should be aware of who you are speaking with, as this can affect what you get out of the interaction. You should recognize that many large institutions can have third party call centers with very little responsibility, but that can connect you with full-time employees who can help you. You should always make sure that you are speaking with someone who will indeed help with your requests, and never be afraid to ask for the manager.

This page was developed from interviews with:

Joyce Barry, Quentin Tarkington, Dennis Powell, Arlene London, Arthur Miller, Jose Harvey, Melissa Adams