In today’s competitive market, can you afford to not offer the very best customer service? 

When customers are pleased with a product or service they may tell one or two others, but when they are dissatisfied you better watch out!  One of the main reasons that customers stop doing business is because someone at that business treated them poorly. Offering consistent, friendly customer service is a key to repeat business and customer loyalty.  A big step to improving customer service is getting your employees to look at their jobs through the eyes of their customer.  

The Ellsworth Adult & Community Education is partnering with the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce and local businesses to offer businesses and individuals an opportunity to enhance their customer service. Trainers will be area employers who focus on quality customer service. Each session will have handouts that can be added to the student’s personal growth file or shared with others in their workplace.  A certificate of completion will be awarded to those who successfully complete all four sessions.

• No Class 4/25/2025
• Makeup class, if needed, 05/02/25.

Session I - Friday, March 7, 2025 – First Impressions – The Impact of Attitude and Appearance on Sales and Repeat Business. Participants will discuss positive and negative example of good customer service, 

• The importance of attitude – good or bad, both make a lasting impression
• The importance of dress – What is business casual?

Session III  - Friday, March 21, 2025– Communication – It’s What You Say AND How You Say It

• Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication – body language can speak louder than words
• Active Listening – taking in what is said and what is not said
• Using the right words – grammar is a reflection on you and your company
• Asking open-ended questions – seeking to fully understand situations
• Know your audience – diverse customers = diverse expectations

Session II - Friday, March 14, 2025 – Effective Problem-Solving and Strategies for Dealing with Difficult Customers, 

• How to tell people what they don’t want to hear
• Simple ways to help diffuse anger
• In person and on the telephone – smiles work

Session IV - Friday, March 28 , 2025- The Total Package – Going Above and Beyond 

• Taking the extra steps helps ensure customer satisfaction
• Effective problem solving

Join Jess for a day full of creativity and fun while you paint your own 2'x2' barn quilt! The barn quilts created in this class will be painted on a primed wooden signboard with your choice of block quilt design and paint colors. Jess will guide you through marking your design, taping and painting. Not just for barns anymore, your decorated barn quilt can be hung inside your home as well as outside. You will be provided with instructions on how to seal your board for inside or outside display.  This is an in-person class.

All materials will be provided including your 2x2 board, choice of paints and designs, and tape. Please bring an apron/smock and a dish to share for a potluck lunch. Drinks, plates, bowls, & silverware will be provided.  Maximum 10 participants. 

Jess Johnson is a teacher and mixed media artist. She has been in Maine public education for 20 years and enjoys teaching others and loves seeing the different perspectives of one's art pieces.

This hands-on workshop aims to empower women with essential car maintenance skills, building confidence and independence in managing their vehicles. Participants will learn foundational car care, safety checks, and problem-solving strategies for common issues, taught in a supportive, welcoming environment.  

Topics:

• Understanding Under the Hood
• Tire Maintenance & Changing a Flat Tire
• Battery Maintenance and Jump-Starting a Car
• Essential Emergency Kit & Safety Tips
• Resources for more information

This is an in-person class.

This course is designed to get you solidly grounded in the fundamentals needed to enjoy fly fishing. Topics covered include tackle selection and assembly, knots, fly casting, fish foods, artificial flies, fly fishing strategies, entomology, and wading safety. After completing this course, you should have all the understanding and skills necessary to catch fish with a fly rod on your own. This is an in-person class.

This course will be taught in Orono by Kevin Tracewski, a registered Maine guide and author of the best selling book, A Fisherman’s Guide to Maine.

Wish you could find a money guide that doesn't make your eyes glaze over or your brain hurt?  Easy Money by Gail Vaz-Oxlade is for you.  She knows you work hard for your money, so in her honest and practical style she will show you how to make your money work for you. Budgeting, saving and getting your debt paid off have never been so easy to understand or to do.  Follow Gail's plan and take control of your money.  This is an easy-to-read book study so we can all work together to learn how to make our dollars stretch and plan for the future.   This is an in-person class.  No class 02/18/25.

Google Drive is an example of a cloud-based place where you can create and save files of all kinds - word documents, spreadsheets, surveys and more.  You can access the files from most devices and more than one person can work on them at the same time.  If you’re using it for personal use, Drive applications are free.  It’s a practical way to learn programs without investing in software. This workshop will introduce you to these features.  This is an in-person class. 

You’ll need a Gmail account for this workshop, and will need to know your account username and password.  It’s ideal if you access your Gmail on the web vs. a computer-based program.  If you’re not sure what this means, please contact us and we’ll be glad to assist you! 

Vanessa loves working with adult learners. She is really easy to be around and makes people extremely comfortable; she even makes learning math and computers fun! She is committed to helping adults discover their strenghts, build their confidence, and realize they can accomplish their goals. In her free time, she loves to travel and explore the outdoors. Vanessa teaches math, science, technology, and provides college and career advising.

This professional certification course certifies the student in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and choking protocols for all age groups, as well as other advanced skills including ventilation with an advanced airway or bag mask device.  This is an in-person class.

Greetings! Good news!  Thanks to a grant our Heartsaver classes are free until the grant funds run out.

A Bureau of Highway Safety course aimed at improving a student's defensive driving awareness and abilities. The five-hour course includes discussion of collision avoidance techniques, safety issues, driver habits and attitudes, and the basic elements that constantly challenge drivers on Maine's highways.

The course format engages participants with a mixture of lectures, videos, and class discussion and participation.  Upon completion, students will receive a three-point credit on their driving record.  Some insurance companies give discounts after completing this course, so check with your company for details.  Please bring your driver's license to class. Class meets on Tuesday and Thursday.  This is an in-person class.