If you want to stay out of trouble, you have to follow the rules. But if you want to get ahead in life, sometimes you have to bend them just a tiny bit.
One person on Threads asked folks to share the best-kept secrets they’ve learned from the industries they work in, and the responses did not disappoint. From customer service tricks to cybersecurity advice and surprisingly useful everyday wisdom, we gathered some of the best tips below.
Check them out, and don’t forget to upvote your favorites!
#1

Business owner here! 😃 Your employees are your most important “customer.” Take great care of them.
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40points
#2

GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING. GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING. GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING.
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30points
#3

Spend time reading with your child as soon as they are born. Read together when they learn to read. Share books, laugh at the funny stories, cry at the sad. These bonds will be carried forever and you’re building vocabulary, empathy and critical thinking skills.
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24points
#4

I’ve worked in customer service for years. If you messed up, admit it, and are really nice, I will give you the royal treatment.
It is so hard to want to help people that blame their mistakes on you
It is so hard to want to help people that blame their mistakes on you
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24points
#5

Shop for high price items and flights w an international VPN or at the very least, private browsing. Cookies and dynamic pricing will getchya.
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18points
#6
The best way to ensure your library has the funding to do more (buy more materials, out on more programs, have enough staff to open more hours) is to use their services. We track EVERYTHING - items used, program attendance, library attendance, wifi usage - and use that data to request more funding. Just sitting in the library with your phone connected to our wifi is valuable usage data, but you don't even have to go to the library - use Libby, Hoopla, etc.
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18points
#7

Stop booking hotels third party.
If someone needs to be walked, you’re the first to be bumped out of the overcrowded hotel.
If you have an issue that would have otherwise been refunded, we can’t help you at the hotel because you didn’t pay us, you paid them.
You now have no complimentary upgrade options, and may not even get the room type you booked.
More importantly, many hotels offer a price match guarantee to match the lower price you found elsewhere if you’re a loyalty member.
If someone needs to be walked, you’re the first to be bumped out of the overcrowded hotel.
If you have an issue that would have otherwise been refunded, we can’t help you at the hotel because you didn’t pay us, you paid them.
You now have no complimentary upgrade options, and may not even get the room type you booked.
More importantly, many hotels offer a price match guarantee to match the lower price you found elsewhere if you’re a loyalty member.
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17points
#8

If you plan on getting a pet, at the very VERY least, please know what size tank or cage it needs, what climate it needs, and what it eats daily
17points
#9

Never get into credit-free, lease to own, situations. You’re going to end up paying at least twice the amount it was initially worth.
16points
#10

You can negotiate medical debt down. Not in every single case, but a lot of times.
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14points
#11

People look down on admins bc they’re “lower on the totem pole”. But they really should be your bff. They know EVERYTHING and have access to almost everything your boss does. They know ahead of time about re-orgs, terminations, most HR issues, etc.
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13points
#12

If your child is a sophomore or junior in high school they should be doing Dual Enrollment. You and your child are missing out on an AMAZING opportunity. Some HS students are graduating with an Associate’s degree that cost them NOTHING.
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12points
#14

Get copies of your medical records, lab tests and radiology exams as you go. Keeping your own file saves time a “per page copies” .
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11points
#15

Pre-plan (pre-pay) for your burial/cremation. It’s a LOT cheaper this way, and making the decisions saves your loved ones from having to do that when they’re in shock/grief.
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11points
#16
As a barber; wash behind your ears, and smell your own breath before going to get a haircut.
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11points
#17

nothing is private. we could log into your account, read your messages etc. most of the time there was a legitimate reason to do so, but people did misuse the ability and got fired.
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10points
#18

Best time to try a new product (tech, beauty, consumer, etc…) is 2-3 months after launch. All the bugs will be worked out at the factory and most quality issues are fixed by then
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9points
#19

If it slows down or glitches, turn it off and back on again. You’re welcome.
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8points
#20

If you have insurance, it is required to cover your mental health and substance use care equally to any physical health care. If it doesn’t (which is common), you have the right to appeal, submit a complaint to regulators, and get the coverage you need.
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8points


