How do we communicate and instantly build rappore with people we meet? By focusing on THEM! While reading some scriptures today I happened to come across this one from James and noticed that it fit nicely into the topic for this months article on “The Importance of Communicating Effectively.” “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man, who looks at his face in the mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it, he will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:21-25 NULL
Now this got my mind spinning realizing that we can apply this to our businesses too. How often do we read a book or listen to a learning CD and actually apply the knowledge from that book or CD to grow our business? How often do we attend training calls and events only to get all pumped up, then come back down from our high after the call or back home doing nothing to actually apply what we’ve just learned?
We come home and eventually forget what success looks like don’t we? If we don’t practice it we lose it!
You know the old saying… use it or lose it right? It doesn’t do much good to learn all these great communication techniques, success tools, and fabulous people skills if we’re not out actually putting them all into action right?
That means being out communicating with people, connecting and building relationships and letting them know about a business product and/or service that could help change the direction of their lives.
Practice asking people you meet how you can best support them in their business and/or their life? You’ve got to really mean it when you say you have their best interest at heart! Remember the verse above and do no harm! What can you give to them without expecting anything in return? Here are a few places to connect and communicate with other people and put some of that super knowledge you just picked up from that book you just read, CD, seminar, company webinar, personal coaching, or training event you just listened to to good use – Restaurants, Hotel lobby, Church Meetings, Retail Stores, Grocery Stores, Dr./Dentist Offices, Sports Practices, Gyms, Parks, Neighbors, Community Organizations, Banks, Library, Post Office, Dry Cleaners, Beauty/Nail Salon, Spa, Fairs/Bazaars, Child care Providers, Phone book, Customer Referrals, UPS delivery person, Family/Class Reunions, Play groups, Museums, Gas Stations, Amusement Parks, Swimming Pools, Garden Center, Job Fairs, Bridal Shows, Weddings, Women’s Expos, Public Restrooms, Baby/Bridal Showers, Laundromat, Fundraisers, Open Houses, Workplace, Zoo, Telemarketers/Sales, People
How do we communicate effectively with people and build instant rapport with them within the first few minutes of meeting them? By focusing on them and what they want! How do we know what they want? We ask them!
By asking questions we pick up on a person’s personality pretty quickly by becoming a good listener. Keeping the other person’s interest at heart makes this much easier to do. It takes all the fear of connecting with someone away including speaking with people on the phone. You will be quite surprised at the attention span of a person when they are doing all the talking. They are most likely more inclined not to hang up on you or walk away from you that’s for sure! Practice this and see if you are not as afraid when you are putting the other person’s interest ahead of yours. When you know deep down inside that you truly and genuinely have another person’s interest at heart your fears start to melt away and you are becoming a much better communicator! They will not be as suspicious of you either, thinking you’re going to try selling them on something.
Yeah Sue, you may be thinking, if someone else is doing all the talking how am I communicating? You are communicating to them that you CARE!
Learn how to communicate and make better connections with people! Here’s a true story that happened recently. I was out looking at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort for a company regional event here in Austin recently and had put my company magnetic signs on my car. This is an effective form of advertising that can lead to some great connecting communication by the way. You know the ole conversation starter. I’ve had these particular signs on for quite some time and really have not had many people ask about them and that’s ok too. I believe in exposure! Rome was not built in a day gang. Eventually it happens and today was that day! Here I was up at the front desk of this beautiful hotel resort asking for the sales manager who was expecting my visit, when this nicely dressed professional looking woman who happened to be at the desk too, said “are you the lady who sells”? – And she named my product which is right on the car sign. She happened to park right next to my car that day. Not really expecting this at all, I answered, well yes ma’am I sure am, how are you? She begins to introduce herself and explain what she is doing there and that she wanted to know if we would be interested in contributing to their PTA fundraiser with a product donation. I said of course we would be happy to donate for your cause and appreciate very much you asking. I went back over to her and gave her my business card and then walked away. Soon after she finished up her business at the front desk she walks back over to me in the other room and starts the conversation up again. Turns out she also sells advertising and asked if I would be interested in that to build for our event and of course I said yes. She invited me out to her car for more information and we communicated some more and plan to meet up for lunch to continue our conversation. There’s another story about a free ping pong table. Will save that one for next time! Have fun connecting and never worry about what success looks like!
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She is semi-retired and living a good life in Spicewood Texas with her husband of forty years and their Aussie dog Titan. They raised two sons together.
Sue was a co-author contributor to the Direct Selling Women's Alliance book 'Build It Big' - 101 Insider Secrets From Top Direct Selling Experts & a trainer on their Mentored By The Master Series CD.
She’s been a contributing writer for The Network Marketing Business Journal, Home Business Magazine, MLMWoman.com, and TheNetworkMarketingMagazine.com.
Sue has been interviewed on several home business radio shows since 2001. To find out more visit her blogs at -http://www.sueseward.com and/or http://www.glutenfreelady.com
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