Communication
“Wisdom cannot be imparted. Wisdom that a wise man
attempts to impart always sounds like foolishness to someone else ... Knowledge
can be communicated, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, do wonders
through it, but one cannot communicate and teach it.”
― Hermann Hesse, Siddhartha
― Hermann Hesse, Siddhartha
There is nothing more important in business than
effective communication. You may have the most brilliant product in the world
but if you can’t make somebody want to buy it then it is as worthless as a
bucket of sand to a camel.
Forms of communication
(1)
Words, sentences, stories, descriptions
(2)
Pictures
(3)
Video
(4)
Sounds, music, songs
(5)
Facial expressions a smile, a grin, a growl a
grimace
(6)
Body language, facing away, facing towards,
crossed arms, pointing
Fundamentals of communication
(1)
Smile, all the rest is for nought if you can’t
get someone to trust you and the way to a person’s heartfelt trust is a smile.
Not a grin, not a fake laugh just a simple polite smile. If you are telling
something sad or bad then a comforting smile. If you are selling your product
then an enthusiastic smile.
(2)
Make the individual or group believe they are
the only ones who matter to you in the world by giving them your full
attention. Listen to their words, replicate their facial expressions, show a full
committed interest in them and hold their gaze. Make them feel there is no one
else in the world but you and them, this will make them not only hear but
absorb what you are saying.
(3)
Language Use the level of language suitable to
your audience. If talking to a room of scientists then go ahead and enjoy
yourself and talk technical about quarks and atoms, protons and vectors. If you
are talking to anyone else then explain things in words which don’t need a
degree in micro biology to understand.
(4)
Assume people know absolutely nothing about your
product. You should know everything about it (and if you don’t then be ashamed
and go learn it all) but sometimes a high level of knowledge leads to people
talking above people’s heads. Explain the simple things and then move on to the
complex this allows everyone to follow what you are saying.
(5)
Use images and sounds not just words. A picture
can convey a million words, a song can elicit an emotional response, both
images and sounds can cause memories to be formed by association
(6)
Talk
clearly and loud enough to be heard and understood
(7)
Embrace your audience with your body language,
face them, be open with your arms and hands.
(8)
Enjoy the experience of communicating with
others. Humans can sense emotions, if you are happy and sincere they will read
this in you.
(9)
Listen to them communicating to you. Remember
what your mother told you about having two ears and one mouth. Communication
goes two ways, look at their body language, notice their facial expressions,
listen to their words, appraise their knowledge, determine what level of
technical jargon they understand, notice are the looking at you.
This is just a very
basic article. I hope it helps with your communication skills.
© Frank McGivney 16.06.16
