by Sunil Bali, 09-09-12

Research by The Dale Carnegie Foundation suggests that roughly 85% of our social and financial success in life is determined by our communication skills.

Yet so many people who want access to our wallets don’t know how to communicate effectively.

I visited my local phone shop this week and was greeting with the obligatory "Hello. Can I help you?" by the Sales Assistant, Tom.

A closed question, which elicited a reply of "No". End of conversation.

If however, Tom had asked, "Are you looking to upgrade your phone or see what’s new?", then we would have started a conversation, which Tom would have been in control of.

Not only is this approach more natural and sincere, but it’s more likely to lead to a sale.

It pays to be interested rather than interesting, and to handle your prospects with curiosity.

Quotes

I try and leave out the parts that people skip – Elmore Leonard, best selling author

The meaning of communication is the response you get – Unknown

Two monologues do not make a dialogue - Jeff Daly

The way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives – Anthony Robbins

Humour

Quick witted answers…..

  1. A flight attendant was stationed at the departure gate to check tickets. As a man approached, she extended her hand for the ticket and he opened his trench coat and flashed her. Without missing a beat she said, "Sir, I need to see your ticket not your stub."
  2. A truck driver was driving along the freeway. A sign comes up that reads, "Low Bridge Ahead." Before he knows it, the bridge is right ahead of him and he gets stuck under the bridge. Cars are backed up for miles. Finally, a police car comes up. The cop gets out of his car and walks to the truck driver, puts his hands on his hips and says, "Got stuck, huh?" The truck driver says, "No, I was delivering this bridge and ran out of gas."
  3. The cop got out of his car and the kid who was stopped for speeding rolled down his window. "I’ve been waiting for you all day," the cop said. The kid replied, "Yeah, well I got here as fast as I could." When the cop finally stopped laughing, he sent the kid on his way without a ticket.
  4. A college teacher reminds her class of tomorrow’s final exam. "Now class, I won’t tolerate any excuses for you not being here tomorrow. I might consider a nuclear attack or a serious personal injury or illness, or a death in your immediate family, but that’s it, no other excuses whatsoever!" A guy in the back of the room raised his hand and asked, "What would you say if tomorrow I said I was suffering from complete and utter sexual exhaustion?" The entire class is reduced to laughter and snickering. When silence is restored, the teacher smiles knowingly at the student, shakes her head and sweetly says "Well, I guess you’d have to write the exam with your other hand."

To your success,

Sunil

www.sunilbali.com