Most, if not all of us, will be painfully aware of that mortifying terror we experienced when the teacher would call us to the front of the class to deliver a presentation. The sweaty hands, the beads of perspiration, the shaky legs and the weak knees; these were the telltale signs of our overwhelming dread. At that moment, we all wished we could be anywhere but there.
Unfortunately, many of us got stuck in that rut and never broke free. That same dread accompanied us through our adolescence and into our adult years. Walking to a job interview remains the stuff of nightmares for the majority of our youth even today.
It is crucial that you take the time away from your busy academic schedules and office work, and try to improve your communication skills because believe it or not, the opportunity will once again arise where you will be at the mercy of this skill.
Here are a few tips which you may find useful in this venture.
Listening
We cannot stress this enough. Communication is a two way street. You cannot be a good speaker if you don’t know how to listen.
This becomes particularly important in a business venture of any kind. In order to establish an effective dialogue with a potential customer, you have to be an adept listener. This will make you aware of their needs and interests and thereby allow you to sell them exactly what they need.
Ever heard the phrase “The customer is always right”. It doesn’t necessarily mean what many of us think it means. The essence of this phrase is to let entrepreneurs know the worth of listening. You have to pay enough attention to their grievances and problems so that the customers believe they are right.
It makes them feel important and valued. Any customer that feels valued while interacting with your organization is more likely to purchase from you.
It’s not just about business ventures though. Listening intently in a manner that leaves no room for misinterpretation, having a good ear for small details, and to effectively pass on that information to others is a skill that…
