One of the biggest difficulties many bosses have is how to maintain a positive, encouraging and even friendly relationship with their employees, while still keeping intact the line between boss and employee. The key, as usual, is positive communication. Beth from Michigan writes: “Bob, my staff has been with my company as long as I…
We’ve discussed “softeners” or Lead-in phrases that help lower the potential defenses of a person you are attempting to persuade to your side of an issue. Related to this is the idea that anything we say can be communicated more effectively and persuasively by not coming across in a dogmatic, know-it-all fashion but instead, with…
There is perhaps nothing more powerful in beginning a conversation, or in overcoming an interpersonal challenge, than a smile. A warm, genuine, sincere smile that emanates from your heart (from the inside out). The vast majority of these challenges in both personal and in business relationships could most likely be resolved peacefully with a smile,…
There are times you might need to break the chain of command to get to the person who can make a major purchase of your products. Your successful sale may make your first contact resentful. It still behooves you to befriend that first person, because he or she could still play an important role in…
On the most recent episode of my favorite online business show, Kitchen Table Talks with Chris Brogan and Joe Sorge (Tuesdays 2:00-2:30 ET on The Pulse Network), their weekly viewer discussion question was… “Are you ‘too nice’?” It was an excellent discussion point which brought many insightful responses. The question itself, however, contains a bit…
{Quick note: In writing this post I’m featuring insights and wisdom learned from my Dad, Mike Burg whom, for years, I personally witnessed helping put broken families back together again.} One surprising area that occurs from time to time within even the healthiest of family relationships is the “unexpected complaint.” In other words, Susie is…
When someone, maybe even a close friend or associate, constantly keeps you on the phone for a long time, how do you end the conversation politely and effectively, without offending that person? Here’s what works for me and for others: begin the conversation with, “Hey, great to hear from you, I’m just about to .…
Remember the classic, The One-Minute Manager, by Drs. Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson? Loved that book! One of their most famous pieces of advice for leaders and managers in effectively working with their team members was to, “Catch them in the act of doing something right.” When you catch someone in the act of doing…
In a recent post on her Facebook page, my friend, Alice Flanders (one of the funniest people I know, and who has no idea how funny and profound she so often is) related the following: “I was thinking of attending an event. The host told me I could bring my kids for free. I told…
In a recent post we discussed the difference between “Objections” and “Conditions” in the selling process. Basically, an objection signifies a lack of perceived value compared to the price. It could also be a matter of a lack of want, perceived need, desire, or motivation to make a change. In other words, if he or…
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