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Other Added - Speaking the Language of Career Advancement
If you understand a language then you will understand to a large extent the culture that goes with it, and if you understand the culture you will pick up on subtleties that you might otherwise miss. In any negotiation or business relationship the more you understand about the needs and wants of the other party the more likely you are to be able to reach an advantageous outcome (for both sides). This is well recognized, but less widely taken into account is the favourable impression that speaking another language gives about you, and this is what I want to consider.In the international business world of today the English speaker is at a disadvantage in this regard because the international language of business is English. If you are not a native English speaker the obvious language to learn is English, whereas if you are and you want to learn a new language where do you start? Spanish, Chinese, Japa
Ask any marketing executive and they will tell you that a company's name is golden. There are certain associations that people have with a name, one that invokes emotions -- good or bad. Let's examine three case studies of branding involving companies that have merged and where the buyer kept the name of the company they bought or are considering purchasing.In the late 1990s with bank mergers in full swing, United Jersey Bank was faced with a dilemma. Having started to open branches in neighboring states, the "United Jersey" part of their name was beginning to become a hindrance. Bank executives knew that the name would have to be changed in order to continue to grow, while at the same time continuing to avoid being merged out of existence. The solution? The bank purchased a small, local bank based in Summit, NJ named Summit Bank. Once the merger was completed United Jersey Bank was renamed Summit B
In today’s competitive environment, companies can no longer afford to promote individuals solely on their technical merits. Work projects are increasingly complex and often require collaboration with a wide variety of individuals both in-house and out-of-house. Delays and inefficiencies are often the results of poor communication, costing companies time and money. Therefore, companies are often reluctant to promote employees who are seen as “hard to get along with.” Increasingly, companies are aware that high quality communication is a key attribute of high quality leaders. While technical skills will take you several rungs up the corporate ladder, the climb to the top requires taking your communications to a whole new level.
1. Take 100% responsibility for your communication
As a top-level communicator, it is essential that you take 100% responsibility for your communication. When you speak, there will be times when your message is not understood by the other person as you intended. Yes, it’s very easy to blame the other person and even make judgments about their intelligence. Yet, that brings you no closer to your goal of getting your message across and (even unspoken) judgments can seriously damage the relationship. As the communicator, it is up to you to re-package your message so that it is better understood. In the words of Intel’s co-founder, Andrew Grove, “How well we communicate is determined not by how well we say things, but by how well they are understood.” When you take 100% responsibility for your communication you are more likely to build relationships of trust and rapport and get the results you want in the long-term.
2. Learn to listen, listen to learn
An often overlooked component of the communications mix is the ability to listen. In fact, the best managers are known for their listening skills. They understand that we each have two ears and only one mouth and that we should use them in that proportion! Although listening seems like an easy task, many people are guilty of having a duo-logue (where both parties seek only to get their own point across) rather than a true dialogue. The best communicators are committed to listening not only to the words, but also to the deeper meaning behind them, known as the “meta-message.”
One of the most valuable shifts in thinking you can make while listening is to move from an attitude of judgment to one of curiosity. For example, if a colleague is talking about why they approached a project in a certain way (that you disagree with), suspend judgment for awhile as you really listen with openness and curiosity. Ask yourself questions that begin with the phrase, “I wonder.” As you listen to his explanation for his decision, you may realize that you did not have all the information you thought you did and might even learn something. And even if you decide to do things your way in the end, you’ll have given your colleague the respect of true listening that will ultimately make it easier to work together towards a common
Have you ever had that strange inner feeling you were supposed to be doing something, but just didn't know what it was?That's what happened to me last Sunday. All day I felt like something was nagging me. But... couldn't discover what it was. Have you ever had that kind of feeling?I did some work on my ezine, checked email several times, worked on a software problem and defragged my PC. And... still had the feeling I needed to do something else... Something important!This went on all day until about 7 pm Sunday night. Then I had the strong urge to check my email again. There was an email from Jim Edwards that caught my eye. He's a great writer and I'm always ready to read what he has to say.Jim mentioned in his email, he was thinking about writing an ebook about the lives, problems, successes, and setbacks that ebook writers and sellers had encountered.Jim
1. Take 100% responsibility for your communication
As a top-level communicator, it is essential that you take 100% responsibility for your communication. When you speak, there will be times when your message is not understood by the other person as you intended. Yes, it’s very easy to blame the other person and even make judgments about their intelligence. Yet, that brings you no closer to your goal of getting your message across and (even unspoken) judgments can seriously damage the relationship. As the communicator, it is up to you to re-package your message so that it is better understood. In the words of Intel’s co-founder, Andrew Grove, “How well we communicate is determined not by how well we say things, but by how well they are understood.” When you take 100% responsibility for your communication you are more likely to build relationships of trust and rapport and get the results you want in the long-term.
2. Learn to listen, listen to learn
An often overlooked component of the communications mix is the ability to listen. In fact, the best managers are known for their listening skills. They understand that we each have two ears and only one mouth and that we should use them in that proportion! Although listening seems like an easy task, many people are guilty of having a duo-logue (where both parties seek only to get their own point across) rather than a true dialogue. The best communicators are committed to listening not only to the words, but also to the deeper meaning behind them, known as the “meta-message.”
One of the most valuable shifts in thinking you can make while listening is to move from an attitude of judgment to one of curiosity. For example, if a colleague is talking about why they approached a project in a certain way (that you disagree with), suspend judgment for awhile as you really listen with openness and curiosity. Ask yourself questions that begin with the phrase, “I wonder.” As you listen to his explanation for his decision, you may realize that you did not have all the information you thought you did and might even learn something. And even if you decide to do things your way in the end, you’ll have given your colleague the respect of true listening that will ultimately make it easier to work together towards a commo
Everybody is aware of the sensational cases of workplace violence, where the perpetrator revisits his old workplace and shoots his previous workmates, and perhaps his former employer, then turns the gun on himself. It makes a good story, and then is forgotten about. The cause is never known because the killer is dead.Not all cases of workplace violence are like that: far from it in fact. In the type of case that occurs every day, an employee resorts to violence for predictable or unpredictable reasons. It will not reach the press unless it results in death. The problem is that all too frequently it does. In fact, workplace violence is the most common reason for workplace death after accidents involving professional drivers.There seems to be no government impetus to reduce these deaths, even though there are two major changes in law that could help. Both of these are connected with emplo
2. Learn to listen, listen to learn
An often overlooked component of the communications mix is the ability to listen. In fact, the best managers are known for their listening skills. They understand that we each have two ears and only one mouth and that we should use them in that proportion! Although listening seems like an easy task, many people are guilty of having a duo-logue (where both parties seek only to get their own point across) rather than a true dialogue. The best communicators are committed to listening not only to the words, but also to the deeper meaning behind them, known as the “meta-message.”
One of the most valuable shifts in thinking you can make while listening is to move from an attitude of judgment to one of curiosity. For example, if a colleague is talking about why they approached a project in a certain way (that you disagree with), suspend judgment for awhile as you really listen with openness and curiosity. Ask yourself questions that begin with the phrase, “I wonder.” As you listen to his explanation for his decision, you may realize that you did not have all the information you thought you did and might even learn something. And even if you decide to do things your way in the end, you’ll have given your colleague the respect of true listening that will ultimately make it easier to work together towards a commo
When the proper analysis has been made, advertising possesses qualities which are entirely different from those in the scope of personal selling, and those qualities so amplify and round out the selling plan as to add materially to its efficiency without regard to the commercial factors. Not the least of these qualities is the advantage of the written over the spoken word. The intonation, inflection, and emphasis which add so much to the meaning of the spoken word also take away from it the fixity which belongs to the cold type.Where business was done, where goods were sold, by oral methods entirely, a certain want of belief or reliability, and a certain amount of suspicion, is naturally attached to the spoken words of the seller, because of the fact that they were not worded and consequently were without the proper limitations.On the other hand, the tendency of the mind in general is to cred
2. Learn to listen, listen to learn
An often overlooked component of the communications mix is the ability to listen. In fact, the best managers are known for their listening skills. They understand that we each have two ears and only one mouth and that we should use them in that proportion! Although listening seems like an easy task, many people are guilty of having a duo-logue (where both parties seek only to get their own point across) rather than a true dialogue. The best communicators are committed to listening not only to the words, but also to the deeper meaning behind them, known as the “meta-message.”
One of the most valuable shifts in thinking you can make while listening is to move from an attitude of judgment to one of curiosity. For example, if a colleague is talking about why they approached a project in a certain way (that you disagree with), suspend judgment for awhile as you really listen with openness and curiosity. Ask yourself questions that begin with the phrase, “I wonder.” As you listen to his explanation for his decision, you may realize that you did not have all the information you thought you did and might even learn something. And even if you decide to do things your way in the end, you’ll have given your colleague the respect of true listening that will ultimately make it easier to work together towards a commo
Running around to several different stores to get supplies for your business is not just a waste of time; it's a waste of money. A business owner needs a place where he or she can get all the supplies they need; supplies to help further what the business is trying to accomplish.Years ago, a business owner would go to countless stores to get the things they need to run their business efficiently. Back then a person would spend a whole day doing that by driving around aimlessly looking for a place that has exact things. One place would sell printers, but they wouldn't sell fax machines, so they would have to go find a place that sells that. Luckily with the evolution of the retail environment, you can get most of what you are looking for in one place.For example; In Germany, they have an establishment called Viking Office Products. If that name doesn't sound familiar, it is Germany's version
3. Voice your interest in advancement
Many earnest employees keep their nose to the grindstone producing quality work day after day, hoping to be recognized for their contributions. The lucky ones have managers who reward their achievements by helping them get promoted. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Therefore, the first thing to do is make sure that your managers and other appropriate personnel know of your interest in advancement. Never make assumptions in this area. If you become aware of an opportunity for promotion, speak up, ask to be considered for the position, and take the necessary steps for application.
4. Be visible, be vocal
As a general rule, seek opportunities to interact regularly and serve as a liaison with other departments and work groups so that your name becomes known, especially to upper-management. During inter-departmental meetings, find opportunities to serve as chairperson or facilitator where appropriate. Yes, it may take more time, but if you’re serious about advancement, it is usually worth it. During these meetings it is crucial that you speak up when you have an important contribution to make and temporarily put aside any feelings of nervousness.
Meetings, conferences and other industry events are also great opportunities for connecting with new people (or colleagues you may not know well) and letting them see other aspects of your personality. Since you’ve already impressed them with your technically savvy, put the shop talk aside during breaks and find out more about them. You may find that you share a passion for mountain biking, fine wines, or raising yaks! As you become known as more than just “that guy who works on the third floor,” you will have added a new dimension to your relationship and it will help open doors if you need their support (or the support of their boss) on further projects or advancement.
5. Develop your public speaking skills
Fear of public speaking is the #1 fear among Americans, even ahead of fear of death. According to Jerry Seinfeld that means that at a funeral, you’d rather be in the casket than giving the eulogy! Your ability to speak on behalf of your company (or your department at an in-house meeting) will be a major step in putting you on the fast track for advancement. And you never know when an opportunity may arise. I have a client who rose quickly in her career when she stepped in at the last minute as the headline speaker at a conference when her boss became ill. Although some people are natural speakers, for most of us it is a learned skill. To increase your confidence and skills as a speaker, you may consider joining a Toastmasters groups or working with a communications coach to help you prepare for your pu
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