It's a do different day!

Einstien said doing the same thing over and over again is the definition of insanity. So because I know you don't want to be thought of as being bonkers, I decided to publish on my blog after a long break from writing. My main objective in doing different is to boost my creativity.

Let's add some practical, fun examples to our 'do different' day to help break up habitual habits and shift our way of thinking.

1. Compliment Extravaganza: Break free from the habit of stingy compliments. Challenge yourself to give sincere and abundant compliments throughout the day. Compliment a colleague's creativity, a friend's kindness, or even a stranger's style. Treat compliments like they're free-flowing positivity, not a scarce resource. You'll not only brighten someone's day but also cultivate a more positive outlook on the world.

2. Dress-Up Day: How we dress often defines how we're perceived. So, why not have a 'Dress Different' day? Wear something unusual or bold that you'd never normally consider. Maybe it's a quirky accessory, a colorful ensemble, or a style you've always admired but thought too extravagant. Changing your appearance can shift how you feel about yourself and how others perceive you, sparking new ideas and attitudes.

3. Random Acts of Kindness: Spontaneously perform small acts of kindness throughout your day. Pay for the coffee of the person behind you in line, leave a friendly note on a co-worker's desk, or help a stranger with their bags. These tiny acts can challenge your thinking by shifting your focus from 'me' to 'we' and can ignite fresh ideas for ways to make the world a better place.

4. The Different Desk: Rearrange your workspace or the layout of your home. It can be as simple as repositioning your desk or moving the furniture in your living room. Changing your surroundings disrupts your usual thought patterns and can lead to fresh, innovative perspectives on familiar problems.

5. Take a Different Route: Instead of following your usual daily routine, take a different route to work or your regular destination. Explore new streets, shops, and landmarks along the way. By doing so, you open yourself up to new experiences and different sights, which can inspire novel ideas and expand your horizons.

By incorporating these five small yet impactful changes into your 'do different' day, you can break free from the clutches of routine and unlock your creativity. So, embrace compliments, dress differently, and sprinkle kindness wherever you go. Tweak your workspace and take a new route, and watch as your world transforms into an exhilarating playground of innovation and fresh thinking. After all, creativity thrives in the unexpected and flourishes in the realm of novelty

9 traits of highly persuasive people. How many do you have?

 

9 traits of highly persuasive people. How many do you have?

1.  Constantly curious

In order to be highly persuasive you need to know everything possible about the person you are trying to persuade.  The two things most all people like to talk about are themselves and the things they like.  When you encourage others to talk about themselves they like you more.   And the more they like you the more they are likely to really listen when you do speak.    So ask a ton of questions and then be a...

2.  Great listener

The best sales people are not the fast talkers, they are the best listeners.   A rough guide line is to never talk more than 40% of the time.   Those who talk too much are not believed and make others suspicious of your intentions.

Learn to listen with your eyes.   Yeah sounds goofy but it really works and here is why?    When you watch intently you will begin to notice emotions that don't line up with their words. Paying attention to body language can give you valuable clues as what they are thinking.

The direction a person's feet are pointing will tell you where their head is.  If the feet are pointing away from you take that as a sign that they want to get away from you.   Crossed arms and leaning away from you may indicate they are not buying what you are saying.

3.  Generous

We all are pretty good at deciding who is a giver and who is a taker.    We like givers.   Giving also triggers reciprocity meaning they will feel a strong urge to give back and frequently give you more than you gave them.

A man gives a woman a sincere well thought out compliment and then asks her out on a date.   What do you think his chances of getting the date are?   Research says he has a 37% better chance of getting that date.   And guess what?   This principal can also help you make a sale.   Some people give out compliments like they were coming out their bank account.   Don't be that person.

Gift giving can cost a lot or nothing at all but the benefits can be great.   I have written extensively about the 'Rules of Reciprocity'.   It is powerful stuff.

4.  Storytellers

The most persuasive people don't have canned pitches they have great stories.   Stories are an amazing way to get past a persons resistance.   Tell a story about someone just like them had their problem and how you were able to solve it and chances are they will buy it.  

5.  Light hearted 

Those who are too serious suck the energy out of us.   Serious can only be effective in time of emergency or in small doses.   We prefer to be around light hearted people.   And it is much easier to get a person who is laughing to say yes than by laying too much serious on them.  

Serious people prefer the status quo.    People in light hearted mood are much more likely to try something new.  Job #1 is to start any interaction with a warm positive energy.

6.  Share the spotlight

Great persuaders are only to happy to share the spotlight and at times simply  deflect the spotlight on others.
They are the 'Public Praisers'.    They will seize every opportunity to praise others in publc.   And how can you not  like someone who tells others how wonderful and talented you are?

7.   Comfort seekers

Not theirs....yours!   Great persuaders seek to make you comfortable.   They dress to make you comfortable.   They arrange to put you in situations that make you comfortable.   It's not about them, it's all about you.   Make a person comfortable and their resistance to you and your ideas dissolves.

8.  Clarify and simplify

Great persuaders know that too much information is a deal killer.   Too many choices mean no decision.  Complicated jargon is not believable.   It makes you sound salsey.   The more simple the persuasion the better the chance that it will be accepted.  

Do you remember this line from the OJ Simpson trial....if the glove doesn't fit you must acquit.   That simple line won the day.    Simplify.

9.  Admit you don't know

When you admit that you don't know something or that you were wrong, what happens?   Your credibility goes sky high.   It gets interpreted as a sign that you are honest and to be trusted.   Most people won't do that and then again.....most people aren't great persuaders!


HELP.......I would love to know if you have any thoughts on other top traits for highly persuasive people?
Let me know in the comments below....thanks much appreciated

A good mood is money in the bank!

 

A good mood is money in the bank!

ic

Admit it, just looking at that image of a happy sun lifted your mood, right?

The good news...

Good moods increase optimism and feeling optimistic can encourage a customer to make a purchase or be persuadable to a request.  Why?  because when we feel optimistic we also feel empowered and are more willing to take a risk or make a buying decision. 

This is elementary level stuff for kids.  Kids know not ask mom or dad for something when they are in a foul mood.  But when dad's team just won the big playoff game or mom just got a promotion at work, their good mood makes them particularly vulnerable to a request for a new bike or a trip to get ice cream.

But wait it get's better...

Consumers in a good mood make impulsive buying decisions more frequently that they would when feeling neutral or negative.

And that's not all...

Clients tend to like sales people more when they are in a good mood.  Of course this positivity can fade quickly if the sales person doesn't live up to expectations.

Why is this so important?  

"It's because all things being equal we prefer to do business with people we like.   And all things not being equal, we still prefer to do business with people we like."

That's right,  even if you don't have the best qualifications, product or service, you can still get a 'yes' just because they like you.  And consider this..

"If you get the business because you have the best product, service or price, you might lose the business when someone else has a better product, service or price.

But if they really like you, then you would really have to screw up before they would go elsewhere."

And did you know...

Clients in a good mood don't just make a sale more likely, they are more receptive to a higher purchase price!

The secret that Master Persuaders know is that moods are contagious!

We know that sales go up on warm sunny days or when the home team wins the championship.  But not every day is going to be sunshine, roses and rainbows.  So if you can't sell in the sunshine than be the sunshine.

Your mood can make or break a sale.  You already know that being in a negative mood kills sales.  But did you know that even being in a neutral mood also hurts your chances?

Master Persuaders are like method actors.  You can't always be Mrs Charming or Mr  Happy Go Lucky so you have to get yourself in a good mood before you start talking to your clients.  And how are you going to turn on the charm in an instant when the phone rings?

Glad you asked grasshopper!   Here's one of my magic tricks for a quick mood lift...

I keep this card next to my phone.  One glance at it usually makes me smile.  And the effect it has on clients is hilarious.  Usually they will come back some smart a** response like;  well you can get me a hot date for Saturday or you can sell me what I want for half price. The point is it usually makes them laugh.   And a shared laugh is like crazy glue for sales.

Just imagine what it would feel like if you called a company and they answered with something  like this...

"Hello this is Amanda, thank you for calling ABC Products And Services.   How can we make you happy today?" 

Compare that to the typical company message...."Hello this is Amanda, thank you for calling ABC Products And Services.  How may I direct your call?

We all like to laugh and joke around.   It's like honey to a bear, we just can't resist it.   It makes us feel good.

There are a boatload of ideas for helping to put you and your clients in a good mood.   Here are just a few...

Compliments   

A sincere compliment.  A few weeks ago I ran into a lady I hadn't seen for several years.  She said to me, 'you look great have you been working out?'   Ok, maybe she wasn't being all that sincere but who cares it made me feel great.  Mark Twain and I have something in common..

And then there are those who give out compliments like they are coming out of their bank account.  Why be stingy?  They cost nothing and make both the giver and receiver feel great.

Small gifts

Imagine you are toiling away at your desk and one of your co-workers unexpectedly shows up with a cup of your favorite coffee. How thoughtful, right?  That good feeling can last for hours.  Later that day he asks you for a small favor. What are you going to say? 

Good gossip

What if you heard that a client was saying good things about you behind your back?  Gossip travels at light speed no matter whether its good or bad.

A warm smile

Have you noticed that when you smile at someone, they smile right back at you.   It is an irresistible  response and makes them instantly like you a little more.   Have you ever noticed that those that smile the most tend to be the most popular.  We are drawn to happy people like wine to the women I know and like.

If you wanted to, I'll bet you could come up with 10 ways to create a good mood for someone in mere minutes? 

And if you want to make me happy, please share this article!  

The simple gesture that makes you 40% more attractive!

 The simple gesture that makes you 40% more attractive!



(Illustration by Yohei Kanno)

The simple gesture of nodding raises your perceived attractiveness, likeability and approachability by as much as 40% (according to a study by Japanese researcher Junichiro Kawahara at Hokkaido University)

Why is this so important in sales? 

This means people will choose to do business with someone they like even if a competitor has a slightly better product or service.

Anything you can do to improve your likeability is a short cut to success!   And admit it who does want to be seen as more attractive?  

Note:  the attractiveness is not related to physical attributes, but rather relates to personality traits. (I know what you were thinking. That headline had me thinking...40% more attractive will put me in George Clooney or Brad Pitt territory?)

For the past month I’ve been sharing this beautifully simple tip with sales people in various fields, with amazing results. 

But wait it gets even better! 

How and when you nod doesn't just lower people's shield's, it can also cause others to…

Say ‘yes’ to your request.   When asking a client if they want to buy your product or service, a couple of small nods combined with a warm smile will cause them to want to say yes to you. 

e.g.  So (smile) Jared (nodding) how would you feel about driving that super hot red sports car home today because it‘s not going to be on the lot for long?

(Smile) Well Jesse and Jayden (nodding) can you imagine how much fun it would be to entertain your friends on this beautiful family room in front of that fireplace because we could get you possession before spring arrives?

Simple formula:   Smile, name, nodding and request leads to an urge to say ‘yes’.

Make you more believable.  Nodding when you are making a major point in a presentation will cause your clients to believe what you are telling them.  

e.g.  (nodding)  we take great pride in our after sales service because we want you to be so happy you will want to refer us to your friends!

Encourage clients to open up. 

A few slow nods as you client speaks  encourages them to keep on talking. 

Master Persuaders know that you can only learn a clients wants and desires when you can get them to open up.   Your ideal objective should be a 70/30 talking ratio.  That’s them talking 70% of the time and you 30%. Maybe that's why ambiverts and sometimes even introverts can out sell extroverts? 

Interesting fact: the #1 reason people don't trust sales people is that they don't really listen and they talk too much!

Research has shown that sales superstars aim for this ratio.   How do they do it?  They ask open ended questions, nodding when the client speaks and they resist the urge to interrupt (which is super annoying).

Now let's talk about the speed and rhythm of the nod - 

*  Slow and lengthy nods usually show agreement and understanding. It conveys…"Take your time I'm listening"

*  Several small barely noticeable nods combined with a smile and a request is irresistible.

*  Your nods shouldn’t me more than a few inches.   The nods are barely noticeable.

Did you know this happens on a subconscious level? And who knew such a simple psychological tip could be so darn effective. Provided you don’t overdue it, no one will be consciously aware of what you are doing.

Nodding is so addictive that it's hard to resist nodding in return when someone does it to you.  And just try to say no when you are nodding yes!

With these facts in mind you gain a new power over your interactions:

A word of caution…


Nodding loses its power if you over do it.  You don’t want to look like a bobble head, so use it judiciously.
.
Beyond the obvious…Calming the beast

A lady friend cornered me a few days ago and vented about how poorly her boss was treating her.  My first thought was oh no, she’s going off the rails again. Her habit was to rant with the persistence of the energy bunny.  She just keeps going and going..

So this time I tried using occasional slow nodding as she spoke while throwing in the a few uh huh’s.   Five minutes later she calmed down and thanked me for listening to  her.   She gave me a long warm hug and said it was the first time anyone had ever taken the time to really listen and understand her.  I was stunned.   She went from raging bull to happy puppy in mere minutes.

So what do you think would happen if you tried this on an upset customer?

Why it works?

Glad you asked grasshopper.   Because if you make someone feel that they are being understood and listened to it makes them feel respected.   And when they feel respected they feel good and credit you as the source of that good feeling.   Now they are open to suggestions and requests from you.   Beautiful, huh?  Who knew just shutting your mouth and nodding had such magic!

What are you going to do with this knowledge?

*  Take it for test drive?  Try it out on your clients, your spouse, friends and peers because you just might be surprised how often you can get others to your bidding.    How cool is that?

*  Review and repeat.   After every interaction, I like to do a mental review and ask myself, did I use this ridiculously simple psychological technique as directed and what effect did it have?

*  And anyway who doesn't want to be 40% more attractive?

*  Make my day and let me know how it worked for you!  And if you really want to make me happier than a dog with a bone, hit the subscribe link or hit the facebook share button below for more 'Secrets of Master Persuaders'...

What makes people highly persuasive?

 

FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

9 traits of highly persuasive people. How many do you have?

1.  Constantly curious

In order to be highly persuasive you need to know everything possible about the person you are trying to persuade.  The two things most all people like to talk about are themselves and the things they like.  When you encourage others to talk about themselves they like you more.   And the more they like you the more they are likely to really listen when you do speak.    So ask a ton of questions and then be a...

2.  Great listener

The best sales people are not the fast talkers, they are the best listeners.   A rough guide line is to never talk more than 40% of the time.   Those who talk too much are not believed and make others suspicious of your intentions.

Learn to listen with your eyes.   Yeah sounds goofy but it really works and here is why?    When you watch intently you will begin to notice emotions that don't line up with their words. Paying attention to body language can give you valuable clues as what they are thinking.

The direction a person's feet are pointing will tell you where their head is.  If the feet are pointing away from you take that as a sign that they want to get away from you.   Crossed arms and leaning away from you may indicate they are not buying what you are saying.

3.  Generous

We all are pretty good at deciding who is a giver and who is a taker.    We like givers.   Giving also triggers reciprocity meaning they will feel a strong urge to give back and frequently give you more than you gave them.

A man gives a woman a sincere well thought out compliment and then asks her out on a date.   What do you think his chances of getting the date are?   Research says he has a 37% better chance of getting that date.   And guess what?   This principal can also help you make a sale.   Some people give out compliments like they were coming out their bank account.   Don't be that person.

Gift giving can cost a lot or nothing at all but the benefits can be great.   I have written extensively about the 'Rules of Reciprocity'.   It is powerful stuff.

4.  Storytellers

The most persuasive people don't have canned pitches they have great stories.   Stories are an amazing way to get past a persons resistance.   Tell a story about someone just like them had their problem and how you were able to solve it and chances are they will buy it.  

5.  Light hearted 

Those who are too serious suck the energy out of us.   Serious can only be effective in time of emergency or in small doses.   We prefer to be around light hearted people.   And it is much easier to get a person who is laughing to say yes than by laying too much serious on them.  

Serious people prefer the status quo.    People in light hearted mood are much more likely to try something new.  Job #1 is to start any interaction with a warm positive energy.

6.  Share the spotlight

Great persuaders are only to happy to share the spotlight and at times simply  deflect the spotlight on others.
They are the 'Public Praisers'.    They will seize every opportunity to praise others publically.   And how can you not  like someone who tells others how wonderful and talented you are?

7.   Comfort seekers

Not theirs....yours!   Great persuaders seek to make you comfortable.   They dress to make you comfortable.   They arrange to put you in situations that make you comfortable.   It's not about them, it's all about you.   Make a person comfortable and their resistance to you and your ideas dissolves.

8.  Clarify and simplify

Great persuaders know that too much information is a deal killer.   Too many choices mean no decision.  Complicated jargon is not believable.   It makes you sound salsey.   The more simple the persuasion the better the chance that it will be accepted.  

Do you remember this line from the OJ Simpson trial....if the glove doesn't fit you must acquit.   That simple line won the day.    Simplify.

9.  Admit you don't know

When you admit that you don't know something or that you were wrong, what happens?   Your credibility goes sky high.   It gets interpreted as a sign that you are honest and to be trusted.   Most people won't do that and then again.....most people aren't great persuaders!

Secrets of Con Artists

Secrets of Con Artists





Confession...

While I was studying how con artists work, I came to the realization that they use a lot of the same techniques  I teach in persuasion courses.   YIKES!   The only difference between con artists and me is 'intent'.  

I teach persuasion techniques in order for you and clients to reach a mutually beneficial outcome.   However, there is always the possiblity that some people will use them to manipulate you.  I'm comfortable with my intent.

So how do con artists work?

1.   Extreme likeability.   Con artists appear to be generous and kind.  The will often give you small gifts or do you favors to win your confidence. They project warmth and sincerity and confidence.   The attitbutes of people we might say are charismatic.

2.  Client intelligence or should I say victim intelligence.   A con artist wants to know everything possible about his/her mark.   They want to know your likes and dislikes.   To gather this 'intel' they will search your social media, do internet searches and ask a ton of questions to get to know you. The idea is to get you to talk twice as much as they do.  And who doesn't like to talk about themselves?

3.  Seek the similarities.   First they want to find out everything they can that they share in common with you.   Next, they will fake similarties to further gain your confidences.   They want to appear to be similar to you so that you will lower your resistance.  This builds trust and likeability. Often it will feel to their victim that they have found their soul mate or a brother or sister. 

4.  Ask for a small favor followed by a much bigger favor.   This is the 'Ben Franklin' principal.   Old Ben found out that if you ask for a small favor, the other person starts to like you (after all he did a kindness for you) and then is more open to a bigger favor later.  This has been researched and proven to work.

5.  Learns your emotional triggers.   Your passions, your hurts and your desires.  And most common amongst con artists is to appeal to your greed.

6.  Listen and make adjustments.   Not every con goes smoothly so they are careful to listen and observe everything you do and say.    They need to pay attention to your body language....to read you like a book.  Only when everything looks positive will they attempt to give you their amazing pitch or plead for your help.

7.  Show immense gratitude and appreciation for who and what you are.  It is difficult not to like and trust someone who sees the greatness in you that others don't appreciate. 

8.  Repeat back what you say to them.   This makes you feel like they really are paying intense interest in you.

9.  To gain your respect they will show you their (fake)  accomplishments and credentials.  This works even  better if someone else does the bragging about the con's attibutes.  After all he is too humble to brag, right?

10.   Only after they feel that you like, trust and respect them will they make the pitch that is going to seperate you from your money.

I'm not trying to teach anyone how to be a con artist however how can it not be a good thing to know how they operate.   If you gut instinct tells you something isn't right..trust it.   However, if we all good at that intution thing no one would ever get conned. 

Bonus....whenever someone is trying to sell you something observe how many of these techniques they are using?  It will be an eye opener.   Cheers