In the scheme of Best Practices, there is one thing that stands above all else - listening. Take a lesson from this doe. Her ears are so large that she can't help but listen and this is her survival mechanism.
I got back into the practice of effective listening, a skill that I was taught when working for Xerox. This best practice has always served me well but it takes extreme discipline to implement in my business. At the end of the day it is so worthwhile. When I listen to my client I hear what they are telling me and not what I think they are telling me. If I am not sure or start to read something into their words, I take the time to readdress the statement, qualify it so to speak.
Here is a trick to utilize this best practice in your business - take notes. This is how I can stay focused. Often my client will say something that I want to comment on. I found if I jump in, interrupting them, I miss critical information they planned to share. I get them off track. I miss the point. Taking notes, I can listen to what they are saying without fear of forgetting a point I want to bring up with them. The notes serve as future reference points or opportunities to identify the perfect property I may have missed because I "thought I heard what they wanted."
Please share your thoughts on this best practice - listening.
Comments (3)Subscribe to CommentsComment