Setting up equity partnerships
Seth offeres an excellent and futuristic way of thinking about and setting up equity partnerships. It’s not easy and takes partners who are willing to bet on their ability to produce. However, it may save you from difficult and messy situations down the road.
If I had set up one of my partnerships like this it probably would have saved a business and maybe even a friendship or two.
Every person speaks a different language
Every person in the world speaks a different language. How often are we surprised when we don’t understand someone or someone doesn’t understand us? Consider for a moment, maybe you are not speaking the same language.
There’s an old saying: “It isn’t what you said that’s important, it’s the response you got back that’s important. “ So in knowing that— listening isn’t the key; understanding is. Understanding communication starts when we develop a deeper understanding of how people communicate.
There are multiple models for understanding communication, which we can go into in detail at a later date.
Today’s focus is on the Neuro Linguistc Programming (NLP) Representational Systems. NLP Representational Systems are a model that was developed to understand the way people code and store experience in their minds. These experiences are the basis for their memories, thoughts, beliefs and actions.
The system states that people generally code experiences in three ways:
1. visually (V) in pictures (still or moving);
2. auditorily (A) in words and sounds; and
3. kinesthetically (K) in feelings emotions and sensations (VAK).
While we all use all three systems, we generally have a preferred strategy. The words we use to communicate, the gestures we use, and even our eye movements show others what our preferred VAK strategy is. Words your customers use indicate what Representational System they are accessing at the time.
Visual Predicates
• I see it like it was yesterday…
• My perspective is…
• The way I view it is…
• It colored my whole way of seeing it…
• Through rose colored glasses…
Auditory Predicates
• That doesn’t sound right to me…
• It is loud and clear…
• That rings a bell…
• I heard it coming…
• I can’t think, it is so noisy…
Kinesthetic Predicates
• I’m stuck, I can’t move forward…
• It’s a gut feeling, I can’t explain it…
• I’m rolling with the punches…
• Whatever feels good…
• He won’t budge…
Over time, you can begin to notice a pattern in the way your customer speaks. With patience, persistence, and practice you can use these verbal behavioral patterns to more easily build rapport, persuade, influence, and sell better.
You may want to consider creating several company messages depending on the different types of customers you serve. Not only do you have customers who are in different stages of the buying process (from browsers to those who kinda know what they want to those who know exactly what they want), you have customers who speak different languages too. They will all be asking different questions, as well.
Just by speaking their language you can put people at ease, create a sense of trust, and create stronger relationships.
Have a great day whatever your adventure
Sharon
Muti-task your way to mediocrity
Hal pointed me to Jason’s post on muti-tasking your way to mediocrity. I can relate. I bet you can too.
Right, Left or Center? (No, this is not a political post)
This is not a post about politics. It’s a post about your business.
But I’m going to use politics to frame my point.
It’s very difficult to find the center on political issues. But ultimately it’s probably the correct thing to do. At least it might be the most equitable way of dealing with diverse points of view.
Again, this post is not about politics. It’s about your business.
Although it’s difficult to find the center of political issues it’s easy to find the center of business issues (i.e. marketing tactics, pricing structures, delivery of services, messaging, policies, branding, etc.).
It’s easy to find the center because it’s the way everybody does it. It’s comfortable at the center. It seems safe at the center.
But the center is absolutely the worst place to be.
First of all, the center is already taken. And, it’s bland. It’s boring. It’s about as remarkable as a one dollar bill.
Second, the center, as vast as it seems, is actually very small. There is little room for self-expression in the center. And the best way to be remarkable is by being full self-expressed. (It’s also a great way to ensure that you stay inspired in your work.).
When considering your marketing tactics, pricing structures, delivery of services, policies, program design, etc. choose the left or the right. Stay away from the center.
I don’t say this lightly
Verizon may be the most inept company I have ever experienced in my entire adult life.
I think my next book is going to be a comedy/tragedy about the 4 week drama of trying to get Verizon to do one thing without a major blunder.
I have been counting the hours and over the last 4 weeks I’ve spent 13 hours on the phone with Verizon; 7 of which have been on hold.
I’m on the phone with them again at the very moment. Shocker.
