How to Communicate in business with Confidence - Practical Assignments
Most business
experts believe that those who will succeed in the future business world are
those with high technical skills. Because of this, many people looking for a
job feel it necessary to take courses in computers to be able to find a job. How to Communicate in Business
While computer skills are certainly useful, there is another skill that is
needed even more, this is the ability to communicate effectively. A person may
be the greatest specialist in the world, but unable to communicate effectively
and he will never climb the corporate ladder.
We do not think
of speaking as a skill because it is something that we have done since we were
infants. There is difference between being able to talk and communicate
effectively. It is not a matter of having a big vocabulary. How to Communicate in Business
Socrates was considered
a master communicator, and most of what he did was simply asking questions.
Jesus' words have inspired billions of people over the years, and the
simplicity of his words is such that even children can understand the meanings.
So how do we do it? How can we grow in our ability to communicate so that we can
speak with more confidence and power? How to Communicate in Business
First: it is the sound of your voice;
your posture, what you do with your hands- all say something along with your
voice. When you are going to talk with someone, pay attention to the non-verbal
message you are sending.
Do you look confident or do you look nervous? Practice
in a mirror if you are not certain. Ask a friend how you look when you are
speaking, because non-verbal actions are instinctive and to break these habits
will take concentration and work.
But words are
also important. Think about the way that you express yourself. For example, to
qualify many things you may use "I think", "maybe",
"possibly", "could happen", etc., or it may sound more
definite: "that's right", "absolutely", "I am
sure", etc. A confident person will use the definite expressions. Do not
be afraid of sounding sure of yourself! If you are going to have an opinion,
then do not be a mouse about the house. Definite expressions convey power and
assurance.
Be aware of
talking too much or too little. Both are bad. The person who talks too much is
probably insecure, unreliable, because he may not be saying the right things as
he talks on and on. But do not be the non- talker, the person who seems to get
out a single word or simple responses.
Neither of these people will get many
chances. The best communicators are those that can simply and clearly make
their points. Again, this will take discipline, but it can be learned just as
any other skill.
Too often in a
conversation a person is saying the next statement rather than listening to the
information that is coming from the other person. This is why there are so many
misunderstandings in communication: each one is only listening to the sound of
his own voice. A good communicator can "echo" back what the other
person has said: "In other words you are saying..." or "Now as I
understand this, you think..." Doing this demonstrates that you are truly
listening, and that your objective is agreement and understanding. Put these
few prompts into practice:
- Non-verbal actions,
- Confident expressions,
- Listening.
Obstacles: One
of the first obstacles that one must overcome is the fear of speaking to
others. We do not have trouble talking to friends and family, but when it comes
to communicating to our boss or making a speech or giving a presentation at a
meeting - many of us have trouble in getting the words out of the mouth.
The
mouth gets dry, the palms get sweaty, etc., and we cannot wait until it is all
over. Face your fear. Take deep breaths, picture a happy scene in your mind
while you are talking (but do not lose your train of thoughts in the process!).
Tell yourself that you will try harder and overcome it like numbers of great
speakers who had an earlier fear of speaking. It can be overcome, believe it. How to Communicate in Business
Another
obstacle is self-consciousness. Some people while speaking become
over-conscious of their voice tone or some other aspects of their
communication. How to Communicate in Business
This makes them more and more nervous. Sometimes such
self-conscious person many times apologizes for something which the other person
is not even aware of, because a little secret is that the listener is more
interested in himself than in you. There are many more obstacles but they revolve
around the same type of problems.
To speak
effectively means to know the subject and to know yourself. Listen carefully to
those who communicate well. Notice that, what makes them sound so effective and
natural in their speaking:
They are not trying to persuade someone else. They
simply express their thoughts in a way which is natural to them. That is why
effective speakers are business leaders, dynamic salespersons, skillful
managers. You start being yourself, the rest will come with practice.
Practical
Assignments:
1. In groups of
3 or 4 be ready to hold an interview for a job. Decide who will be the
applicant and who will be the "interviewing board". How to Communicate in Business
The applicant:
you have been a manager of a medium-sized supermarket in the centre of town for
10 years. You think you have been successful and a good boss. When the
interviewer asks a question, use one of the phrases from the list. The phrases
will give you a little more time to think of your answer.
The
interviewer: you own a large department store in the centre of town. It employs
200 people. The manager has just resigned. You are interviewing the applicant
for the post of the manager. Use the questions in ex. 2 or think up your own
questions. Take turns at asking the questions.
Study the
expressions which may be useful for an applicant. Use them in your pair or
group work: How to Communicate with Confidence
- Well, let me see.
- Well, let me
think. - I'll have to think about that.
- How shall put
it? - Let's put it this way.
- The best way I can answer that is...
- Mm, that's a difficult question. Let me see
following questions.
1. Why would
you like to leave your present job?
2. Say a little about the work you do.
3.
How long have you been a manager?
4. What is the worst problem you have had in
your present job?
5. What makes you think you will enjoy this new job?
6. Do
you think you are popular with the people who work for you?
7. If you could
choose your own boss, what kind of person would you choose?
8. If you didn't
agree with your boss about something important, what would you do?
9. Think of
the situation where one of your employees was late for work three days out of
four. He is a very good worker. What would you do?
10. What do you think you
will be doing in 10 years' time?
11. What do you do in your spare time?
12. How
much do you think you should be paid?
philosophy. Complete each of these sentences. Don't just fill in the spaces
quickly. Think about what you might want to say in English one day.
1. Two of my
favourite expressions are ...
2. I think I am...
3. Other people say am...
4. For
me, success is...
5. My work is important to me because...
6. Money is ...
7.
For me, knowing English is...
8. For me, pleasure is...
9. For me, learning new
things is...
10. The most important thing about my country for me is....
4. Work alone.
Choose one of the job advertisements. You are looking for a job and
this advertisement interests you. Make notes on:
1. why would you be interested
in this job?
2. why would you be a suitable
candidate?
You may invent
any details about your experience and qualifications, background and
non-working life, if necessary. Write a brief letter of application for the
job. When you are ready, send the letter to the directors of this
company.
You have been invited to attend an interview for the job you applied
for. Explain to the interviewers why you think you're suitable for the job. How to Communicate in Business
5. In small
groups make a list of the points which both interviewers and interviewees
should remember during interviews. Think about appearance, setting,
establishing a rapport, preparation, etc. Discuss your points with the rest of
the class.
If you have
time, change roles and repeat the last three stages of the role play, using the
following words: full-time experienced (sales assistant); references required;
experience with... preferred; to work in shifts; to apply for a job as;
vacancy; part- timer; an hourly rate; to be after a full time job; 5-day week.
3 weeks holiday; driving licence; phone for more information; seeks employment
/interesting well-paid work. How to Communicate in Business with Confidence