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How Effective Communication Is Influenced by Perceptions within the Sales Process
| Guest post by: Leanne Hoagland-Smith |
Article Overview: Ever wondered why you had a failure to effectively communicate your sales message? Read a short story about Forest Gump and how he and St. Peter had a similar challenge.
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Free Download - How to Craft an Engaging Message That Highlights What You Do to Increase Sales By Leanne Hoagland-Smith |
How Effective Communication Is Influenced by Perceptions within the Sales Process
Within the overall sales process, effective communication is very much about the sender and a receiver. Imbedded within that procedure are the perceptions based upon the existing beliefs of both the sender and receiver. These perceptions affect the quality of what is being said and what is being heard.
Recently, I received this little story (source unknown) about Forrest Gump at the Heaven’s Pearly Gates and it affirmed why effective communication continues to be a challenge for so many individuals myself included:
Upon arriving to the Pearly Gates, St. Peter tells Forrest that he must answer these simple questions to enter Heaven because Heaven is currently very crowded.
First: Name the two days of the week that begin with the letter T
Second: Tell me how many seconds in a year
Third: Share with me God’s first name.
Forrest leaves and returns the next day with his answers.
To the first question, Forrest responds with Today and Tomorrow. St. Peter although somewhat surprised accepts his answer.
And to the second question, Forrest answers 12 and backs up his answer with January second, February second, etc. Again, St. Peter realizes that Forrest’s answers are correct even though the answers were not what he, St. Peter, had in mind. Sales Coaching Tip: Sometimes there are more than just one right answer.
Coming to the last question, Forrest shares that this is the easiest question of all three because God’s name is Andy. St. Peter is beyond surprised and asks Forrest how did he arrive at this answer. Forrest responds: I learned his first name from the song, Andy talks with me, Andy walks with me. With that final response, St. Peter opens the Pearly Gates of Heaven for Forrest to run through.
Our focus as in both St. Peter and Forrest does create our reality. This reality affects how we respond both as a sender and receiver. When we understand the impact our perceptions (beliefs) as to what is right or wrong have on our ability to transmit our thoughts, we will be on the correct path to effective communications and thus allowing us to hone this critical sales skill.
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About the Author: Leanne Hoagland-Smith RSS for Leanne's articles - Visit Leanne's website Her book, Be the Red Jacket is a no-nonsense and quick read to help discover potential gaps that may be keeping you from your goal to increase sales. The forward is by Evan Carmichael of EvanCarmichael.com Remember if you think you cannot or you think you can either way you are right. (Henry Ford). Sales Coaching Tip: Change your thoughts; improve your results. Click here to visit Leanne's website   Business Building Check List Leadership Assessment Leadership Audit For Business |
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