Tweet

Presentation Skills Training - Why Is Mona Lisa Smiling?

Guest post by: Milly Sonneman

Article Overview: A smile is one of the strongest weapons in the arsenal of presentation skills. Smiling may be the most important thing you can do in business presenting. It doesn't cost extra. It doesn't require a requisition form. And it can be the single reason why people like to do business with you and your company.

Presentation Skills Training - Why Is Mona Lisa Smiling?

Why is Mona Lisa smiling? She may know something that you don't. An important insight is hidden in this art classic. A smile is one of the strongest weapons in the arsenal of presentation skills.

After all, there are still long lines out the museum of people waiting to see the Mona Lisa. Don't you wish you had clients lining up to see you?

A smile may be the most important thing you can do in business presenting. It doesn't cost extra. It doesn't require a requisition form. It makes people enjoy your company. And it can be the single reason why people like to do business with you.

All in a smile.

Check this out for yourself. Do you like to do business with a company where employees are grumpy and uptight? Do you like going into a store where no one smiles? Of course not!

Just last week, I saw this first hand. A new market opened up the road. It is filled with friendly, smiling staff. Everyone seems delighted to be working there. Everyone in the entire shop appears very happy and attentive.

From the produce clerk, to the deli counter, to the cashier. Everyone smiled. And they meant it. I didn't have the feeling that anyone was 'faking it' or just putting on their game face.

I was blow away. On the spot, I vowed to come back and shop at this market again and again.

A little later in the week, I needed to pick up a quart of milk. I stopped by a different local store in the neighborhood. I was shocked at what I saw and felt.

This store was dark and dank. One employee stood outside smoking. Another was absorbed in reading a magazine. Not a single person smiling.

I didn't remember it being so bad. But by comparison with the new market, the difference was alarming.

You know what? I walked out. Who cares about a quart of milk? I want smiles.

There's a lot of classic advice about 'putting on your game face' when you are in front of clients and prospects. I don't agree that this is the best way to proceed.

A game face may also be a mask. Instead of being authentic, you're putting on a mask. Much like classic Greek actors used to do.

Rather than posing as happy, why not take a more direct approach? Why not get happy? Smile because you feel good. Smile because you have the chance to communicate. Smile because you have the opportunity to connect and make a difference.

Don't allow the ultimate conclusion of your presentation to be the only reason you smile. This is narrow thinking to let 'making a sale' or 'landing a deal' be the only reason to smile. Smile because you are alive and in the flow of energetic commerce. Smile because you can talk to other people. Smile because you mean it.

Then guess what happens? People can tell. They'll get a good feeling by being around you. You're sunny, approachable and friendly. You're a pleasure to do business with.

This is a true recipe to win more business. Now, there's something you can smile about!

A smile attracts clients and makes you more approachable. With a small focus on positive delivery skills, you can expect to see a dramatic improvement in your business results.

Related Articles
  Marilyn Monroe, the Mona Lisa and Jackson Pollock
  Present the Butterflies in Formation
  When Your Smiling
  Mona Lisa Your Branding
  How To Give a Positive Spin In Your Business Presentation
  What Makes Certain Art Popular?
  Talent You Already Possess
  The Talent You Already Possess
  Present the Presentation Confidently
  Sales Skills For Service Professionals Part 1
  Discover the 8 Secrets to Successful Presentations
  Can You Really Quit Your Job?
  Writing Training, Business Communication Training, Presentation Skills Training And Instruction in Effective Communication
  Presenting Without the Fear
  Help! I Don't Have Time to Learn Presentation Skills
  George Steinbrenner Quotes
  No Time for Executive Skills Training?
  Staging Diva Graduate Shows How One Room May Make all the Difference
  Shattering The 5 Most Dangerous Presentation Myths
  How to Boost Your Business With Online Presentation Skills Training

Article Tags: business presentation, presentation coach, visual story



Related Forum Posts
7 words or less for Structogram - Some "7 words or less" (more or less) for Structogram for your comments: Training to get your message across(6) Secrets to get your message across (6) Training so people will listen to you (7) Helping you get your message across (6) Training to learn to get your message across (8) Communications training for yourself and your team (7)
niche forum categories - I think Kevin just touched on the point that I was going make... and that is developing 'categories' that stick. Sales and Marketing may be too broad for example. However I can almost guarantee you that you would see many more sign-ups if you tailored a category to 'internet marketing' for newbies. I've seen this work on other forums, however, [i:1i903wkn]it can get a little frantic[/i:1i903wkn]... Fine tuning the categories, or expanding the scope should be effective. I think a lot of IM folks are surfing right on by because they're not finding what they're looking for here... Just a few thoughts: Better Blogging Developing Info Products Internet Marketing Presentation Skills More How to's Another point is... a lot of people don't know that they can benefit from participating in forums. The signature links to their site - if they have one - can / should be motivation enough to get more involved. The more internet savvy members that have signatures seem to stick around more... Don't you think?
Re: Essential Leadership skills - Vision Values Mission Strategic Thinking Decision Making Communication Team Bonding People Development Coaching / Mentoring / Guiding / Grooming Presentation Thanks Robert
Re: Five Personality Traits of Successful Business Owners - 1. Focus 2. Ability to Adapt 3. Hard Work 4. Good planning 5. People Skills
Re: Hello one and all - Hi Lisa, Welcome to the club. You will find all the resources you need here.What do you do? Let us know more about you


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

African Technology Development

Four Reasons Why Entrepreneurs Should Blog

Hypotheticals, Scenarios and Foresight

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.