I'm a Green, You're a Blue

There is a lot of training centered around naming other people's personalities and then using those categories to communicate better, read people, work together or build relationships. Sometimes these approaches take the form of being a color or giving your personality a name. They all fall under the broad category of personality typology. Personality typology aims at helping us understand our differences and how we can use that knowledge to relate more effectively.

While I think it is valuable for people to understand that others have different communication styles, perspectives or approaches I think this methodology only addresses a part of what true communication or relationship building is all about. Personality typology can be a great conversation starter but it benefits from adding a couple of components.

It helps to start by not forgetting the things we have in common. Personality typology tends to focus on differences. You're this and I'm that. This is great for pointing out differences but less effective for bringing people together. An approach that works to bring people together is to focus on the things they share and build on those.

Another key element to pay less attention to is labeling. Labeling tends to put people in neat categories that don't really reflect who they are at a deeper level. So we've gone through our training and now we can all walk around and point at each other as being this or that. That's great but it doesn't get to the crux of understanding another human being. Labeling can be effective to point out obvious differences but a deeper understanding of what really makes people tick can give you far greater insight.

So what can companies and individuals do to really bring their people together and help them get along famously? It takes a change of focus. Think about the following ideas and how they might help your employees (or you) create stronger connections.

1. Focus on the things people have in common.
2. Practice active listening to learn about others.
3. Spend time learning about others by listening.
4. Forget labels and find out what people really love doing.
5. Build empathy by creating conversation groups.
6. Ask open-ended questions to learn about others.
7. See the world through someone else's eyes.
8. Don't react to differences, take it as an opportunity to learn.
9. Practice collaborative problem solving skills.
10. Celebrate people regularly.
    

Ask yourself how effectively you practice these ten key skills. Successful people and companies understand the value of stepping outside themselves and learning about others. Getting along with others is not so much about the things the keep us apart, it's about the things that can bring us together.

Regards,

Guy
Team Building and Soft Skills Training

Are You a Rainmaker?

A rainmaker is an outstanding person at the top of their field who consistently produces excellent results and makes things happen. This kind of successful person does what is necessary to generate substantial business for themselves and others.

Some of the important qualities of rainmakers include:

• Ongoing drive for success.
• Understanding what you're good at and following it.
• Loving what you do.
• Surrounding yourself with people who will help you move forward.
• Letting people know about what you do.
• Confidence, projecting a positive image.
  
• Understanding people and their needs.
• Excellent communicator including being a superior listener.
  
• Genuine.
• Able to give to others.

As you can see, people are rainmakers because they possess and practice behaviors that lead to success. It is the ongoing commitment to practice effective behaviors that eventually draws others toward us and makes us more effective people. By practicing, we naturally reach a point where we have mastered our field and can generate excellent results.

Anyone can achieve this level it just takes consistent and sustained effort. You will also find that the best rainmakers actually enjoy what they are doing so success comes naturally to them.

Regards,

Guy Farmer
www.guyfarmer.com

A Unique Networking Opportunity for Businesses in Reno/Sparks

I've created a unique online business networking group for people in Reno/Sparks that helps you meet exactly who you want to in order to increase your success.

Visit online at http://renosparksrainmakers.ning.com.

Employee Layoffs: What You Can Do to Help

Many companies have seen themselves having to lay off valuable employees. This not only impacts those being let go but also affects the group left behind. The people remaining at the company go through a number of reactions to saying goodbye to their co-workers from sadness at seeing them go to fear of the same happening to them.

As owners or managers we can make these situations easier by doing some basic things. Try these ideas if your company is going through this type of transition.

• Don't pretend it's not happening. Make sure you talk with people openly and often about what's going on.
• Try not to surprise people. Let people know what's happening as you go along to avoid the dreaded blindside.
• Deliberately set up opportunities to talk. Set up forums that encourage employees to vent and talk about what's on their mind. These work best when two-way communication occurs rather than just an information session.
• Empathize with people. Sure it's just business but these are real lives being affected.
• Don't burn bridges. The same talent you let go today could help you in the future.
• It's about your reputation. Word travels fast about how your company treats its employees.
• Continue investing in your current employees. Running lean doesn't mean we need to ignore treating our remaining employees well.
• Plan for the future. Take some time to reevaluate your business plan and make adjustments that will help you function effectively even in difficult times.
• Try to keep the hysteria down. Bad news travels fast and builds up to unbearable levels quite easily. Communicate continuously so you don't find yourself with a firestorm of misunderstanding and fear.
• Connect with people meaningfully. Let people know you're human too and remember to be there for them on an ongoing basis.
  

These ideas will help you create a workplace that weathers even the toughest economic challenges. Consider developing a plan that will allow you to meet any future conditions head on in a proactive mode. A little preparation and planning will help you keep your workplace functioning not just well but healthily.

Regards,

Guy Farmer
www.guyfarmer.com

Two-Way Communication Versus Information

Many managers and executives see their role as one where they give orders and make sure they are carried out. This is one key function of a supervisor but a piece that sometimes goes missing is distinguishing between two-way communication and information. We are taught that communication is about getting our point of view across but there is much more. Let's look at the difference between the two. Take a moment to think about where you are on the continuum and what you can do to add to your skills.

Information:

• A memo.
• An e-mail.
• Giving orders.
• Explaining or describing processes.
• Telling someone what to do.
• Offering an opinion.
• Pep talks.
• Policies and procedures.
  

Two-Way Communication:

• Listening.
• Collaborative problem solving.
• Two-way interchange.
• Give and take.
• Exchange of ideas.
• Asking for opinions and input.

Some of the clients I coach have talked to me about what a difference it made in their team building efforts when they made the shift from informing their employees to communicating with them. Two-way communication allows us to gather information, ask for input and collaborate with others. Of course there are times we will need to give a directive but, if we use true communication, even an order will take on a different tone.

Take a moment sometime to examine your communication style and the outcomes you experience. We get different results based on our communication approach and we can always fine-tune things so we can function more effectively. Information tends to move us in the direction of spoon feeding people orders while two-way communication tends to build autonomy and collaboration. Each style leads in a direction that can impact your organizaion.

Regards,

Guy
www.guyfarmer.com

Courage in Tough Economic Times

Many business owners are finding that they face a new set of circumstances in the current economy. There are some actions we can take today that can pay off in the long run. The following ideas may require some sacrifice or restructuring of our thoughts at the beginning but are designed to help you figure out your options.

1. Re-evaluate your business plan. Are you relying on strategies that work in bountiful times to guide you in leaner periods?

2. Remember to invest in employees. Your employees will be there for you after the challenging times if you commit to providing them as stable a workplace as possible during hard times.

3. Personal sacrifice. As we demand of our employees so should we of ourselves. In this way our employees will understand our commitment to the company and to them.

4. Develop or revise goals. Sometimes we can't do what we used to. Revise your projections and you will set yourself up for success.

5. Remember that no downturn is permanent. Things will come back at some point and you will be in a commanding position to run more efficiently and take full advantage of your new success.

6. Don't burn your bridges. The same people you see on your way up are the ones you'll see on the way down. Pay attention to your customers and suppliers.

7. Practice openness. This includes leveling with employees about the company's finances as well as your family and friends.

8. You're not alone. Reach out to your friends, both personal and professional for advice and support in tough times.

9. Have a plan. What will you do, what will you need to do it and by when will you do it.

10. Ask for help. People and organizations don't know you need help unless you tell them.

While these ten points may sound harsh or unfamiliar, they are designed to help you assess your current situation so you can make decisions that will lead to future success. Give some careful thought to these ideas as you continue to develop strategies to deal with the current economic climate.

Regards,

Guy
www.guyfarmer.com

Tips for Effective Business to Business Communication

Your communication style tells other businesses a lot about your professionalism and what they can expect when they deal with you. A theme that frequently arises when I coach business people is how to communicate in a manner that invites other companies to want to do business with us. The following tips will help you put your best foot forward and communicate confidently.

1. Listen actively. It’s amazing what you learn when you are not talking.

2. Say it briefly. Go with the approach that less is more in communication.

3. Keep it professional. Business communication is not the appropriate time to vent about personal problems or delve into people’s private lives.

4. Keep your temper in check. If you fly off the handle it not only shuts down communication but also reduces the likelihood that the other company will give you an opportunity in the future.
5. Remind yourself that communication glitches aren’t a personal slight against you, they are just part of doing business.

6. Practice excellent conflict resolution skills. Brainstorm with the other person to get some ideas on how to deal with the issue at hand and agree on a solution that works for both of you.

7. Develop a communication plan and follow it to eliminate guesswork.

Other businesses judge us much in the same way our clients do. How we communicate says a lot to the outside world about the way we conduct business. Keep these tips in mind as you interact with other companies and you’ll be on your way to increasing your success exponentially.

Regards,

Guy
www.guyfarmer.com

Where Do You Want Your Business to Go in 2009?

My business clients frequently ask me what they should be looking at when they are planning for the future of their business. With the beginning of 2009 come new opportunities for growth and expansion in your business.

A logical place to start as you map out the new year is to determine what your areas of priority are. Create a list of the various areas you want to look at this year. Create titles for these areas (marketing, staffing, revenue generating, organizational development) or any title you wish to give the category. Then take a moment to prioritize these categories in order of critical importance. At the top of your list should be the thing that you need to do most urgently to help your business thrive. Be brutally honest at this point. As humans we are predisposed to want to do the easy stuff first.

Once you have your most important general category identified write down a list of task that you need to do to help this category succeed. Then prioritize the task on the list from most to least critical. Start by completing the first task and continue to the next only when you have completed the one of higher importance.

This process will help you clarify what you want to do, how you can achieve it and will encourage you to take action. As you work through these steps you will find that you will begin thinking about your business in new ways and possibly even develop new ideas. It's OK to modify the list as you go, businesses thrive on being flexible to change. Just make sure to always prioritize so that you are not wasting your valuable time.

All the best to you in 2009,

Guy
Business Coaching