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3. Communication
by Jack Carroll
The fundamental communication methods are talking, and listening, rapport building, questioning, understanding, persuading, presenting, clarifying, getting commitment, and relationship building.
There are fundamentally two styles of sales communicaton. The first is the leading or manipulative style which uses language and techniques to lead people where you want them to go and arrive at conclusions that are favorable to you. The second is the cooperative or consultative style, which asks questions to find out if there is a genuine need or desire for your products.
Generally speaking, leading communication styles are used by salespeople involved in single-sale consumer purchases. For the most part, business-to-business salespeople use the cooperative style of communication because it works better and is more suitable for long term relationships.
Regardless of communication style, never forget that in the field of sales, the thing that distinguishes you from customer service or any other function which involves customer interaction, is asking for and getting commitment. If you don't ask for and get commitment, you're not in sales. Sorry, but you're not.
Business Definition for: Sales Force Communications
• communications aimed at improving the performance and market awareness of a sales force
Every organization succeeds in business with the help of good salesforce. There are various types of sales force. One such sales force is ‘directable sales force’. A directable sales force can be counted on to quickly, thoroughly, and positively carry out the orders of the sales manager. In addition, a...
Overview: From the executive summary: ‘Effective oral communication skills can benefit people in various fields and positions, but it cannot taught as easily as most personal skills. Sales presentation is an effective tool to communicate the seller’s point of views and the sales pitch to the client. Oral communication plays a significant role in the sales presentation. The paper discusses strategies and steps for achieving effective oral communication’.
TIPS FOR BETTER COMMUNICATION
Part 1: 17 One-Minute Tips to Improve Your Meetings
Before the Meeting
Tip 1: Think of Meetings as Investments
Tip 2: Think Purposes, Not Meetings
Tip 3: Forecast Your Meetings
Tip 4: Use the Room to Set the Meeting’s Tone
During the Meeting
Tip 5: Use a “Recipe” to Start Meetings Well
Tip 6: Take Public Category Minutes
Tip 7: Use “Funneling” to Brainstorm in Groups
Tip 8: Use “Fast Networks” to Brainstorm on Multiple Issues
Tip 9: Know How Effective Leaders Behave
Tip 10: 10 Key Statements of Effective Meeting Leaders
Tip 11: Use the FAST Formula to Manage Meeting Theft
At the End of the Meeting
Tip 12: Use a “Recipe” to Finish Meetings Well
Tip 13: Evaluate Meetings to Ensure Productivity
Tip 14: Quick Strategies for Ad-Hoc Meetings
Tip 15: Quick Strategies for One-on-One Meetings
Tip 16: How to Avoid the World’s Worst Meetings
Tip 17: Use Special Strategies for Teleconferences
Part 2: 16 One-Minute Tips to Improve Your Business Writing
Getting Started
Tip 18: How Efficiently Do You Write?
Tip 19: Ask Yourself Questions Before You Give Answers
Tip 20: Brainstorm Now, Organize Later
Tip 21: Try “Cluster” Brainstorming
Tip 22: For Long Reports, Use “Section” Brainstorming
Tip 23: For Team Brainstorming, Use Sticky Notes
Getting Organized
Tip 24: Put First Things First—and Last
Tip 25: Practice “Aerobic Writing”
Tip 26: Institute Office Quiet Time for Writing Projects
Getting It Right
Tip 27: Use “Big-Middle-Little” Revising
Tip 28: Write Memo Headlines for Instant Clarity
Tip 29: Add Breathing Space for Reader Friendliness
Tip 30: Simplify and Clarify Your Document
Tip 31: To Simplify Language, Ask the Big Question
Tip 32: How to Comment on Each Other’s Writing
Tip 33: Make Your E-Mails Reader-Friendly
Part 3: One-Minute Tips to Improve Your Presentations
Structuring Your Presentation
Tip 34: Plan to Speak to Listeners on Their Terms
Tip 35: Use a Recipe to Begin with Confidence
Tip 36: Use “Quick Specifics” for High Credibility
Tip 37: Use the BEST Recipe to Organize Your Points
Tip 38: Use a Recipe to Conclude with Power
Tip 39: In Impromptu Presentations, Answer Three Questions
Improving Your Nonverbal Communication
Tip 40: Practice Pantomime to Improve Your Gestures
Tip 41: Use the Room to Clarify the Structure of Your Presentation
Tip 42: To Improve Eye Contact, Think: “Who’s the Sleepiest?”
Tip 43: Imitate Commercials to Improve Your Voice “Music”
Tip 44: Use Directory Visuals to Focus Your Audience
Tip 45: Create Verbal-Visual Cooperation
Tip 46: Handle Questions with Care
Tip 47: For Complex Answers, Use the Q-BEST-Q Recipe
Tip 48: Use Mistakes to Build Your Credibility
Tip 49: Use Laptops and LCD Panels Well
Tip 50: Use Special Strategies for Videoconference Presentations
Effective Oral Communication for Sales Presentations1
Amanda Ruth and Allen Wysocki2
Introduction
Effective oral communication skills can benefit people in various fields and positions, but it cannot be taught as easily as most personal skills. This paper will provide strategies and steps for achieving effective oral communication. It is important to keep in mind that practice is essential to acquiring these skills (University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 1999).
Speaking effectively is extremely crucial for success in most positions in a formal working environment. It has been proven that employees spend more time speaking than writing, whether talking on the phone, conversing informally with colleagues, conducting meetings, or making sales presentations. Research also reveals that the higher an employee moves within an organization, the more important speaking skills become (Riceowl, 2002).
Clearly, effective oral communication is important in all aspects of one's career. This paper will focus only on achieving communication skills relating to sales presentations, including preparing for the presentation, making the presentation, delivery "do's and don'ts" of the presentation, and incorporating visual aids into the presentation.
Preparation
Preparation for the presentation is almost as important as the delivery of the presentation. In sales you must analyze the selling situation and the audience, determine the goal and objective of your presentation, choose and shape the content and the appropriate communication style, and organize the presentation. Each of these presentation preparation steps will be discussed in detail.
Analyzing the Selling Situation
When analyzing the selling situation you must determine why your presentation is essential (Riceowl, 2002). Knowing the situation will help determine the way you shape your content and choose your style. In this analysis you need to ask yourself the following questions (Riceowl, 2002):
• What is the need for the presentation?
• What will happen to the organization after the presentation?
• How does the presentation fit into the organization's situation?
• In what surroundings will you make your presentation?
• How does your presentation relate to your audience's actions?
• How can you help the organization?
An example of analyzing the situation would be to conduct background research on the presentation audience to find out what they do, how you can benefit them, and why they asked for your presentation. Analyzing the selling situation can also facilitate answers to other steps in the communication process.
Analyzing the Audience
Analyzing the audience can be difficult. The audience will determine the success of your presentation (your presentation is successful if your audience responds the way you intended). Effective speaking is always dependent on the audience (Riceowl, (2002). Identifying how your audience will respond to your presentation depends on knowing the following information about your audience: their educational and cultural background, knowledge of the subject matter, position in the organization, and technical expertise. Knowing your audience's personal and professional profiles will help determine what you should say, what you should not say, and the "tone" you should use (Riceowl, 2002). For example, you need to investigate the personalities of your audience; this will help you determine whether your style should be relaxed and informal or professional and to the point. Questions that can be used in audience analysis include the following:
• How much does my audience know about me and my presentation?
• What does the audience expect from me?
• What is the audience's attitude toward me and my product or service?
• What are the ages and gender of the audience?
• What position does the audience occupy in the organization?
• What is the educational background of the audience?
• What are the political and religious views of the audience?
• What is the audience's personal information (outside-of-work interests)?
Determining the Goal and Objective
Determining the goal and objective of your presentation will help you design your presentation around a specific purpose. Whether you are trying to sell a product, a service, or an idea, you must keep in mind you are also selling your competence and your value to the organization (Riceowl, 2002). You must make your purpose evident and relate it to your audience's perspective. Make sure you state the main point in the beginning of the presentation so that your audience knows what the rest of the presentation will cover. State your objective in one simple sentence. For example, once you have determined your objectives, use the "T3" approach: tell them what you are going to tell them, then tell them, and finally tell them what you told them. If you use this approach you will not digress and you main points will be emphasized.
Choosing and Shaping the Content
Choosing and shaping the content can be very complicated. You want to keep your sales presentation short, interesting, and relevant. Choosing meaningful information that will appeal to your audience and situation is very important. For example, including statistics, testimonials, cases, illustrations, history, and narratives in your presentation can help convey your message (Riceowl, 2002). Overall, make the content interesting, but make sure it pertains to the goal of your presentation.
Choosing the Appropriate Style
Choosing the appropriate presentation style will determine the effectiveness of your content (Riceowl, 2002). How you speak can make or break a sales presentation. Questions you need to ask yourself as the presenter include the following:
• What kind of tone do I want to use?
• What kind of image do I want to create?
• What level of language (based on audience analysis) do I use?
• How formal should I be?
• What approach does the audience expect from me?
The most effective style of oral communication is a conversational style because it suggests you are really talking to your audience. This type of communication includes concrete language, short sentences, and a warm and friendly tone (Riceowl, 2002). Do not read your presentation to the audience, this sounds impersonal and unnatural. Instead, rehearse what you are going to say because this is crucial for the success of your presentation (University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 1999).
Organizing Your Presentation
Organizing your presentation is the order in which you present your ideas. You must organize your presentation to comply with your audience's needs and perspective (Riceowl, 2002). Usually a presentation starts with an introduction that embodies your main point and a preview of what is ahead, the main body of information that supports the main point stated in the introduction, and a conclusion that reiterates and reinforces your main point. In the introduction grab the audience's attention, and in the conclusion leave the audience with a positive feeling about you and your product, idea, or service. MAKE AN IMPACT! For example, the opening and closing of the presentation are extremely important, so make sure you spend extra time preparing these sections. Include an interesting story or quote that relates to your presentation, it will grab the audience's attention and make your presentation memorable.
Making the Presentation
When you begin your presentation, greet your audience and create a comfortable atmosphere by starting with small talk that is unrelated to your presentation topic. After you feel prepared and comfortable, start you presentation. Stick to the plan for the presentation; tell the audience what you are going to tell them, then tell them, and at the end tell them what you have told them. Do not digress, keep to the time allowed, and when concluding ask if there are any questions (University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 1999). Do not leave your audience with questions; clarify all uncertainties.
Delivery "Do's and Don'ts"
Delivery entails a variety of "do's and don'ts" (University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 1999). The following list is some of the most obvious, yet crucial do's and don'ts:
• Do speak clearly (judge the acoustics of the room).
• Don't rush or deliberately talk slow.
• Don't tell jokes.
• Don't speak in monotones (vary speed, pitch, and tone).
• Do maintain eye contact (do not look at only one individual).
• Do keep an eye on audience's body language (watch audience reactions).
• Do keep appearance clean and professional.
• Don't move around too much (i.e., pacing or nervous twitches).
• Don't talk to your visual aids.
• Do be enthusiastic and confident (it will reflect in your presentation).
Some important points to emphasize are your voice (how you say it is as important as what you say), your body language (your body movements express what your attitudes and thoughts really are), and your appearance (University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 1999).
The success of a sales presentation relies heavily on your delivery style. All the preparation work can go smoothly, but if you do not deliver your presentation with confidence, enjoyment, assertiveness, and enthusiasm, then all the preparation is worthless.
Visual Aids
Visual aids, if used correctly, can enhance interest in a presentation (University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 1999). Effective communication is both visual and verbal. According to Riceowl (2002), visual aids can be used to show relationships among ideas so that the audience can understand and remember what you said.
The Rice on-line writing lab (Riceowl, 2002) states that a presentation with effective visual aids is more persuasive, more professional, and more interesting than one that does not utilize visual aids. Effective visual aids should be kept simple, relate to your topic, fit the needs of the audience, and be clear and easy to understand. For example, a good visual aid would be an overhead transparency that shows a simple breakdown of numbers in pie chart form. Be careful; do not rely on overheads to communicate your messages, only to enhance your message.
Conclusion
In "Conversation as Communication", Gerard Blair remarked, "communication is best achieved through simple planning and control." By following the oultined steps and lots of practice, you can acquire effective oral communication skills for making sales presentations. Effective communication is important for a successful career in business (Covey, 1989; Doswell, 1998).
by Jack Carroll
The fundamental communication methods are talking, and listening, rapport building, questioning, understanding, persuading, presenting, clarifying, getting commitment, and relationship building.
There are fundamentally two styles of sales communicaton. The first is the leading or manipulative style which uses language and techniques to lead people where you want them to go and arrive at conclusions that are favorable to you. The second is the cooperative or consultative style, which asks questions to find out if there is a genuine need or desire for your products.
Generally speaking, leading communication styles are used by salespeople involved in single-sale consumer purchases. For the most part, business-to-business salespeople use the cooperative style of communication because it works better and is more suitable for long term relationships.
Regardless of communication style, never forget that in the field of sales, the thing that distinguishes you from customer service or any other function which involves customer interaction, is asking for and getting commitment. If you don't ask for and get commitment, you're not in sales. Sorry, but you're not.
Business Definition for: Sales Force Communications
• communications aimed at improving the performance and market awareness of a sales force
Every organization succeeds in business with the help of good salesforce. There are various types of sales force. One such sales force is ‘directable sales force’. A directable sales force can be counted on to quickly, thoroughly, and positively carry out the orders of the sales manager. In addition, a...
Overview: From the executive summary: ‘Effective oral communication skills can benefit people in various fields and positions, but it cannot taught as easily as most personal skills. Sales presentation is an effective tool to communicate the seller’s point of views and the sales pitch to the client. Oral communication plays a significant role in the sales presentation. The paper discusses strategies and steps for achieving effective oral communication’.
TIPS FOR BETTER COMMUNICATION
Part 1: 17 One-Minute Tips to Improve Your Meetings
Before the Meeting
Tip 1: Think of Meetings as Investments
Tip 2: Think Purposes, Not Meetings
Tip 3: Forecast Your Meetings
Tip 4: Use the Room to Set the Meeting’s Tone
During the Meeting
Tip 5: Use a “Recipe” to Start Meetings Well
Tip 6: Take Public Category Minutes
Tip 7: Use “Funneling” to Brainstorm in Groups
Tip 8: Use “Fast Networks” to Brainstorm on Multiple Issues
Tip 9: Know How Effective Leaders Behave
Tip 10: 10 Key Statements of Effective Meeting Leaders
Tip 11: Use the FAST Formula to Manage Meeting Theft
At the End of the Meeting
Tip 12: Use a “Recipe” to Finish Meetings Well
Tip 13: Evaluate Meetings to Ensure Productivity
Tip 14: Quick Strategies for Ad-Hoc Meetings
Tip 15: Quick Strategies for One-on-One Meetings
Tip 16: How to Avoid the World’s Worst Meetings
Tip 17: Use Special Strategies for Teleconferences
Part 2: 16 One-Minute Tips to Improve Your Business Writing
Getting Started
Tip 18: How Efficiently Do You Write?
Tip 19: Ask Yourself Questions Before You Give Answers
Tip 20: Brainstorm Now, Organize Later
Tip 21: Try “Cluster” Brainstorming
Tip 22: For Long Reports, Use “Section” Brainstorming
Tip 23: For Team Brainstorming, Use Sticky Notes
Getting Organized
Tip 24: Put First Things First—and Last
Tip 25: Practice “Aerobic Writing”
Tip 26: Institute Office Quiet Time for Writing Projects
Getting It Right
Tip 27: Use “Big-Middle-Little” Revising
Tip 28: Write Memo Headlines for Instant Clarity
Tip 29: Add Breathing Space for Reader Friendliness
Tip 30: Simplify and Clarify Your Document
Tip 31: To Simplify Language, Ask the Big Question
Tip 32: How to Comment on Each Other’s Writing
Tip 33: Make Your E-Mails Reader-Friendly
Part 3: One-Minute Tips to Improve Your Presentations
Structuring Your Presentation
Tip 34: Plan to Speak to Listeners on Their Terms
Tip 35: Use a Recipe to Begin with Confidence
Tip 36: Use “Quick Specifics” for High Credibility
Tip 37: Use the BEST Recipe to Organize Your Points
Tip 38: Use a Recipe to Conclude with Power
Tip 39: In Impromptu Presentations, Answer Three Questions
Improving Your Nonverbal Communication
Tip 40: Practice Pantomime to Improve Your Gestures
Tip 41: Use the Room to Clarify the Structure of Your Presentation
Tip 42: To Improve Eye Contact, Think: “Who’s the Sleepiest?”
Tip 43: Imitate Commercials to Improve Your Voice “Music”
Tip 44: Use Directory Visuals to Focus Your Audience
Tip 45: Create Verbal-Visual Cooperation
Tip 46: Handle Questions with Care
Tip 47: For Complex Answers, Use the Q-BEST-Q Recipe
Tip 48: Use Mistakes to Build Your Credibility
Tip 49: Use Laptops and LCD Panels Well
Tip 50: Use Special Strategies for Videoconference Presentations
Effective Oral Communication for Sales Presentations1
Amanda Ruth and Allen Wysocki2
Introduction
Effective oral communication skills can benefit people in various fields and positions, but it cannot be taught as easily as most personal skills. This paper will provide strategies and steps for achieving effective oral communication. It is important to keep in mind that practice is essential to acquiring these skills (University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 1999).
Speaking effectively is extremely crucial for success in most positions in a formal working environment. It has been proven that employees spend more time speaking than writing, whether talking on the phone, conversing informally with colleagues, conducting meetings, or making sales presentations. Research also reveals that the higher an employee moves within an organization, the more important speaking skills become (Riceowl, 2002).
Clearly, effective oral communication is important in all aspects of one's career. This paper will focus only on achieving communication skills relating to sales presentations, including preparing for the presentation, making the presentation, delivery "do's and don'ts" of the presentation, and incorporating visual aids into the presentation.
Preparation
Preparation for the presentation is almost as important as the delivery of the presentation. In sales you must analyze the selling situation and the audience, determine the goal and objective of your presentation, choose and shape the content and the appropriate communication style, and organize the presentation. Each of these presentation preparation steps will be discussed in detail.
Analyzing the Selling Situation
When analyzing the selling situation you must determine why your presentation is essential (Riceowl, 2002). Knowing the situation will help determine the way you shape your content and choose your style. In this analysis you need to ask yourself the following questions (Riceowl, 2002):
• What is the need for the presentation?
• What will happen to the organization after the presentation?
• How does the presentation fit into the organization's situation?
• In what surroundings will you make your presentation?
• How does your presentation relate to your audience's actions?
• How can you help the organization?
An example of analyzing the situation would be to conduct background research on the presentation audience to find out what they do, how you can benefit them, and why they asked for your presentation. Analyzing the selling situation can also facilitate answers to other steps in the communication process.
Analyzing the Audience
Analyzing the audience can be difficult. The audience will determine the success of your presentation (your presentation is successful if your audience responds the way you intended). Effective speaking is always dependent on the audience (Riceowl, (2002). Identifying how your audience will respond to your presentation depends on knowing the following information about your audience: their educational and cultural background, knowledge of the subject matter, position in the organization, and technical expertise. Knowing your audience's personal and professional profiles will help determine what you should say, what you should not say, and the "tone" you should use (Riceowl, 2002). For example, you need to investigate the personalities of your audience; this will help you determine whether your style should be relaxed and informal or professional and to the point. Questions that can be used in audience analysis include the following:
• How much does my audience know about me and my presentation?
• What does the audience expect from me?
• What is the audience's attitude toward me and my product or service?
• What are the ages and gender of the audience?
• What position does the audience occupy in the organization?
• What is the educational background of the audience?
• What are the political and religious views of the audience?
• What is the audience's personal information (outside-of-work interests)?
Determining the Goal and Objective
Determining the goal and objective of your presentation will help you design your presentation around a specific purpose. Whether you are trying to sell a product, a service, or an idea, you must keep in mind you are also selling your competence and your value to the organization (Riceowl, 2002). You must make your purpose evident and relate it to your audience's perspective. Make sure you state the main point in the beginning of the presentation so that your audience knows what the rest of the presentation will cover. State your objective in one simple sentence. For example, once you have determined your objectives, use the "T3" approach: tell them what you are going to tell them, then tell them, and finally tell them what you told them. If you use this approach you will not digress and you main points will be emphasized.
Choosing and Shaping the Content
Choosing and shaping the content can be very complicated. You want to keep your sales presentation short, interesting, and relevant. Choosing meaningful information that will appeal to your audience and situation is very important. For example, including statistics, testimonials, cases, illustrations, history, and narratives in your presentation can help convey your message (Riceowl, 2002). Overall, make the content interesting, but make sure it pertains to the goal of your presentation.
Choosing the Appropriate Style
Choosing the appropriate presentation style will determine the effectiveness of your content (Riceowl, 2002). How you speak can make or break a sales presentation. Questions you need to ask yourself as the presenter include the following:
• What kind of tone do I want to use?
• What kind of image do I want to create?
• What level of language (based on audience analysis) do I use?
• How formal should I be?
• What approach does the audience expect from me?
The most effective style of oral communication is a conversational style because it suggests you are really talking to your audience. This type of communication includes concrete language, short sentences, and a warm and friendly tone (Riceowl, 2002). Do not read your presentation to the audience, this sounds impersonal and unnatural. Instead, rehearse what you are going to say because this is crucial for the success of your presentation (University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 1999).
Organizing Your Presentation
Organizing your presentation is the order in which you present your ideas. You must organize your presentation to comply with your audience's needs and perspective (Riceowl, 2002). Usually a presentation starts with an introduction that embodies your main point and a preview of what is ahead, the main body of information that supports the main point stated in the introduction, and a conclusion that reiterates and reinforces your main point. In the introduction grab the audience's attention, and in the conclusion leave the audience with a positive feeling about you and your product, idea, or service. MAKE AN IMPACT! For example, the opening and closing of the presentation are extremely important, so make sure you spend extra time preparing these sections. Include an interesting story or quote that relates to your presentation, it will grab the audience's attention and make your presentation memorable.
Making the Presentation
When you begin your presentation, greet your audience and create a comfortable atmosphere by starting with small talk that is unrelated to your presentation topic. After you feel prepared and comfortable, start you presentation. Stick to the plan for the presentation; tell the audience what you are going to tell them, then tell them, and at the end tell them what you have told them. Do not digress, keep to the time allowed, and when concluding ask if there are any questions (University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 1999). Do not leave your audience with questions; clarify all uncertainties.
Delivery "Do's and Don'ts"
Delivery entails a variety of "do's and don'ts" (University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 1999). The following list is some of the most obvious, yet crucial do's and don'ts:
• Do speak clearly (judge the acoustics of the room).
• Don't rush or deliberately talk slow.
• Don't tell jokes.
• Don't speak in monotones (vary speed, pitch, and tone).
• Do maintain eye contact (do not look at only one individual).
• Do keep an eye on audience's body language (watch audience reactions).
• Do keep appearance clean and professional.
• Don't move around too much (i.e., pacing or nervous twitches).
• Don't talk to your visual aids.
• Do be enthusiastic and confident (it will reflect in your presentation).
Some important points to emphasize are your voice (how you say it is as important as what you say), your body language (your body movements express what your attitudes and thoughts really are), and your appearance (University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 1999).
The success of a sales presentation relies heavily on your delivery style. All the preparation work can go smoothly, but if you do not deliver your presentation with confidence, enjoyment, assertiveness, and enthusiasm, then all the preparation is worthless.
Visual Aids
Visual aids, if used correctly, can enhance interest in a presentation (University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 1999). Effective communication is both visual and verbal. According to Riceowl (2002), visual aids can be used to show relationships among ideas so that the audience can understand and remember what you said.
The Rice on-line writing lab (Riceowl, 2002) states that a presentation with effective visual aids is more persuasive, more professional, and more interesting than one that does not utilize visual aids. Effective visual aids should be kept simple, relate to your topic, fit the needs of the audience, and be clear and easy to understand. For example, a good visual aid would be an overhead transparency that shows a simple breakdown of numbers in pie chart form. Be careful; do not rely on overheads to communicate your messages, only to enhance your message.
Conclusion
In "Conversation as Communication", Gerard Blair remarked, "communication is best achieved through simple planning and control." By following the oultined steps and lots of practice, you can acquire effective oral communication skills for making sales presentations. Effective communication is important for a successful career in business (Covey, 1989; Doswell, 1998).