I was at a networking event the other day, an event that I attended for the 1st time, I knew nobody.
I am in the communication skills and presentation coaching business and as a part of my private 'pre-event routine ' I went thru a planning segment of working out 'what I would say ' when questioned what I do by other networkers in the room. My goal? To supply a clear short message so those I talk with FULLY UNDERSTAND what I do to help people succeed. As I entered into the room I began to talk with various people present and making connections.
Beware Language and Techy Blurb
After a short while I was approached by a man who when we got speaking, explained that he was an accountant. Now, I have met a few accountants with varying levels of communication skills at networking events and I understand now that there are 'different types of accountants ' and services offered by accountant so for me to understand completely 'what type ' of accountant I was coping with I asked the question, "What kind of work are you doing for your clients?"
Boom
The answer that followed enabled an individual like me, in the communication skills business, to question if my experience in understanding a persons communication skills was up to the task! He answered, "We handle things like non-operating earnings, cost accounting, general ledger, increase accounting? I was lost, instantly. As I stared blankly, hunting for internal meaning of the communication so I could understand it, I started to realize the only one who know what this all meant was the accountant himself. Honestly, I was non the wiser and I marvelled whether anyone else who that person talked with that evening would have gone away from that conversation fully understanding 'what he actually does '?
Next Question
"What does that mean?" I asked sillily. The response again was covered with technical terms, industry speak, I turned off.
Make It Simple
So what happened? From my perspective, the key 'error of judgement ' made by the person revolved round the following:
- A presumption that I understood the 'jargon ' associated with the accountancy sector
- An incapability to convert language to straightforward to understand terms
- A failing to 'spot ' that I did not fully understand the communication
It isn't just accountants communication skills
To be honest, I bet you also have seen and been informed about this situation, not just with accountants. However It, SEO, even some marketeers and their methods and systems and so language charged that how probably can the source of the communication truly guarantee that their message is fully understood by the audience, prospects and clients. So. IT folk, S.E.O types and accountants (and anyone else) ensure your communication skills are up to standard! Make your business easy to understand so we, the non-technical folk, can communicate successfully with you. Concentrate on what feelings your service provides, i.e what happens to me when I have had your services. If you have got a burglar alarm at home, you have not purchased the pad on the wall or the box on the outside of the property, you have bought the 'peace of mind ' and security? That if a person attempts to enter your property then they're deterred.
For accountants to improve their communication skills at networking events and meetings, target the fact that you too offer reassurance, security and offer clients confidence that an expert is in charge of their finances. Now that I DO UNDERSTAND!
I am in the communication skills and presentation coaching business and as a part of my private 'pre-event routine ' I went thru a planning segment of working out 'what I would say ' when questioned what I do by other networkers in the room. My goal? To supply a clear short message so those I talk with FULLY UNDERSTAND what I do to help people succeed. As I entered into the room I began to talk with various people present and making connections.
Beware Language and Techy Blurb
After a short while I was approached by a man who when we got speaking, explained that he was an accountant. Now, I have met a few accountants with varying levels of communication skills at networking events and I understand now that there are 'different types of accountants ' and services offered by accountant so for me to understand completely 'what type ' of accountant I was coping with I asked the question, "What kind of work are you doing for your clients?"
Boom
The answer that followed enabled an individual like me, in the communication skills business, to question if my experience in understanding a persons communication skills was up to the task! He answered, "We handle things like non-operating earnings, cost accounting, general ledger, increase accounting? I was lost, instantly. As I stared blankly, hunting for internal meaning of the communication so I could understand it, I started to realize the only one who know what this all meant was the accountant himself. Honestly, I was non the wiser and I marvelled whether anyone else who that person talked with that evening would have gone away from that conversation fully understanding 'what he actually does '?
Next Question
"What does that mean?" I asked sillily. The response again was covered with technical terms, industry speak, I turned off.
Make It Simple
So what happened? From my perspective, the key 'error of judgement ' made by the person revolved round the following:
- A presumption that I understood the 'jargon ' associated with the accountancy sector
- An incapability to convert language to straightforward to understand terms
- A failing to 'spot ' that I did not fully understand the communication
It isn't just accountants communication skills
To be honest, I bet you also have seen and been informed about this situation, not just with accountants. However It, SEO, even some marketeers and their methods and systems and so language charged that how probably can the source of the communication truly guarantee that their message is fully understood by the audience, prospects and clients. So. IT folk, S.E.O types and accountants (and anyone else) ensure your communication skills are up to standard! Make your business easy to understand so we, the non-technical folk, can communicate successfully with you. Concentrate on what feelings your service provides, i.e what happens to me when I have had your services. If you have got a burglar alarm at home, you have not purchased the pad on the wall or the box on the outside of the property, you have bought the 'peace of mind ' and security? That if a person attempts to enter your property then they're deterred.
For accountants to improve their communication skills at networking events and meetings, target the fact that you too offer reassurance, security and offer clients confidence that an expert is in charge of their finances. Now that I DO UNDERSTAND!
About the Author:
Nick Hill used to be scared of speaking in public, until he knew what he knows now about changing your behaviour to 'achieve bigger ' results.Having embarked on a journey of coaching advanced communication methodologies, so mandatory for accomplishment in many business areas like sales, coaching, presenting and management of people, Nick developed the Mr Presenter brand to offer only the best standard of sales and presentation training to business professionals looking to gain 'excellence ' in what they do.For some more info on how you could improve your sales and show talents, visit our website thru this link: Communication Skills Coaching
The Communication Blog
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