IT SEEMS AS THOUGH over the past decade the business community has seen a spike in crisis-level events. Market volatility during and after 2008 financial crisis, cyber security vulnerabilities leading to massive data breaches, disruption caused by new technologies and changing consumer habits, and the variety of scandals stemming from the accelerated flow of information on social media – each of these factors has led one business leader or another to experience a unique situation – a crisis of epic proportions.
Questions Every Salesperson Must Ask
HAVE YOU EVER asked a business executive their attitude towards suppliers in the market? If so, chances are you heard “they don’t understand my business.” Your perception may be different, but what you think doesn’t matter. Since the client signs the cheque, it’s their perception that counts. As a professional you’re under great pressure to really understand the client. In fact you’re probably competing against people who come from the industry you’re targeting – giving them the inside scoop. To succeed today, you can’t afford to be accused of not understanding your client’s business.
Sustaining Learning & Development Initiatives
Managing Business Risk
IF THERE IS one positive to be taken from the 2008 global financial crisis, it is the reminder that the world of business offers no guarantees. Just two years earlier, when markets were soaring and profits seemed all but certain, executives tended to think any new product or service would be a surefire hit and that steady long-term growth was a given.
Leading with Emotional Intelligence
THE CULTURE OF any organisation is essentially a combination of two key components - management and leadership. The style and principles adopted in these distinct areas shape how employees think and act. That affects how they prioritise and execute day-to-day responsibilities and how they behave in their dealings with internal and external contacts.
Crafting Your Change Message
Adapting to Their Style
WE COMMONLY HEAR the phrase “just be yourself”, but following that advice is not necessarily the best thing do to if you want to increase your chances of influencing someone else. In fact, in many situations you are likely to have much greater success if you deliberately modify your own behaviour and personal style of communication to accommodate the person you are dealing with.
Ascertain and Confirm
IT’S THE FIRST meeting with a potential client. Instead of launching into a pre-determined sales pitch you take a consultative sales approach. You use the BRACES process to guide you through the meeting. You started off well by briefly building rapport (‘BR’) to position yourself and your company. Now it’s time to move to the next stage - ascertaining (‘A’) in detail the prospective client’s situation and confirming (‘C’) your understanding.
Finding the Best Possible Solution
IN THE WORLD of business, it is important to be seen to be moving with the times. That's because a big part of running a successful enterprise showing shareholders, clients, employees, partners and potential investors that the organisation is up with the best, forward looking and always in search of improvement.
Enhancing Emotional Self-Control
MANY SENIOR EXECUTIVES will assure you that to seal the deal, you must have a strong personal relationship with the person you are doing business with. They emphasise the importance of the handshake, face-to-face communication, and knowing what makes the other person tick. For people in sales, business development or in deal-making roles, this can mean spending much time away from the home base, chasing up new contracts or maintaining old ones.