The Language of Success
Copyright 2006 Ike Krieger
When we were young children, our parents were the most powerful
figures in the universe.
When a parent talked, we listened. Or at least we were supposed
to.
Parents are a bridge between generations. Parents are supposed
to hand down valuable teachings and cultural guidance.
Unfortunately, most parents don't teach their children the
language of business. Most parents don't even know about the
"Language of Success."
How could they know? Their parents didn't teach them, and it
certainly isn't taught in our schools.
When it comes to effective communication, the training our
parents were equipped to give us may have actually put up a
roadblock to business success.
Let me explain.
There are three rules of communication that we were taught by
our parents. In any language, these three rules contain the same
cultural message. They are intended to keep a child out of
harm's way and/or out of the hair of grownups.
Here are the three rules:
Rule 1. Never speak to strangers. Rule 2. Don't speak unless
spoken to. Rule 3. You should be seen and not heard.
Isn't this what you were told?
These rules would seem to stand in the way of unfettered
business success.
You can easily see how these communications guidelines might
hinder your ability to make new contacts and promote your
business. By their very nature, these rules are not intended to
make you more effective in your marketing, sales or other
business activities.
Networking is all about meeting strangers and creating new
relationships.
Speaking before you're spoken to is the primary function of
marketing.
Marketing is about making people, primarily strangers, aware of
your product, service, or expertise.
Don't get me wrong. These are great rules for young kids.
However, these rules are just not that useful in the world of
business.
The "never speak to strangers" rule may have a lot to do with
the fact that speaking in public ranks first on the list of
human fears. Well, why not? Most of the "public" are strangers.
The "Language of Success" encourages you to speak to strangers.
The Language of Success provides you with guidelines that will
help you say the right thing and ask the right question at the
right time.
For those of us who are fortunate enough to be able to
communicate with one or both of our parents, ask them for
permission to speak to strangers. Tell your mom and/or your dad
that your business might depend on it.