Marion's Communication Tips

Have you ever wondered what type of client you are?

How you communicate with those who you want to serve you affects the type of service you receive. Are you the type of client that draws the best out of service people or do you drive those serving you around the bend?

Here's some surefire, telltale signs that you just might be a dreaded "headache client":

• SIGN #1: YOU DON'T RESPOND. When someone is serving you and requires information, if you are slow to provide it and don't respond at all, you become part of the problem. They can't help you without you helping yourself. Even if you don't know the answer, have the courtesy to let them know that.

• SIGN #2: YOU PESTER.  Browbeating the service or product provider for excessive information, grilling them relentlessly and multiple times on the same issue that they've already responded to, requesting draft and draft after draft of a document rewrite, requiring inordinate amounts of their time before a contract agreement is even signed, and constantly challenging the provider's expertise may serve to get you at the bottom of the service list, not the top. You're too high maintenance. Be organized and don't expect the provider to spoon feed or babysit you.

• SIGN #3: YOU EXPECT THE PROVIDER TO CHANGE ALL THEIR SYSTEMS JUST BECAUSE IT'S YOU. Every company, organization or individual has a certain way "of doing things". So does your provider. Find a middle ground, create options. For example, instead of making the provider wait 30 days or more for payment (your norm) versus their usual payment upon delivery, how about walking the invoice to your finance people and making sure that payment is issued before the 30 day max instead of at the end?

If you recognize yourself in any of these points, take heart -- it means you're human! We all are less than ideal clients sometimes. The good news is that now that you're aware of some telltale signs, perhaps you understand more the other perspective and are now willing to consider changing your behaviour.

Being a good, communicative, low-maintenance client is in your best interest as it assuredly increases your chances of receiving good service. And isn't that what you want and deserve? Probably as much as the supplier wants and deserves a great client.

Until next time, here's to ...
Better communication, Better business, Better life,
Marion Grobb Finkelstein
COMMUNICATION CATALYST
Keynote Speaker / Corporate Trainer / Author
www.MarionSpeaks.com
Marion@MarionSpeaks.com

www.facebook.com/MarionSpeaks  

© 2012 Marion Grobb Finkelstein

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete tagline with it: Communication catalyst, author, and professional speaker Marion Grobb Finkelstein motivates and teaches individuals and organizations across Canada and beyond, how to improve morale, confidence and productivity by changing how they communicate. Get weekly hands-on tips by signing up for "Marion's Communication Tips" at www.MarionSpeaks.com

What Communication Skills do YOU Want to Hone in 2012?

It's hard to believe that we'll soon be saying goodbye to 2011. It's a time of reflection, hope, celebration of past accomplishments and planning for future ones.

One of the things I'm most grateful for is my valued MarionSpeaks community (you're a part of that!). Every week, as I write my "Marion's Communication Tips", I think about how I could help you with your communication challenges in the workplace. The last few weeks, I've been busy putting together a surprise. I'll tell you more about that soon.

For now, let me share with you some of the top communication challenges you've told me throughout the year that are causing you headache, or that you would simply like to improve. Drumroll please ...

TOP DOZEN COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES:

1. How to engage your employees
2. How to raise your profile (and add value) in the workplace
3. How to communicate at your next job interview
4. How to deal with different communication styles (i.e., difficult people)
5. How to prepare and present presentations that POP!
6. How to assert yourself
7. How to appear confident (even when you don't feel it)
8. How to apply winning strategies at work ... and life
9. How to read and use body language
10. How to face your chicken within (burst through your fears)
11. How to deal with uncertainties life rolls in your direction
12. How to mix 'n mingle at biz social events

Perhaps you see yourself in the list above. Or maybe you actually contacted me sometime in the past year with questions on one of these subjects. Either way, you and your MarionSpeaks community members have all told me that these are your burning communication issues that are holding you back.

I've been working on some solutions that I'll be sharing with you in the next week or so. Stay tuned (I'm so excited, I'm practically busting! Can't wait to share with you what I've come up with).

Identifying the areas you'd like to work on is the first big step to growing that skill. A clue of what areas may be worth your attention is given by the list above. Read that list and discover what subjects attract you? What do you find yourself drawn to? What is of greatest interest? Our brains naturally look for answers and are sensitized to finding solutions. What you're drawn to in the "Top Twelve" list, may be an indication of something worth pursuing.

Whatever your communication challenges may be, know that you're not alone. I speak to over a thousand people every year, and one thing I've learned is that we all have communication challenges. Over the next year, I look forward to sharing with you some of the solutions I've developed, so that your 2012 will be the best communication year yet!

Here's to a wonderful 2012 full of constructive and useful communication! Here's to better communication, better business, better life. Happy 2012 everyone!

Until next time, here's to ...
Better communication, Better business, Better life,
Marion Grobb Finkelstein
COMMUNICATION CATALYST
Keynote Speaker / Corporate Trainer / Author
www.MarionSpeaks.com
Marion@MarionSpeaks.com
www.facebook.com/MarionSpeaks  

© 2011 Marion Grobb Finkelstein
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete tagline with it: Communication specialist, author, professional speaker Marion Grobb Finkelstein teaches individuals and organizations across Canada and beyond, how to improve morale, confidence and productivity by changing how they communicate. Chat with her at www.facebook.com/MarionSpeaks and sign up for her FREE weekly "Marion's Communication Tips" at www.MarionSpeaks.com