1. In-Person: This is still, by far, the most effective way to establish a relationship. You have a chance to read body language and so do they. You demonstrate your undivided attention by your presence. The time you have taken to physically be there also adds to your credibility. In-person is best for first meetings and important negotiations. It’s also a great way to diffuse any misunderstanding.
2. Video Conferencing: If you can’t meet in person, video conferencing is the way to go. It’s live, it’s real-time and it has many of the advantages of an in-person meeting. You can read the other person’s facial expressions to see if they get it, or if they have issues, you can address you can address them on the spot. Many misunderstandings are avoided by face-to-face conversation. We like to set up a video conference with anyone we are considering doing business with. It breaks the ice and they can see that we are real human beings, same as they are.
3. Phone: We have a client who is in the relationship sales business who says, “We have mastered an ancient form of communication: the telephone!” Before you laugh too hard, he has determined that phone sales are 108 times more effective than email sales. Why? Because you can hear the tone of the other person’s voice and make changes on the fly. You can give explanations quickly that would take mountains of back and forth emails. And your sincerity can be heard in your voice.
4. Email: We believe the best use of email is to document or flesh out agreements made in real-time. We send an email on the heels of a real-time meeting that basically says, “These are the understandings we have as a result of our meeting today. Please let us know before 5pm if we have anything incorrect. Otherwise we will proceed based on these understandings.” Email is a great way to memorialize conversations, but as a sales tool it is grossly abused, overused, and opened less and less. When it comes to requests, we like to ask for only one thing per email. If you ask for a list of things, the other person will generally only respond to the last thing on your list, causing you to go back and ask for all the others to be answered.  Oh, and if you have a misunderstanding on email, pick up the phone and resolve it quickly. Don’t get into an email argument! And lastly, there are some things that should never be in email unless you want to live them down forever.
5. Text: This is a great way to coordinate meeting details with someone who is in the final legs of coming to visit. It’s also a great way to carry on a conversation with someone you are already familiar with and want to give them a chance to respond at their leisure (unlike the phone). Texts should be short and to the point – no more than three lines at a time. Make sure ahead of time that the other person agrees to being texted so they will keep their phone on.

All of these methods of communication have their place, advantages, and disadvantages. When you use them correctly you will have less misunderstandings and more improved relationships.

Who We Are

Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey co-authored the New York Times bestselling business book, The Barefoot Spirit: How Hardship, Hustle, and Heart Built America’s #1 Wine Brand. The book has been selected as recommended reading in the CEO Library for CEO Forum, the C-Suite Book Club, and numerous university classes on business and entrepreneurship. It chronicles their humble beginnings from the laundry room of a rented Sonoma County farmhouse to the board room of E&J Gallo, who ultimately acquired their brand and engaged them as brand consultants. Barefoot is now the world’s largest wine brand.

Beginning with virtually no money and no wine industry experience, they employed innovative ideas to overcome obstacles, create new markets and forge strategic alliances. They pioneered Worthy Cause Marketing and performance-based compensation. They built an internationally bestselling brand and received their industry’s “Hot Brand” award for several consecutive years.

They offer their Guiding Principles for Success (GPS) to help entrepreneurs become successful. Their book, The Entrepreneurial Culture: 23 Ways To Engage and Empower Your People, helps corporations maximize the value of their human resources.

Currently they travel the world leading workshops, trainings, & keynoting at business schools, corporations, conferences. They are regular media guests and contributors to international publications and professional journals. They are C-Suite Network Advisors & Contributing Editors. Visit their popular brand building site at www.consumerbrandbuilders.com.

To make inquiries for keynote speaking, trainings or consulting, please contact sales@thebarefootspirit.com.

The post Maximize Communications Technology to Avoid Misunderstandings appeared first on The Barefoot Spirit.

We often say “face time beats Facebook” and “high touch beats high tech,” but we don’t always have the luxury to meet everyone in person. That’s why we recommend GoToMeeting, Skype, FaceTime, or other live video.

Seeing the other person’s facial expressions gives you instant feedback you can’t get over the phone. You can quickly correct misunderstandings before they’re verbalized. You see each other in person in real time, and that alone appeals to our human nature. This is a real person, not a text, memo or a voice on the phone.

Using this technology over the years has taught us several points of etiquette that will make your video conferencing communications more effective. Here are our top 10:

1. Video — meet first. If it’s important, make your first meeting by live video. They will feel more comfortable with you, be more likely to forgive your imperfections, and give you the benefit of the doubt. You will seem more sincere. This is your opportunity to make a good first impression.

To read the entire article, please visit The Business Journals

Who We Are

Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey co-authored the New York Times bestselling business book, The Barefoot Spirit: How Hardship, Hustle, and Heart Built America’s #1 Wine Brand. The book has been selected as recommended reading in the CEO Library for CEO Forum, the C-Suite Book Club, and numerous university classes on business and entrepreneurship. It chronicles their humble beginnings from the laundry room of a rented Sonoma County farmhouse to the board room of E&J Gallo, who ultimately acquired their brand and engaged them as brand consultants. Barefoot is now the world’s largest wine brand.

Beginning with virtually no money and no wine industry experience, they employed innovative ideas to overcome obstacles, create new markets and forge strategic alliances. They pioneered Worthy Cause Marketing and performance-based compensation. They built an internationally bestselling brand and received their industry’s “Hot Brand” award for several consecutive years.

They offer their Guiding Principles for Success (GPS) to help entrepreneurs become successful. Their book, The Entrepreneurial Culture: 23 Ways To Engage and Empower Your People, helps corporations maximize the value of their human resources.

Currently they travel the world leading workshops, trainings, & keynoting at business schools, corporations, conferences. They are regular media guests and contributors to international publications and professional journals. They are C-Suite Network Advisors & Contributing Editors. Visit their popular brand building site at www.consumerbrandbuilders.com.

To make inquiries for keynote speaking, trainings or consulting, please contact sales@thebarefootspirit.com.

The post ​10 Tips for Video Conferencing Etiquette appeared first on The Barefoot Spirit.

Seeing the other person’s facial expressions gives you instant feedback you can’t get over the phone. You can quickly correct misunderstandings before they’re verbalized. You see each other in person in real time, and that alone appeals to our human nature. This is a real person, not a text, memo or a voice on the phone. Read more… 

Who We Are

Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey co-authored the New York Times bestselling business book, The Barefoot Spirit: How Hardship, Hustle, and Heart Built America’s #1 Wine Brand. The book has been selected as recommended reading in the CEO Library for CEO Forum, the C-Suite Book Club, and numerous university classes on business and entrepreneurship. It chronicles their humble beginnings from the laundry room of a rented Sonoma County farmhouse to the board room of E&J Gallo, who ultimately acquired their brand and engaged them as brand consultants. Barefoot is now the world’s largest wine brand.

Beginning with virtually no money and no wine industry experience, they employed innovative ideas to overcome obstacles, create new markets and forge strategic alliances. They pioneered Worthy Cause Marketing and performance-based compensation. They built an internationally bestselling brand and received their industry’s “Hot Brand” award for several consecutive years.

They offer their Guiding Principles for Success (GPS) to help entrepreneurs become successful. Their book, The Entrepreneurial Culture: 23 Ways To Engage and Empower Your People, helps corporations maximize the value of their human resources.

Currently they travel the world leading workshops, trainings, & keynoting at business schools, corporations, conferences. They are regular media guests and contributors to international publications and professional journals. They are C-Suite Network Advisors & Contributing Editors. Visit their popular brand building site at www.consumerbrandbuilders.com.

To make inquiries for keynote speaking, trainings or consulting, please contact sales@thebarefootspirit.com.

The post Entrepreneurs’ Organization – Top 10 Tips for Skype Etiquette – Setting the Stage appeared first on The Barefoot Spirit.

Seeing the other person’s facial expressions gives you instant feedback you can’t get over the phone. You can quickly correct misunderstandings before they’re verbalized. You see each other in person in real time, and that alone appeals to our human nature. This is a real person, not a text, memo or a voice on the phone.

Using this technology over the years has taught us several points of etiquette that will make your Skype communications more effective. Here our top ten:

1. Skype First. If it’s important, make your first meeting by live video. They will feel more comfortable with you, be more likely to forgive your imperfections, and give you the benefit of the doubt. You will seem more sincere. This is your opportunity to make a good first impression.

2. Prepare Yourself. Look clean and well groomed, but don’t overdo it as that will appear insincere. Don’t distract them with flashy jewelry, dramatic make-up or wild styles. Business casual and low key wins the day. Have a drink of water before you go on. Put a smile on your face and sit up straight.

3. KP Your Desk. Don’t have anything between you and the camera that says you’re messy or disorganized. Lose the stack of papers, sticky notes and potato chips! Consider the visual message you are sending.

4. Aim Your Camera. Check your camera angle. Ideally, it should be coming from the middle of the screen or even with their eyes, but since we are still waiting on that technology, put the camera directly in front of you and on top of your screen. Don’t sit too close or your head will appear much too large. Look at the camera when you speak. Don’t put the camera to your side. It’s annoying to see someone talking into thin air.

5. Prepare Your Background. If you have a sunny window directly behind you, close the blind. Think about what they see behind your head. A clean wall or curtain is better than a cluttered office or weird artwork. Remember you don’t want to distract them, so look to see what they see before you call.

6. Prepare your presentation. Have in mind exactly what you want to convey, what commitments you want from them, and be prepared for questions. Books, pictures or shared documents are great props to use.

7. Small Talk First. Talk about the weather or something neutral to give them time to adjust to you and how you speak. They are taking in a lot of information at first so make it friendly. Don’t talk too fast.

8. Give and Take. Be sure to givethem ample opportunity to respond and ask questions. Ideally, they should talk as long as you do. Take notes. Listen closely to their remarks and address them before you go on with your points.

9. Smile and Say Goodbye. Look at the camera. Make eye contact the last thing they will remember. Give a friendly wave goodbye and thank them for the meeting.

10. Send a Follow Up. Right after your live video meeting, send them a thank you email saying how much you enjoyed meeting with them and politely summarize the action items.

Think of it as a visit from them to your office! This is a wonderful opportunity to make a good first impression, so prepare yourself for the best! Happy Skyping!

Who We Are

Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey co-authored the New York Times bestselling business book, The Barefoot Spirit: How Hardship, Hustle, and Heart Built America’s #1 Wine Brand. The book has been selected as recommended reading in the CEO Library for CEO Forum, the C-Suite Book Club, and numerous university classes on business and entrepreneurship. It chronicles their humble beginnings from the laundry room of a rented Sonoma County farmhouse to the board room of E&J Gallo, who ultimately acquired their brand and engaged them as brand consultants. Barefoot is now the world’s largest wine brand.

Beginning with virtually no money and no wine industry experience, they employed innovative ideas to overcome obstacles, create new markets and forge strategic alliances. They pioneered Worthy Cause Marketing and performance-based compensation. They built an internationally bestselling brand and received their industry’s “Hot Brand” award for several consecutive years.

They offer their Guiding Principles for Success (GPS) to help entrepreneurs become successful. Their book, The Entrepreneurial Culture: 23 Ways To Engage and Empower Your People, helps corporations maximize the value of their human resources.

Currently they travel the world leading workshops, trainings, & keynoting at business schools, corporations, conferences. They are regular media guests and contributors to international publications and professional journals. They are C-Suite Network Advisors & Contributing Editors. Visit their popular brand building site at www.consumerbrandbuilders.com.

To make inquiries for keynote speaking, trainings or consulting, please contact sales@thebarefootspirit.com.

The post Top 10 Tips for Skype Etiquette – Setting the Stage appeared first on The Barefoot Spirit.