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A
funny thing happened on the way to my meeting
by Janet Legere
A funny thing happened on the way to my meeting ...
It's Friday morning. 9:00AM. I think of Friday as my 'day off', although I do a lot of work, what
I don't do is teach classes on that day.
I'm a coach and mentor and my venue for coaching is the Internet. I teach others how to use the
Internet to build their businesses and I use the Internet to teach them.
I learned a valuable lesson this week. A lesson in communication and understanding, a lesson in
listening.
This story is a prime example of a misunderstanding in communication and created a stitch of laughter
for my guest and I.
We were to meet Friday morning in my online web conference room to discuss how we might utilize
this online technology for her offline coaching practice.
At 9:10AM Friday morning, my phone rang.
"Hi, Janet, it's Jean. I'm lost. How do I find
Coventry?"
Silence as I try to compose my thoughts.
"Um .. Jean. Where are you?"
"On Deerfoot"
In her car? On her way to my house? HELP!! It's Friday morning ... I am NOT expecting
nor am I ready for company!
Where did the breakdown in communication happen?
Let's backtrack a bit. When Jean and I first connected at our local Calgary Ryze Mixer, I spoke
to her about our 'technology' and how she might
use it for her business.
We reconnected by telephone and talked further about the possibilities.
As we talked, I used terms like 'meeting' and 'conference' and 'connecting'. I spoke of 'elearning'
and 'recording' and 'creating'.
I also used terms such as online, i.e., online meeting, online conference room, connecting online, recording
our online meeting.
The breakdown happened in awareness and knowledge.
Jean is very unfamiliar with the Internet. She has a wonderful website that showcases her Company
and offers resources and ways to contact her.
Jean uses email to communicate with clients and acquaintances.
But Jean is not yet aware of the full potential of the Internet. She did not connect the 'online'
part to any of my words as this was a foreign
language to her.
To Jean, meeting in my conference room meant I had a studio at home, where I could tape her presentation
live and somehow then offer this to people on the Internet.
I often speak at my workshops about online programs that assume a basic working knowledge of the Internet.
I talk about the fact that this is the reason I created a lot of the material that I wrote for my eCourses.
I had no idea that I was communicating in a foreign language to many business owners!
In my conversation with Jean, I assumed she understood what I meant by 'online conference'. I further added
to this assumption when I sent her the instructions to access my online conference room.
I assumed she understood that this was the technology to which I was referring in our conversation on the
telephone.
This was my first experience with an offline business person. I learned a great deal from this experience
and will share some of that with you now.
1. Never assume your listener understands anything you say. Always ask them to offer feedback.
2. Be aware of the words you use, are they universally accepted? Or could they be heard as a foreign language?
3. Listen ... Listen to your words and listen to the response. Do they match? If you are the least bit
unsure, always check with your contact - ask!
4. Assume nothing! Above all else, assume nothing!
This last one should be first and foremost on your list. I put it last so it would be fresh in your
mind ... move it to the front! Assume nothing.
I learned this valuable lesson when I apprenticed under a Chartered Accountant. My first field job
with the Senior Partner. The Big Boss!
"Did you check this?" he asked.
"No, I assumed ...."
And the lecture began .. and the big black marker came out as he drew a clear picture of what assuming
can do.
Back in 1986 I was more embarrassed than I can express. I will tell you this though, I never forgot that
lesson ... every time I assume something .. I hear his deep voice and see that picture clear in my mind!
Well .. Jean and I both have excellent senses of humour and we certainly chuckled about this lesson.
I think it safe to say neither of us was embarrassed. Instead .. we both learned a great deal as we analyzed
how this event occurred.
It was a valuable exercise and has inspired me to write another how-to manual for business owners.
'The 7 Things You Should Know About using the Internet effectively for Your Business' Coming soon to an
online newsstand near you!
Make every day your best day!
Janet Legere, Coach and Mentor
The Contact List Builder
Coaching You to Success Online
Janet Legere is the author and founder of the highly
acclaimed 'Contact List Builder' ebook and training program. As an expert in her Field, Janet can show
you and your business associates how simple and powerful it can be to build good business relations online.
http://www.contactlistbuilder.com
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