Yes, we can finally sit and start the conversation with our client.
Of course conversation doesn’t only mean speaking, it’s both – effective listening and smart presenting our thoughts. How to do it as much clear as it possible?
During conversation remember to:
Demonstrate the initiative
As a for example; Project manager, should show initiative. Do not only listen to what the client has to say about his problems, just try to put yourself in his situation, and propose your own, unique solutions and improvements.
If you suggest him a better solution than client’s one, there is a big chance that you gain a lifelong customer.
Use appropriate language
Use language that the customer can understand. Too many account managers uses technical knowledge terms, which customers do not understand. The famous ancient philosopher Aristotle advised: “Think like a wise man, but speak as a simple man.”
Take a break
From time to time, take a break. In this way, you give the client a chance to remember all informations you mentioned about. Also repeat what client just said, to make sure that you just caught the sense of his speech. It is not always necessary to repeat exactly the same words, same thing can be said in different words. In the meantime, it is good to summarize the most important information, so as to give the customer a chance to get a better view of the situation.
Differences between genders
How women conducts conversations, how men solves problems? Below, some practical comparison which can be usefull while business dialogues.
Women are more interested in the social environment, whereas men focus on their task. This leads to the fact that the conversation of men is more about facts, numbers, when women concentrates on whole conversation atmosphere.
How to refer this knowledge to communication with clients?
When a woman starts an appointment, probably her every choice will be dependent on atmosphere of whole meeting.
Of course, they will want to know a few facts, but they won’t focus on that as man. He will want to know everything about a subject, not paying much attention to the way we will present it.
Therefore, women are more able to forgive us some substantial mistakes, but will require the goodwill and friendly conversation.
Also, ways of solving problems are different. Women like to see the problem from many different points of view. That’s why they want to know opinion of the others about the subject. In company decisions are made together, during brainstorm sessions.
Men depend on their own opinion about the subject. They have specific approach to the issue and want to hold on into it. That’s way, looking for different opinion is not necessary for them. Thus they do not feel need of making analysis of the situation, because opinion of the others have little chance to change anything.
It doesn’t mean that, men-client is not interested in establishing nice atmosphere around or don’t want to know the opinion of the others , and similarly – women-client won’t be interested in any details or can’t take any decision by her own. It’s good to take those differences between genders under consideration and adapt style of conversation to each person.
In third, last part, you will find a few words about non-verbal communication.
