“I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”
– Robert McCloskey, US State Department spokesman
Being understood by your customer may be the most important aspect of selling. If they don’t get what you said, then you are setting yourself up for problems which could include false expectations, confusion, resentment, or even worse, a lost customer. Generally speaking, being misunderstood is avoidable.
Here are few ideas to help you be better understood by your customers:
– Speak slowly. Say what you mean and say no more. Don’t fill the dead air with unnecessary words.
– Avoid cliches which can be misunderstood or misinterpreted.
– Slow down, stop talking, and listen. Listen to what the customer has to say about what you said. Give them time to react.
– Ask if they understand you. Pause and verify that they got it. If not, try again.
– Repeat what you said. Repeat what you said. Repeat what you said.
– Give examples of what you mean. Be specific.
– Tell stories. Facts tell and stories sell. Stories help the other person visualize what you mean. Stories are also remembered.
– Put what you said in writing. This helps avoid “he said she said” situations. Written statements can also smoke out misunderstandings.
– Always tell the truth. This way you won’t have to remember anything.
Being understood by your customer starts with you.
John Bradley Jackson
Author, Entrepreneur, Professor
© Copyright 2014
All rights reserved
My new book “Socially Close” is now available! Please buy my book!