How Do You Communicate?

News Flash … My name is not ‘Hey’, got it? So, don’t waste your time sending me emails, text messages, or other communication addressed to Hey. They go straight to the great repository in the Cloud and never get opened.

How can you be more effective at communicating with the audience you are trying to reach?

The key is to find common ground to allow communication to occur naturally and seamlessly. For this to happen you must first learn more about the audience you are trying to reach. How do they communicate today and in what form do they like to receive information from others? Also, what does your targeted audience like, or dislike when dealing with people outside their inner circle?

Finally, is there a language barrier that must be overcome to ensure your message is getting through? It has been written in song that “music is the universal language and love is the key”. However, in the business world, it’s not that straightforward. There are 6,912 main languages and 39,491 alternate language names and dialects worldwide. Add to this all the social media jargon (OMG, LOL, #hashtags, etc.) and that’s a lot to deal with when you are trying to start a conversation with the broader marketplace.

So, what should you do (or change) to ensure that your message not only gets through to the intended audience, but is well received and acted upon?

This can represent a major challenge for businesses attempting to enter new markets either regionally or globally that are unfamiliar with local customs, languages and preferences. Here are some tips that will help you improve communication with prospects, clients, partners and suppliers in any market space.

  1. Know your audience. Take time to get to know me before you send out the first email, tweet, etc., or ask me to “Like” your business page on Facebook. People do business with people they know, like and trust. If you don’t take the time to know me and build that bond of trust, then the answer will always be “No” or a no response.
  2. Tailor the message to your audience. Don’t leave them scratching their heads thinking, “Why am I receiving this correspondence, or is he/she talking to me”. Be interesting, and leave no doubt in their minds that this communication is meant for them.
  3. Have something important to say (and say it well). You don’t have to be a great writer to develop content that resonates with your audience. Speak from the heart and/or your knowledge of the topic and your experience, and the value will show through.
  4. Be respectful of their time. Time is money, so net it out! No lengthy Sales Letters.  Give them a summary with links to the details, so they have access to more information if needed. Always stay on topic while moving the conversation (and the relationship) forward.
  5. Keep the content fresh. You will want to periodically change up your headlines, offer, content, etc. to maintain interest and keep them coming back for more. Make sure to include a call-to-action so they know next steps when they are ready to engage.
  6. Don’t over-communicate. I don’t want to see the same tweet or post 5-6 times per day on Twitter, Facebook, etc. from the same source. Refer to #4 above. Send out messages on different days and at different times to ensure they’re seen by a broader audience, and are not viewed as over-kill or spamming.
  7. Select the right media. How does your target audience like to receive communications from third parties – phone, email, text, social media, etc.? If you don’t know, find out. Choosing the right media will enable you to not only reach a broader audience, but could also dramatically improve response rates.

Want to have great conversations with your target audience that will lead to successful future business relationships? Find that common ground to enable you to rise above the noise and establish those seamless conversations, regardless of the language, communication and media challenges.

What you say and how you say it will ultimately create a lasting perception, either good or bad, of you and your business. Before hitting the send button, make sure it’s a great one.

Enjoy the journey!

John

COPYRIGHT © 2021-24 John Carroll

Why Do We Lie?

Yes, this I know to be truth, we all lie. In fact, by the age of four, 90% of children have grasped the concept of lying and it is all downhill from there. According to a study by the University of Massachusetts, 60% of adults cannot carry on a 10-minute conversation without lying at least once. Most lie an average of three times during that brief time span.

FUN FACT: The average American lies eleven times per week. I do not lie that much, so I know some of you out there must be raising this average with all your tall tales. (Probably a lie on my part).

Why do we feel compelled to lie?

Continue reading…

Are We Having Fun Yet?

Well, 2022 is rapidly coming to a close. So … are we having fun yet?

In the business world we are notorious for putting fun last on our list of priorities as a New Year kicks off, and as a result, never getting to it. We’re so darn busy throughout the year trying to meet our annual objectives and “putting out fires” that we don’t set aside time to have fun.

With what we’ve suffered through these past few years that needs to change.

The negative trends in business as a result of the pandemic, downsizing, restructuring and economic uncertainty have collectively taken a huge toll on the workplace. And a huge toll on the workforce tasked with doing more with less.

Continue reading…

How’s Your Heart Today?

It’s a question I posed to a dear friend recently, for a different reason, who has been going through a difficult time. However, it’s a great question and one we should ask ourselves to start each day.

Why?

Because we’re headed in a direction that will ultimately lead to dark consequences for America and for mankind. Unless we change our thinking, make major societal changes, and fix our heart problem.

Today our country suffers from a heart problem. At an early age we learned to distinguish right from wrong, good from evil, and love from hate. We were taught to love one another, despite our differences. But is this how we operate in our daily lives?

Continue reading…

They Speak What??

Labhraíonn siad Cad é?

Are you finding it challenging to connect and engage in meaningful conversations with people these days? Or for that matter to just get a response from the other party? It can feel like we‘re speaking a foreign language, or the communication link is down.

At no time in mankind’s history, since the Lord scattered the twelve tribes, has language and basic communication been so complex and confusing. This presents a big challenge for many businesses attempting to enter new markets either regionally or globally that are not familiar with the local language, customs and preferences.

How do you communicate effectively and ensure that your message is heard by the target audience when there are so many language and communication variables to consider?

Continue reading…

How to Overcome an 8-8 Mindset

No, this is not another fan rant about the Dallas Cowboys lackluster performance on the football field this year. Although there are some similarities we’ll draw upon here. Rather, the article is about you. If you’re a business leader who seems to be stuck in neutral and unable to find the ‘winning formula’ to move to the next level.

None of us grew up with the notion of being average, just being good enough.

Whether it’s in sports, music, grades, business, etc. We have all been ingrained with the notion of being the best in our chosen pursuits. Does this seem realistic? There is nothing wrong with the quest for excellence. However, not everyone can ascend to the top of the pyramid and stay there. Real life just doesn’t work that way. And that’s OK!

Are your expectations aligned with reality?

Let’s talk for a moment about the ‘BIG LIE’. The big lie is what we tell ourselves when we have a bad day, or when things are not going our way. “Things will get better”. They won’t. Things are not going to get better until what? Until we do. In order to consistently achieve success at any level we must take risks, make changes and sacrifice to get there.

Continue reading…

Life Lessons From Holiday Cooking

Ten years ago, my son Daniel and I decided we’d take on the task of doing most of the Christmas holiday cooking. It was our way of giving my wife Laura and daughter Melanie a break to just relax and enjoy the holidays. My wild, crazy idea!

NOTE: The photo above includes some of the sweets and “treats” made as part of the holiday cooking marathon.

We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into when we started. But after eleven recipes and 12+ hours of meal prep, cooking and clean-up, let’s just say we learned a lot from the experience.

Continue reading…

What Have We Learned?

If you believe Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her Green Deal supporters, the world will end in (8 years) if we don’t start right now to address climate change aggressively.

Ironically, it was 50+ years ago that U Thant, then the Secretary-General of the United Nations, made a similar declaration about the future of mankind. He stated that the “Members of the United Nations have perhaps ten years left to solve the challenges ahead of us, or they will be beyond our control”.

U Thant’s more detailed comments can be found in the Introduction to the book, The Limits to Growth. It was the first edition of this book back in 1972 that began to reshape my thinking about the world around us, and the fate of mankind. In 2012, 40 years later, I released my first book, GLOBALIZATION: America’s Leadership Challenge Ahead that addressed many of these and other global concerns.

Back in April, I discussed one of the major issues from Chapter 5 of my book, Education Revitalized, in a blog article. Now, I want to broaden the conversation. So let’s go back a little farther to see what has changed during the past 51 years since the initial release of The Limits to Growth. Continue reading…

15 Things You Should Know …

My new book, 15 Things You Should Know: Wisdom for Life’s Journey is all about life, or more appropriately, it is a reflection of life’s journey.

As you will discover, the book is loaded with great quotes, fun facts, tips, life lessons, and relevant content for the ages. They’re all designed to make you pause, laugh, think, question, and thoughtfully consider where you are today in your journey and the opportunities and challenges that are ahead. You’ll also find a few I-had-no-idea and what-the-heck moments, as well as lots of random thoughts thrown in for good measure, just to hold your attention and keep things interesting.

Each chapter is a collection of my own home remedies, suggested actions, and answers to things you need to know that apply in business and to all other areas of life as well—a compilation derived from my personal life experiences, more than 175 articles I have written over the years, and the research conducted on the selected chapter topics. From the “The Journey” to “The End?,” 15 Things You Should Know: Wisdom for Life’s Journey will educate, encourage, challenge, and inspire you to continue to change, grow, and accomplish great things throughout your lifetime and, most importantly, to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

I’m so excited about the recent release of my new book that I’m offering three Special Promotions for early purchasers. See the details below.

  1.  Special Promotion #1. The first ten (10) people who buy the Paperback version of the book, and contact me with proof of purchase, will receive a 30-minute Professional Coaching session ($100. Value or Priceless).
  2.  Special Promotion #2. The next thirty (30) people who buy the Paperback version of the book, and contact me with proof of purchase, will receive FREE Lifetime Access to my online course, Discover YOUR Formula for Success ($30. Value).
  3.  Special Promotion #3. The next ten (10) people who buy the Paperback version of the book, and contact me with proof of purchase, will receive a FREE copy of my first book, Globalization: America’s Leadership Challenge Ahead ($15. Value).

NOTE: In order to qualify, you must purchase the Paperback version of my new book, and provide me with proof of purchase via email at john@trescoach.com. Only one special offer will apply per customer for those of you who are one of the first 50 people to buy my new book.

15 Things You Should Know: Wisdom for Life’s Journey is now available on both Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Here are the links to the two sites:

Amazon … https://www.amazon.com/15-Things-You-Should-Know/dp/1546264310/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1540244585&sr=1-1&keywords=15+things+you+should+know

Barnes & Noble … https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/15-things-you-should-know-john-carroll/1129758270?ean=9781546264316

Thank you in advance for your support. I sincerely hope that you enjoy my new book, and gain some valuable insights to help you along the way.

Happy reading and … Enjoy the journey!

John

 

COPYRIGHT © 2018 John Carroll

 

Just One Month Until Lift-Off!!!

M3 POWER NETWORK BREAKFAST

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20th at 8:15 am.

Don’t Miss It! Register TODAY and Invite a Friend!!

Do you want to grow your business and make great new personal connections? If you want to GROW you have to GO. Please join us at the next M3 Power Network event on Saturday, October 20th.

M3 Power Network is DFW’s Premier faith-based Networking Group, engaging business professionals like YOU to focus on Missions, Marketplace, and Motivation.

Take a moment to learn what past attendees are saying about the M3 Power Network: https://www.youtube.com/user/buildinternational/videos

This is a networking event like no others, where you will meet 100+ business owners and high quality professionals who are going to enrich your life. You’ll also hear inspirational speakers who will lift you up and help you to be the BEST YOU. And the relationships you develop will help you to continue to grow both personally and professionally.

Our Purpose is to Encourage, Educate, and Empower You! Our Goal is to Get YOU Connected.

Our Brand: Building People. Spreading Hope!

Breakfast and Networking starts at 8:15 AM. Come early and bring lots of business cards!!

M3 Power Network is sponsored by Build International Ministries. Our goal is to reach 1.5 million lives in 2018! http://www.buildinternational.org/

Building People. Spreading Hope.

Please join us, invite a friend or two, and come prepared to be inspired!!

October 20th is just one short month away, so don’t delay! REGISTER NOW and reserve your seat!!!

Meetup Link

Facebook Link

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, October 20th!!

John