5 listening tips to help you move closer to your Success!

Listen up!

Discover your workplace audience and respond accordingly so you don't miss opportunities to move your mark faster along the road to career success.

Here are 5 important tips:

1. Style Matters!

    It's important to discover the communication style of your supervisor or manager. Employees must communicate well with those who evaluate their performance in the workplace. It is the responsibility of the underling to seek out the best style of communication because if you can't be heard, your great ideas will not be considered. Use the best method for your boss, whether it's e-mail, written sticky notes, phone or text messaging. Make no mention of how they need to 'get with the times' and use technology. Just make sure your ideas are communicated in the form they quickly understand and in their best style. Communication is crucial for raises and promotion.

2. Timing is everything!

    Listen carefully for opportunity Every organization has a culture and a rhythm. Learn the quiet times of your organization and use that time to present your creative suggestions. Carefully research your company's mission, goals, challenges & politics. At just the right time, present your ideas in a well thought out and succinct manner. Write out your thoughts before you present them and be ready for the right time.

3. Customer Input matters.

     Customers can be a very unpredictable audience but often amazingly accurate. Many companies have followed ideas placed in a suggestion box by customers. It's important to open an avenue for client/customer input. The end-users of your product or service may discover better, more efficient ways to make your company grow. Listen to your customers and make it easy to communicate with your customer service department. Start a blog, use social media, develop a contact us page on your website, send out surveys and yes, even an old fashioned suggestion box will work.

4. Follow up.

    Opportunity knocks but you have to be listening. Networking doesn't work if there's no follow up. Listen for signs of interest when you meet new people. There may be buying signals sooner that you think. Make sure you follow up quickly.

5. Focus.

    Often times our mind races ahead when we talk to people. Focus on what is being said by your customers, your boss, your co-workers and you may be surprised by the information you'll have to help you get ahead. Don't multi-task to the point of being always distracted and miss your next break. Listen to what people say...and what they don't say. There's a boat load of information out there just waiting for you to step into your next big opportunity.

 Remember to slow down, listen and try to always respond to others instead of reacting to others and you'll be a much better communicator.

 Here's to your prosperity!!