Right Conduct under Pressure

Next time, try not to strangle each other.

No matter how difficult the situation may be, there’s always the choice to be professional. Remember people are watching you, and how you act may greatly influence them. Think out loud so your colleagues can follow your example. They might even help if they know what you’re dealing with.

Sometimes we try to be perfect but the reality is we’re not. When you commit a mistake accept it and just say sorry. You’ll grow faster and learn that way. Follow through with your promises and deadlines. Your tendency may be to overpromise to resolve a conflict. Don’t be tempted, be realistic and do what you can do.

Customer Diplomacy

The customer is always right. This means that no matter how right you are on a certain matter, if it's against the client's opinion, then you're 110% wrong! So how can you win an argument with a customer if what they're saying is actually wrong? The answer is simple: lose the argument. Draw out an opinion from them that's in common with yours and intentionally lose the debate. It sounds like a sneaky tactic but that's what you call diplomacy. How to pull it off? That's what this article is all about.

It's a tough job but somebody's gotta do it.

Smiling can be contagious and helps set a positive atmosphere. Being warm and pleasant makes it easy for customers to trust you and agree with you. It’s easier to smile when you’re not worrying so much about your own problems. Always be considerate and have a positive mindset to overcome your troubles.

Diplomatic Stance

I'm sure at times you've daydreamed of owning your own company, being the top of the corporate chain where you're giving orders instead of taking orders from your boss. The fact is, before you become the boss, you have to act like one. So let's discuss some points on how you can act like your company's next C.E.O.

The first point to remember is the handshake. Never give a loose handshake, it shows lack of confidence and insecurity. Always make sure your purlicue touches the other person's to show you're decisive and open to meet him. How long do you have to handshake? No longer than the time it takes you to say, "shake, shake".

Think Before Acting

Think before you act. It’s the best defense against offending people. Start by observing yourself and understanding why you tend to annoy people at times. It could be the way you talk, the way you act, or the way you say things. Remember those times when you were just being honest and your friend gave a violent reaction? Remember them and learn from them.

Didn't we have this conversation before?

You have to pay attention to other people as well. Their tone and actions speak louder than their words. Understand how they’re feeling before you react. After assessing yourself and the person, consider your options carefully. It’s not just a Yes or No, there are several ways you can react, and always choose the one that is Effective, Necessary, Accurate, Timely, and Appropriate. If it’s too long to remember, then just keep in mind: your reaction has to make a positive impact on the person.

Projecting Poise and Credibility

In business it's easy to tell who's the veteran and who's the new trainee. Besides the fact they wear nicer suits, veterans have an aura that says, "Trust me, I know what I'm doing." What's the secret behind this aura? Two things: Poise and Credibility.

Handling Difficult Situations through Diplomacy

We've all experienced talking to difficult people. At times you may want to slap them in the face but diplomacy is all about disagreeing with others and getting them to like it. It sounds like magic but here are some simple steps you can take to argue with people and get them to say "thank you" afterwards.

Step 1. Let them talk as much as they want. Anything you do or say can and will be used against you. So long as they're mad, frustrated, or angry it's a one-way conversation with them talking and not listening to anything you have to say. Instead, take the hits and endure the pain but never accept abusive language. Stand firm and let them know that as much as you want to help them, abusive language isn't going to help.

Disagreeing without being Disagreeable

You can call yourself a diplomat when you can disagree with someone without being disagreeable. What does this mean? Movie stars have a way of saying "I don't like you" to your face and getting you to thank them for it. You could blame a cigarette company for your health problems and later on thank them for putting you on TV. You can argue with your wife about who should be cleaning the dishes and later on be the one cleaning toilets. These are all forms of diplomacy and you have to admit, women are especially good at it.

Everyday Etiquette

Etiquette means having the sensibility to consider other people first: how they feel, how they think, and how they might react to a situation. It starts with the simple use of a few magic words: “Please,” for asking favors; “Thank you,” for showing gratitude; “Excuse me,” for intruding nicely; and “I’m sorry,” for having done someone wrong. Just as there are magic words for everyday etiquette, there are inappropriate words that may come off rude: “Yeah,” “Nah,” “What?” and “Huh?” Mainly because it’s rude to give one-word replies. As much as possible always answer in a complete sentence.

As with tea, proper etiquette isn't just for socialites; it's for everyone to enjoy.

Another form of basic etiquette is the introduction. Men are always introduced to ladies, younger people are introduced to older ones, and lower ranking employees are introduced to higher-ranking officers. Also, don’t forget to say stand straight and part ways saying, “It was nice meeting you.”

When invited over a colleague’s house don’t enter without being asked to come in first. Don’t touch their belongings and always clean up after yourself, especially in the toilet. Don’t open refrigerators or drawers without permission and never give any negative feedback.

When socializing, use the first lesson you’ve learned, “Think before you act.” Don’t let anyone feel left out in the conversation, and don’t hog the spotlight. Let other people tell their stories too. Don’t butt into other people’s conversations. If you want to join a group you’ve never met, have your friend introduce you first.

Basic hygiene and grooming should be automatic and routine, but for those of you who don’t know, it’s rude to burp or pass gas in public. It’s also rude to leave the toilet un-flushed. Wash your hands before eating and after using the restroom. Remember your morning and evening regimen: shower, brush, and change clothes.

A proper person will never lash out because of anger. Control your emotions, don’t let them control you. Self-expression means to state your feelings, not give in to them. 

By: TalkShop

Golden Opportunities and Endless Treasures

There really are some things that last forever. This is the tagline of Golden Jewelry’s latest venture, “Endless Treasures,” - they’re not selling products or services but values that last forever. The idea is simple but very uncommon in the market today. Most businesses focus on making a profit from selling items that can be manufactured at a low price and sold for a higher price. The Atienza family has a different spin on that idea. They get something that’s priceless and sell it at a price everyone can afford. This gives everyone a chance to share gifts of Love, Optimism, Generosity, Passion, and the others of the 13 values everyone agrees are important in day-to-day life.

Salesmanship Strategies by TalkShop

TalkShop, the leading training provider of language and culture programs, is now the choice of teams in the world of selling. Salespeople can further polish their skills and personality with the customized sales programs offered by TalkShop.

Golden Legacy Financing Corporation is one such organization that has recognized the importance of partnering with the right training group to bring out the best in their people. Golden Legacy Financing Corporation was incorporated in 1991 to operate as lending investor with the purpose of lending short-term funds to borrowers and accepting fund placements solely from family members. Today, AFP and Social Security System(SSS) pensioners are its main clientele.

Top Pharmaceutical Firms Brush Up on Communication Skills

Glaxo Smithkline, a leading pharmaceutical company chose TalkShop to conduct Communication ExcellenceWorkshops with Grammar Mastery/ Technical Writing and Speech Eloquence/ Assertive Communication in November 2011.

Pearly Joy Alinday, one of the front liners enjoyed the Technical Writing course specifically the grammar review and various writing applications like addressing customer complaints and writing letters of regret. “ I learned to polish my writing skills, while making sure that needs and wants of both internal and external customers are addressed in a positive way.” Arianne Tejada remarked that “ Speech Eloquence and Assertive Communication taught us how to use words to influence and persuade in a powerful way. And impact is greater with the right pronunciation, demeanor, and approach that will be put to good use in all our dealings.”

Communication Skills Upgrade for SEAOIL Personnel

SEAOIL managers underwent a Communication Excellence workshop conducted by Sheila Viesca, TalkShop CEO on September 28 and 29, 2011 at their office premises. In attendance were 25 personnel from across various divisions. Gera Cruz , Human Resources Officer voiced out her appreciation of TalkShop’s interactive teaching style. “We learned a lot from Ms. Viesca who drew us out of our shell thru communicative exercises. The grammar review was particularly useful , specifically prepositions and punctuation - common areas of confusion that take away from effective presentation and correspondence. The program was effectively packaged with direct applications to spoken and written communication. It really pays to be able to raise language skills to professional standards as required at our workplace.”

Speak your mind. Present effectively. Sell anything.