Do you want to open doors?

by | Mar 1, 2016 | Uncategorised

Do you want to open doors?

Last week we looked over simple yet powerful ways to see failure in a new light. I wonder how much benefit you are noticing after only one week of applying this new outlook? A great deal, I hope. This week I’d like to focus on your relationships with customers (both internal and external) and give you five Key Steps to...

Open doors and keep them open

  1. Do what you love or – at very least – love what you do? Nothing opens doors more effectively than following your bliss. It might not be instant (although, in my experience, it often is) but opportunities will start coming your way when you are truly engaged and passionate about what you do.
  2. Always be professional. Arrive 10 minutes early for appointments. When speaking to a group or meeting with a customer, always dress one-step up from what the group is wearing. Don’t discuss politics or religion with customers. Don’t divulge unnecessary personal information. Don’t complain. And remember to always treat people the way they would like to be treated – not the way you would like to be treated. To open doors, make it all about ‘them’.
  3. Be humble. Leave your ego at the door and don’t brag about accomplishments unless asked about them. Being confident about your achievements and bragging are two different things.
  4. Be courteous. Please, thank you and a smile cost nothing and they go a long way to building relationships. Let people know you appreciate and value them. Make them feel special.

  5. Under promise and over deliver! Always give customers more than you promised. Follow-up on emails you sent or information they asked for. Call back when you said you would or 5 minutes before the time. Anticipate what they might need next and offer it before they ask for it. Be proactive, use your initiative, get out of your comfort zone and…

“be the difference that makes the difference

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Namaste,

 

NOTE: The information in my blog may be freely shared and re-used in any online or offline publication, provided it is accompanied by the following credit line: This was written by Dr Sharon King Gabrielides, and originally appeared in her free bi-weekly  ‘Key Steps Food for Thought Blog’ available on the Key Steps website.

Dr Sharon King Gabrielides, EQ Expert, Founder and CEO

Sharon is a dynamic facilitator, speaker and executive coach with over 25 years’ experience in leadership development and organisational transformation. Her PhD thesis contributed a framework for holistic and sustainable leadership development that was published by Rutgers University in the USA. She is faculty of numerous business schools and highly sought-after by leading corporates because she works hand-in-hand with them to create sustainable results and long-term success. In 2020, Sharon was inducted into the Educators Hall of Fame, which is a lifetime achievement award, recognising excellence and her contribution to the field.

Sharon is one of only three women in South Africa to hold the title of Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) – the Oscar of the speaking industry. She is also a COMENSA Master Practitioner (CMP), a qualified Modern Classroom Certified Trainer (MCCT™) and an accredited Global Virtual Speaker. Sharon is also a registered Education, Training and Development Practitioner (ETDP), holds an Honours degree in Psychology and practices as an NLP master practitioner.

Most important to Sharon is that she has become known for her genuinely caring manner, practical and transformational approach, and for providing valuable tools and that allow people to take Key Steps to really… ‘be the difference that makes the difference.’