We have a friend that we call Adwiser this Adviser. He’s a business owner just like many of you. Often times we receive wonderful advice and encouragement from this friend and this week’s message is full of wonderful insight. Enjoy!
I still Believe the FACE to FACE conversation is the best form of exchanging information and LEARNING WHAT IS IMPORTANT to OTHERS.
It provides instant “feedback.” For most of human history, face-to-face communication was the core of our interaction.
But not today. We text, we email, we blog, we friend each other on social networks. In the new age of electronic media, family and friends converse less than ever. As a result, we miss out on one of life’s singular pleasures: a relaxed, civilized exchange of views.
Conversation offers infinite possibilities. It is great for polishing thoughts and generating new ones. It is unbeatable for beating the blues or forging friendships. The ultimate bond of all personal relationships – whether in business, friendship or marriage – is conversation.
Conversation is not meant to be a performance art or a competition, but an opportunity for mutual appreciation. And the best conversationalists are not the best talkers. They are the best listeners. Society rewards those who express themselves well. (Studies show that no single factor better predicts your future income than the size of your vocabulary.) Good talkers routinely ace the interview, get the contract, close the deal, win the girl. Get on with others and you will get on in life – and enjoy it more.
Yet two opposing attitudes pull us away from it. The first is the mistaken belief that it is unnecessary. Why bother making the call or the visit when you can fire off an email? Unfortunately, text has difficulty conveying tone – the most important aspect of any communication. As well, think how much is conveyed with a smile, a glance, a wink, an eye roll or an arched eyebrow.
You really can’t compare it with FACE to FACE can you?
Will Rogers, perhaps one of the most beloved person in the 20th century, DREW listeners as his wit and humor about every day life, WAS of INTEREST and some IMPORTANCE to the MASSES. He was easy to listen too.
His “conversations” to his listeners was through radio, newsreels, and the good ‘ol newspaper. Although WILL ROGERS was THE ONLY ONE to TALK, (to hundreds of thousands), his audience “felt” as if WILL ROGERS was talking to them and their interests personally. WILL ROGERS was sincere.
So was the great TV news anchor Walter Cronkite, once labeled “THE MOST BELIEVABLE MAN in AMERICA.” Cronkite was warm and sincere. Few Boomers will never forget Cronkite taking off his glasses and announcing to the world that President Kennedy had died.
The value of “VISUAL MEETINGS and CONVERSATIONS” has not been ignored by the “WEBVERSATION” innovators. Many tools have been developed that recognize the value of “visual contact” and “response” – and have been in use for over 50 years. The Webinar, Video presentation, Go To Meeting.com, Skype, You Tube and hundreds of other technologies are a result of the importance of FACE to FACE conversation. While the “Baby Boomer” generation has adapted easily to using technology, MOST PREFER the personal conversation, than an email or text.
One more “casualty” of the “World Wide Web” has been the “BIG CITY” newspapers. HOWEVER the LOCALLY focused NEWSPAPER has EMERGED with the growth “Beyond the Suburbs.” THE NUMBER ONE REASON: PICTURES and NAMES. Dale Carnegie explained clearly: the Sound of Ones name is of most importance. THE “LOCAL” is all about “LOCAL” people. The more pictures, names and stories of local interest – results in widespread readership.
There are many examples of effective FACE to FACE conversation. I have listed a couple of them here:
1. As a local merchant, you discover that a local business owner has made a purchase of your “merchandise” whether it be taking HIS/HER employees to use your VENUE for a leisure time activity, or anything else you offer. GET IN YOUR transportation device and PAY a sincere visit. Stop by and personally say THANK YOU.
2. You read about an accomplishment of a local resident, (including stories about kids-and teens, and Seniors). Cut the item out of the “local paper” and mail them a handwritten note about “the importance” of their accomplishment. With the note, send a special invitation to use your facility, as a “personal VIP guest” (keys to the City type treatment).
THE SIMPLE STATEMENT about “dusting” off that good old practice of personal conversation is made by Alex Green in the following paragraphs:
That doesn’t mean your conversation needs to be sparkling and original. Nor does it need to have a purpose or a point. Quite the opposite, in fact. The best conversations ramble. They have no pre-destination. It is all about the rhythm and flow. Good conversation is one of life’s most accessible pleasures.
It connects us to one another, forges friendships, increases social esteem, raises our mood, generates goodwill, enhances our information and completes our education. And while prices rise and time shrinks, conversation is a luxury that remains free to us all. (Not exactly: The price is time)
True, conversation won’t make you richer, thinner, or save your life. (Great personal conversation can help you learn something you were not aware of, and enable you to turn that information into a “PAYCHECK.” Or MANY PAYCHECKS)
As Charles Dickens said, “Never close your lips to those whom you have opened your heart.”
Be Sincere:
The ADWISER
