Simple Strategies

How can you get people to talk to each other? Give them a sticker. At a recent conference, I ran a little experiment.  I wanted to see if I could persuade people to hang around and talk to each other after a breakout session. Too often, people attend conferences as if they were watching at home on Skype. I wanted to persuade people to get more of what they paid for, by meeting and getting to know some interesting people. The Experiment I gave each person two stickers as they entered a meeting room. I asked them to save the stickers for the end. If anyone says something or asks a question you think is great, grab them before they get out of the room, give them a sticker, and let them know you appreicated their input. I had observed the audience at the morning vesion of the same session, so I use that as

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Last week I tried an experiment on myself. For two days, I ask myself, “is this the best thing I can do for a customer.”  I asked this question of every working task I took up. Before I get into the details, let me explain why I did this. As a participant in a two-day conference for our clients, I was asked to write down one problem or challenge for which I’d like insights.  Then I needed to acknowledge everyone who helped me.   My challenge was “How can I make sure that everything I’m doing is for the customers?”  Derek Sivers inspired this question with this quote: Never forget that absolutely everything you do is for your customers. Make every decision—even decisions about whether to expand the business, raise money, or promote someone—according to what’s best for your customers. Sivers, Derek (2011-06-29). Anything You Want (p. 15). The Domino Project. Kindle Edition.  Get it

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Dale Carnegie, of course. Published in 1936, Carnagie’s book, How to Make Friends and Influence People, remains one of the most important works in interpersonal human relations ever written. I wish I’d been humble enough to read this book when I was younger. Might have saved myself a lot of trouble, reputation, and embarrassment. Here’s an excerpt: Twelve Ways to Win People to Your Way of Thinking The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it. Show respect for the other person’s opinions. Never say “You’re Wrong.” If you’re wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically. Begin in a friendly way. Start with questions to which the other person will answer yes. Let the other person do a great deal of the talking. Let the other person feel the idea is his or hers. Try honestly to see things from the other person’s point of view. Be sympathetic with the other

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