As you’re reading this, I’m heading down to Myrtle Beach for a few days of golf with a dozen of my closest friends. One of the things we do there besides play golf is eat, and since the food in Myrtle, with a few exceptions, is not very good, we cook a lot. While cooking is going on, we generally watch old movies. “Guy movies.” You know – stupid comedies from which almost any guy can quote a line or two. Animal House. Caddyshack (hey, it’s a golf trip!). And usually The Blues Brothers. Continue reading
Tag Archives: advice
Oysters
Two quick thoughts today – one food related (since it’s Friday) but both sort of commerce related.
I went to buy some fish for dinner yesterday and the fish monger had a beautiful box of oysters on display. That got me thinking: how many times do we look at business opportunities as if they were oysters? I mean, your first thought isn’t “Wow – that looks delicious.” You’re probably thinking – “is that edible?” It isn’t until you crack the oyster open that you realize it might be something you’ve want to try. Business can be the same way – an opportunity might look like it’s not worth pursuing but if we’ll take the time to investigate – crack it open a little – the real opportunity presents itself.
I also bought flowers for my Mom (remember Sunday, kids!) and found that ordering flowers was kind of like an oyster too. You shop on-line and see the picture of a beautiful bouquet in a terrific vase and note the price. That’s only the shell, as I found out. When you go to order, you find out that the price you saw was just for the flowers. Want the vase? That’s more. Want them delivered? That’s even more. By the time I was done, the price was double what I assumed it was when I started the process. I got the shell open and I wasn’t happy.
I’m of the opinion that serving “oysters” to customers isn’t a great idea (sort of like many airlines do when you buy tickets and are hit with lots of additional charges) but spending time to check out opportunity oysters as a businessperson is an important idea. Make sense?
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Filed under food, Helpful Hints, Thinking Aloud
Good Communication
I had a discussion with a colleague this morning about good communication and I’ve spent some time since then thinking about what exactly that is. I’m not sure that people always mean the same thing when they refer to those skills and I’d like to spend a minute or two thinking it out with you.
Does it mean “clear?” I guess in part although “you’re an idiot – fix it” to a subordinate doesn’t constitute good communication in my book. Abuse, maybe, and even though it’s pretty clear, it’s not good.
Does it mean “timely?” Most of the time it does although often an immediate email response that’s neither thought through nor proofed carefully does more harm than good.
What about “often?” People sometimes get labeled as good communicators because they are a constant stream. I’m not a big believer in quantity equaling quality.
“Concise” is a term often used with respect to good communication. I agree except when the writer hasn’t considered the audience and omits critical information.
It’s a good idea in communication to repeat back what someone has said to you to confirm you’ve understood them. Of course, if the entirety of your communication is to spit back what others have said, where’s the value added on your part?
I guess the way I sum it all up is that good communication = good connections. You need to listen, to interpret, to add value, and to relate your thinking in a manner which makes the most sense to the recipient. I hope I’ve communicated that well! What are your thoughts? What did I miss?
Filed under Consulting, Helpful Hints, Thinking Aloud
Consult Keith 