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I promise...Posted by: Michael Port
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By Dr. Gayla DeHart, Vice President Business Development, Book Yourself Solid Coach
I was reading the December 2006 issue of ‘O’ Magazine, and loved this article by David Foster Wallace. I think it says a lot about why human interaction is so difficult- in personal relationships (e.g., communicating with your spouse about things you don’t agree upon), in business (e.g., customer service), or anywhere else (e.g., in line at the grocery store):
Here is an excerpt: “ Everything in my own immediate experience supports my deep belief that I am the absolute center of the universe, the realest, most vivid and important person in existence… Think about it: There is no experience that you have had that you were not the absolute center of... I’m operating on the automatic, unconscious belief that… my immediate needs and feelings are what should determine the world’s priorities.”
Our job is to take ourselves outside of ourselves and see the world from the perspective of others. What we perceive as the truth is only the truth as we see it through our muddied lens, and may not be an accurate reflection of either the objective truth, or the truth as others see it. The best way to get to the truth is not to ignore your version of the truth, but to find out more about others’ versions and see whether you can connect somewhere in the middle.
To establish trust and credibility, it is essential to provide excellent customer service- first realize that a customer is biased toward his or her universe and although there is no way to get the full story on that, you can at least let the customer know that you care about their reality. Even if you cannot meet customers’ every need, the experience of trying to meet them in their world will be remembered long after your interaction is over.
Posted in Self-Promotion Strategies
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Comments
Posted by Jeff Blumer on 2007-11-21
I could not agree more. There is nothing more important than making and keeping promises. Some of us do neither well. Many of us are good at one or the other.
A few of us make promises and keep them as a part of who we are. I would venture to say that folks like that are quite happy and have great relationships both social and professional.
I would love to be known as someone who makes commitments both big and small and keeps them.
A place to start on the path to promise keeping would be to start small. What will you do today? Then when we get that down (or are on our way) we can be bold and push ourselves out of that comfort zone.
There are all sorts of ways to work on one aspect or the other.
Thanks for getting us thinking about this very important topic.
And I hope you will continue to do video posts. Sorry I did not post my own instead of writing; maybe Lou could help me with that in the future.
I could not agree more. There is nothing more important than making and keeping promises. Some of us do neither well. Many of us are good at one or the other.
A few of us make promises and keep them as a part of who we are. I would venture to say that folks like that are quite happy and have great relationships both social and professional.
I would love to be known as someone who makes commitments both big and small and keeps them.
A place to start on the path to promise keeping would be to start small. What will you do today? Then when we get that down (or are on our way) we can be bold and push ourselves out of that comfort zone.
There are all sorts of ways to work on one aspect or the other.
Thanks for getting us thinking about this very important topic.
And I hope you will continue to do video posts. Sorry I did not post my own instead of writing; maybe Lou could help me with that in the future.
Posted by Fergus O'Rourke on 2007-11-21
Michael, thank you for that. This was the first video-blog that I have watched. Up to now, I have avoided all opportunities to watch them, and the same has gone for audio-blogs. The reason in both cases was that just reading my feeds takes too much time as it is, and one can not skim-watch video. That said, I am glad that I watched yours: the message was worth getting, and is made more memorable by the in-your-face (in a good way) quality of receiving it in person, as it were. Perfect length too, I'd say. After-thought: It was very pleasant to see and hear you in person at home. I actually think that it will take some days to fully appraise the experience and decide whether it makes sense to repeat it, here or elsewhere.
Michael, thank you for that. This was the first video-blog that I have watched. Up to now, I have avoided all opportunities to watch them, and the same has gone for audio-blogs. The reason in both cases was that just reading my feeds takes too much time as it is, and one can not skim-watch video. That said, I am glad that I watched yours: the message was worth getting, and is made more memorable by the in-your-face (in a good way) quality of receiving it in person, as it were. Perfect length too, I'd say. After-thought: It was very pleasant to see and hear you in person at home. I actually think that it will take some days to fully appraise the experience and decide whether it makes sense to repeat it, here or elsewhere.
Posted by Lara on 2007-11-21
I love it! It's so nice to place a "moving face" to your words... please keep this up!!!
I love it! It's so nice to place a "moving face" to your words... please keep this up!!!
Posted by Jean Cannon on 2007-11-21
That was great Michael. It is a terrific way of communicating because so much of communicating is visual. I find audio increases communication but this takes it a step further. Well done. I hope you include it in our web strategies when we get to them in a week or so.
The other issue than the phone will be a tidy desk!
That was great Michael. It is a terrific way of communicating because so much of communicating is visual. I find audio increases communication but this takes it a step further. Well done. I hope you include it in our web strategies when we get to them in a week or so.
The other issue than the phone will be a tidy desk!
Posted by Nancy Mueller on 2007-11-21
I liked it, Michael! I agree with Jeff that's it's a good length and the more we can connect with you as we go throughout your coaching program, the better. You mentioned one drawback, i.e. ringing phones, but you can easily take care of that.
I liked it, Michael! I agree with Jeff that's it's a good length and the more we can connect with you as we go throughout your coaching program, the better. You mentioned one drawback, i.e. ringing phones, but you can easily take care of that.
Posted by Shelley-Ann West on 2007-11-21
Michael,
You're totally on target that commitment making is easy, but the follow-thru isn't always there.
I have found that documenting the times that I do follow thru on my commitments that I am more inclined to keep the commitments I makes. I keep a success journal and I have found that it keeps me on track.
I like the video, as it allows for a more personal connection. :)
Shelley
Michael,
You're totally on target that commitment making is easy, but the follow-thru isn't always there.
I have found that documenting the times that I do follow thru on my commitments that I am more inclined to keep the commitments I makes. I keep a success journal and I have found that it keeps me on track.
I like the video, as it allows for a more personal connection. :)
Shelley
Posted by Erin Blaskie on 2007-11-21
Hi Michael!
I love the first video blog entry. Coming from someone who is slowly becoming a blogging fanatic, my only advice would be to continue posting text blog entries as well because they will get picked up by search engines but the videos won't! (Listen to me being all advicey...) :) That being said, it's great to see you in your home office and I think we now have a new format for our team calls! Video team calls! :)
Hi Michael!
I love the first video blog entry. Coming from someone who is slowly becoming a blogging fanatic, my only advice would be to continue posting text blog entries as well because they will get picked up by search engines but the videos won't! (Listen to me being all advicey...) :) That being said, it's great to see you in your home office and I think we now have a new format for our team calls! Video team calls! :)
Posted by Norman Belanger on 2007-11-21
Good Job. This was a lot better than reading a long blog that we just don't have the time or inclination to do.
The video blog was excellent, short and to the point.
The challenge now is to find just the right length for these.
Maybe when there is a lot to say it could be split up into a series on the same topic?
Keep up the great work.
Good Job. This was a lot better than reading a long blog that we just don't have the time or inclination to do.
The video blog was excellent, short and to the point.
The challenge now is to find just the right length for these.
Maybe when there is a lot to say it could be split up into a series on the same topic?
Keep up the great work.
Posted by Dan Green on 2007-11-21
What a fantastic idea! I checked out VideoEgg and it looks pretty simple.
Now, if only I were photgenic...
What a fantastic idea! I checked out VideoEgg and it looks pretty simple.
Now, if only I were photgenic...
Posted by Elizabeth Stoner on 2007-11-21
Hi Michael,
I love the added dimension of the visual in this blog post format - it let's your personality and enthusiasm for your topic shine through! Interspersing short video posts alongside your regular text posts (and adding some photos once in a while, as appropriate) adds interest and appeals to your readers in a multi-sensory way.
Regarding making and fulfilling commitments: My goal this year is to make fewer commitments and be diligent about fulfilling them, building trust and credibility not only with my clients and partners, but with myself.
Great post!
Hi Michael,
I love the added dimension of the visual in this blog post format - it let's your personality and enthusiasm for your topic shine through! Interspersing short video posts alongside your regular text posts (and adding some photos once in a while, as appropriate) adds interest and appeals to your readers in a multi-sensory way.
Regarding making and fulfilling commitments: My goal this year is to make fewer commitments and be diligent about fulfilling them, building trust and credibility not only with my clients and partners, but with myself.
Great post!
Posted by Gayla DeHart on 2007-11-21
This is great, Michael.
Basically, a commitment without fulfillment or follow through is just a goal. But a goal without a commitment or a gameplan is simply a wish.
Wishes and goals are great, and if having them is enough, there is no need to do anything else. If, however, you want to turn them into reality, a commitment and action are required.
:) In other words, you are right on with this post!
This is great, Michael.
Basically, a commitment without fulfillment or follow through is just a goal. But a goal without a commitment or a gameplan is simply a wish.
Wishes and goals are great, and if having them is enough, there is no need to do anything else. If, however, you want to turn them into reality, a commitment and action are required.
:) In other words, you are right on with this post!
Posted by Jeanne Catherine on 2007-11-21
Good work Michael,
This is a great topic and can be expanded to include promises to one self-I became even more aware of the importance of building trust and credibility within each of my clients. Freeing up their ideas, energy and enthusiasm for thier work in the world.
Keep the videos coming - not too long and not only that.
Jeanne
Good work Michael,
This is a great topic and can be expanded to include promises to one self-I became even more aware of the importance of building trust and credibility within each of my clients. Freeing up their ideas, energy and enthusiasm for thier work in the world.
Keep the videos coming - not too long and not only that.
Jeanne
Posted by Lou Bortone on 2007-11-21
Hi Michael - I think this is great! Hope you do more... And this might sound surprising from a video producer, but a webcam and a free "hosting" site like VideoEgg is really all you need. If you wanted to add a little more production value in the future, there's always Camtasia or a product called "Vlog It" by Serious Magic (an Adobe company).
Keep 'em coming!
Lou B.
"The Online Video Guy"
Hi Michael - I think this is great! Hope you do more... And this might sound surprising from a video producer, but a webcam and a free "hosting" site like VideoEgg is really all you need. If you wanted to add a little more production value in the future, there's always Camtasia or a product called "Vlog It" by Serious Magic (an Adobe company).
Keep 'em coming!
Lou B.
"The Online Video Guy"
Posted by Tara Kachaturoff on 2007-11-21
Yes, keep on doing them. I like videos, especially short ones -- 1.5 to 2 minutes max. Great start.
Tara Kachaturoff
Yes, keep on doing them. I like videos, especially short ones -- 1.5 to 2 minutes max. Great start.
Tara Kachaturoff
Posted by Brandon on 2007-11-21
Great job, Michael. Well done, with a professional-yet-casual tone, as usual.
Curious what camera you used for the post. Pretty good quality here.
Great job, Michael. Well done, with a professional-yet-casual tone, as usual.
Curious what camera you used for the post. Pretty good quality here.
Posted by Michael Port on 2007-11-21
Hi Brandon,
I used the built in camera on my macbook. Super simple.
- Michael Port
Hi Brandon,
I used the built in camera on my macbook. Super simple.
- Michael Port
Posted by Paul Godines on 2007-11-21
Really a great addition to your presence at a personal level.
Really a great addition to your presence at a personal level.
Posted by Jeff Blumer on 2007-11-21
Looking at things from another's perspective can be one of the most challenging things we do. We may forget that someone that we encounter may have no idea what we do or who we are. If we can show that we care about who they are and what they do we are off to a great start.
The timing your post is perfect. Our team was just discussing this earlier today on our BYS call. Our discussion started with making sure not to make offers to potential clients too soon (they are not ready (not enough trust and credibility yet)) even if they seem to be ready. It was suggested that taking the time to get to know the person in the deepest way possible (even if they are raising their hand to buy) will help to forge a long lasting bond.
In the financial world we say that we should assess someone's values, before we value their assets.
Looking at things from another's perspective can be one of the most challenging things we do. We may forget that someone that we encounter may have no idea what we do or who we are. If we can show that we care about who they are and what they do we are off to a great start.
The timing your post is perfect. Our team was just discussing this earlier today on our BYS call. Our discussion started with making sure not to make offers to potential clients too soon (they are not ready (not enough trust and credibility yet)) even if they seem to be ready. It was suggested that taking the time to get to know the person in the deepest way possible (even if they are raising their hand to buy) will help to forge a long lasting bond.
In the financial world we say that we should assess someone's values, before we value their assets.
