Article writing is a very different style of writing and requires a different approach from the essay. In this lesson, we look at how to write for the Cambridge tests, as well as how to write for the web, including blogs and newsletters. Find out how to use a more playful language to capture a reader’s attention.
Ursula Jorch advises visionary solopreneurs and entrepreneurs on business and marketing strategies. Her own entrepreneurial success began with a quick start. After 9 years in a corporate job, she realized her own dream, starting a company that exceeded her 6-figure corporate salary from her first year in business.
In her 17 years as an entrepreneur, she has coached many visionary people to start and realize successful businesses.
In transforming her practice from corporate consulting to coaching entrepreneurs, Ursula underwent a transformation herself.
She sold her house and most of her belongings, and traveled extensively, continuing her thriving and profitable business on the road. In that process of soul discovery, she achieved clarity about what is truly important.
Ursula’s coaching methods are both intuitive and practical, blending right- and left-brain approaches to help her clients achieve the business (and the life) of their dreams.
Let's take a look at her favorite written article. Title:
3 Steps to Build This Key Business Skill and Increase Your Bottom Line
Your business success depends on relationships. With clients, team members, suppliers, and other business owners.
So developing and honing your relationship skills makes sense, right?
This is a lifelong process, but you can make a great start by fostering empathy.
Empathy is the practice of perceiving and relating to the emotions and perspectives of others. To get better at empathy, understand and practice these 3 steps:
1. Listen with an open mind and open heart. All you have to do is listen fully. Set aside any temptation to problem solve, analyze, or judge at this point. Listen. Watch their facial expressions and body language.
You can also give the other person signals that you're listening:
It's becoming more and more common in our culture to interrupt while another is speaking. That doesn't make it OK. To develop your empathy skills, practice waiting until the other person has finished speaking. The space you create by doing so will bring out more information than you would ever get by prodding.
2. Learn more. Ask questions to find out the person's concerns and mindset. Here are some examples to help you get started.
To assess the situation as it stands: How have you approached this so far? What's working and what's not working? How would you like things to have gone?
To go deeper: What's your biggest fear about this situation? What has the impact been on you and others? How does this situation challenge your perceptions or stretch you?
To shift the focus to the future: What needs to happen next, do you think? What's one thing you/we can do to move forward? What support do you need so we can avoid this in future?
3. Acknowledge that you have heard and understood. For empathy to be most valuable, people need to know that you've heard them, that you understand where they are coming from. That acknowledgement is best communicated with words. Your signals (see #1) do help, but body language isn't always clear.
After the other person has finished speaking, make statements to let them know that you've heard. I know this can feel a little awkward at first, but repeating back key points is so helpful. By practicing it, you'll get more comfortable. If it helps, you can begin with: "Just so I'm sure I'm understanding you", or "I'd like to be really clear about the things you've said."
Refrain from launching into your own story about how the same thing happened to you! This time is all about the other person. After you've established empathy and the person feels fully heard, then you can share. Limit that sharing to important points that demonstrate empathy. Don't make it a mutual complaint session, or take the focus away from the other person.
Above all, treat the other person with respect and honor what they have to say, whether you agree or not.
You'll be surprised by how open people become when they feel listened to and heard. You'll hear things you wouldn't otherwise hear, valuable information that you can use to help resolve the situation as your next step.
Even the Harvard Business Review lists empathy as one of the 5 critical leadership traits. When you develop this business skill, you're also developing your leadership. You as a business owner are a leader, and modeling effective behavior is a great way to demonstrate it. With empathy, you'll encourage people to openly engage new ideas, and improve their own relationships.
Empathy is powerful. It's an essential skill for successful communication. When you practice it effectively, empathy can work real change for your business.
That client who comes to you with a complaint can become an advocate, a source of referrals, and a repeat client.
That prospective client in a new market can share valuable information about their needs and what they value that can help make your new offering successful.
That team member who is not performing well can be transformed into a high-performing staff member who makes great contributions. Or you'll both become clear that they would do better elsewhere, either in your company or outside of it, and you can hire someone who is a better fit, saving you time and money.
That conflict you are having with a supplier can be turned into a deeper understanding and a more profitable service.
That joint venture partner you're considering working with can become an important ally and help you reach more people as you find the best way to work together.
That business mastermind you're participating in can become a greater source of active support and referrals.
Use these 3 steps to develop your empathy skills. They'll strengthen your relationships, and you'll see a boost in your bottom line.
So developing and honing your relationship skills makes sense, right?
This is a lifelong process, but you can make a great start by fostering empathy.
Empathy is the practice of perceiving and relating to the emotions and perspectives of others. To get better at empathy, understand and practice these 3 steps:
1. Listen with an open mind and open heart. All you have to do is listen fully. Set aside any temptation to problem solve, analyze, or judge at this point. Listen. Watch their facial expressions and body language.
You can also give the other person signals that you're listening:
- Stop whatever else you're doing. This is not the time to multi-task. If you'd like to make notes because it will help you remember their important points, then ask if it's OK first.
- Turn to them and face them.
- Lean forward a little to indicate interest.
- Maintain eye contact without staring.
It's becoming more and more common in our culture to interrupt while another is speaking. That doesn't make it OK. To develop your empathy skills, practice waiting until the other person has finished speaking. The space you create by doing so will bring out more information than you would ever get by prodding.
2. Learn more. Ask questions to find out the person's concerns and mindset. Here are some examples to help you get started.
To assess the situation as it stands: How have you approached this so far? What's working and what's not working? How would you like things to have gone?
To go deeper: What's your biggest fear about this situation? What has the impact been on you and others? How does this situation challenge your perceptions or stretch you?
To shift the focus to the future: What needs to happen next, do you think? What's one thing you/we can do to move forward? What support do you need so we can avoid this in future?
3. Acknowledge that you have heard and understood. For empathy to be most valuable, people need to know that you've heard them, that you understand where they are coming from. That acknowledgement is best communicated with words. Your signals (see #1) do help, but body language isn't always clear.
After the other person has finished speaking, make statements to let them know that you've heard. I know this can feel a little awkward at first, but repeating back key points is so helpful. By practicing it, you'll get more comfortable. If it helps, you can begin with: "Just so I'm sure I'm understanding you", or "I'd like to be really clear about the things you've said."
Refrain from launching into your own story about how the same thing happened to you! This time is all about the other person. After you've established empathy and the person feels fully heard, then you can share. Limit that sharing to important points that demonstrate empathy. Don't make it a mutual complaint session, or take the focus away from the other person.
Above all, treat the other person with respect and honor what they have to say, whether you agree or not.
You'll be surprised by how open people become when they feel listened to and heard. You'll hear things you wouldn't otherwise hear, valuable information that you can use to help resolve the situation as your next step.
Even the Harvard Business Review lists empathy as one of the 5 critical leadership traits. When you develop this business skill, you're also developing your leadership. You as a business owner are a leader, and modeling effective behavior is a great way to demonstrate it. With empathy, you'll encourage people to openly engage new ideas, and improve their own relationships.
Empathy is powerful. It's an essential skill for successful communication. When you practice it effectively, empathy can work real change for your business.
That client who comes to you with a complaint can become an advocate, a source of referrals, and a repeat client.
That prospective client in a new market can share valuable information about their needs and what they value that can help make your new offering successful.
That team member who is not performing well can be transformed into a high-performing staff member who makes great contributions. Or you'll both become clear that they would do better elsewhere, either in your company or outside of it, and you can hire someone who is a better fit, saving you time and money.
That conflict you are having with a supplier can be turned into a deeper understanding and a more profitable service.
That joint venture partner you're considering working with can become an important ally and help you reach more people as you find the best way to work together.
That business mastermind you're participating in can become a greater source of active support and referrals.
Use these 3 steps to develop your empathy skills. They'll strengthen your relationships, and you'll see a boost in your bottom line.
Article writing is a very different style of writing and requires a different approach from the essay. In this lesson, we look at how to write for the Cambridge tests, as well as how to write for the web, including blogs and newsletters. Find out how to use a more playful language to capture a reader’s attention.
YOU REALLY CAN GROW YOUR BUSINESS (AND YOU!) FROM THE INSIDE OUT!
There are many types of business coaching styles. We have all known people who are echoes, not their own unique voice in the world. Maybe you’ve been one of those people who struggle with knowing and expressing your unique voice.That voice comes from the inside of you. We all have it, that inner wisdom to know what is right for us. But we sometimes submerge it, because we think that other things are more important. Like having an income!
Income is one way we measure success. And it’s an important one in business – income is the tool you use to support yourself in the life that you choose. Income allows you to grow your business and be truly creative and innovative.
It’s also true that a business built from your authentic self, from the inside out, creates levels of success and achievement that are both sustainable and unparalleled, by every measure.
We live in an amazing, transformative time of great change, and people are afraid of losing not just their jobs, but themselves. Being an entrepreneur gives you an incredible opportunity for personal discovery and growth.
Through that growth, through that connection to your own inner wisdom, through that challenge, you realize your own potential, and your business becomes a way to BE that in the world, and have real influence.
People like you, who listen to your own inner wisdom, and have the support, guidance, and courage to do that, are people who change the world.
Clients Share Their Stories
If you are thinking about coaching, do yourself a favor and check out Ursula Jorch! Her brilliant guidance helped me open doors that I never would have found otherwise. Don't miss the opportunity to connect with Ursula. I am so grateful for her help. ~
Ursula's insights, honesty, and experience are priceless. She's given me perspective and helped me find the next step forward so many times. ~
~
As she put it "Want to be one of those people? I want you to be too! I’d love to talk with you about how you can tap into your own inner wisdom and build the business of your dreams.
I know that your success is already here, waiting for you to claim it!"
No comments
Post a Comment