The One Communication Tool of the Rich and Famous in Business

Many of the rich and famous business people use a simple tool to make their communication more powerful. The best salespeople, businesspeople and famous people know the power of asking open questions and asking “why” a lot.

Adults tend to talk more than ask and when they do ask they use many closed questions. Closed questions start with verbs like are, will and do. Open questions start with six key words – who, what, where, when, why and how. These magic open questions are the keys to the kingdom. “if you do not ask for the business, you do not get the business”. Remember to start your questions with these six key words consciously and over time you will make it a habit and part of your personal and business culture. 

So start asking like crazy and magic things will happen. Ask "Why..." and figure out what’s behind. Ask "How..." and learn how to do something that gives you a sustainable competitive advantage. Ask "Who..." to get to the right person and get the sale. Ask, ask, ask and then when you are tired, ask some more. Hint: remember to ask open questions, its a lot harder than you think if you do not do it consciously.

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What Richard Branson say’s Is a Key to His Success – Hint – Not What You Might Think

When reading about Richard Branson I came across an article about one of the keys to his success.  I thought it might be timing, taking risks, making mistakes, being a pioneer, never taking no for an answer, working with people or the many things you usually hear people say makes them successful.  It was none of these and what it was really surprised me and makes a lot of sense.  As a friend of mine said “Life is not fair” and "Common sense is not common”.

Richard Branson’s secret to success is exercise.  Wow, that shocked me and then it made a lot of sense.  To be successful at anything you have to be alive.  Exercise and eating healthy keep you alive and give you the energy and mindset to be successful.

Do you want to be more successful?  Do what Richard Branson does and exercise.  Get a buddy, personal trainer or put it on your calendar and stick to it.  They say a bad exercise plan is better than no exercise plan and that a good one is better than a bad one.  Get a good exercise plan and stick with it.  Make it a habit (part of your culture) for yourself, in your family or at your company.  They will all thank you.  Oh and by the way lets all work on the eating healthier and less part too :)

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Want to be Really Successful?

Want to be really successful? There is a secret that the most successful people have mastered. Want to know what it is?

The most successful people developed the habit of preparation early in life. They were the ones that did all their homework every night and never cut corners. When they had to read a book they read the whole book and when an assignment was due or a test was given they were preparing in writing. Because of this, they did better in school, got into better colleges and graduate schools and received better job opportunities.

If you are like a lot of people and do not prepare in writing it is never too late to start. Prepare for meetings, calls, presentations, interviews, etc. When you get a new gadget, read the instructions. You will be so rare that people will wonder why you are all of a sudden being so successful. Practice written preparation until it becomes a habit (usually takes 6 months of constant practice). Remember, written preparation is 90% of success.

Make preparation part of you personal and company culture and watch how successful you and your company become.

"Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast" Peter Drucker