Communication Archives

How to Build Customer Relationships (The Sales Bible)

How do you build customer relationships? How important are those relationships to the sales process? In his bestselling classic The Sales Bible, Jeffrey Gitomer discusses how to build customer relationships—whether it’s forging relationships with new or prospective customers or retaining current customers. He provides four steps for handling complaints and offers insights on leveraging existing relationships. Read more to learn how to build customer relationships.

Corrective Feedback: What It Is and How to Use It

What is corrective feedback? Why does the Netflix CEO so strongly believe in corrective feedback? Corrective feedback is a type of ongoing feedback aimed at improving an employee’s performance over time. When done incorrectly, corrective feedback can cause frustration and awkwardness. But, when done properly, it can raise employee performance. Here are Netflix’s guidelines for implementing corrective feedback in the workplace.

Cultural Diversity in the Workplace: Netflix’s Story

Does your company employ people from a diverse range of backgrounds? How can you adapt your policies to accommodate for cultural diversity in the workplace? What can you learn from how Netflix handled this hurdle? In their book No Rules Rules, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings and author Erin Meyer discuss the challenges Netflix faced when it started to grow internationally. He learned two major lessons about working with people from different cultures and now Netflix successfully operates in over 190 countries. Here’s how Netflix CEO Reed Hastings adapted for diversity.

Netflix’s Approach to Organizational Transparency

Is it a good idea for company executives to share sensitive information with all employees, including finances and employee profiles? What practices does Netflix use to ensure organizational transparency? According to Reed Hastings, the CEO of Netflix, there are many benefits of transparency in the workplace. That’s why at Netflix, they are transparent about financial data, job security, mistakes, and even firings. Let’s look at four specific ways that Netflix practices organizational transparency and the positive outcomes that come from this practice.

Netflix’s 360-Degree Assessment Process

Are 360-degree reviews effective at Netflix? Would you give criticism to a coworker if your name was attached to it? Reed Hastings, Netflix’s co-founder and CEO, wrote about his 360-degree assessment process in his book No Rules Rules. At first, Hastings believed that written, anonymous feedback would be given to each employee. But later, he decided that live feedback given from an employee’s coworkers was more effective. Continue reading to learn about the evolution of Netflix’s 360-degree assessment process.

Surrounded by Idiots: The Blue Personality Type

What are the traits of a Blue-dominant person? For what reasons would you seek out a Blue personality? In Thomas Erikson’s book Surrounded by Idiots, Blue personalities are described as meticulous, knowledgeable, and cautious. You would seek out a Blue-dominant person at work if you needed to make sure something is organized and done right the first time. Continue below to learn all about the Blue personality type.

Surrounded by Idiots: The Green Personality Type

What does it mean to have a Green personality? Why would it be a good idea to go to a Green-dominant person for advice? In the book Surrounded by Idiots, Green personality types are described as being introverted, dependable, and caring. At work, you would call on a Green-dominant person if you needed advice from someone down-to-earth and calming. Here’s everything you need to know about the Green personality type.

Surrounded by Idiots: The 4 Types and Body Language

In what ways do Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue personalities act differently? How can understanding the body language of each type help prevent misunderstandings? Thomas Erikson writes in Surrounded by Idiots, the 4 types of personalities each use body language differently. A Red might lean forward while speaking to you, while a Blue might stand back and cross their arms. If you know what to expect from a person, then you won’t misinterpret their feelings. Here’s a breakdown of the body language of each of the 4 personality types.

Tips for Communicating With Different Personality Types

How should you adapt your communication to fit each of the four personality colors? Why will a persuasion technique that works for a Red not work for a Blue? When you work with a team of people, you need to keep in mind that not every person shares your personality type. Instead of getting frustrated and feeling like you’re “surrounded by idiots,” you should try adapting your communication style for each personality type. Here are Thomas Erikson’s tips for communicating with different personality types.

Personality and Communication: The 4 Different Styles

Do you work with a wide variety of personalities? Do you ever struggle to interpret their emails or tone? Thomas Erikson, the author of Surrounded by Idiots, categorizes people into four personality colors: Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue. Each personality has unique characteristics and behaviors that can sometimes make working together difficult. Here’s how to better understand the connection between personality and communication style.