Monday, February 28, 2011

He & She speaks different languages.

The world is surely an interesting place. There is never a time where a situation is mundane. I don't get people who claimed to be bored. What do I mean when I say people speak different languages? I am not actually relating to the language such as Malay, Japanese, Mandarin, Arab and so on.

The language I am referring to is the different fields that people are attached to. There are many disciplines nowadays and today it is important that people know what language they are speaking. Everyone goes to school from primary to secondary. During the time in school, we are thought the basics. The basics are important in fact to kick-start our career. We go to university to enhance or develop our profession. There are so many professions today such as lawyer, engineer, architect, doctor and so on. There is a diversity of languages.

We as sales people must at least know a little bit of every field so that we can express ourselves well to our potential customers. Not everyone will understand what we are speaking or trying to relate to them because of our differences in language. The whole reason of knowing a wide area of languages is to get along with people from different education background or field.

In sales, especially in the insurance line, we will meet with people from different backgrounds. As I have mentioned about the different professions above, it is important that we know a little about these professions. It is to show that we have taken the initiatives and also to know about the different fields people are into. People are well educated with insurance today and they know the ins and out of the industry especially the life side. The only interesting part is general insurance where a wide range of areas are covered. In general insurance there are motor insurance and non-motor where it includes aviation, burglary, third party risk, fire, and marine and hull.

The cat is speaking to the dog in lay man terms. An engineer can't communicate with an accountant about their technical intellectual and vice-versa. It is always a challenge. The challenge makes life interesting and I don't find life boring at all because there are so many things to learn and to relate. I am for sure sick about listening to people claim that they have nothing to do. Go learn another language! Sincere apologies, I am just ranting about people who come to me claiming that they have nothing to do.

I don't buy the idea about not teaching an old dog new tricks. It is an old saying and I am for sure reluctant to associate with such people who agree with that saying. Not to get me wrong or anything but teaching is definitely a headache especially those who don't pay attention. I agree with the saying let sleeping dogs lie. An old dog despite of its age can surely learn new things and they can renew their talents day by day but it is only those stubborn old dogs who are reluctant to learn new tricks are a problem. Sad to say, there is a high percentage of people who are just too stubborn to learn new things. We shall just leave them aside first.

It is a challenge. Homework has to be done so that we require new skills. Honestly, in every discipline there are basic concepts and principles. It is only how we build on that basic principle. That is when we form complete statements. The idea of innovation is important not buying the idea of imitation but innovation.

Educating is sincerely not an idealistic opinion in the corporate world. The idea doesn't plucked out from thin air. The competition is stiff and only those who are strong enough will survive. Many will fall and only a few will remain. Don't buy the idea of me being selfish or self-centered but in the real world these are the answers. People grow sick as they chase after their dreams and they become weak and tired. They feel that the amount of work they put in doesn't have a true value. They give up and remain at their position. I suggest that we join in the marathon rat race every now and than to keep us fit and healthy. If we are not fit it is hard for us even to be successful. We will get hyper-tension, heart-attack and other chronic sicknesses.

The most important in life is to have principles and always innovate. Touching people's heart is an art and not many people can do so. Those top scorers in school fail because they don't have something which the bible teaches us. What is the most important commandment? I am not going to spit it out but find out for yourself. Mind you, even the very elected will fall. I mean those successful people in the business line where competition is so stiffed that people find it hard to even survive or break-even. Try climbing Mount Everest up and down for three days. Do you think you will make it? I reckon even superman will fail. That is how challenging the world of business is and you will never know but only faith will keep us going. Some might say they don't think too far ahead. Yes, it is true? Why? We might feel upset when we fail to achieve our vision. As for me, I feel whatever the outcome is we must have a vision. A vision would be a direction and everyone has different directions and not everyone has the same outcome. Do not get upset when you don't get the outcome other people are getting because as I have mentioned, everyone has different outcome. As long as we put in afford we will make it. The trick is going an extra step.

I am catching a cold now. *Sneezing*

Saturday, February 5, 2011

A Relationship Game.

The culture in Western part of the globe is totally different compared to the one in Asian countries. The approach are totally opposite in nature. The Western approach is more direct and evasive while the Asian approach is more of relationship building and trust.

In any business there must be trust. Trust is not build over night but years. We have to do a lot of homework and follow-up in order to gain the trust. Trust is build over a time frame and it also can be easily broken. Every step we take must be precise. The trust instilled will be snow-balled to another party and that is the beauty of trust. If we are honest to someone, that someone will introduce to us another party. In this case, our network will grow.

Sincerity is very important. We must not cheat people or gain advantage of others. People are very smart today and if we take advantage of them they will cut us and worst, they will inform others. This will jeopardize our good name. It is always important to be clear. People might not accept our point but with persistence we will surely get there.

Keep the mood going and never sulk. You won't know what might be at the other end of the tunnel. There might be love and also feelings. We should never give up just because of a small glitch or rejection. The concept is same to knowing a person for the first time. You need to get in touch with that person. We can try by having small chats and little ideas and slowly when you feel that the relationship is forming you just give your all. But be honest.

We must find out the reasons why things don't go our way. It is like finding a hidden puzzle. The more clues we have in our mind the better we will solve the problem. People today are very dynamic so we have to adept to the situation in an appropriate manner. We must be well verse with the current issues so that we are able to understand the other party what they are narrating. Try reading a lot especially current issues.

I believe if we treat people well they will in turn treat us well. Never climb over people's head. It is not advisable and it is rude and dominating. Respect the elders because they are the gold of the age and they are wise. You can learn a lot of things from them and trust me you will learn lots where you are unable to get from someone at a fairly young age.

It is good to be knowledgeable but knowledge can only bring us to a certain stage. We must be interpersonal smart. If we can't strike a simple conversation we are total failures. Trust me there are times you just can't speak let alone express yourselves and that is frustrating. You have all the phrases formed in your head but it doesn't come out. That is why you can be the brilliant kid but if you don't have interpersonal skills, you are no better than an average Joe. You are zero if you don't have respect let alone manners because you just can't work out.

Keep building on your knowledge but at the same time get to know more people. You will surely have difficulty knowing people. You must build that bond and it takes time and work to be able to form them. The trick is to take it easy and not to pressure yourself. The best thing works when you are cool. The flow will come when we are calm. I know many people who are good speakers and relationship builders who are cool and confident. It takes lots of practice and care. The result will surely come.