 Body Language: Picture Perfect PostureThe Comfort Zone: Physical Proximity and Sales 
Read the Sign: Are You Boring Your Prospects?Unlock Your Secret Weapon: 3 Ways to Win Customers With Your SmileAre You Turning Off Potential Buyers?Body Language for the Prospect's TerritoryThe Perfect Retail Environment: 4 Steps for Turning Visitors into BuyersGestures: 3 Costly Sales MistakesThe Secret to Attentive Communication!The Power of Touching Others!Don't Read This if You're in Sales!Increase Your Sales...These QuestionsYour Feet Say a Lot!Gestures Reinforce Your MessageYour Eyes Show Emotion!Negotiate In Your Favor!How Your Body LanguageCan Convey TrustKeys to a Great First Impression!The Secret Language of Business is Nonverbal CommunicationPast and Future Based QuestioningEffectively Communicating Your Point of View
 Eliot with Kevin Hogan in Las Vegas earlier this year Gestures in Business: Cultural Differences? A Great Impression - It's all inyour hand (shake)!How to Spot a Liar!Persuade Others by Simply Using Your Head!
"Eliot provided some real insight into how non-verbal communication can influence the persuasion process." "Learning that gestures can send a non-conscious communication either matching the verbal message or disagreeing was extremely beneficial for all my future speaking engagements." "Powerful, to the point, content rich this guy delivers the goods!" "Sincere useful information that will become an asset to any business experience. Eliot is a body-language whisperer." "Eliot Hoppe has an entertaining way of bringing home to power of non-verbal communication and its pre-eminent importance in persuasive business." "Eliot's command of body language is only surpassed by his ability to communicate the nuances of a language that most people take for granted. Great content and advice that I will put to work this very day." "Eliot, that was an excellent presentation. Great information on body language. I will use the information immediately. Thank you." "Eliot is the MASTER of "Eliot Hoppe is an energetic and exciting speaker. He couples humor with valuable information to deliver a truly fabulous presentation." "Eliot was fantastic in presenting to us today about body language. His message came across clearly with just the right amount of humor. I look forward to having him present in my training groups in the future." "Eliot taught me very quickly about the importance of body language and how quickly what my non verbal communication is perceived by the people I come in contact with." "Eliot is informative, humorous, engaging – his style is approachable and extremely useful...applies to work and personal life – immediately applicable! Inspiring Speaker!"
"Eliot, Terrific presentation! Thank you for making me realize how to give and accept a proper handshake. Looking eagerly forward to more from you!" "A very fun, warm and sincere fellow. The aspects of body language that he reveals are instantly useable and effective. Easy to trust and likeable." "I felt the information he relayed was very powerful and immediately useable. He has a very relaxed style and is very funny. He was enjoyable to listen to." "Eliot's gentle, welcoming manner reveals his knowledge in non-verbal communication. He not only delivered great information he was very entertaining and everyone in the room enjoyed the experience!" "I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation as in just a matter of minutes I learned a lot about body language that I can definitely use in everyday living. Good job." "Eliot is a fantastic presenter who offers both great actionable content and the ability to break it down so that people at all levels of your organization can relate." "I loved the information on how to counteract someone who is trying to pull a 'power play' while shaking hands. Thanks – great info!" "My experience of Eliot's public speaking was profound and absolutely enjoyable. He demonstrates solid and definite clarity with information that is worthwhile and beneficial for me. An adept and admirable professional." |
Gestures in Business: Cultural Differences?In the world of communication, we focus a lot on what our customer is saying to gain the competitive edge, which includes interpreting their body language and gestures. But we must not forget that it is equally important to pay attention to our own body language and gestures when communicating with others (and not offend the other person in the process). Gestures and body language can communicate as effectively as words. Some might argue, maybe even more than words. In our personal and business lives, careful consideration must be given to whom we are with and where they are from. In sales, do we expect other cultures to adopt our customs in business, or are we willing make an effort to adopt theirs? One thing for sure is that failure to be briefed or prepared when dealing with other cultures can be rather embarrassing. Many years ago, the then President of the United States, Richard Nixon arrived in a foreign country and upon his arrival, stood at the top of the stairs leading to the side door of his Presidential Jet. As he looked over the crowd below him, he had a great smile and proudly raised both hands high in the air, palms facing outward and the index and third fingers raised, and gave a gesture of the famous "Peace" sign as he had done so often before. Immediately, the crowd below began to jeer the President who couldn't figure out why all of a sudden, he was receiving such a rude welcome. The reason was because in the country he was visiting, the two fingered, palms outward "Peace" sign, which was acceptable in North America, was an absolutely offensive symbol to the local people. Imagine, a dignitary from another country visiting yours and "flipping the bird" which in their country meant "greetings". What would your immediate reaction be? In North America, a simple "thumbs up" gesture can mean that things are "great" or even a hitchhiking signal which indicates "I need a ride". However, to the Greeks this gesture signifies "up yours" when accompanied with a rapid upward and slower downward motion. Or, how about the "OK" sign where the index finger and the thumb connect to make an "O" shape and the three remaining fingers point up and slightly flare out. Although acceptable in Western culture to signal that things are "A-OK", in Russia or Turkey, this gesture can represent a sexual insult, specifically an orifice. As you can see, it is really important to know your audience and if traveling to other countries, you need to be aware that some of the most commonly acceptable gestures at home can have a completely different meaning abroad. In some countries such as France and Italy, it is acceptable to exchange a kiss on one or both cheeks while shaking hands upon entering or exiting a business meeting. In other countries such as Japan, this type of behavior is considered impolite as Japanese are not a "touch oriented society". The Japanese have a respectful custom to bow to each other with the most senior status person bowing the least and the least status person having to bow first and display the deepest bend from the waist. Business cards are exchanged and read first in a complex formality. This ritual is to determine the seniority, position or rank of everyone in the room first. Then the bowing gesture commences based on the information read. In some instances, you may wish to invest a few dollars to make a better impression. For instance, while conducting business in Japan, it is wise to have your business card printed in both your language and the Japanese language as well. Although not mandatory, this courtesy is very well received and respected by Japanese business people. What can be learned here?
Remember, in business, it's about being prepared and establishing rapport quickly. Demonstrating sound knowledge of the cultural differences with respect to various gestures and other non verbal signals will get you noticed as being both respectful and prepared. Take the time and invest in a little research to become culturally educated. It might be the competitive edge in your favor which may be the very thing that wins you that big sale. Until next time, |
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"I learned more about non-verbal communication in dealing with business than ever before. The information is extremely valuable. I will be able to use this information today to strengthen my business and personal relationships. Eliot is an extremely experienced communicator and we can all benefit from his information." "I liked him instantly! Very smooth & comfortable to listen to. Great ability to connect with the audience. Was able to get the audience involved effortlessly. Both funny and educational. Great demonstrations of what he was teaching. Look forward to hearing more from him!" "Fantastic seminar!! Eliot is an excellent and sincere speaker on the value of personal interaction. His demonstration of proper touch and handshake has been invaluable. Take advantage of the opportunity to attend an Eliot seminar on body language, you won't be disappointed." "Eliot has helped me bridge my unconscious behavior with my actions to establish my true feelings. Thank you for the invaluable information." "Eliot demonstrated real life subtleties of body language. This information will have a sure-fire effect on anybody who communicates for a living. Better communication means more $ for you and your customers. THANK YOU for the insights." "Your presentation was absolutely wonderful! You were able to create a lot of interest in a subject that I've never had interest in. I'm curious to see your next one." "I loved Eliot because I found his information on dominance in body language to be particularly valuable. I will definitely put this new knowledge to good use in my business and personal life." "I thought I knew everything about body language, but you taught me more in the time you spoke than in many of the years I've studied the art of body language. You are an incredible, impressive and authentic speaker."
"Wow!!! Eliot taught me something that is absolutely part of every sales meeting I've ever been on or ever go to... Truly outstanding!" "One of the greatest body language trainers I have encountered. Simply brilliant!" "Wow, I was very impressed with Eliot's presentation and level of knowledge. He showed me things that I can use now. Great speaker." "From hand shake to mind shake, Eliot delivers smooth, easy to learn and valuable information." "Eliot's demonstration of the various unconscious signals a simple handshake is conveying really hit home. Great value!" "The insights I learned from Eliot about the power plays of something as simple as a handshake was very insightful and I will never look at a handshake the same again and I am sure his technique that he taught me will give me an advantage in all situations – business or social. Thank you Eliot." "Eliot was informative and entertaining. I was engaged every step of the way. A hand shake will never be a hand shake again!" "Eliot's powerfully pragmatic demonstration of non-verbal communication will add directly to my bottom line in 2008. The edge I was looking for in my negotiation tool kit." "Eliot had fascinating, new information on non-verbal communication that even I didn't know (and I know quite a bit about body language). Based on solid knowledge of NLP and proxemics, his principles are useful for any serious business audience. Highly recommended." "It was interesting to learn and understand body language both spoken and unspoken. Shaking hands with another person will never be the same. It was a very pleasant experience to hear you speak." "Eliot was an engaging and knowledgeable speaker. I learned a few things that I can apply immediately to my own work." "Eliot is one of the most knowledgeable as well as likeable presenters I have had the pleasure of seeing. His information on the handshake/power play can instantly help you gain confidence when meeting new people." "Eliot is an amazing speaker. He can really empower sales teams. I am confident that he can help me to achieve more." "Eliot has a great handle on sales. His focus is on the really important stuff. The interpersonal relationships people have with their prospects. Really enjoyed his presentation to us." "After decades of sales trainings and success in sales, I still didn't really know what goes on in a sale until I heard Eliot speak. At last, a true sales Master! And for once I not only stayed awake for the whole talk, but I couldn’t wait to hear more. Thank you Eliot for waking me up to a whole new sales world and even more success!" |
