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Tips for Organizing Your Thoughts and Communicating Your Concepts

How many times have you come up with a great idea only to receive a lukewarm response – or worse, no reaction at all?

We all want to communicate our ideas in a way that generates positive feedback, encourages others to join our cause, or helps us further our personal or professional agendas.

The way to do it successfully is through organization and planning. Planning causes us to put intention into our ideas, allowing us to purposefully follow a defined process. Organization creates structure. Structure helps our audiences-the people to whom we must communicate our ideas-to grasp our concepts, understand the flow of our thinking, and buy-in to the actions we present to them.

To get started, write down all of the details of your idea – big and small – on note cards. These are the details that make up your big idea. Then create structure by organizing the details by using one or more of these proven organizational methods:

• Deductive – First, put down your central idea. Next, put down the most compelling reasons for the idea, and follow with the points that will convince your audience of each major premise.

• Inductive – Cluster your details into groups that work together, and see how they form a structure that supports your overall idea.

• Problem-Solution – Organize your thoughts according to your response to the following questions:

• Does your anticipated audience perceive that there is a problem, and do they perceive the problem in the same way and to the same degree that you perceive it?
• Do you want to invite your audience to discover and evaluate their own solutions? Or, do you prescribe a recommendation as part of your presentation? Are there competing solutions needing evaluation?

• Whole-Part-Whole (Macro-micro-Macro) – Present the big picture. Then identify which details help summarize the separate parts. And finally, direct attention back to the big picture.

• Chronological Order – Use the details of the present to explain your idea and implementation, or use the future to highlight outcomes, benefits and long-term impacts of your idea. Follow a time line that puts each point you identify into perspective chronologically.

• Cause-Effect – First, organize your thoughts by cause and effect; then consider the value of the counterintuitive vantage point.

• Logistical – Start from a fixed point that makes sense to you and those to whom you will present. If there is a controlling or limiting factor that inhibits your idea, consider making this the starting point. Then follow an order that you can physically take your idea through from point to point.

• Before and After – Determine the “before” situation, then present the “after” condition based on your idea.

• Simple to Complex – Organize your details from easy to difficult, moving in a pattern that is better understood by your audience. This also helps you to see any missed steps.

For any of these organizational structures, when you have note cards (idea details) that do not fit within the structure you choose to present to one audience, set them aside rather than discard them. You may need them for a different organizational structure in order to present to a different audience. They may also be more appropriate to use for a different idea you are sure to have.

The next time you have a big idea with a lot of details, take the time to organize your thoughts in a way that will communicate well with your audience. If your profession or area of interest has adopted a different system of review or hypothesis testing than was presented here, it may be best to maintain that familiar pattern. Consider the benefits of using the organizational structure that best helps your idea shine!

Who do most kids (young or old) ask for advice or suggestions when they are looking for presents for Dad?

The number one answer would probably be their Mom. Moms often have a talent for paying attention and making a mental list when they are browsing the mall or Walmart with Dad, or anyone else for that matter. In all likelihood they have been pulling Dad away from the sporting goods aisle or wallet display for weeks, while admonishing Dad with the words: “Father’s Day is just around the corner.”

Then again, maybe you should go directly to the source for ideas. You can always ask Dad himself. Odds are, if you do it early enough, like a week or more before the big day, he is likely to forget you had the conversation anyway and be totally blown away by the fact that you bought him just what he wanted. Well, maybe not, but there is always a chance.

Try to be a bit creative in how you ask. Don’t just blurt out “What do you want for Father’s Day Dad?” Say something a bit less obvious, like “You know Dad, I was daydreaming the other day that I had $20 (or 30 or 100?) in my pocket that I had to spend on something for myself so I went to (insert your favorite store name) because it is really my favorite store and bought myself a (make up something). Do you think that was foolish? What would you do Dad if you found $(XX) in your pocket and you could spend it only on yourself? Where would you go Dad and what would you get?

Okay, so it isn’t really that clever but Dad will probably play it cool and get into the spirit of the game and give you some good ideas anyway. In the very least, you may get him to identify his favorite store, in which case you can get him a gift certificate or gift card from there and he will be able to go live out the fantasy in real life after Father’s Day.

Could you honestly admit that it’s difficult to find an anniversary gift for your man? Are you also one of the women who get so weak in the knees trying to figure out as to what to give to your man? Do you somehow secretly wish that they would just want boxers as a gift? Shopping presents for guys can be tough. There would be millions of questions that would run through your mind as you buy a gift. You would wonder if he likes the gift. You also have to think if what you gave fits him. Men, they’re just too hard to shop for.

Here are some ideas on what to give for your man on your anniversary. Choosing presents for guys can now be easier because of this guide.

Gift suggestion # 1 Home Theater Recliner

Do you want to splurge on something he would like? A deluxe home theater recliner would be a good gift for him. It’s one comfortable, huge home theater chair. It has built-in wireless system and a 2.1 stereo sound. This will help your man get the best home theater experience ever. It’s really sleek and is covered with black and silver leather. That’s one gift that your guy will surely be thankful for.

Gift Suggestion # 2 Watch Case

Most men love to collect watches. If your guy is one of them, you can give him a watch box made of leather. Choose a box that can hold up to 10 or 15 watches. The watch box from Personal Creations is a great choice. It has an added plush velvet lining. The wood is made of mahogany too. What is more is that, Personal Creations would be happy to engrave the lid with 3-letter monogram.

Gift Suggestion # 3 Golf Lessons with a PGA Pro

Does your man love playing golf? Instead of giving him the entire afternoon to play golf, you can do something else, something extra special. You can pay for golf lessons with a PGA Pro. Your man gets to have the chance to have some private lessons from a PGA professional. Your man will be able to learn new techniques and strategies for him to improve. This gift may not be something worth for keeps but the memories will surely last for a lifetime.

Gift Suggestion # 4 Men’s Dress Watches

Usually, men don’t like wearing jewelries. You could buy him a good watch instead. Try giving him a TechnoMarine or a Tissot watch. You could also ask him as to what brand of watch he likes to make your life easier. If your man can’t tell you one brand that he likes, choose a watch that has a classic look. Most men would rather have a classic watch rather than having a digital watch.

Gift Suggestion # 5 A romantic get-away

If your guy isn’t into something material, you can surprise him with a weekend getaway. You can head up to the mountains, do some little trekking then enjoy a romantic picnic. You can bring a backpack set that can carry your wine glass, food, wine and other stuff.

The professional salesperson knows that the objective of the presentation is to involve the prospect and to get THEM to talk, because if THEY say it, it must be true. Here are 10 simple steps to help prospects see the truth for themselves.

1. Start with direct questions to get specific facts

(“What are you doing now?” / “How long have you worked with them?” / “What sort of service program do they have?”)

Of course, like any good attorney, you’ve done your homework and already know most of these answers. But remember, what you’re doing here is getting the prospect engaged.

2. Casually ask them how they feel about what they’re doing now

(“So, how’s that all going for you?”)

Naturally, they’re going to tell you that everything is fine. If they didn’t think everything was fine, they would already be seeking alternatives.

3. Have them tell you what they are most happy about in how they’re currently doing things

(“What do you like most about what you’re doing now?”)

You might think you’re undermining yourself by having them talk about why they’re happy now. No so! You’re identifying points you’ll need to address with feature/benefit statements later on. And also, you’re not threatening the prospect, and are encouraging them to open up.

4. Uncover an unmet need or dissatisfaction

Let’s face it: You’re not going to make the sale unless you can uncover some need that’s not being addressed or something they’re not satisfied with.

Start with a casual inquiry (“What would you like to do differently if you could?”)

If nothing is cited, ask for something specific (“If there was one thing you could change about what you’re doing now, what would it be?”)

If they still don’t come up with something, address a point about the competition you know to be a problem. But do so in the form of a question so that you don’t appear to be bad-mouthing the competition (“A number of our clients who used to work with that competitor have told us they had numerous problems with invoices and delivery. Has that been your experience?”)

5. Get them to elaborate on the consequences of that unmet need or dissatisfaction

(“How did that affect your receivables and cash flow?”)

Now they’re doing the talking and beginning to realize that they may not be all that happy after all.

6. Keep them talking with a turn-denying regulator

(“Did it really?” / “Ohhhh, no!”)

Son of a gun! Maybe they’re not all that happy after all!

7. Paraphrase what the prospect has said to confirm agreement

(“So you’re telling me you need the thing you like most, but also that unmet need, right?”)

The prospect has just given you permission to talk about what you have to offer

8. NOW and only now do you start to talk, with feature/benefit statements

(“Our product has Feature A, which gives you the thing you like most, and it also has Feature B, which addresses that unmet need. You won’t have those consequences again, will you?”)

You’re not just throwing spaghetti up against the wall hoping something will stick. Your feature/benefits are specifically targeted to what the prospect has said was important to them.

9. Throughout the presentation, respond to a request for information with a closing question

So, when the prospect asks “Do you deliver on weekends?”, don’t say “Yes, we deliver Saturday and Sunday.”, but say “Would Saturday or Sunday be best for you?”

10. Finally, ask for the order, not with a Yes or No question but by confirming a point of agreement

(“Will 500 be enough, or should we go with 600?” / “What credit card will you be using today?”)

Remember these 10 Steps to get the prospect to talk, and make your presentation a winner!

The voice is probably the most important tool of the presenter. It carries most of the content that the audience takes away. One of the oddities of speech is that we can easily tell others what is wrong with their voice, e.g. too fast, too high, too soft, etc., but we have trouble identifying and adjusting our own voices.

There are three main qualities when we talk about vocal abilities:

Volume: How loud the sound is. The goal is to be heard without shouting. Good speakers lower their voice to create anticipation and draw the audience in. They will raise it to emphasize a point.

Tone: The characteristics of a sound. A tuck has a different sound than leaves being rustled by the wind. A voice that carries fear or intimidation can frighten the audience, while a voice that carries laughter or light-heartedness can get the audience to smile.

Pitch: How high or low a note is. From personal experience, a high pitched voice tends to command less attention from the audience.

Pace: This is how long a sound lasts. Talking too fast causes the words and syllables to be short, while talking slowly lengthens them. You should aim for a balanced pace. You can also vary your pace to maintain the audience’s interest.

There are two good methods for improving your voice:

1. Listen to it! Practice listening to your voice while at home, driving, walking, etc. Then when you are at work or with company, monitor your voice to see if you are using it how you want to.

2. One good way to listen to your voice is to follow these following steps. Cup your right hand around your right ear and gently pull the ear forward. Next, cup your left hand around your mouth and direct the sound straight into your ear. This helps you to hear your voice as others hear it. It might be completely different from the voice you thought it was!

Now practice moderating your voice.