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Ever wondered what
it takes to auction off a priceless Picasso or a rare Egyptian
artifact? The key to success is one word: connection.
Great
auctioneers "connect more spontaneously with bidders," says Jamie Krass,
director of auctions at Christie’s in New York.
"You
want to make everyone comfortable,” he says. “Build a relationship with me.
Don't make me feel like a number."
That
just one bit of sage communication skills advice from an
article about how to become an auctioneer posted on
Careerjournal.com.
Indeed, at
Speechworks, we tell our clients that great communication
is about “connection not perfection.” Just like a great
auctioneer, you want to speak in a
personal, animated way, like you’re having an intense conversation
with a friend.
That connection is
what separates the great auctioneers from the rest, says Krass. "It's not just about eye contact.
To make the bidder go one more, you have to convey that you know his
bid matters to him, and that it matters to you too."
If you
want to connect well during your business presentations, one key is
to think of your presentation as a series of “mini-conversations”
with your listeners.
Look at
a single audience member and chat with her for about eight seconds.
Then randomly move to another audience member until you’ve made eye
contact with everyone in the room. Then make the rounds again.
That
way, everyone will feel that you’ve connected with them personally.
Do that well enough
and you'll be the kind of communicator that, like a great
auctioneer, always makes the sale.
At Speechworks we
help our clients learn how to communicate in a way that connects and
persuades. If you’re interested in becoming a great communicator
give us a call at 404-266-0888 or check out our website at
www.speechworks.net. |
