Listening

LISTEN & QUESTION Your Way to Success

“be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” James 1:19

Asking the right questions at the right time, listening to the answer and responding appropriately to what you have heard are probably the most important skills to learn for success in life and in business. Very few have these skills, but they’re not hard to develop; only a desire and practice are needed.

We often say “we are paid for talking to people”, which is true; but perhaps it would be better to say “we are paid for listening to people”, then responding appropriately. Michael Oliver teaches that a common mistake is to jump into giving your ‘presentation’ (telling your Juice Plus+ Story) before you have identified a need, the problem that Juice Plus+ could solve. That happens when we don’t ask good questions and listen well.

How do we know we need to improve our conversation skills? Ask yourself if you are aware of any of these ‘red flags’ in recent conversations we’ve had (I confess to most of these!):

  • talking too much
  • talking more than listening (we have two ears and one mouth)
  • talking about yourself (too much)
  • not really listening
  • giving inappropriate ‘advice’
  • being ‘right’
  • needing to ‘be heard’
  • distracted (your mind wandering)
  • not paying attention (because you are preparing your response)
  • not maintaining appropriate eye contact
  • not smiling (when appropriate)

For example, when I realize I’ve been talking for 2 minutes non-stop (or the other person’s eyes are glazing over – watch for this by maintaining good eye contact), I need to stop, take a breath and ask a question. My favorite is “does that make any sense to you?” or “what do you think?”. The conversation (like tennis) will go a lot better if I return the ball across the net instead of holding onto it.

When I’ve been giving someone an answer to their own question, the same applies, only this time it’s best to ask “but, tell me, why did you ask?” If their question was “can Juice Plus+ help someone with (xyz disease or problem)?” and I quoted Dr. Paul Williams “there isn’t a single disease or condition that cannot be helped by good nutrition”, when I continue with “but why did you ask?”, I’m going to find out where they are coming from; whether they or a family member has that problem, or was it just academic interest. When I know the answer, our conversation will be much more meaningful.

From their answers to your questions will flow a conversation that, if appropriate, will open doors for you to tell your story, to share about Juice Plus+ or your business in a way that feels natural and comfortable for you and forthem. That’s so important! It will happen that way, I promise!

If I hear the dreaded “is this business like Amway?” and I’ve answered “we have the best of the Amway approach, minus the worst, plus a lot more”, and I continue “but why did you ask?”, I will discover whether they are allergic to ‘pyramids’ or are excited at the combination of the incredible product Juice Plus+ together with the best of ‘Amway’.

If you are in a conversation and can’t get a word in edgeways, or the conversation has gone down some crazy rabbit hole and you want to bring it back, interrupt ‘nicely’ and buy some time by asking “excuse me, do you mind if I ask a question?” By this point you should have a question to ask that will get you both back on track or one that will hopefully allow you to make it a dialogue rather than a monologue, and even get your point across in the form of a question “do you think it’s possible that eating more fruits and vegetables could help you sleep better at night?”.

Reflective listening is another dimension where you reflect back what you understand the person has been saying, for confirmation or clarification. “So, you are saying that you eat lots of fruits and vegetables every day, and a wide variety.” This can be done more effectively in the form of a question: “Are you saying that you follow the expert recommendation of eating 9-13 servings of fruits and vegetables every day and in a wide variety?”

There are so many questions that you can ask, but relax; good questions will come to mind when your mind is open to asking questions. Practice asking questions in every conversation you are in – not to open the door for Juice Plus+, but because you are interested in the other person, and so that you can develop, and in time master, the skill.

Michael Oliver offers his considerable expertise on The Art of Discovery.

Here are some of the most common questions we ask during the stages of working the Juice Plus+ business … just remember that the art of good conversation is listening to their answers.

STAGE

QUESTIONS

Casual Conversation

What are you doing for nutrition? … to boost your immune system?

Do you get 7-13 servings of fruits and vegetables every day?

Did you know you can get fruits and vegetables in capsules these day?

Sharing Juice Plus+ 

Do you have an interest in health and nutrition? … can I share something with you?

Would you listen to this CD/watch this DVD/online video?

Following up the CD/DVD  

What did you enjoy most on the CD/DVD/video?

Is your health worth $2.50 a day?

Would you try Juice Plus+ for 4 months to see what it might do for you?

Does Juice Plus+ make sense to you? Are you ready to get started?

Taking the Order 

Would you prefer to pay by credit card or debit card/direct bank debit?

Following up with your Customer

What changes have you noticed since you started taking Juice Plus+?

(Use the Juice Plus+ Experience Survey)

 Following up after an Event

 “What did you like best about what you heard?”

 “Are you open for more information?”

 “What information do you need to make an informed decision?”

Prospecting for Recruits 

I love this business … who do you know who might need Juice Plus+?

(Ask this while using the Juice Plus+ Experience Survey)

Recruiting   

This may not be for you, but would you give me 30 minutes to show you what I do?

Sponsoring


Why do you want to be adistributor?

When can we go through your Starter Guide Training?

Which of these best describes you? (Owner’s Manual page 1)

How much time per week can you invest in your business?

How much income you would like to make, by when? Be specific.

How many contacts will you list on your “Memory Jogger“?