Reply to: Client Facing Skills: How Do You Get Them?

[helpFul]

Client Facing Skills

"Alright"

You don't want to be using these non-existent words.

[SueEllen]

The problem is love is that I do read. I read the Internet. I read every single day. How else does everyone survive? So you cannot suggest.

If you read a variety of material you would see the clear difference of writing something aimed at people who are reading on a computer screen, reading because they had a short time to find out the main points in a news story/information, reading to find out the maximum information possible or reading for enjoyment.

This is taught to 13-14 year olds in school before doing GCSEs, and if you did O'Levels you were definitely taught this even if you didn't pay attention or couldn't understand why people use different writing styles.

Also you were ready told not to call someone "bro" in a professional setting so why do you think it's appropriate to call me "love"?

This is a professional forum not General and until you can communicate better in writing it's best to stay away from such language.

[Scoi]

As well as speaking I think there may be a problem with listening and understanding the message being transmitted. It's a simple process we all learn but some people don't seem to be very good at it.

Listen (don't just hear), understand (completely), compute (all aspects, don't go off on a tangent), respond clearly (so everyone understands you).

Whichever part of that process is the worst try and fix it. If you think you're fine at all of it then obviously you aren't aware of where the problem lies and you need someone to point it out to you, it could be a technical aspect or a soft skill that you are weak at but there is something you just need to find it.

You don't seem to be reading your posts before hitting send. After you write something, switch your mind set and read it as if you were someone else and make the necessary changes so it gets the message across better.

[NotAllThere]

Of course, I am English.

I just do not like writing at all. I got a flipping 'F' in O'Level English. In fact, I hate writing, because I am not good at it. I prefer the sciences, which I did in A'Level before a year out travelling Europe and then doing a sandwich Physics degree at University. I so much prefer speaking rather than writing..

If you speak as well as you write, then perhaps a speaking course would be a good idea.

If you speak rather better than your write, then why not write as you speak?

[cojak]

The problem is love is that I do read. I read the Internet. I read every single day. How else does everyone survive? So you cannot suggest.

You have received as much advice as we can offer. I would suggest re-read the thread, buy the recommended books, read them and make an action plan on how to strengthen core skills that you have acknowledged are weak.

I would also advise that you seek a mentor, someone whom you trust and respect and whose advice you feel worthy enough to act upon.

Possibly this chap.

Just before my first son was born I got in a bit of a pickle at work and decided to get some advice. Went to this guy...
Manage Lead Succeed - Just another WordPress site

I've given him a plug as I paid up front for 5 sessions to get a discount. After an hour he'd given me some exercises to do at work - and I never needed to go back. Seemed I had a problem with assertiveness. I'm chatty friendly and a good team player, but generally too helpful and was taking on too much. And also wouldn't ask for what I wanted for fear of not getting it.

The best bit was I took voluntary redundancy, asked for 6 weeks paid garden leave and to go home the very next day as my wife was due with my son. My boss said yes. If you don't ask you don't get was never more true!

[northernladuk]

The problem is love is that I do read. I read the Internet. I read every single day. How else does everyone survive? So you cannot suggest.

Just a shame you don't read what you type as well...

[rocktronAMP]

Can I suggest you spend some of your spare time reading books, newspapers and journals? It will help improve your written English. Even reading books on skills as already suggested will help you.

The problem is love is that I do read. I read the Internet. I read every single day. How else does everyone survive? So you cannot suggest.

[SueEllen]

Hi

It is the Old-age Pensioner here:

What if I said that actually I were actually "a bro" ? I suppose it does not matter really. Let us just say this client person was the client, his ethnic origin was south east Asian. He was / is inspiring manager, who was brought over here several years go, got a promotion at the bank long before as we consultants (including me) arrived on the scene. What if I said that this person during a critical phase in the train-wreck project that was my assignment was overworked? He gave me and others in the team far too much work to do, and at the time it was my fault was that I did not push back the workload. I will also put my hand up and say I could have given more extra care with the fellow, permanent employee/decision/team manager to make sure he was always prioritised with needs, say "consultancy care" if you like, over.

During this assignment, I though the strategy was grin and bear it, get through to the end. I realise now that was incomplete. In fact, you have to bend over forward and backward and if necessary take it up all the way.

Anyway, what quantifies seniority in your map of the world?

Can I suggest you spend some of your spare time reading books, newspapers and journals? It will help improve your written English. Even reading books on skills as already suggested will help you.

[captainham]

During this assignment, I though the strategy was grin and bear it, get through to the end. I realise now that was incomplete. In fact, you have to bend over forward and backward and if necessary take it up all the way.

Errrrrmmmmmmmmmm......okayyyyyyyyy.

[rocktronAMP]

That leads back to my initial post about showing more respect to those clearly more senior and experienced than OP. And to those less of experienced of course to state the obvious.

Hi

It is the Old-age Pensioner here:

What if I said that actually I were actually "a bro" ? I suppose it does not matter really. Let us just say this client person was the client, his ethnic origin was south east Asian. He was / is inspiring manager, who was brought over here several years go, got a promotion at the bank long before as we consultants (including me) arrived on the scene. What if I said that this person during a critical phase in the train-wreck project that was my assignment was overworked? He gave me and others in the team far too much work to do, and at the time it was my fault was that I did not push back the workload. I will also put my hand up and say I could have given more extra care with the fellow, permanent employee/decision/team manager to make sure he was always prioritised with needs, say "consultancy care" if you like, over.

During this assignment, I though the strategy was grin and bear it, get through to the end. I realise now that was incomplete. In fact, you have to bend over forward and backward and if necessary take it up all the way.

Anyway, what quantifies seniority in your map of the world?

[Taita]

Love it!

[kaiser78]

Whilst not wanting to demean the professional forums I consider someone referring to another as "a bro" means he probably has bigger issues than simple written communication problems.

That leads back to my initial post about showing more respect to those clearly more senior and experienced than OP. And to those less of experienced of course to state the obvious.

[bless 'em all]

To be fair IR35FanClub, rocktronAMP seems to have a few more problems than you.

For starters he clearly claims he doesn't like communicating with people in writing because he is not any good.

Yet he doesn't seem to want to practise.

Whilst not wanting to demean the professional forums I consider someone referring to another as "a bro" means he probably has bigger issues than simple written communication problems.

[SueEllen]

To be fair IR35FanClub, rocktronAMP seems to have a few more problems than you.

For starters he clearly claims he doesn't like communicating with people in writing because he is not any good.

Yet he doesn't seem to want to practise.

[IR35FanClub]

Just before my first son was born I got in a bit of a pickle at work and decided to get some advice. Went to this guy...
Manage Lead Succeed - Just another WordPress site

I've given him a plug as I paid up front for 5 sessions to get a discount. After an hour he'd given me some exercises to do at work - and I never needed to go back. Seemed I had a problem with assertiveness. I'm chatty friendly and a good team player, but generally too helpful and was taking on too much. And also wouldn't ask for what I wanted for fear of not getting it.

The best bit was I took voluntary redundancy, asked for 6 weeks paid garden leave and to go home the very next day as my wife was due with my son. My boss said yes. If you don't ask you don't get was never more true!