go beyond words — training and development for educational, corporate and personal effectiveness

Due to Albert Mehrabian’s research (1971) on nonverbal communication we now know that up to 93% of face-to-face communication can be transmitted nonverbally.

Our programs help today’s business professional use nonverbal communication systematically. Clear communication builds strong relationships, which increase influence in the workplace.

Focusing on nonverbal communication:

Creates the Biggest Impact

Focusing on the nonverbal aspects of communication dramatically increases effectiveness due to nonverbal communication translating up to 93% of the message. Learning how nonverbal communication assists with the verbal presentation makes a tremendous difference in terms of building rapport with customers, ease in managing others and increased leadership.

Ensures Congruency

Research reveals that when a person’s words and body language disagree, the listener believes the body language. Developing congruency between verbal and nonverbal messages ensures 100% transmission of the intended message. Listeners view a congruent speaker as intelligent and credible.

Expands Influence

Utilizing nonverbal communication helps end stressful interactions in the workplace. Cooperation can be won instead of being demanded. Employees are more willing to put aside their personal agendas and work as a team when managed through influence. The power of nonverbal communication persuades and engages others to be and do their best.

Builds rapport with customers

Trust is the foundation of any sales relationship. Research reveals that customers rate trust as the #1 reason for choosing to do business with someone. Understanding the underlying messages transmitted through nonverbal communication increases the ability to engage the trust of customers.

Builds Relationships

When the impact of nonverbal cues is understood, it leads to a better understanding of a client, colleague or supervisor. When people understand each other misunderstandings are reduced and relationships increase.

Helps manage difficult personalities

When attempting to create relationships with difficult personalities verbal strategies are usually employed. This often backfires due to the tendency of words to be misconstrued. Using nonverbal strategies to navigate difficult relationships improves communication, which leads to less stressful interactions.

Assists in Delivery of Negative Information

Often when relaying negative information, the listener receives the news as an attack. Eye contact, voice patterns, and seating arrangements all affect the receptivity of the listener to the information being presented. Using these strategies, the person delivering the message is perceived as fair and the person receiving it is able to focus on the content without blaming the messenger for relaying it.

Assists In Mediating Conflict

Negotiating conflict is often attempted at the relationship level. If the conflict is not resolved amicably the relationship inevitably suffers. Using nonverbal techniques to assist in conflict negotiations preserves the relationship by separating the content (issue) from the people involved (relationship).

Increases Efficiency

Going visual with information increases efficiency. Visual information lowers the stress of the listener, increases retention, and leads to fewer misunderstandings. Nonverbal techniques focus on the use of visuals to assist with the delivery of information. This leads to more efficient meetings, staff trainings and an increase in the success of sales presentations.

Improves Presentations

Every business professional must at one time or another present information to a group, supervisor or customer. Using gestures appropriately, varying voice volume and speed, and understanding how to read the needs of an audience all contribute to a successful presentation.