When most of us began
our careers as we started a new business relationship the goal was a face
to face meeting. We made a number of calls with one objective, get in
front of the prospect to build rapport. Once we got the green light to
meet face to face, we were excited. We put on the power suit, polished
our shoes, stopped at the carwash and made sure we were smiling for that
critical 20 seconds to make an unforgettable first impression. When we
meet face to face with owners, clients, and tenants less than half of the
impression is placed in what we say. The focus is on our tone, body
language, facial expressions, and dress. Today we have so many more
options to communicate and build rapport. How many of us have clients we
would not be able to pick out of a line up?
Professionals today
are constantly connected through technology via emails, voicemails, text
messages, instant alerts, office phones, mobile phones, PDAs,
Blackberrys,
and Trios. For some of us, we no longer remember life without electronics
glued to our fingers and ears. Although there are a number of new ways to
communicate, the basic rules have not changed. The foundation of effective communication is still based on listening, respect, and
flexibility.
Listen:
1.
Mirror Communications:
If a new owner, client or tenant makes the initial contact, respond with
the same vehicle. If you are contacting someone for the first time,
contact them the way you were introduced to them or their business.
2.
Determine Vehicle:
Once the initial contact is made, make sure you know what is expected
moving forward. Does the contact want to continue communicating via email
or would they prefer calls to the office.
Respect:
3.
Set
Boundaries:
Once you know how you will be communicating set boundaries. Be specific,
tell the contact exactly what your schedule is and when you will be
available and how long it will take to return communications. It is best
to do this upfront so there are no unrealistic expectations.
4.
Request Boundaries:
Ask the contact what times of day are best to reach them, normal
availability, and if there are any times or days they will never be
available. This will help you avoid the dreaded “phone tag.”
Flexibility:
5.
Refresh:
After the initial ground rules are set allow for flexibility. If a
contact is consistently using another vehicle than originally discussed,
as if their preferences have changed.
6.
Update:
Always update your information periodically. When you make the request
include the current information, the easier it is to reply the better the
response.
The type of
communication vehicles available today and their instant connections can
make us forget that even though we are not standing in front of the client
we are still on display. The most popular devices today are written
communication. We still need our power suit, polished shoes, clean car,
and sparkling smile. These items are replaced with our grammar, spelling,
clear delivery, and tone. This is our opportunity to make that perfect
impression every time we communicate. By emailing a client we have the
opportunity to re-read that email a million times and revise it until we
get it just right. We all have a memory of saying the wrong thing and
wishing we could rewind, well this is our opportunity. How many times
have you sent an email about an attached document and not attached the
document? It’s like showing up on the first meeting without your pants.
Every time we answer
an email, reply to a text, leave a voicemail message, it is an
opportunity. It is just as if we were standing in their office, so make
the most of it. The technology we have today has made many things more
efficient, but we need to make sure the same technology is not holding us
back.
Known as the Sixth Avenue
Professional Center this facility contains professional service and medical
users in condominium suites. The facility is located on a seven acre
site with ample parking in a quiet neighborhood, which is close to
Memorial Hospital,
The Surgical Center of York, I-83, Rt. 30 and Rt. 462.
Only four suites remain and are available for lease or sale.
Contact Russell Bardolf for More Information
Featured Tenant
Ann
Gdovin, President, Gdovin Personnel Inc.,
Sixth Avenue
Professional Center, 1600 Sixth Avenue, York, PA
"In
2006, after about a decade in business, I decided to purchase an office
condo. The Sixth Avenue Professional Center turned out to be the ideal
location for our staff and for our business. It offers plenty of parking
and easy access to the highway or downtown York. In addition, the building
houses several medical practices and is within easy distance of hospitals
and medical practices, key audiences for Gdovin Personnel. We are very
pleased to be here.”
--
Ann Gdovin,
President, Gdovin Personnel
Gdovin Personnel Inc. was one
of the earlier tenants at the Sixth Avenue Professional Center. Gdovin
Personnel provides high-quality staffing solutions to
employers in medical and clerical fields. The company, pronounced “DOH-vin,”
has been helping Central Pennsylvania employers find temporary and
permanent workers since 1996.
In 2000, Gdovin
established a medical division to serve the area’s health providers – a
move that coincided with a regional explosion in healthcare employment.
Since that time, the company has placed more qualified applicants with
area health providers than any other agency.
Gdovin
offers permanent placement, intent-to-hire and temporary employment
programs. In addition, Gdovin offers a candidate screening program for
employers and a job-coaching program for jobseekers.
The
company has achieved steady growth by focusing on the evolving needs of
the area’s business community. For more information, visit
www.Gdovin.com.
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