How can you improve your listening skills as a franchise professional?

It is very important when listening to others to pay attention to what they say verbally and through body language. Always make eye contact and show genuine empathy for what they are saying. Do not interrupt and keep an open mind, so that your opinions/thoughts don't interfere in how you respond to the person talking. Do not think ahead to what your response will be, as you may miss something that is said. Use active listening skills to "hear" what the person is saying to you. Repeat and clarify anything you don't understand, as this shows the other person you are listening and trying to understand his/her situation. When people feel you genuinely care about what they have to say, they will be more open and willing to speak to you.

Working with franchise candidates it is imperative to listen. If someone has recently lost their job they are in a fragile place and they need to speak about what happened, how they feel about it and what they want to do going forward. If I were to jump in I could miss key points that they want or need to make. Being mindful as to when questions should be asked or when it is appropriate to comment is not always easy especially for someone like me who likes to talk. That has come with time.

Absolutely, clarifying questions should aim to bridge any gaps in communication and ensure both parties are on the same page. By asking clarifying questions, franchise professionals can confirm their understanding of the speaker's message and address any potential misunderstandings or discrepancies. This proactive approach helps to strengthen communication, enhance collaboration, and minimize the risk of miscommunication within the franchise network.

In my experience, assessing listening habits is crucial for improvement. Awareness of tendencies like interrupting or tuning out aids in addressing them. It's essential to listen with an open mind, avoiding preconceptions, and paying attention to non-verbal cues. Asking relevant questions and avoiding assumptions fosters better understanding. Seeking feedback, self-assessment, or reviewing recorded conversations are effective methods for evaluating listening habits and identifying areas for growth.

This is such an important skill to have - in life and in business. These habits are often unconscious and we don't realize when we're doing them. Going in to conversations with an open mind is especially key. We can be so set in our ways, but improvement requires listening and consideration. If you already have your mind made up before going into a conversation, why go into the conversation at all?

Show the person communicating with you that they have your full attention. Sometimes, even nodding along or saying something to remind them you're listening, such as "Got it", or "Right" can get a long way.

Nod your head, ask questions, ask to repeat. Those three things alone will ensure that the person talking knows you are listening.

Our franchisees are enthused with their subject matter. It is about Dogs - who wouldn't be? We often have complex business matters to cover in our meetings such as tax, marketing, branding etc. Often these conversations go off on an off-topic tangent about our furry friends and their owners. I find it bettter to take mental note of where we are to return to "later" while allowing the flow of conversation around the table for a while, before bringing it back to the "boring" subject at hand. Team bonding is important. It can be frustrating for the nerd in the room to lose focus in a session, but getting there via a longer walk leads to a good experience for all.

In my experience, practicing active listening is key to enhancing communication skills. Engage fully with the speaker by maintaining eye contact and showing empathy. Minimize distractions and focus on understanding their message. Paraphrase or summarize to confirm comprehension and show respect for their perspective. Reflect on their feelings or thoughts to demonstrate empathy. Utilize open-ended questions to encourage further dialogue and deeper understanding. By honing active listening techniques, we foster stronger connections and more meaningful interactions.

Par exemple, le consultant en développement de réseau est le ma?tre d’?uvre d’un processus de découverte réciproque : découverte du candidat au nom de l’enseigne, et découverte de l’enseigne par le candidat. L’une de ses compétences premières est de pratiquer l’écoute active, une fois qu’il a re?u le formulaire de candidature et pour recevoir avec le plus d’objectivité possible la présentation du candidat ainsi que ses intentions. Une forte dose d’empathie lui permettra de mettre à l’aise son interlocuteur pour l’amener à se livrer et à dévoiler aussi son ? secret agenda ?.

I’ve always approached each discussion with the intent of finding out what’s on the franchisees mind. What are their current challenges or barriers that I might be able to help with. If you’re curious about these concerns first, then you are more likely to form a stronger bond, one that allows for a more productive relationship.

Empathy towards the speaker is indeed a valuable quality for effective listening. When you approach a conversation with empathy, you are better able to understand the speaker's perspective, feelings, and emotions. This allows you to listen more attentively, respond appropriately, and build stronger relationships based on trust and understanding. Empathy helps create a supportive and respectful communication environment, fostering deeper connections and facilitating more meaningful interactions within the franchise network.

In my experience, listening with curiosity is transformative for communication. Approach each conversation with genuine interest in understanding the speaker's perspective, needs, and goals. Embrace a beginner's mindset, avoiding preconceptions, and judgments. Stay open to diverse viewpoints and seek to learn from each interaction. Express gratitude for the insights shared. By cultivating curiosity, we foster a positive atmosphere, uncover new opportunities, and deepen connections, leading to more enriching and productive conversations.

Le professionnel de l’accompagnement en franchise, et ce malgré tout son bagage d’expérience, sait bien que chaque cas est unique. Chaque franchisé a son propre cadre de référence, ses cartes mentales particulières. Il nourrit des attentes spécifiques avec son projet d’installation, dans un ? contrat psychologique ?, aussi, qui n’appartient qu’à lui. En faisant preuve de curiosité, le professionnel se donne les moyens de le mettre au jour pour définir une stratégie relationnelle et d’accompagnement - qui sera d’autant plus efficace et authentique.

I believe that Listening with curiosity transforms conversations, elevating them from mere exchanges of information to opportunities. When you listen curiously, you approach each dialogue with an open mind, eager to understand the speaker's perspective, insights, and emotions. This mindset encourages asking thoughtful questions and delving deeper into topics, revealing layers of understanding that might otherwise be overlooked. Curiosity-driven listening fosters empathy and strengthens relationships, as it signals to the speaker that their thoughts and experiences are valued. In professional settings, such as in franchising, it can lead to innovative solutions and stronger partnerships by harnessing diverse viewpoints and expertise.

Your purpose should be on point. Be realistic & optimistic in the conversation. Create your space and deliver. Intention needs to be building long term relationships and bring both parties on 1 page.

When I am in meetings with franchise candidates or networking 1:1's I shut everything else off. Phone silenced and is facedown and there are no sound notifications on my computer. All attention is on the person I am meeting with. I type notes while we meet since that further helps me to digest what is being said. Asking questions back using information that has been provided to me during that meeting is very helpful since it helps me to understand that I have the details correct and further solidifies the info into my memory. It also shows the other person that I am fully engaged.

Les professionnels de la franchise ont parfois eu la réputation d’être malicieux. Ils représentent la partie la plus forte dans cette relation d’affaires, et on peut leur prêter des intentions plus affirmées ou dirigées que celles d’un ? simple exploitant ?. Mais cela ne doit pas être vu de manière péjorative : libre à lui d’utiliser cette faculté, lorsqu’elle est avérée, pour la mettre au service d’un résultat. N’oublions pas qu’il est très occupé et qu’il doit optimiser son temps d’interaction avec ses interlocuteurs. En plus, eux-mêmes s’en remettent aussi souvent à lui pour les conseiller, conduire les échanges et coacher la relation.

In my experience, listening with intention is pivotal for effective communication. Define clear objectives before each conversation, whether it's building relationships or resolving conflicts. Keep these goals in mind throughout the interaction. Evaluate your performance afterward and follow up with the speaker as needed to ensure alignment and achieve desired outcomes. By listening with intention, we can foster understanding, collaboration, and achieve our communication goals effectively.

Have a clear purpose and objective when listening to franchisees. Whether it's to address their concerns, gather feedback, or foster a supportive relationship, ensure that your listening efforts are aligned with your goals.

Consider how the franchise was pitched vs how your franchise team is actually delivering to that pitch. Then after the listening part, take action and show results instead of having perpetual listening calls…take notes, hold yourself accountable and deliver changes in the form of support or other action!

In my experience, one aspect worth considering is the importance of empathy in listening. Empathy involves not only understanding the speaker's words but also their emotions, perspective, and underlying needs. By putting ourselves in the speaker's shoes, we can connect on a deeper level and build trust and rapport. Additionally, recognizing and managing our own emotions during conversations can enhance our ability to listen effectively. Embracing empathy fosters a supportive and collaborative environment, leading to more meaningful and productive interactions.

Dos and don’t Dos: 1. Give full attention. 2. Minimize distractions. 3. Focus on words and cues. 4. Use active listening. 5. Create a conducive environment. 6. Manage internal distractions. Don'ts: 1. Avoid multitasking. 2. Don't interrupt. 3. Avoid judging. 4. Stay focused. 5. No electronic distractions. Avoid using phones ?? most difficult task these days 6. Ignore external disturbances.

Listen to understand and not to respond. Listen without being distracted, listen with your entire attention. Set up the environment and space to be able to listen without interruptions. That could mean not listening when driving or while at the gym. Set meetings or conversations when there can be focus undivided. Read widely on the topic of listening. Listen to podcasts, experts on the topic of listening, enroll in courses and relevant training. Ongoing education and learning is always essential in growing in an area. Keep seeking to to explore new developments and insights that can be applied to improve yourself when listening.

When it comes to sales and marketing. Listening is what I think is most important because that's when you can understand the psychology of clients. Be attentive, listen carefully find the gap and fill it. And you hit on point.