Sometimes sales professionals feel insecure about presenting various products or services that they represent. To overcome the discomfort that naturally occurs when you feel unsure about certain features or benefits, often you will instinctively upgrade your language, believing that doing so will help you sound more professional and more knowledgeable. Actually, however, this practice can hurt you rather than help you in the sales communication process.

Most business professionals are surprised to learn that the Wall Street Journal is written so that it can be understood by readers with an eighth-grade education. When you read this highly respected business publication, you find that potentially unfamiliar terms are always explained within an article and repeatedly defined from one issue to another. Also, article sentence structures are simple, not complex. The editors of The Wall Street Journal know that simplicity and clarity are more important in communicating effectively than impressing their readers with an overly sophisticated vocabulary and writing style. Sales professionals can learn a valuable lesson from the editors of the Journal. When youre communicating with prospects, clients, customers or co-workerswhether verbally or in writing Keep It Simple!

If youre going to err when communicating, you need to do it on the side of simplicity and avoid talking over the heads of your listeners or readers. Even if you find that a prospect is highly educated and knowledgeable about your product line or services , you will always be understood if you keep your words and messages uncomplicated. That means you dont use multisyllable words when a one syllable words will do, and you work to rid your vocabulary of industry or company jargon. If you keep your language simple, youll improve your chances of being understood by everyone that you encounter both in business and in your personal communications.

Virden Thornton

Serving Discriminating Clients Internationally Since 1983

Virden J. Thornton is the founder of The $elling Edge®, Inc., a training and development firm, specializing in sales, telemarketing, customer relations, and management training, coaching and marketing advisory services. He has trained, coached and advised literally hundreds of clients, including Sears Optical, Eastman Kodak, Northern Uniform Supply, The Texas Independent Banker's Association, Deloitte & Touché, Smith Barney, Jefferson Wells International, The Government of The U. S. Virgin Islands, First National Bank of Arizona, City Laundering, Co. and Wal«Mart to name a few.

Virden is the author of Prospecting: The Key To Sales Success, A Realtor's Success Formula, Organizing For Sales Success, and "best sellers" Building & Closing the Sale, 101 Sales Myths. His audio/video tape series entitled Close That Sale, is based on his 50 Minute Series manual Closing: A Process Not A Problem--published by a division of Thompson Learning. He has also authored a client acclaimed self-directed learning series of sales, coaching, customer service, telemarketing, and personal productivity training manuals, outlined in the Books & Manuals section of this site. Virden has a degree in communications (public address emphasis) from the University of Utah.

As a consultant and trainer, Virden has been retained by dozens of banks, savings and loans, and credit unions to help them move from operational, order taking cultures to proactive sales and cross-selling organizations. He has literally trained thousands of sales representatives and managers in businesses as diverse as distribution, auto sales, printing, eye care, uniform and linen rentals, manufacturing, and many others. Virden also specializes in training, coaching and advising service industry professionals (accountants, attorneys, engineers, architects, financial planners, stockbrokers, etc.) in the fine art of "business development."

Virden has taught small business courses at Lorain County Community College in Elyria, Ohio, a bank sales curriculum at the Center For Professional Development, Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas and a short course on selling at the School Of Entrepreneurship, J. Willard And Alice S. Marriott School off Management at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.

Virden and his wife Barbara reside in Avon Lake, Ohio and are the parents of ten children.

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