Money Making Skill #1 - Communication

So, you say you want to make money. And you would prefer to do it from the comfort of your own home. So what type of skills does that really take?

First and foremost...Communication Skills. Yep, that's right. Even though you're working from your home in your bunny slippers, you're going to be communicating with people. Whether it's over the phone, by email, or by carrier pidgeon, there will be other people involved and you'll want to be sure they get whatever message you're giving them, right?

Now you'd think that most of us would know how to communicate by now. After all, we've been talking for longer than we could walk. But the issue isn't whether we can talk...communication is an entirely different animal. It requires that we be understood, that the "right" message (or at least the correct message) gets to the other person the way we intended it to get there. The "telephone" game with cans might have been funny when we were kids, but that sort of miscommunication in the business world could cost you millions of dollars, so you want to make sure you're messages are clear.

So how would you know? Start by asking the people around you that you've been communicating with. Take a look at whether your loved ones are continually having to ask again what you mean...or if there's a glazed-over look in their eyes when you're speaking. There are clues and hints all around you if you're willing to look for them (and recognize them for what they are)....never take it personal that people aren't understanding you. We all have our own personal listening filters as well. However, that's a huge reason that you must continually work on and improve your communication skills. You'll find that the goal is to be able to communicate effectively to all sorts of people, regardless of their filters.

Oh, and for those who have extended educations (as I do), you'll find that letting go of some of that "proper stuff" you were taught at the University will make it much easier for you to be understood by the majority of folks out there....especially if you have a more technical type degree (there's a reason so many people walk past you when you're in a conversation with your techie co-workers...they don't have a CLUE as to what you're saying...nor do they want to - if they did, they would have gotten the same degree you have).

So, be kind to the folks around you and speak at a level that everyone can "get". It will go a long way in building personal as well as business relationships. It will also make money making much simpler...after all, if people don't understand what you're saying, they're not going to stick around long enough to find out what you're offering. Until next time....