Smile

Sandy Paluzzi
The Bead Peddler

In his landmark book, How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie devotes a whole chapter to smiling.  And it is true that there is nothing so endearing as a smile.

Therefore, you should wear a smile in all your business endeavors.  Think about it from a customer's point of view.  If you were a buyer at a craft fair, wouldn't you be likely to browse a table where the seller greets you with a smile and a cheerful hello?  The same goes when you're making a sales call.  A smile goes a long way to establishing your self confidence and setting a genial tone for the meeting.

A smile can also put others at ease.  Have you ever been seated at a networking meeting and noticed a loner looking around the tables nervously?  Smile at that newcomer and they'll be apt to feel welcome and join your table.  Smile hello to your employees and vendors.  Beam at them when they make positive suggestions or do a good job.  You just may see an increase in productivity.  At the very least, you are encouraging a cordial relationship. 

You can probably see the advantages of smiling at people when you greet them in person.  But did you know it is equally important to smile when greeting people on the phone?  There is an old salesperson's adage, "Smile and Dial".  That's because your smile shows in your voice.  Your voice is softer and lighter when you smile.  You can easily prove this to yourself.  Pick a phrase, any phrase and listen to yourself say it.  Then smile and say the same phrase.  Notice the difference?  The people on the other end of the phone certainly will.  In the beginning, it can be difficult to remember to smile when you answer the phone.  One way to solve this problem is to put a mirror near your phone.  Every time the phone rings, take a minute to look in the mirror, smile at yourself, pick up the phone and greet your caller.  In time, it will become natural to you.

In closing, let me say that it doesn't hurt to smile more often in your personal life.  Smile at the people in line at the store, smile at the clerks, smile at people you pass on the street.  And, of course, smile at your loved ones every morning when you first greet them for the day.

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