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Do you love chocolate? Do you crave coffee?

Do these colours make you think of chocolate or coffee?

I find my eye is naturally drawn to these colours. I even stop in my tracks and take photos of signs with these colours.

I even buy things based on colour – like these journals.  They came in all sorts of different colours – but I bought the coffee/chocolate coloured ones – a dark one and a lighter “milkier” one.

Now I’m a “bloke” – so I don’t know if I am using the right  colour descriptions – I find these colours remind me of both chocolate and coffee!

Mmmm  chocolate! (said in Homer Simpson voice)

One of my favourite social media heroes is Chris Brogan – and he also seems to love these coffee colours and he is always writing about coffee (and other drinks he happens to be enjoying)

Just look at the colour palette of his site!

You’ll also note the coffee cup icon where you sign up for his newsletter – where he wants you to take action. When you type in your name – your name appears in rich coffee colours.

Chris could have just used standard colours – but no! – the background is like a milky coffee and some of the text is in a darker coffee colour. Compare  Chris’s site to the coffee sign at the start of this post – repeated here…

Once again – I believe the colours of the sign and the coffee cup image  helps prompt the desired action – to buy a coffee! Colours can be shortcuts to emotions and powerful memories.

I am in no way connected with Chris Brogan – other than being an avid student of his engaging, easy-going style.

There are so many ways Chris engages – his writing style, his friendly design etc – and I’ll share my analysis of those “techniques” in other more-business-related posts. For, now I’m just talking about colours – colours you can almost taste!

If you are interested in finding our more about Chris Brogan and engaging for business – I’ll put an link at the end of this post.

If you are just interested in colour – I’ll link to a previous post about the Groovy “Brady Bunch” orange colour and how it attracts many people who grew up watching the Brady Bunch and surrounded by that groovy colour!

My theory is that we associate colours with experiences and memories. Coffee and chocolate colours can remind you of coffee and chocolate tastes.  My coffee/chocolate coloured notebooks are so delicious to look at – it’s a pleasure to use them.

I find dark coffee is stimulating – lighter coffees are more comforting and mellow.

Both colours:

• attract my eye
• prompt positive taste and flavour memories, and
• make me feel good!

This positive sensation often transfers to what is presented to me in those colours.

Anyway, as promised.

1. Here’s a link to the post about that groovy “Brady Bunch” orange colour!

http://sentimentalasanything.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/the-colour-orange-what-memories-do-you-get-from-this-colour-orange/

http://sentimentalasanything.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/the-colour-orange-what-memories-do-you-get-from-this-colour-orange/

2. Here’s a link to Chris Brogan’s site.

http://www.chrisbrogan.com

Click below to see the video:

Dirty Jobs Clip: Owl Pellet Collectors

Here is the link to the activity:

http://blogs.scholastic.com/3_5/2009/02/teaching-moon-phases.html

Conversations occur constantly in every area of your day-to-day life. Sometimes we don’t even notice how many interactions or conversations we had by the days end, but they are happening. What may start out as workplace small talk could potentially become a huge step and growth in your career or even a new opportunity.
When promoting your services or business, a higher level of professionalism may be expected. So being authentic and genuine should be your number one skill but also having a balance of being forthright and directive.

While we can’ t have every possible interaction or conversation you may have or encounter, here are some key points as you look to polish your interpersonal and communication skills and, at the same time, become more authentic in your delivery.

1) Get more information before making a statement. Don’t jump in too fast with your “I know for a facts” and Statements to prove their point is incorrect. Careful not to jump to conclusions. Pause, and ask another question to either get more information for a full understanding of their position or to have them expand so you can gain more understanding.

2) Keep everyone focused on the point, goal and intention. Create common ground on which to share your perspective. This will help people maintain understanding, stay on point with the topic, and to not hit any “hot buttons” that may turn the conversation into a spiraling combustion!

3) Be sure to inquire more than advocate for your position or view!Many times conversations can steer into the wrong direction, or completely in a way you didn’t have planned. Many of the times this can happen if you take a strong stance advocating your position rather than taking the time to ask questions and to see their position or their needs. Stay humble. You may be right, but right in your own mind. There’s always two sides of the coin.

4) Lay it on the Line. Be REAL and authentic! Telling people that you are new, you don’t know all the details yet, you are a work in progress, etc..only shows your authenticity. Honesty shows you are humble, and the conversation will allow people to connect more with you when you come across “human”.

5) Develop a reputation of being a good listener. Be careful to not jump in with the “me too’s” or “you gotta hear when this happened to me”. People are interested in one major person when speaking, and it’s always themselves. To develop better relationships with your clients or soon to be clients, bite your tongue. No need to jump in and fill every pause. Really listen to what they say and respond with a question which will develop and stem off of their previous statements.

6) Be a problem solver. You don’t always need to get a result, sale, or a paid service in your conversations. Listening to your customers needs, and being a problem helper or solver will create a strong bond and relationship. Your solution may not even be one that you can provide for them. Just be that person who is genuine and will recommend or help even if it doesn’t directly benefit you.

7) Develop your Small Talk. “Nice weather we’re having” can get old real fast. Start to develop your initial small talk more than the obvious. You can use your surroundings, kids, something in common, or a compliment. Everyone likes to feel valued. Even if you know everything in the area, maybe ask for their opinion, or suggestions, or advice on the situation. I.e.: Have you eaten at this restaurant before? What is the number one item I should not miss?

Developing your conversational skills is just that, a skill. To some people, it comes a lot easier. Even chatty Kathy’s aren’t always successful at this, just because they are outgoing and chatty. Having a point, directing the conversation with leading questions, and having a genuine interest in helping them in their needs will help you develop stronger relationships and a new following.

Several weeks ago, I saw a note on Evite website that they are looking for users to test new features, etc.  I thought if I participated I would be part of their focus groups, but from the letter below it looks like I’m joining their new loyalty program. That is how Evite is planning to engage members:

Well that last part may not be 100% correct. He’s buying the house I’m merely going with him. . .

Okay time for some back story.

My guy, he’s had it a bit rocky in the relationship department 2 divorces. Yes, that’s right I said two. And I think may be slightly weary of diving in for the third time. Strike number two against me is that he met me in my last year of nursing school when I had 0 money and was living with my mother (( she deserves a post of her own to explain that kind of crazy.. though most of you understand)). And now that I have graduated I’ve flitted from non nursing job to non nursing job to finally land a position that as referenced above, I am starting this week.

SO he says he needs to know I can be an equal financial contributor…. Buying the groceries and doing all the house work doesn’t count, not that I want to be a 24/7 house wife.

So any suggestions on how I can achieve my goal? I’m trying the way to his heart is through his stomach… but I may just give up and go straight for between the third and fourth rib