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Well there you have it, the four types have been defined in the simplest terms. However knowing the basic characteristics of the four is just the beggining of being able to understand them.

The thing that complicates understanding the most is the fact that no person is only one personality type. We all change from style to style depending on the situation we are confronted with. We will often reacte completely differently to a situation at work than we would if the same situation involved our friends or family.

The best advice I can give is to understand that everyone is going to be a little bit different and the best thing to do is get to know them and LISTEN. Listen to the things they say and how they are said and people will become much easier to understand.

These are my two cents on the evening,

Chuck

The final of the 4 personality styles is that which I like to refer to as the Perfect Melancholy. This is the person who is the analytical, the deep thinker or the planner. These are the people who seem to slow down the rest but take the time needed to create a masterpiece.

We see perfect melancholy people in all sorts of prominant roles such as artist, singers and accountants. They are often the back bone of the work place, making sure that the details are taken care of to keep things running smoothly. They take the time to ensure things are done right the first time and dont give up until the job is done.

The down side of the perfect melancholy is that they are very slow and deliberate in their actions and do not adapt well to sudden change. They are skeptical by nature and like to learn things for themselves as they don’t trust the judgment of anyone very easily.

When we need it done right, or a long term plan put in place we always look to the perfect melancholy and we know the job will be in good hands.

Cheers,

CB

The peaceful phlegmatic are often the least noticeable of the personality types. They are quite content to fly under the radar and not draw attention to themselves. Peaceful phlegmatic people are very calm cool and collected and quite happy to work their 9-5 shift and not bother anyone. Although they are pecimistic by nature they are not bothered by it.

Peaceful phlegmatic people make great long term employees, as they really have no desire for change and can work consistantly at mundane jobs that would drive the other personalities nuts. They are also very agreeable in that they have no desire to cause trouble.

The downside of peaceful phlegmatic is that they lack motivation and drive. They will rarely take any new initiative themselves and are not self motivated. They also are not likely to take a leadership role.

As a whole the peaceful phlegmatic types are a great addition to the work force as they are dependable long term and you always know what to expect.

Bon Appetite,

CB

The popular sanguine is the life of the party. If you know someone who is popular and dynamic odds are that person is a Popular Sanguine. These people are always willing to help and want to make sure everyone is happy. The end result is not nearly as important as the fact that everyone has a good time.

The downside to the popular sanguine is that they can sometimes inhibit productivity. They can sometimes get wrapped up in office gosip rather than getting important work done. Their currious nature can be both a possitive or a negative depending on how it is taken.

To me the single biggest strength a popular sanguine has is their ability to lighten the mood and help out someone who is feeling blue. The most important thing to remember when dealing with a popular sanguine is that relationships count for a lot, and they always find time for the fluff. Their bubbly outgoing nature is always welcome on a drab day.

Look to the popular sanguine, to keep up the spirits of people. These people make great additions to office life and are a welcome addition to any customer service or phone team.

Cheers,

CB

In dealing with personality types it is always easiest to understand the one you epitomize so I want to begin with Powerful Choleric. The three ways to describe this person are The extrovert, the Doer, the Optimist.

Powerful Cholerics are born leaders and very goal oriented in life. They always move quickly to action and adapt well to change. On the down side they can sometimes find it difficult to slow down or relax. They will often quickly get to the top of their field… but can sometimes find themselves alone at the top.

When dealing with a powerful choleric personality the best approach to take is to quickly get to the point. They do not care much about the story behind things or the fluff that goes along with it. If you want things done, or someone who can deal well in a stressful situation then a powerful choleric comes in handy.

Cheers,

CB

One of my favorite topics to study is that of personality types and personality profiling. I have found it to be invaluable in allowing me to get a read on the people I am speaking with as well as gaining introspection to myself. I am one of the unusual types who has one very overwhelming personality style. Most people are a close blend of a couple but I am firmly in one quadrant.

As entire books have been written on the subject of personality profiling, I am going to break this down into a series of articles so you will have to keep coming back :)… what a shame I know. One of the first lessons that I learned was that if you are not able to put yourself in the shoes of a person you are speaking with you are really only able to communicate with about 25% of the population. Or the group of people who share your personality style.

There are many names given to the personality styles, some prefer to give them colours. I use the names in which I first learned them from a book called Personality Plus by Florence Littauer. She calls them 1. Powerful Choleric 2. Perfect Melancholy 3. Peaceful Phlegmatic 4. Popular Sanguine.

Stay tuned and I will talk about the 4 types and how to best deal with each one.

Cheers,

CB

Today I was reminded once again why it is that so many businesses have trouble. I was in a planning meeting at the Burnaby Board of Trade and we were discussing possible topics for our upcoming small business seminars. The meeting, as often happens, was draw away from new progressive ideas and taken in the direction of tired old business concepts that should have died with the 80s.

As our economy enters into a recession I feel so many companies are missing the point of building long term solid relationships. I beleive the companies who are too busy now to worry about relationships are the ones who are going to be “busy” in bankruptcy proceedings in the coming years.

I always find myself trying to convince people that it is not good ideas, not good marketing or good products that make or break companies. The key ingrediant in all successful companies is good people and good people skills. I want to steal a few lines from one of my favorite articles called “Getting a message to Garcia”. When talking about this type of person Elbert Hubbard states

“Civilization is one long anxious search for just such individuals. Anything such a man asks shall be granted; his kind is so rare that no employer can afford to let him go. He is wanted in every city, town and village- in every office, shop, store and factory. The world cries out for such: he is needed, & needed badly”

These are my thoughts on the subject…..

CB

With all of the networking functions that go on in a city like Vancouver, most business people will find themselves attending meetings from time to time. I would always recommend people attend them regularily, but that is not the topic of today. I think one of the challenges we face is that too often a networking event is seen as a group of potential customers we should be trying to sell to. This is far from the case and will get you nowhere in the fast lane.

A networking function is an opportunity to get to know someone a little bit and discover what he and his company does and has to offer. If you feel there is synergy with your new found friend by all means set an appointment at which you can begin the sales proccess. Do not, I repeat DO NOT, try and make a deal then and there. It is neither the time nor the place.

One of the biggest problems trying to “sell” at a networking event creates is that you miss the opportunity to get to know someone who is not part of your “target market”. What is often overlooked is just because I may not be in your target market, it does not mean I don’t know anyone who is. Some of the most well connected people I know don’t show it. So take the time to establish rapport with everyone, you just never know who they might know. A solid long term relationship is worth way more than on one time deal.

These are just my two cents,

Cheers,

CB

In my ever expanding world of strategic partners and key connections I have taken on a new role with Duocom. I was approached by them to come on in an account managment/ relationship building role which I accepted. I am please to work with them and add more complimentary services to my network.

Having spent many years working in the world of Audio Video, Duocom is a natural fit for me and my endeavors. The world of office technology is changing quickly and there are so many great ways to communicate your message to both customers and co-workers, I am excited about the opportunity.

Cheers,

Chuck

But do it properly… or not at all

Businesses need to embrace the benefits that blogging can deliver, according to Harvard Business School. Though in some circles blogging has gotten a bad rap the US business school says companies should get online and start spreading the word.

In a Harvard Management Communication Letter, the school said blogs enable the brave few “to connect with customers online and advance corporate communications and marketing goals” and added that a well-written blog can boost a company’s credibility. If you don’t want to hear from your customers and critics in a public environment, don’t blog.
In the case of crisis – far from being a PR disaster – a blog can enable companies “to shape the conversation about it”,

Among those already embracing the trend are Boeing, General Motors, Google, HP, IBM, Microsoft, Sun and Yahoo!.

However, the business school suggests companies bear in mind a number of key points such as ensuring readers can comment so the blog remains open and interactive and doesn’t appear a mouthpiece for the company. “Permit both positive and negative posts on your blog and reply to comments made on other blogs pertinent to your area of focus. Respond in a professional and businesslike way. If you don’t want to hear from your customers and critics in a public environment, don’t blog.”

It also urges companies not to allow their PR department anywhere near their blog and put the marketing-speak thesaurus back on the shelf. A blog which is “genuine, conversational and engaging” and which “eschews corporate-speak” is far more effective, it states.
And most importantly, the article tells companies to make a commitment to update the blog regularly once they have told the world they are doing a blog.

This is excellent food for thought when trying to consider whether or not you should be blogging,

My two cents,

CB