The 6 Benefits of Humor in Business Conversations

 

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The ability to introduce the right joke into a business conversation is often underestimated. Even though the ability to make humor in negotiations is also important to increase intimacy so that business conversations will run smoothly.

According to Kevin J Ryan in an article "Using Humor for Persuasion in Business", there are two reasons why the ability to create humor in business is greatly underestimated.

1. People often misunderstand between comedy and humor. Though the two terms are different. So when they believe that adding jokes to business interactions requires them to act like comedians. If it is misunderstood, then people who add humor to business negotiations are seen as clowns.

2. People often underestimate the power of humor when used intelligently. So they are sometimes reluctant to use conversations interspersed with humor. They consider it imprecise, even despising those who try to be funny in a business conversation.

Using humor doesn't mean imitating your favorite comedian. The important thing is your humor must be smart so people don't think of you as a clown or imitating comedians.

In business, humor is used as a distraction or spice in serious conversations.

According to Kevin, the benefits of humor in business conversations are:

1. To break the ice in a business conversation

2. Strengthen personal communication so that business goals are achieved

3. Make the conversation more interesting

4. Draw attention to certain points of a conversation

5. Assess the client's feelings about a particular subject

6. Make the client more open to new concepts

It does seem far-fetched. However, if you apply humor appropriately in business, then the benefits of joking in business can be achieved.

The function of humor to make clients more open to new ideas is agreed by comedian John Cleese who is also a great observer of human behavior.

"If I can make you laugh, you like me better, which means you are more open to my ideas. If I can get you to laugh at a particular point that I make, by laughing at it, you acknowledge its truth"

For example, when you introduce a product that is good and the most reliable, but the price is expensive in the market. You can convey it with a little joke but can measure the client's interest in your flagship product.

"One of the downsides to this product is that it doesn't generate the same number of service calls as some other brands,"

You say that with a smile and look at your client. Then watch the reaction.

Your humor may result in a wry smile or a nod of the head in agreement. But once again the purpose of your humor is not to make the client laugh out loud.

In business humor, a chuckle, smirk or nod of the head are symbols of approval.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7246397

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