Comments on: A Dog’s Advice: Listening Matters

By: Ivan

Ivan — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 03:00:44 +0000

Fascinating story. I love how you included your dog in it. Touching. I love it.

By: Aira

Aira — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 02:46:34 +0000

I have a dog at home and I agree with the fact that you can really learn a lot from them. Aside from listening, I also like their genuine care for people. I really love dogs a lot.

By: Ann Gatty

Ann Gatty — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 14:25:24 +0000

Thank you Kathy and Elizabeth for your comments. Yes, Beretta is an immediate hook. And he does give me an entry into starting a conversation. But I must then be willing to listen and understand the patient or “client” perspective. We must stay patient, present and engaged. Focused on the client. Businesses thrive much more easily when they are client focused. Establishing a relationship with your clients will serve you well as you build a business. Beretta has taught me that.

By: Elizabeth Bowers

Elizabeth Bowers — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 13:43:00 +0000

When Beretta goes into a room there is an immediate “hook”. Most everyone has had some type of pet or been exposed to pets so there is a commonality to initiate a conversation. The patient talks because they have something to say related to the dog. The challenge in business is to find the “hook”; what commonality can we find with our clients that will get them to open up? We have to listen and observe to find what is common between us before we can get a meaningful conversation going. Then we have to listen and observe again. It really is all about the client and discovering what they want and what they need — not always the same thing — in order to provide service and develop a relationship. Dogs are so much better at reading people but we can learn.

By: Kathy Taberner

Kathy Taberner — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 20:34:09 +0000

Thank you for including your dog in your story about listening. I think one of the remarkable things about this that dogs are devoted to others and are present for those they care about, connecting in a way that is easy to understand. I think this example is so important because if we are to really listen to others we need to choose to be present, open and focused on the speaker instead of focusing on ourselves ……. just like Beretta!