When I am speaking with a group of people I make sure to establish eye contact with each person. If I am addressing a large group of people where individual eye contact is not possible, I will look to the group in sections.
When meeting with a small group of people, I try to involve each person in the conversation. If I am using a visual aid, I make sure that all members of the group can see the visual aid.
Great points! Listening and eye contact are essential when communicating with groups.
Dr. Jean Norris
By Asking questions to check and listen tentatively to the responses, and keep eye contact with them, when one speaks others should listen to the speaker, syndicates and group workshops is very also important since they are sharing everyone in the room.
Abdul
Katelyn, That is a great practice. Do you find you get a lot of responses?
Dr. Jean Norris
Everyone has mentioned some really good points. At the end of my meetings where there are more than one person, I always make sure to ask each person individually if there are any final questions that they may have. I find that to be helpful in cases where one person may have taken over the conversation, this allows the other attendee to ask something that they may not have had a chance to.
In order to communicate to more than one person you need to know your audience. Obviously the bigger the audience the more difficult it is to know your audience. The message needs to be presented in a manner for all to understand and needs to be engaging. By asking questions to the audience or receiving feedback you are allowing members to be interactive and can ensure that your message is coming through loud and clear.
Lutgarda, Thank you for posting! What do you do when each person in the group has an individual question?
Elizabeth Wheeler
Having all of them engaged, having eye contact with all the persons in the group. Each person is being asked the same question and acknowledging their answers etc.
Sometimes you may have to make a joke, or do something to get them engaged. I will even talk to that person directly for a moment just to make them feel like one of us. Also asking that person a question (kind of putting them on the spot) will almost force them to speak up. "So Jean, what are your thoughts on this?"
Brandon, Agreed! However, what if you have a group member that is a little shy or not participating?
Dr. Jean Norris
The easiest way to focus your communication is by including everyone in the discussion. Make it a group conversation. Speak to everyone. Engage in a group activity. Make it fun.
Ensure that everyone feels included & noone is shut out of the conversation. For example, we always ensure no one in the room has a back turned to them and we are all in an open forum. We leave time for questions and input to ensure everyone in the group can add their input to the conversation
Russell, Involving everyone is a best practice! Nicely done and thank you for posting.
Elizabeth Wheeler
The first thing I do is to find out the names of each person and their relationship with the prospective student. I find out something about each person and rephrase what they say to let them know they are important as well. For each person who asks a question I start to answer by looking at them first and then I make sure to look at the others in the group as I answer the question. I make sure that everyone is involved!
I completely agree! :) Although, it is difficulty sometimes when you have one bad egg in the bunch. How would you handle the one person who is determined not to participate without embarrassing them?
Duane, Great suggestion! Customizing your interview and making each person feel like they are getting the deserved one-on-one attention is great.
Elizabeth Wheeler
I discussed this issue with my territory manager. He suggested only conducting my appointments with one person at a time. I believe this is a better strategy. I can have second appointment review our school calendar and fill out an information sheet while I am conducting the first interview.
Duane, This is a common challenge with group interviews. What are some other possible solutions for a group interview, that includes all parties present?
Elizabeth Wheeler
My students are adults. Usually over age 30. Typically my communication with potential students or current students is one on one. However, occasionally, potential students bring a friend who is also considering school.
3 Challenges:
1. I find the friend is not as committed to the idea as the original client is.
2. The friend is not focused on a specific program in a serious way.
3. They are looking at a completely different program.
So, the question I have is: How do I conduct an effective interview for two individuals looking at different things at the same time? I find this to be very difficult to do in a productive manner. I place more attention and focus on the original lead.
I attempt to share the benefits of our college at the same time since it applies to both individuals. The real challenge is when you need to discuss program content and job possibilities. This is where you have two roads to travel. I find the close rate on a double appointment to be very low compared to single appointments.
Jean Michael, It sounds like you are very organized and offer great customer service to all those in the group. I'm curious, though, do you focus on each individual concern of those in the group if it's a group of people that don't know each other?
Elizabeth Wheeler
