How to improve your Memory with Mind Mapping

I don’t need this, do I?

Did you know that you can improve your memory with mind-mapping? And why would you? Sometimes we can’t remember what we went into the bedroom for, the name of the person who we’ve known for years in the supermarket, or some dates we set aside for meeting with people which have completely slipped our mind.

improve your memory with mindmapping
Improve your memory with mind-mapping

If you carry a “to do” list and forget to bring it with you to do, it’s helpful to have a few memory joggers.

If you’re a Manager in charge of a team, it can be a monumental task to keep abreast of everything you have to do every day.

A helpful technique is Mind Mapping, created by Tony Buzan, which follows the ways the mind thinks instead of linear or logical listing. Start with the idea or goal. Then allow your mind to roam, connecting thoughts as a way of recalling every element we might need to bring together to achieve our goal.

Branches of colour (colour is the fastest way to align with the way our mind naturally works) curve off the main goal, summed up by a key word). Each holds ideas relating to the goal which need to be taken into consideration.

I like bullet points. This just looks a mess.

Mind Maps are their most useful is where a number of people in a team use them. If you have a large project to work on, contributors can add their ideas to the map as they think of them in the form of branches and key words.

Keep sentences short and punchy. Key words let you know what items or areas might need considering when working on bringing the project to completion. Colourful images which encompass the idea are even better.

For example, if you are designing a house and the branches cover such items for building the roof, ROOF would be the keyword. Or am image of your desired roof.

Next, additions can be made: sloping, slate, tiled, potted, roofing felt, pry bars, asphalt, tin snips, etc. You could do the same for other key words connected to the house such as; finances, architect, staircase, kitchen, etc.

Your design generates itself organically from there. Allow your unconscious to dictate the pace – it holds the answers to a full mind-map and will help you notice areas you hadn’t thought of before.

At work, the goal is to work in a way that helps everybody get the task done with the minimum of stress, maybe a new working model. What elements would that comprise? Here’s where Mind Mapping allows you to open up your creativity, bringing in ideas which connect up rather than writing in a list form. Everyone can see what is important to each individual and the group as a whole immediately.

This simple technique, using the way your mind playfully works, might help you stop leaving your front door keys in the laundry basket!

A Structured Approach to Successful Telephone Calls

Why do we need training to talk to people?

The number of people who do not have a structured approach to making and taking successful calls – their lack of basic skills required to answer the phone is surprising. This includes making sales calls or assisting someone who needs information.

Making successful telephone calls STL courses London
Learning how to be assertive at work can help you achieve better calls

They forget the basics of

  • What message needs communicating
  • Who we need to communicate with
  • The reasons why a call is being made
  • Am I building rapport by reading the callers behaviour and mood properly?
  • What behaviour I am displaying and is it designed to create trust?
  • Am I spending more time listening than talking?

These basics can be learnt and practised quickly, even in the busiest offices.

Using a set of rules on how to answer the phone, demonstrates that you’re taking them seriously and are therefore building trust and rapport early on whilst displaying professionalism.

These simple things make the caller feel you are handling their query intelligently;

  1. State the name of the company slowly so the caller knows they have the right number
  2. Greet them and state your name
  3. Ask ‘how may I help you today’?

Yes, it’s common sense yet we still hear flippant or throwaway remarks which hardly explain anything to the caller. “Hello, John speaking” doesn’t really cut it.

A structured approach saves time in the long run

Let’s say you need to transfer a call.

There is a polite set-method in our course which will ensure you offer the very best customer service, will save time in the long run and show the customer that you’re interested in him and his business.

With correct listening skills you know how the person will respond by asking if you need to place him or her on hold. How you handle angry people will tell them lots about your confidence and assertiveness: it should be neutral but engaged.

Asking the reason for the call means that you can prepare the third party and comes across as efficient and professional. As a receptionist or call centre agent, you may have to deal with 3rd parties regularly and this is a polite filter.

The basics of telephone skills such as the careful spelling of words, place names and taking telephone numbers for call-back are crucial, especially when dealing with people from different cultures.

Practise enquiring about the caller while you are transferring them. Allow something they’ve said or the tone of their voice to impact you. The degree depends on the rapport you have managed to build with them, but it keeps your interest so that you don’t leave them dangling “on hold” or forget their name (two of the worst errors to make.)

How it looks on both sides of the telephone

Always make sure you ultimately do the right things to minimise misunderstandings and reduce conflict. Forbes lists the 5 best things to do. And knowing that you handled them correctly goes a long way to building your confidence. You are the main ‘face’ of the company, and the first impression the customer gets.