Heatherized

Principle of Influence – The Law of Reciprocity

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This blog is going to discuss one of the principles for influence, the Law of Reciprocity which I like to call ‘the boomerang effect.’

This is part 2 of a 7 part blog series. You can view the previous blog here http://heatherized.com/building-influence-analytically-minded-people-2/

Reciprocity
Reciprocity is when you do something for someone expecting nothing in return. This is usually something that helped another person but what happens is later on, they will help you. They feel obligated to reciprocate and assist you.

A number of research studies have been done on this phenomenon and some psychologists called this the reciprocity law. One study that was conducted by a psychologist at Chicago’s O’Hare airport where they sat and observed everyone’s behavior. At the time, members of Hare Krishna would come up to you and present you with a handmade flower. They would hand you the flower despite your many protests as you were hurried and were trying to balance your bags while making it to your next gate in time or go to baggage claim. But this group was so insistent and direct that you would ultimately grab it and shove it in your pocket or stuff it somewhere. Then they would ask you for a donation. While you had no intention of giving them money, psychologists found that people felt obligated. Everyone reached in their pockets to pull out a dollar and hand it to them but a few steps later, they would throw the flower away. This study highlighted the fact that people were feeling a high percentage of obligation because they got something for free and they fell obligated to return that favor.

This study can be used to influence people which I affectionately refer to as “life credits.” I will go and do something good for my neighbors so when I’m in a jam they’ll help me out! Look at how you can help others around you, whether it’s your coworkers, your partner, your clients and see if you can make their lives batter and do something small for them. Step back and watch what happens when you’re in need they’ll help you.

This is one of the first laws of influence which you can use now. Try this law of reciprocity or boomerang effect on your friends, neighbors, coworkers and let me know how it goes by posting a comment.

If you want to read more about this phenomenon, take a look at this link which references Dr. Robert Cialdini’s study on the Hare Krishna at Chicago’s O’Hare airport. http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/11/26/165570502/give-and-take-how-the-rule-of-reciprocation-binds-us

    How to Look Good on Web Meetings

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    How to Look Great on Web Meetings

    Over 90% of communication is non-verbal. By leveraging video camera in your web meetings, you can significantly increase the communication and build rapport. But before you turn on your camera, you need to follow the below steps to look fabulous.
    1. Get a High Definition Camera, one may already be in your laptop.
    2. Position the camera above you by stacking books to eliminate wrinkles and chins.
    3. Make sure you have good lighting that is behind the camera.
    4. What’s in the background, people will snoop.
    5. Look good:
    a. No Gum
    b. What’s Your Mug Say?
    c. Don’t Look Disheveled
    6. No multitasking – be 100% present
    7. Position your image on the screen to be under your camera to not look shifty eyed.
    8. Invest in a Quality USB Microphone. Look good and sound good.
    9. Photo ready make-up up makes you look great.
    Homework –
    * Get a good HD Camera.
    * Record yourself to self-evaluate.
    * Go on camera for your next web meeting.

    Backpacking and Business Analytics

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    Backpacking and Business Analytics – they have much in common

    Three things you need to implement to be successful with Business Analytics:


    1. Use the resources available to you. You can’t go it alone. You need to build your relationship throughout the organization. When you ask for assistance or help, make sure you consider what’s in it for the person you are asking. You need to clearly communicate why it’s beneficial for them to help you. Remember, you are not scalable. You have to build a team, teach others, and trust that sometimes good, is good enough.


    2. Be resourceful and be prepared – Projects always have curveballs. You may think you have perfect data, only to realize it’s maybe not so perfect. When this happens, get creative. Creative minds are resourceful. If your life depended on accomplishing the goal, how could you do it? Allow crazy ideas. Sometimes crazy works!


    3. Learn to find your inner MacGyver to solve problems – Remember the 80’s TV show where MacGyver could get out of dicey situation with duct tape a shoe string and a match. Most of us don’t have unlimited time, money, and resources. So you have to learn to work with what you have to deliver some results while creating a plan for the future. This may mean building a data mart in TM1 instead of waiting for your financial data to get into the warehouse. But when you implement workarounds, make sure everyone knows it’s temporary and create a plan to do it the right way.

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