Talk Lean

The businessperson's guide to saying what needs to be said and asking questions that need to be asked

In the business world, the first step to great results is good communication. Talk Lean uses original research and a fresh approach to teach businesspeople how to say difficult things and ask difficult questions in a way that is positive, effective, and comfortable for everyone involved. You'll learn how to begin meetings and conversations in a way that is succinct, empathetic, and effective, while putting people in a positive and receptive frame of mind. You'll learn how to listen and respond during meetings to maximise both productivity and empathy and how to close meetings in positive ways that lead to great results.

• Offers proven techniques for improving communication and making an impact professionally
• Written by Alan Palmer, head of Interactifs UK, which offers communication coaching to major corporate clients
• Ideal for executives, team leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone whose success depends on great communication

“"There is plenty of practical advice here and, as you'd expect in a book on this subject, the tone is concise and precise…Widespread adoption of these practices would, in theory, mean an end to those long, unproductive meetings. Reason enough to recommend it." (Economia, December 2013)”

"Talk Lean should be mandatory for any negotiator, manager, employee.... Everyone." (Valeurs et Management, April 2014)

"For sales people in particular, meetings are an important part of working life. To get the most out of them, welcome to Talk Lean...." (Sales Initiative, March 2014)

"This straightforward book helps you meet a middle ground in communicating frankly, courteously and effectively." (Talk Business, January 2014)

"There is plenty of practical advice here and, as you'd expect in a book on this subject, the tone is concise and precise.... Widespread adoption of these practices would, in theory, mean an end to those long, unproductive meetings. Reason enough to recommend it." (Economia, December 2013)

"Talk Lean deserves to be the definitive text of its kind for years to come." (Elite Business, December 2013)

Alan Palmer was educated at Oxford and INSEAD and has spent most of his career working for advertising agencies and management consultancies in London and Paris. He is a senior figure at Interactifs, who provide coaching and training to a variety of major clients from financial services to the car industry, from business schools to manufacturing companies. The company is based in France but operates in some 20 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America. Alan runs the UK operation of the business, which incorporates English-speaking divisions of Interactifs France's clients as well as customers unique to the UK.

Don't beat around the bush We all instinctively feel greater respect for people who speak to us frankly. In business - indeed in most walks of life - there isn't time to waste with endless niceties, waffle and small talk. But of course you won't achieve much if you simply try to bulldoze your way through meetings and conversations. There has to be a middle ground - a way of communicating that gets straight to the point and ensures you get the result you want, quickly - but without alienating anyone. You need to be candid, but courteous - you need to talk lean. Based on a highly successful business training programme, Talk Lean will show you how to be clear, focussed and effective, by saying what you really mean in a way that everyone will respond to. You will learn how to: Open meetings and conversations in a succinct, empathetic and effective way Listen more effectively to others and respond to them in ways which will get results Generate trust and confidence and put others in a positive, receptive frame of mind Achieve more tangible results and develop better relationships " Talk Lean is powerful and practical! If you want to regain control of your agenda, become a more effective leader and have greater impact in your business, Talk Lean is an excellent reference." --Tony Latham, Vice-President Finance, Unilever, North Asia "Identifies the traps we all fall into in dealing with others and provides unique insight in how to be more productive, open and straightforward - and hopefully to feel better too." --Andrew Shilston, Non-Executive Director, BP

Don t beat around the bush We all instinctively feel greater respect for people who speak to us frankly. In business indeed in most walks of life there isn t time to waste with endless niceties, waffle and small talk. But of course you won t achieve much if you simply try to bulldoze your way through meetings and conversations. There has to be a middle ground a way of communicating that gets straight to the point and ensures you get the result you want, quickly but without alienating anyone. You need to be candid, but courteous you need to talk lean. Based on a highly successful business training programme, Talk Lean will show you how to be clear, focussed and effective, by saying what you really mean in a way that everyone will respond to. You will learn how to: Open meetings and conversations in a succinct, empathetic and effective way Listen more effectively to others and respond to them in ways which will get results Generate trust and confidence and put others in a positive, receptive frame of mind Achieve more tangible results and develop better relationships Talk Lean is powerful and practical! If you want to regain control of your agenda, become a more effective leader and have greater impact in your business, Talk Lean is an excellent reference. Tony Latham, Vice-President Finance, Unilever, North Asia Identifies the traps we all fall into in dealing with others and provides unique insight in how to be more productive, open and straightforward and hopefully to feel better too. Andrew Shilston, Non-Executive Director, BP

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