「為什麼我的提案總是無疾而終?」、「碰到英文面試,我就知道自己沒機會了。」學生說,每次都到這時才扼腕,學了十年的英文,卻無法說上十分鐘自己的觀點。
其實,不是你英文不夠好,而是沒人教你用英文說出影響力,想要說服別人:
1.首先得先退一步緩和氣氛,解釋原因
2.爭取認同感,以柔克剛
3.提出有力證據或建議
現在,就讓我們來看看,如何用英文聊出影響力,說出感召力。
1.先說「為什麼」:
To inspire people to take actions, always start with why instead of what. Before telling people your idea, give people a reason to listen to your idea.(要讓人行動,先講原因,不要直接介紹內容。開始講你的想法之前,先給人聽的理由。)
表達原因的方式:
So(因此、所以)
Due to/Owing to(由於.....)
Because/Because of (因為.....)
Therefore.....(因此)
例:People now are expecting a faster user experience. So we introduce our latest model that comes with 16GB of RAM.(人們現在都期望操作上能有更快速表現。所以我們最新的型號搭載了 16gb 的 RAM。)
例:There's a lot of traffic today due to the upcoming holiday.(因為即將到來的假期,所以今天交通很繁忙。)
例:Our company’s profits have increased 150% in the past year. Therefore, we’re going to invest in new equipment and training programs.(我們公司去年的獲利增加了150%,所以我們將會投資一些新設備跟教育訓練的課程)
2.爭取認同,建立共識:
Show how you share the same values or experiences. Don’t just talk about what the product can, talk about how that translates into a better experience for the user.(展現你與對方有同樣的價值觀或經歷。不要只談產品的功能,談談這個產品將如何創造更好的使用者經驗。)
因此我們可以用下列幾種開場白:
As we all know that......(我們都知道)
It’s pretty clear that......(很顯然地)
I believe we're all agreed that......(我相信大家都認同)
I know we’ve all had some problems with....(我知道我們跟…有些問題)
例:I believe we're all agreed that this company is our best bet in South Asia.(我相信我們都同意該公司是我們在南亞最好的選擇。)
例:It’s pretty clear that XYZ company has the most market share in smartphones.(XYZ公司很顯然在智慧手機市場裡,擁有最高的市佔率。)
3.態度要熱情真誠:
Always wear passion on your sleeve. It's like a magnet. We're naturally drawn to those who radiate with passion.(熱情像磁鐵,我們天生就被散發熱情的人吸引。)
wear passion/heart on sleeve 表露熱情/情感
讚同他人想法時只說Good、That’s true是不夠的,何不試著用下面的方式來表達你們是站在同一陣線的:
Fabulous!(很讚!)
That's a good idea./That’s not a bad idea.(這想法很好/這想法不賴)
It might work!(這會有效!)I completely agree.(我完全同意)
4.激發他人想法:
Encourage people to talk about themselves. And say what makes them tick and appeals to their interests.(鼓勵人談論他們自己。講話要讓人有動機做事。)
what makes people tick(激發人們的原因)
徵詢對方意見:
What do you suggest?(你會怎麼建議?)
What are your thoughts?(你想法是什麼?)
Do you think this will work?(你覺得這個會有成效嗎?)
5.客氣提出建議:
Avoid giving orders; ask questions instead. Replace "You" and "I" with "Let's." Or try to propose ideas hypothetically. Give suggestions rather than orders.(避免建議像命令,可以用發問的方式。
用「我們」取代「你」、「我」。也可以提出假設的想法討論。)
想讓別人心悅誠服聽你的話,雄辯或是發號施令絕對不管用,我們可以嘗試著用建議或提問的方式,幫別人保留面子,也贏得他們的尊重。
所以有求於對方或要麻煩他人時,我們可以用下列的方式來做開場:
I think we should do.....(我覺得我們應該....)
What if we.....(如果我們.....)
Let's try.....(我們試試.....)
Do you think.....(你認為.....)
例:Do you think you could email me details of your products by this afternoon?(你認為你今天下午前可以你們產品的規格寄給我嗎?)
例:What if we consider another venue for the launch?(如果我們考慮其他發表會的場地呢?)
三個月英文脫胎換骨的一對一