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Political Animals: What Every Entrepreneur Can Learn from Presidential Debates

And after watching President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney face off in their second, nationally televised presidential debate, I realized entrepreneurs can learn a lot from their performance.

In life and business, we are all familiar with how quickly cluttered, misplaced words can turn a message into a crisis. So imagine, what this means for your business as it pertains to social media etiquette, public relations fails, and overall relationships with the public.

Every communication that is printed on letterhead, designed on sales brochures, posted in social media, emailed to suppliers and pitched to media outlets should convey a succinct message. This requires preparation. This also means that you’ll have to choose between a thousand and one great benefits of doing business with your company, and communicate the most important one with relentless focus.

3. Learn how to build communication bridges.

Let’s face it. Not everyone is your biggest fan and more often than not in politics and business, people will attempt to derail your message.

The best way to combat this is to learn how to bridge. “‘Bridging’ creates a transition so that you can move from one subject to the message you want to communicate. First answer the direct question, then transition to your message. Atlanta media trainer Debbie Wetherhead suggests such bridging phrases as:

– Before we get off that topic, let me just add…
– Let me put that in perspective.
– It’s important to remember that…”

This technique can be applied to various formal situations including speaking engagements, media interviews, and other scenarios where people (including competitors) may attempt to bring out the worst in your business.

Ultimately, making an argument in debate is simply about developing claims based on logical reasoning and proof. Keep this in mind before you make your next decision, send your next communication or derail from your main objective.

What other lessons can entrepreneurs learn from viewing presidential debates? Let me know in the comments section below. Did you miss the 2012 Presidential Debates? If so, view them here.

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Photo Credit: Newsone

 

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