Persuasive Techniques for Teams

Persuasion's Role in Teamwork

Persuasion—the process of trying to change someone's mind through facts and logic—is a critical but often overlooked skill in business. Influencing someone without having authority over them is vital to getting collaborative work done. Open debates using persuasive techniques without conflict are a key sign of good teamwork. Once a decision is made, stakeholders or customers often must be persuaded to support it.

Fortunately, university researchers and advertising experts have been looking into how to influence people to share your point of view since the 1920s. Their results can tell you how to create any kind of persuasive message, be it a memo, letter, speech, or one-on-one conversation.

The Science of Persuasive Writing and Speaking

This 75- to 90-minute course is based on a 350-source master's thesis and other scientific findings. Perfect for a "Brown Bag Lunch" training series, it will teach you how to:

• Define your target audience.
• Determine what motivates them to do what they do.
• Identify and match the benefits of your idea or product to their needs.
• Craft a message that science says will optimize your chances at persuasion.

In the class, students plan and begin drafting messages to address issues in their working or personal lives. Though conducted at your preferred site and customized for your team's real-world issues, the per-person charge is usually less than you would pay for generic off-site training. Contact TeamTrainers right now to provide your group with the persuasion skills that lead to effective teamwork.

Sample feedback from class at Genworth Financial; average ratings of 4.7 out of 5:

"The information I found most useful in this session:"

• "Ways to figure out and address/focus on the needs of your target."
• "Jim Morgan was very engaging. Very organized, the class flowed in the right way."
• "A strategic/logical approach to persuading others."
• "Using benefits of idea and speaking the audience's language."

"What I wish I would have received from this session:"

• "Longer class. He was very good."
• "Got what I wanted."

"Please share any other comments about this session:"

• "Very good class. Very useful. Loved this class."
• "Good job and helpful."
• "Nice that it was interactive."