Examples of persuasion in a business environment

1. The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in virtual meets both internally and externally to ensure continuity of operations during the lockdown periods as well as to successfully manage the exposures between teams and encourage team bubbles. Initially, corporate zoom accounts were created and log-in credentials were issued only to Department heads. This presented some challenges as producers who needed to interact with clients and prospective clients had to route the meeting request through the CEO's secretariat to schedule a meeting and obtain a meeting link invite (details) to share with the client/prospective client. I made a recommendation to the executive body to consider Microsoft Teams as a collaborative tool over Zoom to conduct our meetings. I believe the approach was primarily based on cost, with management trying to control costs. As a result, I tailored the pitch to connect to the Executives and appeal to their interests especially that of the CFO's by making cost and productivity value benefit the primary and secondary focus of the presentation, respectively (Williams, 2020).

The arguments included

• built-in cost in our Microsoft 365 account licenses (no additional costs to utilize the Microsoft Teams platform)
• Embedded in Microsoft Teams is a productivity tracking tool that helps us as a management team track the productivity of those employees who are working remotely.
• Integration to MS Planner allows for scheduling capabilities with access to calendar availability and setting reoccurring meetings.
• integration of the Microsoft suite apps into the Microsoft Teams meeting platform - sharing of documents and team editing features in real-time
• Microsoft Teams includes all the features of the Zoom platform
• Chats, participant logs, and access to shared documents post-meeting are provided under Microsoft Teams. In comparison to Zoom where most of the meeting information is lost after the meeting would have ended. The only exception is the record meeting feature which is limited to visual and audio, only. Microsoft Teams has file storage capacity whilst Zoom does not
• User interface and experience - easy to navigate with quality images and video conference

1. In another scenario, I took on the task of influencing the team to report to work 30mins before their contracted time of work to facilitate a team huddle on Mondays. We are a service company with operating hours from 8:15 am - 4:30 pm. The huddles were deemed important to outline the plans for the week, address any outstanding matters or issues arising the week before, motivate and encourage each other (Monday morning boosters) and create an open forum for idea sharing and interaction. It was marketed as a direct line to management and a fun way to start the week. Unfortunately, our operating hours are identical to the working hours and therefore a meeting at any point during the day is a disruption of service to our clients. Initially, team members were not desirous of reporting to work half-hour earlier mainly because there was no momentary compensation. However, after outlining the benefits and hosting the first few meetings with a handful of persons, the entire team eventually started to participate. It is now an embedded routine. The few persons who participated initially, became agents of change themselves as they reported positive reviews to the others, ultimately influencing their decision to participate.

Benefits of persuasion to influence others

Having someone on the team with a persuasive influence contributes to team-building efforts, comradery, and efficiency. A persuasive team member who has secured the trust of the team would serve well as a change agent. That team member can influence the team to consider a different outlook in line with the new initiative. Additionally, that team member would be a useful channel of communication to broker controversial employee relation topics such as layoffs and structural changes.

Risk of utilizing persuasion

In the business environment, it is likely that persuasion, especially on controversial topics, may be deemed as manipulative attempts to blindly lead persons to accept an idea or change, forcefully without their best interests at heart. Some may also perceive persuasion as an influencer's personal view/act. To minimize this risk, influencers should strive to be transparent and direct in promoting an idea or change. The focus should be on how the recommended idea/change can benefit the intended audience supported by facts.

My skills of persuasion as an agent of positive change

Relationships matter. As a leader and team member, I understand the element of trust that is necessary for persons to be receptive to any recommendations I may make. In addition, I must present myself as an ethical person who operates from a high standard of integrity. This contributes to trust. Team members are most likely to agree to a recommended change/idea if they are confident that the intent is pure without hidden motives.

APA References

Williams, E. (2020, January 21). Effective Persuasive Communication. Small Business - Chron.Com. https://smallbusiness.chron.com/effective-persuasive-communication-56248.html

QUESTION;

• Ask a question about the ways in which your colleague has used persuasion in a business environment.
• Share an insight you gained from your colleague's perspective on the benefits and risks of utilizing persuasion in a business environment.
• Provide an additional suggestion or share your thoughts on your colleague's explanation of how they will use their own skills of persuasion to be an agent of positive change.