Is the photo familiar?
We all know the debate which decides the fate of the USA politics for the next 4 years.
Still we rarely know how to debate and not to quarell.
Here, at Link, learn students who are managers or sale reps. And they need more than just a language class.
They need to persuade, to offer alternatives and arguments in a debate with their counterparts. All of these in a foreign language.
So here are top 4 tips for a successful debate:
1) Decide on a single resolution and defend it.
Resolutions are positive statements used to focus on the subject of the discussion. For example, Link helps its students to lead a better life through languages they learn here.
Thus if all our energy is aimed at proving one strong statement – rather than a series of minor statements – it will be easier for your prospect to see the value.
2) Develop structured arguments, not just claims.
Apparently a sound argument is made up of three main components: the claim, the data and the warrant.
The claim is the central idea you’re asserting. For example “Link delivers classes wherever necessary, either face to face or online”. But this doesn’t prove anything, it’s just a statement.
The data is the evidence that supports your claim. For example the exact national coverage or the number of our teachers. Or even success story such as a language audit Link performed in Belgium, Hungary and Slovakia for a multinational company.
The warrant is the bridge that connects your data to your claim, e.g. refrences or major company names.
3) Anticipate opposition and consider how to counter it.
Usually your prospects are not opposition because you’ll eventually work with (most) of them. But they are reluctant and suspicious.
So the best way to prepare for the inevitable questions is to think like your opponents.
Usually there are two types of opposition you might face:
-disagreement with one of your claims (e.g. at Link we offer 4 types of guarantees to our corporate customers-one might say that to company Y we did not offer full refund. So I am prepared to answer this)
-counterclaim which is a claim that opposes yours (e.g. at Link we offer the best value for the money-one might say there is another school offering better value so I am prepared to back my claim with facts)
4) Bear in mind that your “opponents” are people
Even though forming logical arguments is the key to debates, we also have to impress the “opponents”or decision makers.
It has to be an emotional element that makes them choose you.
For example, at Link we use refferals from the managers we work with. And since most companies know eachother, it is likely that the “opponent” knows/admires one of the managers who offered refferals and this is enough to close a deal.
If you are interested in more info on the topic, please drop a line below:)
