Customer Reviews

The It Factor: Be the One People Like, Listen to, and Remember

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I liked this book because it helps in understanding how important "charisma" is to ALL types of people, not just sales and marketing types. Many of the chapters had quite an impact on me. I liked the author's informal writing style, which makes it a very quck read. Sometimes the book makes it appear too easy to "change your stripes" and become an outgoing, charismatic person -- because after all, those kinds of life changes are very, very difficult. But for anyone seeking to move along that path, this is as good a guidebook as you can find. Well recommended for anyone seeking self-improvement, particularly in the area of communication style.

I enjoyed reading this book. I thought overall it was very good. Unfortunately it did not light a spark for me. So I can't give it 5 stars. About six months ago I read "I Read It But I Didn't Get It" (ISBN: 157110089X) which discussed that many people "fake read." They read the words but they don't grasp their meaning. That book went on to explain how to avoid fake reading and comprehend what it is you are reading. I mention this because the instant book discusses how to keep people from "fake listening." This is when people listen to what you say, but they don't grasp the significance (they don't make a connection with you). Having the It Factor allows you to keep people from not "fake listening" to you.

The author is a communicatons skills coach. This book is clearly a marketing tool for his private practice. But it is a good one. I must admit that there were times during my reading of this book that I was chuckling. Some of the stories provided had some humor included. That was a nice touch! This book is about how to build strong connections with people. It explains that there is a connections process that good communicators use to communicate. And like any process this connections process is comprised of various steps. Small talk is step one when you don't already know the person. If you know the person, then step one is to be compelling (don't hint or expect the listener to infer).

Some of what is covered in this book is aimed at helping managers better manage and lead. Other material covered in this book is aimed at helping public speakers make an impact when they deliver their talk, seminar or workshop. And other parts of this book are aimed at helping someone who has to self promote themselves be successful in networking scenarios. The author actually covers a lot of ground in this book. The overall message I got from reading it is that talking and communicating are not necessarily the same thing. Lots of talk is cheap and usually listeners are guilty of fake listening when they hear it. A speaker wth the It Factor puts a lot of effort into her talking and as a result will usually make a connection with her listeners. She paints pictures with her words so connections are easy to create. Such talk is not cheap. 4 stars!

Not only is Wiskup entertaining with his "24" analogies and his constant reminder that your parents have to love you, his tools work! We bought "The IT Factor" for all of our employees, had them read it, and then brought Wiskup in to help them put the tools into action. They instantly became better story tellers and have the confidence to speak up in meetings. As well, I have taken two of Wiskup's workshops after reading "The IT Factor. Even as the CEO of a mid-sized business, the tools he provides in the book combined with his in-person development have helped me translate stories from revenues and net profits to painting the picture and becoming more human.

I have read multiple books on the topic of charisma, social literacy and "small talk". I always felt that the ability to feel comfortable in a variety of social situations is crucial to success in personal and professional life. This is the first book, that not only identifies the key factors, but also does something that no other book that I have seen attempt to do: it gives you a stepwise approach to improve your ability to attain the social literacy that is so important. I must say that this is the best and the most useful book that I have read on the topic. I was able to read it in two days (oh yes, it is also a very easy read), and start applying the principles in my daily experiences (successfully). I recommend this book for anyone who is interested in a book that will be entertaining, easy to read and most importantly target the applicable principles that you can use tomorrow.

I am not in the professional world, instead my roles are mother, daughter, wife, sister and friend. Move over Dr. Phil or at the very least pick up a copy of The It Factor. This book is easy to read and one that I will refer back to. I found out that "it's" all about effective communication and with two teenagers, two wonderful senior parents, and a spouse of 21 years it helps to choose my words wisely. Thank you Mr. Wiskup.

Finally after 40 years in active and successful business I found out what I was lacking... the inability to connect with staff, especially lower level staff. I found the "how to" in "The It Factor", applied it and the results were positive. The general staff meeting tone and attiudes afterwards improved considereable, the staff is more talkative and open and the reserve that I sensed in the past is gone with many of them. It takes effort to move the subject matter from head knowledge into the heart than into action but it is well worth it. The payoff, especially in this tigth labor market is going to be substantial.

Mark Wiskup fills THE IT FACTOR with detailed strategies for making memorable interpersonal connections that apply not only to business encounters, but to an array of other professional and social situations.

As I've applied Wiskup's sage business communications advice to my university lectures, the student newspapers have gone away and I seldom find myself talking over classroom chitchat. I connect!

THE IT FACTOR is much more than a litany of commercial communications platitudes: here is a winning playbook for both the university lecture hall and the business world.

Samuel Robert Dunn
Film Studies
The University of Utah

This book should be required reading for all business people-even lawyers who only THINK that they communicate better than anyone else!!! Wiskup's writing style is fun to read. The reader will recognize themselves in every chapter-what they are doing wrong and how to improve. Included are chapters on how to build connections, , how to keep hard won connections and how to continually improve your communication skills. The book is also helpful in improving communications with one's spouse or children. Readers will enjoy learning how to be better at work and home every day. I highly recommend this book to all.

The It Factor was just a book for me to read. I am a hairdresser and salon owner, in fact I have the pleasure of being Mark Wiskup's hairdresser and happen to be very fond of him and his entire family. Although I always felt very confident in my craft, I had the tendency to struggle with thinking I may not be smart enough. Having said that, I do believe I've made it a long way because I may possibly have "it".
This book makes you think and look at things in a different way and as a person that does believe in communication, it just shows you a better way to accomplish that. It is easy to read, entertaining and I would encourage anyone that wants to have better relationships with people on a personal or business level to read it. Everything is about relationships, after all.

The It Factor is an excellent book that has changed my life for the better! It's a must read for all managers and leaders. I found the Chapter on "How to Enhance your Connections with Meaningful Praise and Helpful Criticism" to be most enlightening. I now understand the difference between giving a lousy compliment and an effective compliment.
I've also learned the importance of delivering strong effective criticism. "No one respects someone who is endlessly agreeable" saying "This is not a good idea" is key to having others listen and pay attention to you. Powerful words of wisdom that have helped me tremedously in my professional career.
I highly recommend this book.
You won't be sorry.