Use the 4Ws to get INSTANT engagement

22nd September 2026

  1. When we communicate, we want the other person to engage immediately
  2. That will help us get their attention, buy-in and agreement
  3. This Tip will help you achieve this
  4. Here’s how…

Imagine you work in Marketing, and want to share your new strategy with your Sales Manager. Which introduction would the Sales Manager prefer?

  1. “Here’s our new marketing strategy”. Or
  2. “I know you’re keen to increase the sales of each of your team, to reduce your dependence on a few superstars. I have something new for you, that will help you do so.  It’s our new marketing strategy. It contains…”

#2 is much better for a sales leader, right? It starts with her agenda, not ours. It’s much more likely to get her buy-in.

This technique is what I call the 4Ws:

  • What you want – to improve every salesperson’s sales
  • Why you want it – to reduce your dependency on superstars
  • We can help – state “we can help with that”
  • What we’ll do – here is my strategy, to help you

Does it work? Well, check out the first paragraph of this Tip – all 4Ws were in that…

Action Point

For your next important communication: get more, better, earlier buy-in by using the 4Ws in your intro.

And, if you want me to help you write your 4Ws intro, please hit Reply and let me know…

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