Why should an entrepreneur understand learning styles?

By understanding learning styles, you can improve you communication skills and therefore better understand you customer.

The simple answer is your main communication style will most likely be the same style in which you learn. A number years ago I was introduced to this concept when I registered for my first online class at the local community college. Each new online student was required to complete the VARK (https://vark-learn.com/) learning assessment to understand their own learning style and how each learning style might struggle or excel in the online learning environment. I was not surprised by my personal result (Reading/Write/Kinesthetic), but what surprised me was how I have been able to utilize this knowledge in my daily life. What I learned is that not only is my learning style how I learn information best, it is ALSO my default method of teaching and communicating information This insight has helped guide me in many aspects of my life including my kids, scout troops, co-workers when I worked in the corporate world and now with my clients.

Of course everyone does not have their forehead marked with their own learning style to make it easy to identify. However it is easy to quickly identify a preference by carefully listening or reading someone's words. For example the following sentences communicate the same general thought, but also give a hint at someone’s preferred learning style.

I hear what you are saying. (Aural)

I see what you are saying. (Visual)

I understand what you are saying. (Read/Write)

I catch what you are saying. (Kinesthetic)

How can an entrepreneur use this information?

  • Pay Attention - When working with a specific person, pay attention to the phrases they use. If a customer says “I will see you at 8”, reply with “See you then!” If a customer says “I will be there at 8”, reply with “I will be there at 8” By responding in their style, the reply will more likely be retained and noticed.

  • Appeal to All Types in your Target Market - Unless you know that your target market is a specific type of learner be sure to appeal to all types. If you are a course creator this is especially important and it is one reason that white board doodle software videos are so popular. When creating marketing material use images and words, videos that communicate both with and without audio, and active and less active phrases such as click, swipe, joint, enter, apply.

  • Acknowledge The Differences - One coworker and I used to struggle with communicating ideas. While it did not cause arguments, it did cause quite a bit of miscommunication. Finally we realized that if he expressed his ideas verbally and I captured what I thought he was saying on the white board at the same time, he could see the miscommunication quickly. We used his strength as an Aural/Visual learner and my strength as a Kinesthetic/Read/Write learner to reduce our miscommunications. Neither way was right or wrong, it was just different and once we acknowledged the differences we found a way to work with them.

Learn more about learning styles at (https://vark-learn.com/).