NLP or Neuro Linguistic Programming has been defined as the study of excellence in human performance and
behaviour, its translation into practical skills that people can use effectively.  A mathematician and computer
programmer, Richard Bandler and a linguist, John Grinder, founded NLP.  They asked the question, “What makes
the difference between someone who excels at a skill and someone with basic competence?”  Out of this came
another question, “How does someone do what they do?” 

As a result John Grinder and Richard Bandler studied the patterns of thought and behaviour of leading experts in
the fields of psychology and therapy using a process of modeling.  This process of modeling has long been used
in relation to the natural world.  Engineers for example have often studied natural structures and then worked out
the principles involved before applying those same principles to new structures.

Although NLP has been around for more than 25 years, many of the techniques now used under the NLP banner
have only really been discovered and developed in recent years following further modeling projects and application
of the techniques. 

Sales are a key area where the techniques have been applied very successfully.  Sales people have found that they
have been able to gain instant rapport and trust with new clients where previously it has taken up to an hour of
presentation before achieving this and sometimes never achieving it at all.  The type of language we use also has a
significant effect on the way the client interprets what we have said.  By learning how to interpret information you
can adjust the language you use to achieve even greater success.