Over the next few days, millions of people will purchase goods and services-on-line, by phone, or in person using one of four DISC behavioral styles. There is no magic or hocus-pocus to identifying these styles. All you need to do is observe and listen. Here are a few examples of DISC shopping styles in action:

The high D behavioral style says “Only 1 day? What’s the big deal? There’s plenty of time left.” D types love the challenge. Ironically, the remarkable emotion of D behavioral style is a short fuse – traffic jams, long lines, crowded stores and D types don’t mix. Internet shopping is tailor made for these direct, results-focused individuals. Gift cards and certificates are near perfect because they are much more efficient and they believe you can’t go wrong with cash or its equivalent. Then again, the D behavioral style might cajole his administrative assistant to make the shopping list, check it twice, and be Santa’s little helper. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that high D behavioral types are the ones doing last minute shopping on Christmas Eve. And if anything needs to be assembled, Ds pay someone to do the handiwork. High D behavioral types give gifts that identify with increased productivity.

The high I behavioral type loves the holiday season, and the shopping, parties, and crowds that go with it. Shopping is an event, a day out at the mall with friends and families – the more the merrier. The I behavioral type plans a shopping trip with the attention normally given to planning a wedding. Shopping begins early and centers on meals. After all, how can you possibly shop without a big breakfast, numerous breaks for snack and lunch, lunch, wrapping up the day with a sit-down dinner? By the end of the day, the high I behavioral type has had a great time regardless of the success of paring down the gift list. The High I person is optimistic.  There’s always time for shopping! The high I behavioral type is highly influenced by those gifts with the most attractive wrappings, even if what’s inside is not always practical. You can be sure he/she’s an I if you hear, “I just couldn’t resist buying it. It had my name all over it. I hope you like it too.”

The high “S” behavioral style favors handcrafted gifts and homemade food. Christmas shopping begins and ends early. This steady, methodical shopper makes lists, clip coupons, and maps out a shopping itinerary before leaving the house. Although Black Friday marks the start of the shopping season for most consumers, December 26th is the right time to get a head start on next year’s shopping list. The S behavioral style kicks into high shopping gear right after Labor Day and with few exceptions, gifts are bought, wrapped, and shipped before Thanksgiving. December isn’t a time for shopping but for making cookies and preparing Christmas dinner. On Dec. 16, the high S behavioral style thinks, “Only nine days until after-Christmas sales begin.”

The high “C” behavioral personalities work to avoid big crowds and don’t understand how anyone can leave shopping to the last minute. In many ways, the C and S behavioral styles share shopping preferences. But the gifts they choose differentiate these behavioral styles. S personalities give gifts with a personal touch; Cs seek quality. The more practical C behavioral type purchase gifts that will last, and makes certain their gifts have the best warranties. During September and October, they do research to find the best-made, highest quality and most reasonably priced gift. These logical analytical types prefer to give gifts with a proven track record and can’t understand why anyone would waste money on this year’s fad.

If any of these types seem familiar, that is because they are. DISC is the universal language and dates back to….well as far back as Christmas itself. Learn more about DISC and its history here.