When You Can Only Influence
To be influenced, people must: Understand your argument, Accept your argument, Trust you.
What It Takes to be a Master Speaker
Presenters only become experts when they speak often and practice hard.
My Face—Your Face. Is Face to Face Communication Necessary Today?
While business professionals accept that new methods are cost effective, they are offended when there is not in person communication in certain situations.
Build Credibility with Every E-mail You Write
E-mails can either build or erode credibility. For e-mails to differentiate you in a positive light, take the time to write them clearly and concisely.
Clarity—It’s Rule #1 in Writing!
What you write reflects on your intelligence, thoroughness and professionalism. It is the image you are sending of yourself to your clients and colleagues. Being known as a clear communicator is a feather in your cap.
Cardinal Rule #1—End on Time
Repeat after me, it is not okay to end meetings late. When moderators say, “I am sorry we ended 15 minutes over time, but I hope you found it valuable,” it is not really all right. People have commitments. Sometimes, they are rushing to airports or to pick up children...
Thinking on Your Feet—It’s not Impossible!
If you think it is impossible to think on one’s feet, you are not alone. Many business professionals dread speaking to senior level executives or important customers for fear their brains will freeze and decision makers will see them as the village idiot. There are...
Emotion—the Fast Lane to Motivating Listeners to Take Action
Can you remember a time when you attended a meeting, only to be lulled into an occasional listening mode because of one dull fact after another? Just like you, your listeners will tune out quickly if you don’t capture and hold their attention. After all, most business...
Presenting—A Transference of Enthusiasm
Presenting your ideas so that people are motivated to take action requires a transfer of enthusiasm. From your first words, you must demonstrate you believe in what you say. You must show true gusto in your body language and voice. Anything less seems incongruous, and...
What It Takes to Make Your Points Stand Out
Winston Churchill once said, “If you have an important point to make, don’t try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time– a tremendous whack!” Most speakers want their points to come...
Delivering Bad News Messages
The economic downturn has affected all businesses. Consequently, many of us are now in the position of delivering bad news messages. It is not easy, but the way that message is communicated is critical. It leaves a lasting impression of you and the company. People who...
Out of Work? Changing Jobs? Better Do Some PR!
Are you out of work or thinking of changing jobs? Before you do anything, perform some PR on yourself. Assess what the Perception of you as a communicator, versus the Reality. We can see ourselves as a highly polished, competent business professional, but if the...
If You Rest, You Rust!
Helen Hayes (1900-1993) was the quintessential actress of her day. When asked why she continued to act well into her seventies and eighties, she said, “If you rest, you rust.” As speakers, we can’t assume our communication skills are good enough. Miscommunication is...
Selling Yourself in A Down Economy
As the economy continues to plummet, businesses weigh every internal and external decision very carefully. To save money internally, decision-makers are looking closely at their own headcount. Non-essential jobs and marginal performers are being eliminated quickly....
Three Cardinal Sins That Will Derail an Executive Conversation
Most business people make presentations to executives, whether it is internally to senior managers for status updates or externally to clients or customers for purchase approval. Often, these are one-time golden opportunities. They require careful planning and...
- Tips for Creating Powerful Messages
Regardless of our job, most of us have updates or presentations to give. This can take a big chunk out of our work week. Obviously, we want these presentations to “knock the socks” off our listeners. While that’s the goal, most business professionals spend 22 hours a week building presentations that are not effective and do not connect with their listeners. Shocking isn’t it! Experts say we insure our success if we follow these suggestions.
- Tune Them in by Involving Them
Most of the time when people are brought together for face-to-face meetings, the purpose is for persuasion- either to accept an idea, buy a product or approve a decision. Often, these meetings are not successful because the speaker misunderstands the need for audience involvement in the persuasive process. Great presenters, on the other hand, know […]
- Are Your Questions Engaging or Frustrating Your Clients
As inside sales representatives, the way we close business is by asking questions. Often, we ask the same questions of all clients. Sometimes, these questions move people to make decisions, but at other times, they don’t, leading us to wonder “what happened?” Selling over the phone should not be a crapshoot. By asking the right […]
- Tips from the Top — What One CEO Practices
What do people remember? As a coach, you hope people embrace your suggestions and remember the issues they found challenging after the engagement ends. Periodically, I like to touch base with these business leaders as a double check. I had the pleasure of reconnecting with the CEO of large international company last week after not seeing him for a few years. From the start of our coaching, this executive was very open and willing to try the tools and tips being suggested, even though they were out of his comfort zone. His goal was to be known as a strong, engaging leader with excellent communication skills. He excelled because he practiced a lot and kept the endgame in mind. Every time he got up in front of an audience in his role as CEO, he consciously practiced one or two things. I asked him what he remembers from our work together when he speaks to people, whether one to one or one to 1001. I am sharing his top five because I think they are relevant to all of us.
What do people remember? As a coach, you hope people embrace your suggestions and remember the issues they found challenging after the engagement ends. Periodically, I like to touch base with these business leaders as a double check. I had the pleasure of reconnecting with the CEO of large international company last week after not seeing him for a few years. From the start of our coaching, this executive was very open and willing to try the tools and tips being suggested, even though they were out of his comfort zone. His goal was to be known as a strong, engaging leader with excellent communication skills. He excelled because he practiced a lot and kept the endgame in mind. Every time he got up in front of an audience in his role as CEO, he consciously practiced one or two things. I asked him what he remembers from our work together when he speaks to people, whether one to one or one to 1001. I am sharing his top five because I think they are relevant to all of us.
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