January 2017

Only connect

Happy New Year! This month's blog discusses the secret to making those crucial communications connections. Hint: It's not just your words that matter.

And check out this link for upcoming dates for my ever-popular workshop Executive Communications Skills: The One-Day Blitz.

Tips you can use!

Lose the need to win

The new year is a good time to assess where you fall on the continuum of confidence, over-confidence, and bullying. People love a "winner," but if that win comes at the expense of relationship-building, your success will be short-lived. So if your ego is intruding into your communication, you might want to give it a rest.

Resolve to prepare

Want to find extra time this year? It sounds counter-intuitive, but the more time you put in up front--like organizing a meeting status update into a succinct, cohesive, clear statement--the less time you'll spend after cleaning up the messes that result from misspeaking "on the fly."

Go to the light

When speaking to a group informally at events like receptions, be sure to stand in the light. People need to see you to fully understand you. And I mean that quite literally: if they can't see your mouth it's much harder for them to hear what you're saying.

December 2016

A holiday wish list

As the year draws to a close I'd like to say "thank you" to all my loyal readers, clients and colleagues. So I'm sending you a list of wishes that will help you become better speakers in 2017 (if not before)!

And resolve to start the New Year right with my ever-popular workshop Executive Communications Skills: The One-Day Blitz. Check out this link for specifics on the January and February sessions.

and....
I am happy to announce that I have been selected by the Women's Media Center to join their SheSource team, as an expert in Communications, Women's Leadership, Public Speaking, Media and Entertainment.

Tips you can use!

Make the most of every party

Networking opportunities abound at holiday parties, so be sure you're prepared! Practice your well-crafted one-sentence intro till you can just drop it into a conversation, and you'll be ready for every social event this season.

Celebrate appropriately

It's fun to cut loose, but think twice if you're giving a toast or making a speech. There's a fine line between relaxed and tipsy. If you DO find yourself called upon to speak in such circumstances, fight against the induced inclination toward expansiveness and keep it short.

Relax!

'Tis the season for too much of everything, and sometimes that leads to stress! You can combat that by breathing--deeply and often. Luckily, delicious aromas and scents surround us during the holidays. So take a deep breath of that wonderful balsam or gingerbread and unwind, unbend, and start smiling again.

November 2016

Boxed In

When we're expert at something we need to remember that not everyone speaks our language. This month's blog has some tips for the best way to communicate what you know so well.

Time to sharpen those speaking skills? Need to become a more active listener? Want to work your leaderhip presence?  Check out this link for upcoming dates for my ever-popular workshop Executive Communications Skills: The One-Day Blitz.

Tips you can use!

Be memorable

When introducing yourself at a networking event don't lead with your title and business name. If your workplace doesn't ring a bell you end up wasting precious time explaining what the business does, and not who you are. Better use that time to give a glimpse of what makes you special. People do business with people, not workplaces.

Check the mic

Where there's a mic there's a sound guy or gal. Listen, watch and learn when they tell you what to do, how to turn it on, whether there's red light to check, etc. When you open your speech by thumping the mic or asking "is this on?" you look like a rube. Which is a strategy. Just make sure it's the one you want!  

Get a flu shot

If you won't do it for yourself ('cuz maybe you don't want to stay healthy during the stressful crazybusy season?), do it to protect your "herd." Seriously. Don't be the one who sickens your office mates who can't get the flu shot because you read somewhere it might give you a case of the flu. It can't and it won't.