I recently got a document from a client asking me to ‘review and comment on two (2) different versions of the plan’. I’m not making this up – people still think they need to tell readers that the word ‘two’ means ‘# 2’. Really? Most workplace readers know that and reminding them can be insulting or annoying. It is to me.
Phil Stella
Delegate Your Way to Success
Time to review the Art and Science of Delegation – an essential leadership skill for entrepreneurs and discuss three important questions.
Why don’t entrepreneurs delegate?
Lots of reasons and they all seem logical at the time:
Slay the Impromptu Dragon!
Has this ever happened to you? Emma arrived at work early, got a cup of coffee and settled into tackling her highest priority task of the day. When, out of nowhere, her boss Bob approached her cubicle and asked the question that strikes fear in the hearts most of employees, ‘Hi Emma … you busy?’
Why I Hate Elevator Speeches … and So Should You!
Have you ever been at business networking event and heard an amateur networker deliver an ‘Elevator Speech From Hell’? I know I have. Lots of times. You wanted to hit the emergency stop button and escape fast.
Phil’s Faves – Broncos
Looks like sharing often-heard concepts from my workshops and presentations is both useful and interesting for many of you, like this ‘Phil’s Fave audience comment. ‘Thanks so much for being a bunch of bucking broncos today. It takes a lot of work and effort to keep pulling in the reins on bucking broncos, but it’s … Read more
When did ‘right’ become the new ‘ummm?’
Right! During a recent zoom business conference, the experienced and otherwise effective speaker had a conspicuous habit of saying ‘… right’ all the time. It was as if he replaced the annoying ‘ummm’ with the equally annoying ‘right’.
Why I Hate Hearing ‘Cleveland, OH’
I regularly ‘attend’ networking or business events in Cleveland (zoom meetings these days), where people introduce their businesses. Lots of them mention that they’re located in Cleveland, Ohio or Lakewood, Ohio or Beachwood, Ohio, etc. I hate that.
Get Them At Hello! (3/17)
We all learned about the three parts of a speech in high school: the introduction, body and conclusion. You remember … ‘Tell ‘em what you’re gonna say … say it … and tell ‘em what you said.’ Nothing new here.
Each of these three components is important for different reasons, but your Power Intro plays a critical role in the success of your presentation and accomplishing your intended outcomes. On average, it’s less than 10% of your total presentation time. So, with a 30-minute presentation, your intro is three minutes … or less.
What To Do AFTER Your Elevator Speech (9/18)
As wannabe Power Networkers, many of you polish your finely crafted Elevator Speeches and deliver them with passion and purpose every chance you get. Great.
So, let’s assume you’ve just done that at a professional group meeting or networking event (once we have the to attend again) … now what do you do?
Everything Old Is New Again!
(Best wishes for a successful, safe and happy New Year – may we all get what we want, need and deserve.
‘Communicate Confidently!’ Will run ‘Phil’s All Time Hits, Vol. I’ all year to acquaint newer subscribers with popular content from past years. So, put your shoes on backwards and take a flying leap into the past.)
Painless Sales Pitches (5/19)
Do you ever experience pain when you pitch business? Do you cause some pain for your prospects as a result of those pitches? If you answered yes to either question, then read these Best Practices for creating Painless Sales Pitches.