Even More Quote-ables

Two more gems to impress your readers or listeners with how well read you are: ‘Behind the need to communicate is the need to share. Behind the need to share is the need to be understood.’ – Leo Rosten (1908 – 1997), Polish-born American author and social scientist. ‘The most important thing in communication is … Read more

Phil’s Faves for April

I appreciate the positive feedback from readers indicating this list of key concepts from my training and coaching engagements is both useful and interesting. So, add these two new ones to your ‘Best of Phil’ list. 1. Avoid vague words or references. Otherwise, you leave it up to your readers to define what you mean. … Read more

One picture is worth a thousand bullets

Several recent articles have discussed some PowerPoint Best Practices to help you avoid inflicting ‘Death by PowerPoint’ on your audiences. You may have even added a few new or different tools to your Presenter Tool Kit as a result. Here’s another one.

Yes … a picture is worth a thousand words – or, in the case of PowerPoint – a thousand bullet points. And a great picture is worth even more. We humans are visual learners. Much of what is stored in our long-term memory got in there through visual stimulus. Of the three levels of communication – words, tone of voice and visual – the most effective and memorable is the visual – your slides, if you use them properly. Ironically, the least effective slides have only words, yet most presentations include slide after slide of bullet points. Pictures and charts are more effective, but used much less. Go figure.

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Dumb Questions Revisited

My recent rant about dumb questions at networking events, like ‘Do you have a business card?’ generated some interesting reactions. One reader sent me a note indicating she didn’t like my approach. Here’s an excerpt from my response. ‘Thanks so much for your sincere feedback. As a writer and communication practitioner, my goal is always … Read more

Energize Your Email

Every time you send an email to a customer, colleague or manager, it projects an image of your professionalism, competency and courtesy. That image should be positive whenever possible, or at least neutral, but never negative.

Christine Zust is a NE OH communications expert, author, trainer, speaker … and a long-time friend and colleague. She regularly shares her concept that “everything you do positions you!” Therefore, every email you send at work positions you. The following simple suggestions will help you position your best possible positive image.

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Are You Power-Listening?

Power-Listening? What does that have to do with your job as a business professional? Well … a lot, when you get out of your own box and view your role as a workplace communicator and problem-solver for your internal and/or external customers.

You spend a large part of your day verbally communicating important messages to important people – customers, staff, colleagues, bosses, suppliers, partners, etc. And listening is a critically important part of that verbal communication process. Yet, we tend to be terrible listeners, remembering very little of what we hear.

So, here are 10 simple – but not easy – Best Practice strategies for becoming Power Listeners at work.

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March Bookshelf

A quick and easy read that reinforces basic skills … ‘Courage To Be Naked – the Ultimate Guide to Presenting and Communicating your Message’ By Fred Sarkari, 2011

Outlaw Death by PowerPoint!

PowerPoint doesn’t cause ‘Death by PowerPoint’ in the hands of inept presenters any more than cars cause traffic accidents or guns kill people. The blame lies with the users. PowerPoint is an excellent tool when used properly. That said, it’s wide variety of features make it easier for inept presenters to design bad slides: The … Read more

Activate Active Voice

Based on some calls and notes from readers, some of you have begun challenging your word use habits in routine workplace writing or presentations. Great – I was hoping that would happen. Effective word use is the same, whether the medium of communicating those words is an email, a phone call, a face-to-face conversation or a more formal presentation.

So, let’s continue on our journey towards more reader/listener/audience-centric words and challenge another potential word use habit – Passive Voice.

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So Many Events, So Little Time

A site visitor recently asked how to determine which networking events to attend. He said there are so many to choose from that entrepreneurs can spend too much time and money in the process. Absolutely! Here’s a summary of our conversation on this important topic:

1. Start with the ‘why’. The process of choosing which networking event to attend starts with precisely defining your specific networking objectives for the day. Why will you be networking? What kind of information are you seeking? Information to help you do your job easier, faster, better or smarter? Information to help you grow the business? Information to support your job search? All the other networking event decisions stem from answering the ‘why’ questions first.

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