Author Archives: Phil Stella

Networking Defined

By Phil Stella | Published: February 9, 2021

A reader recently asked me to define ‘Networking’. So, here is the definition that is the basis of all my networking workshops, speaking engagements and articles: 

 ‘Networking is the exchange of ideas, information and resources.’ Read More »

A ‘Phil’s Fave’ on Meeting Management

By Phil Stella | Published: February 9, 2021

‘The only thing worse than a bad workplace meeting is a great meeting that didn’t need to be a meeting. It should have been an email, text, phone call or face-to-face conversation.’ 

And, you can quote me –

Phil Stella, 21st Century workplace communication consultant, executive coach and author.

 

Why I Hate (2)

By Phil Stella | Published: February 9, 2021

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. Read More »

Delegate Your Way to Success

By Phil Stella | Published: February 7, 2021

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: Read More »

Slay the Impromptu Dragon!   

By Phil Stella | Published: February 7, 2021

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?’ Read More »

Why I Hate Elevator Speeches … and So Should You!

By Phil Stella | Published: February 7, 2021

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. Read More »

Phil’s Faves – Broncos

By Phil Stella | Published: January 12, 2021

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 way more satifying than constantly trying to breathe life into dead donkeys!’

(Use this one if you like it, as long a you indicate the source.)

Phil Stella, 21st century entrepreneur, workplace communication resource & executive coach

When  did ‘right’ become the new ‘ummm?’  

By Phil Stella | Published: January 12, 2021

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’. Read More »

Why I Hate Hearing ‘Cleveland, OH’

By Phil Stella | Published: January 12, 2021

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. Read More »

Get Them At Hello! (3/17)

By Phil Stella | Published: January 6, 2021

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. Read More »