Looks like last month’s summary of business books recently mentioned in my site’s ‘BookShelf’ section was a hit, as several of you asked for more. So, my pleasure to add some workplace communication-related titles to your summer reading list … and thanks for asking.
Articles
What Are Your Strengths?
A reader involved in a job search just asked how to best answer the typical interview question ‘What are your strengths?’ This is a critical question because it usually comes early in the interview process, helps project focus and value and sets the tone of rest of the interview.
A Very Unique Request
Regular readers know how much I love to rant about ineffective word choices, so please humor me about ‘very unique’. ‘Unique’ can’t be modified. Ever. Period. Therefore ‘very unique’ is wrong, so is ‘somewhat unique’ and ‘really unique’.
Work the Room Like a Pro
So you’ve decided to attend a professional group event to do some networking. Good for you … but you’ll need to work the room like a pro – with focus, finesse and flexibility. Here are 10 simple Best Practices to increase your skills and confidence … and results.
Activate Active Voice!
Based on some calls and notes from readers, some of you are seriously challenging your word use habits in routine workplace communication. Great – I was hoping that would happen. Effective word use is the same, whether the medium you use to communicate those words is an email, a phone call, a face-to-face conversation or a more formal presentation.
Harness the Power of the Platform
Whether you’re marketing your employer’s products or services, your own business or just enhancing your image in the marketplace, the “Power of the Platform” can be a simple, quick and no-cost strategy. Delivering workshops and presentations can help you accomplish several important self-marketing goals:
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. Accept the reality that every email you send at work impacts your image. These simple suggestions will help you project your best possible positive image.
Read Any Good Books Lately?
As busy business leaders, you face lots of challenges doing your jobs or running or your businesses. One of the most important challenges is the need for on-going professional education. We may recognize the importance of Life Long Learning, but who has the time and energy to do any of it?
The Great Toastmaster on Presenting
Ralph C. Smedley, 20th century educator, was the founder of ‘Toastmasters International’, a speaking organization with more than 313,000 members in 126 countries and more than 14,650 individual clubs. Even back in 1919, he had a profound understanding of what it takes to be an effective presenter.
Be Exceptional
‘The Exceptional Presenter – a Proven Formula to Open Up and Own the Room, Timothy J. Koegel, Greenleaf Book Group Press, 2007. A basic refresher of concepts, strategies and techniques for creating and delivering effective presentations.