Category Archives: Bits & Pieces

Whatever your profession, you also need to be a professional communicator. ETC is pleased to share these essential Bits & Pieces to help you polish those skills.

Phil’s Faves On Time

By Phil Stella | Published: September 1, 2019

Thanks for the positive comments about ‘Phil’s Faves’. Here’s another helping of what you might hear in one of my Time Management presentations.

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Why I Hate Note Cards

By Phil Stella | Published: September 1, 2019

I recently encountered two different authors of presentation skill-oriented books who recommended using 3×5 note cards for preparing speaker notes. Whoa! Couldn’t disagree more. So, please allow me to respectfully disagree and rerun one of my favorite rants. Read More »

How to give your boss feedback

By Phil Stella | Published: September 1, 2019

You give your boss feedback in the same way and for the same reasons as he or she should be giving you feedback – to reinforce improvements and enhance performance. Read More »

Where do you network?

By Phil Stella | Published: August 4, 2019

A reader new to NE OH asked for suggestions about good places to network. My response …

Some people say you can and should network anywhere and everywhere, but I suggest some places are better than others.  Where you go to network is a function of the kinds of people you’re trying to meet, which is a function of what your specific networking objectives are. And your objective are all about the kind of information you’re seeking to help you run your business or do your job better, faster, easier or cheaper. Read More »

A Favorite Fave

By Phil Stella | Published: August 4, 2019

I was facilitating a workshop last week and caught myself using on of my favorite faves – ‘Don’t tell me it won’t work until you can tell me that it didn’t work.’ I’ve been using that phrase regularly in reference to challenging old habits or trying something new for years, but it still works very well today.

So, go ahead and use it if you like it, but … wait for it … ‘Don’t tell me it didn’t work … ‘

Why I Love ‘My Pleasure’

By Phil Stella | Published: August 4, 2019

In the last week, I’ve thanked two cashiers, one bar tender and one server for one thing or another. And guess what I heard in reply? Not the usual ‘no problem’ you hear from everyone everywhere all the time, but a much more professional and courteous ‘My pleasure’. The server even snuck in ‘You’re very welcome’.  Read More »

Why I Hate Plural Names

By Phil Stella | Published: August 4, 2019

I recently read an article on business writers, referring to the ‘ … Malcom Gladwells, Jim Collinses and Harvey MacKays of this century.’  I really hate plural name references, as if there is more than one Malcom Gladwell or Jim Collins in a group somewhere. Read More »

Thanks Again Carol Roth!

By Phil Stella | Published: July 4, 2019

Regular readers may recall that I regularly contribute content to several of Carol Roth’s popular e-publications. She’s a nationally known PR and Entrepreneurship expert, speaker and author … and apparently a big fan of my work. And many of her posts are picked up by other major medial outlets.  Read More »

Phil’s Faves – Perception

By Phil Stella | Published: July 4, 2019

Add this to your growing list of Phil’s Faves –

‘Because perception is reality with audiences, all they know is what they see and hear. Therefore, if you look and sound like you’re comfortable and competent with your presentation, you are. If you don’t, you aren’t.

And, you can quote me –

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

Why I Love ‘PlusDelta’ Feedback

By Phil Stella | Published: July 4, 2019

Giving constructive feedback is an essential management skill that escapes most supervisors. Feedback is all about helping people get better at what they’re doing. Effective feedback is neither positive or negative – it’s just information. Information that is specific, observable, constructive, timely and focused. Read More »