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.

Carol Roth Likes My Style

By Phil Stella | Published: September 2, 2021

Regular readers may recall that I often contribute content to Carol Roth’s popular e-publications. She’s a nationally known PR and Entrepreneurship expert, speaker and author … and, apparently, a fan of my writing.  She ran my most recent item in her ‘Small Business Tips for Dealing with Customer Complaints’ blog. This is the seventh time I’ve appeared in her blogs in the last three years. Read on …

Read More »

Networking Worst Mistakes

By Phil Stella | Published: August 5, 2021

(Now that some live networking events are returning to our area, it’s time to re-run this bit of sage advice.)

I’ve seen a lot of Networking Worst Practices in my 25 plus years of writing and speaking about the topic, but the worst of the worst is making an absolutely terrible first impression on a stranger in less than one minute by delivering an Elevator Speech from Hell!  That happens when pitifully amateur networkers: Read More »

An Email Fave

By Phil Stella | Published: August 5, 2021

Add this one to your growing list of often-heard comments from my workshops or presentations.

‘The only thing worse than an ineffective email is an effective email that should have been a text, a brief face-to-face conversation or a phone call instead!’

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

Why I Hate ‘No Problem’

By Phil Stella | Published: August 5, 2021

I’m really getting tired of ranting about this issue, but it looks like my work here is far from over!

Why do so many people respond to ‘Thank you.’ with ‘No Problem.’ today? I doubt that many of them felt that the act I just thanked them for was, in fact, a problem. Maybe it would usually be a problem, but not this time. Or maybe a problem with other people, but not me. Read More »

Dealing with Angry Customers 

By Phil Stella | Published: July 4, 2021

How do you deal with angry customers? First, have a well-defined policy in place that senior management participated in creating and signed off on. Second, make sure that everyone who touches customers understands, embraces and follows consistently. Third, periodic re-training or review can be helpful.

Read More »

Phil’s Faves About Teams

By Phil Stella | Published: July 4, 2021

Here’s one of my favorite concepts from my workshops and presentations on teamwork …

‘There is no ‘I’ in ‘team’, but there is a ‘me’. So make me feel welcome, valued and important if I’m on your team.’ 

So, are the people leading your teams taking good care of you? And are you taking good care of the people on the teams you lead? If not, what can you do about it?

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

Why I Love the Three Es

By Phil Stella | Published: July 4, 2021

I really love the ‘Power of the Three Es’. Your workplace audiences expect and deserve presentations that are ‘Effective, Efficient and Engaging’, so don’t let them down.

And remember the ‘Fourth E’, so necessary to achieve those results – Effort.

Your Growing List of Phil’s Faves

By Phil Stella | Published: June 4, 2021

‘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.

Networking with Uncommon Courtesy

By Phil Stella | Published: June 4, 2021

Networking with ‘Uncommon Courtesy’ is both simple and easy and can clearly differentiate you from everyone else:

Read More »

Why I Love Proper Quotes

By Phil Stella | Published: June 4, 2021

I love using quotes in my writing and presentations – I really do.They can add sizzle, credibility or perspective to the message. However, I’m adamant about including author details.

Read More »