Some masterful Listening Tips from ‘Communicate or Die’:
- ‘Listen without a point of view. Avoid immediate free-association to your own experience put your tendency to evaluate on hold.
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.
Communicate or Die!
‘Communication is the biggest bang for the buck, the highest-leverage return on investment in any organization for the simple reason that it is also one of the most under-researched and under-utilized levers for breakthrough results.’ ‘The more effective you are as a communicator, the more powerful you are at producing the results you want – … Read more
Entrepreneurship 101
‘Escape from Cubicle Nation – from Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur, Pamela Slim, 2009, Brilliance Audio. A wide-ranging discussion of facts and concepts of interest to entrepreneur wannabes or early stage start-ups . Interesting and useful content.
The Big Business of Entertainment.
‘Blockbusters: Hit-making, Risk-taking and the Big Business of Entertainment’, Anita Elberse, Brilliance Audio, 2013. A most interesting study of the Blockbuster strategy found in the worlds of professional sports, music, TV, movies and books. Written by Harvard Business School’s expert on the entertainment industry. Well worth the time to read or listen.
How much should you practice?
Last month’s ‘Communicate Confidently’ eLetter article on practicing presentations generated several reader questions. Here’s a summary of some of the comments I offered in my email responses:
Your Quota of Quotes
‘Simplicity is the greatest sophistication.’ Leonardo Da Vinci ‘If you think presentations cannot enchant people, then you have never seen a really good one.’ Guy Kawasaki, Silicon Valley author, speaker and business advisor. ‘People don’t remember what we think is important. They remember what they think is important.’ John Maxwell, pastor, speaker and … Read more
Pitch Perfect
My good friend and COSE (Cleveland’s Council of Smaller Enterprises) colleague Diane Helbig helps sales people perfect their pitches. She advises this structure: ‘Short and to the point Begin with a recap of the prospect’s goals and needs (as you heard them) Introduction of the product or service you are presenting Bulleted list of the … Read more
Helbig Really Gets Sales
More from my good friend and COSE (Cleveland’s Council of Smaller Enterprises) colleague Diane Helbig, from her popular book, ‘Lemonade Stand Selling’. Here are some of her thoughts on sales:
Sales Tips
‘The Tips – the 7 catalysts for sales & leadership that drive high-end sales, create engaged customers and make the competition evaporate’, Kordell Norton, eScholars Publishing, 2013. Here’s another quick read on sales from a long-time colleague, Kordell Norton, a noted author, speaker and business growth consultant. He creates a clever narrative story using dominos … Read more
Speaking & Listening
‘Communicate or Die – Getting Results Through Speaking and Listening’, Thomas D. Zweifel, Ph.D., SelectBooks, Inc., 2003. Full of ideas you can use to improve your speaking and listening – two essential workplace communication skills. Well worth the read.