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.
‘Built to Last – successful habits of visionary companies’, Jim Collins & Jerry Porras, 1994, Recorded Books, LLC, 2001. Yet another excellent audio book from the author of ‘Good to Great’ and ‘Great by Choice’, read by the author. Well worth the listen … or read.
(And a recent LinkedIn discussion was about people who don’t make presentations at work.) Besides delivering presentation training and coaching engagements for corporate clients, I teach a presentation skills course at the University of Phoenix, Cleveland Campus. Unlike many universities, we require all students to take this course and they do Learning Team presentations in … Read more
‘How the Mighty Fall and Why Some Companies Never Give In’, Jim Collins Harper Collins Publishers, 2009 Just listened to another excellent audio book from the author of ‘Good to Great’ and ‘Great by Choice’.
In a recent LinkedIn Discussion Group, I responded to a question about gestures in presentations. Here’s a summary of some of the basic points I shared that often come up in my presentation skill workshops and executive coaching engagements. Gestures are normal, natural and human. Authentic ones usually work well. But some gestures are ineffective … Read more
Another LinkedIn discussion question asked professional speakers for their opinion about the term ‘motivational speaker’. I really enjoyed sharing this load of steaming rant: ‘What’s in a name … indeed!’ What we call ourselves defines us and our value proposition. ‘Speaking’ is what we do – a presenter-centric term. ‘Learning’, ‘Growing’ or ‘Improving’ is what … Read more
Here are some words of wisdom from Paulson’s ’50 Tips …’ book mentioned in the August Bookshelf. Quote at your own risk. ‘I like to keep everything substantive, short and to the point.’ Harvey MacKay, contemporary American business leader, author & speaker ‘Careful preparation spawns spontaneity. But it does mean never, ever writing it … Read more
I actually read two books recently and listened to a third on CD … and recommend all three: ’50 Tips for Speaking Like a Pro’, Terry Paulson Ph.D., 1999, Crisp Publications, Menlo Park, CA One of the sharpest people I encountered in my time with the National Speakers Association. His quick read is aimed more … Read more
Here are some excerpts from a recent LinkedIn discussion group posting on whether or not to hold audience questions until the end of the presentation: I usually prefer inviting questions anytime and all the time. I stress that approach in my workshops and executive coaching engagements, as long as the presenters are comfortable, well prepared, … Read more
In another LinkedIn discussion group, I responded to a question regarding effective feedback. Here’s a summary of my post for your reading pleasure: Effective feedback should never hurt anyone’s feelings. 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 … Read more
Looks like site visitors enjoy this ongoing list of simple main concepts they might hear often in one of my training or coaching engagements. So, here are three more you can add to your growing ‘Best of Phil’ list: 1. The only thing worse than a bad workplace meeting is a great meeting that didn’t … Read more