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
Another Linked In discussion asked ‘what are the three biggest mistakes speakers make?’ As a veteran presentation skill consultant, trainer and coach, I see a lot of mistakes that speakers typically make. Here are three major areas: Weak Content – not delivering focused, audience-centric and results-driven messages that provide the kind of information the audience … Read more
Here’s a summary of my response to this discussion question posted in a recent Linked In group: Content experts who automatically think they’d be great presenters or trainers are like airline passengers who automatically think they’d make great pilots or gifted athletes who think they’d make great coaches. Totally different skill sets and mind sets … Read more
In my workplace writing workshops, I don’t ask people to change any of their word use or writing style habits. I do ask them to challenge their habits in light of the contemporary Best Practices we discuss in class. If they decide to change any of those old habits, that’s fine. If not, that’s fine, … Read more
I appreciate the positive feedback from readers indicating this list of key concepts from my training and coaching engagements is both useful and interesting. So, add these two new ones to your ‘Best of Phil’ list. 1. Avoid vague words or references. Otherwise, you leave it up to your readers to define what you mean. … Read more
My recent rant about dumb questions at networking events, like ‘Do you have a business card?’ generated some interesting reactions. One reader sent me a note indicating she didn’t like my approach. Here’s an excerpt from my response. ‘Thanks so much for your sincere feedback. As a writer and communication practitioner, my goal is always … Read more
Looks like this growing list of ‘recurring themes’ from my training and coaching engagements has become a popular section – thanks a lot. So, two more Faves to add to your list: 1. Strive for Reader-Centricity. Write for them, not for you. Write the way they want you to write for them, not the way … Read more
Two more of my favorite … and often-repeated … lines from my training and coaching engagements: 1. ‘The process of creating effective workplace messages is essentially the same. The variable is the medium you choose to transmit those messages.’ 2. ‘With all emails, include something in the subject line to help your readers quickly assess … Read more
(Some of my comments from a recent LinkedIn group discussion thread about the importance of a presentation’s introduction …) The first few minutes of any presentation are most important minutes. Start strong, powerfully, engaging and immediately so you don’t blow your intro. And never start with a joke unless you were hired as an entertainer … Read more
Looks like this new content item was a hit, based on reader reactions. So, a few more ‘Best Practices’ you’d hear in one of my workshops: Err on the side of over-communicating important messages to increase your probability of success. Go beyond the ‘first word you can think of’ or the ‘word you usually think … Read more