I regularly attend networking or business events in Cleveland, where everyone introduces their businesses. Lots of people mention that they’re located in Cleveland, Ohio or Lakewood, Ohio or Beachwood, Ohio. They don’t bother to realize that they don’t need to remind people that these locations were in Ohio. Everyone knows that. Now, if they were in an obscure town like Lameville Heights, some people might need to know that was in Ohio.
Quickies
Says Who?
I regularly use quotes in my training, speaking and writing. However, I’m adamant about identifying the sources and putting them in proper context. Few people are so well known that they don’t need any reference, like Jefferson, Mark Twain, Churchill, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., etc.
That’s Good Advice
I recently responded to a blogger’s question asking for the best advice we give people about starting their own businesses. So, here are three bits of advice I learned from a combination of input from colleagues and expert authors:
‘Letter B’
Your laptop or PC keyboard has 26 letters on it along with numbers, symbols and punctuation marks. When that keyboard is connected to a projector to run PowerPoint slides, my favorite is Letter ‘B’. Curious about why I love Letter B? … then read on.
Speakers’ Notes
A reader recently asked if using speaker notes would reduce his opportunity for effective eye contact.
I responded that notes would interfere with eye contact if you talk while looking at them or start reading them to your audience.
Be Memorable
Nationally known PR expert Carol Roth invited me to write a piece for her popular Small Business Expert Forum on delivering Memorable Presentations. It was recently published and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to promote my concepts in such a respected vehicle as her Expert Forum. http://www.smallbusinessexpertforum.com/nuts-bolts/5-tips-giving-memorable-presentation Thanks for a great way to start … Read more
Titles Make Me Crazy
While skimming some LinkedIn postings recently, I encountered an author who was seriously title happy. After his name was ‘… MBA, BA, BS, NP, MPM.’ Wow – aren’t you impressed with his credentials! With an ‘MBA’, no need to include the BA & BS degrees. And while the ‘MBA, BA & BS’ are recognizable, ‘NP & MPM” aren’t. More confusing that impressive.
Why I Love Networking with a Strategic Plan
As regular readers will recall, I advocate information-based networking. It’s all about sharing ideas, resources and connections with other people and seeking the same for you and your business.
Gitomer Gets Eloquence
Do you yearn to be more eloquent in your routine workplace communication but aren’t sure what that really means? Well, let one of my favorite authors, Jeffrey Gitomer, help you. Eloquence is: Delivering your message in terms of the audience. Making sure your message is transferable. Making sure your message is relatable. Customizing and personalizing … Read more
I Don’t Get It – Automated Voice Messaging
How often does this happen to you? When calling a business or colleague, you hear ‘Your call is being forwarded to an automated voice messaging system … 475 338-0298 is not available … ‘
I Don’t Get It! While short and harmless, these recordings can subtly imply characteristics about the business or person: