Responding to a Compliment

Some people have difficulty responding to a well-earned compliment. They may not like to accept praise, may not feel they earned it, or feel embarrassed by the compliment because they consider themselves humble. Nonetheless, a compliment is a verbal gift, an acknowledgement that someone has noticed and considers your action to be praise-worthy.  As such, the proper response is a simple, "Thank you!" 

If making small talk is also difficult for you, the e-book "Small Talk:Connecting with Others" explains small talk's big impact. It also gives you tips on starting, continuing and ending a conversation with others. Get this helpful e-book here.

Maintaining a Conversation: Don't Know What To Say?

Don't Know What To Say in a Conversation?

Have you ever been in a situation in which the other person is talking about something to which you don't agree (but you don't want to say anything), or you have no idea what he is talking about?

Sometimes a neutral answer is best. Great examples include, "What an idea!", "Oh my goodness", "Is that so?", or  even "I see".

"Small Talk: Connecting with Others" is a helpful e-book just packed with ideas on how to start, continue and graciously end conversations. It can be used for both business and personal conversations. To get it, click here.

Easter and Passover, and communicative responsibility

It's almost time for Easter and Passover, two holy days for millions. If you will be gathering with family and friends for a special Easter dinner or Passover seder, are you able to start a conversation and make small talk with others there? Are you comfortable asking others questions and showing an interest in them, or do you expect them to do that so you can talk only about yourself? Communicative responsibility is taking responsibility for helping to keep the conversation going. Whether you are the host or the guest, you show an interest in others. You may start a conversation with someone who looks lost or is very shy, ask your host or hostess how you can help with the party, ask someone else a question about his family, work or hobbies, or simply ask someone else to tell you more about whatever she is discussing. Maybe starting a conversation with a stranger is hard for you. Before you go to the event, think of 5 questions you could ask him. For example, ask how he knows the host, or how long he has lived in the community. Do you need more tips? Small Talk: Connecting with Others is a concise e-book with many practical ways to start a conversation, keep it going, and end it graciously. You deserve to be more comfortable talking with others; this e-book is easy to read and gives tips that are easy to apply! Get it today! (Hurry, Passover and Easter are almost here!)

Small talk: a lot of blarney?

Blarney is a word that can mean flattery or nonsense, or in other words, flattery that is nonsense. A person who does this a lot is said to be "full of blarney". Small talk, on the other hand, is talking with a stranger in the hopes of either passing time or, more likely, making a connection between the two people. Flattery or nonsense are rarely involved. However, with St. Patrick's Day coming up, here are some tips on making small talk anyway. If you are in the midst of a conversation with a stranger and want to prolong it, a way to do this is to ask him or her to tell you more about the subject under discussion. If appropriate, ask a question, to show you are interested. If you want to leave the conversation, and only two of you are talking, give a reason so you have a stronger exit line. "It's been nice talking to you, but I need to go (to meet more people, to go out with my friend, etc)." If you want to connect with the person some other time, you could give him your business card, or simply write your e-mail or telephone number on a scrap of paper. "Small Talk:Connecting with Others" is a concise e-book that offers tips on starting, continuing and ending a conversation graciously. Small talk has big value; learn how to do it today!

It's getting close to Valentine's Day, and in the US, many people go to parties then. The big question comes up: what do you say to a stranger at one of these parties, if you want to know the person better? Before you go to the party, think of 5 questions you could ask someone there. You already have something in common with each of them - you are at the same event. Maybe you work for the same company or industry, or know the same host. One example might be " Hi! I'm (your name). I work as a (job title). What do you do in the X industry?" Let's say you have just bravely walked in the door to a room full of strangers. You know no-one there. As soon as you put your coat somewhere, look around and search for someone who is standing along. (If it helps, you can pretend to be the host at the party; some people do better if they imagine themselves in a role.) Often this person will be next to one of the walls, but not always. Look at him or her, and smile. If the person smiles (even slightly) back, go over and say hello. Tell the person your name and ask for his or hers. Then make a comment about the event and ask one of your questions. For example, "This is a terrific party! How do you know (the host)?" Be sure to respond to the other person's comments, and occasionally tell something about yourself as well. For more information on how to start, continue and graciously end your conversation, click here for the e-book, "Small Talk:Connecting with Others"! Learn the secrets of body language and conversational strategies to start that conversation and keep it flowing!

Missing the big picture?

After a business meeting today, three people left the room to talk. Two were there to talk business, while one was there to chat with the other two. Quite redundant, she could have given her message succinctly and left, which would have allowed her time to meet others, but she stayed. The other two waited patiently until she finished, talked to each other briefly about business and left. The chatterer missed the big picture, of two people really wanting to do business with each other. When three people get together for business, often two are there on an equal level, but one may be on a different level of the organizational structure. That one needs to be acutely aware of the situation, as to when in American culture it is useful to be involved and when to be quiet. When the three are strangers to each other, it can be harder to appropriately signal the chatterer. One way to do it is to say, "Thank you for your information, (name of chatterer).We appreciate your explaining that." Then, through slightly turning the body away from the chatterer, look at the other person with whom you want to talk, and ask, "As you were mentioning to me, (name of person)." Have you ever been in a situation like this? How did you handle it to turn your attention to the appropriate person to whom you really wanted to speak? As this can be a cultural issue, if you are not from the USA, please tell us your country! Business Speech Improvement offers an e-book on Small Talk:Connecting with Others.

Seatmate Success: Starting a Conversation While Traveling

With a record number of travelers this holiday season, many people find themselves sitting next to others on airplanes, at airports and at other functions. They want to talk with them but struggle to know what to say.

Start by making a statement about something you have in common, such as the long wait or the great view outside. Then ask a question. For example, "That's an beautiful sunset out there! Do you often fly at this time of day?" Follow it up with an open-ended question, such as "What's your favorite time to fly?"

Be sensitive to others who do not want to talk. Some people want to work or sleep, for example, or prefer not to talk to strangers. But many do, and just aren't sure how to start.

This tip and many others on starting, continuing and ending conversations can be found in an e-book, Small Talk:Connecting wth Others. This concise, practical e-book
can be ordered fr om http://businessspeechimprovement.com/enabler/scripts/category.pl?EBooks. It is published by Business Speech Improvement, which provides
intensive speech coaching and e-books on many related topics.

Hate talking to strangers at a social event?

Do you hate making conversations with strangers, from blind dates to people at conventions or other gatherings? Learn the "unspoken rules" to make it easier! One rule is to plan 3 questions, in advance, to ask people. Consider what you have in common with them, such as being at the same event or in the same industry, and base your questions off that. For example, "How do you know our mutual friend Bob?" or "What did you think of that speaker?"

For tips on how to choose someone to speak with, start and maintain a conversation, and end one gracefully, read the e-book "Small Talk: Connecting with Others" at http://businessspeechimprovement.com/enabler/scripts/category.pl?EBooks
Practical tips , for "help in a hurry" ©!

Hate Making "Small Talk"?

At this time of year, many people go to holiday parties where they hide nervously among the potted plants, wish the floor would swallow them up or that they could go home instantly.
One reason is that they are unskilled in making small talk.

In the e-book "Small Talk:Connecting with Others" (www.BusinessSpeechImprovement.com/ebooks.htm),
readers learn strategies to make connections and how to plan ahead to have ways to start conversations. Basically, people like to talk to others who are like them in some way, and we all have things in common.

What's your worst fear about going to parties and talking to strangers?

Executive Communication: The Power to Lead

Are you a supervisor, manager or someone hoping to be promoted into a leadership position?
Are your communication skills needing some polishing?

Executive Communication: The Power to Lead is an exciting one day course which will cover topics that are vital for today's managers: listening skills, helping teams brainstorm using a research-based process that generates a lot of ideas, conversational dynamics, and more! This class is normally available only to organizations, but for one day, it will be an Open Enrollment class, so anyone can register and attend. The overall group will be limited to 12. The class will be held in Chattanooga, TN.

For more information and to enroll, visit http://www.businessspeechimprovement.com/clients.htm

People who cannot attend on that day, or who want training in other aspects of verbal communication, can enroll in a session of Individual Speech Coaching for full day classes.
Visit www.BusinessSpeechImprovement.com and click on accent modification. Scroll down for Individual Speech Coaching as an option.

Great speech makes business sense!

Great speech makes business sense, and this one day class is a