Decision-making: A vs B - What if There's a C?

                         

A favorite technique of people who want you to make a decision is to offer you two choices, A or B.

Professionals in many fields use this method. Do you want to meet on Monday or Wednesday at 2 PM?

Do you want to try treatment X or Y? Do you want to study your spelling or your history first?

Think beyond the box, though. Consider if there is a third option that for some reason the person is not mentioning.  For example, in the case of a medical treatment, is there a third process such as physical therapy that might be an equally effective option for a given problem?  Is there some reason the person is only offering you two choices and has not mentioned a third one, such as a business person having a financial interest in the two options discussed?

This critical listening question is similar to the 10 that are discussed on page 16 of the tip-filled Executive Communication  Strategies, the e-book you'll wish your boss had read! Learn techniques ranging from appreciation to critical thinking and persuasion, 18 different subjects in all. Find out more here!

Communicative competence, communicative confidence

That's a real tongue-twister, isn't it?

Can someone speak well and not feel confident about it? Why or why not? Can someone speak with poor clarity or have trouble choosing the right words to say, and feel great about it?

Does competence equal confidence? Share your opinion!

Business Speech Improvement provides training in many verbal communication skills for adults. More information can be found at www.BusinessSpeechImprovement.com.

Is decision-making difficult for you?

Many managers and executives struggle with making good decisions. They often are concerned they have not considered all the angles. Here is a simple decision-making model for important decisions.

Consider PANOAPT: Positives And Negatives, Other options, Additional information needed, People/processes affected by the decision, Time-line for action.

If you are a CEO, manager or executive, what do you think of this model as it relates to your work or industry?

Business Speech Improvement (www.BusinessSpeechImprovement.com) offers individual and group training in Executive Communication Skills, as well as many other verbal communication skills.

New Year, New Opportunities!

It's New Year's Day; do you know where your goals are?? Many people choose to write goals, often one per topic relevant to their lives. These may include establishing relationships, health, career, hobbies, family, finances, and more.

The value of having clear, written goals was demonstrated in a Harvard study done in 1979. Read about the incredible impact of having these goals at http://www.lifemastering.com/en/harvard_school.html.

But my question is, "Where do you put your written goals so you see them and get the most impact from having written them?" Hidden goals may be out of sight, out of mind.

Share with me your most effective places to post those goals!

Trouble with American English Pronunciation?

Newcomers to the USA, whether they are here with H1B visas or other reasons, often struggle with pronunciation, culture and language skills. Many learned British English, which has many differences in grammar, vocabulary, intonation and pronunciation from American English. My Pronunciation Improvement for Non-native Professionals seminars often discuss some of these differences. For example, the British may pronounce "schedule" as "shedule", while Americans say
"skedule". The British may say the noun "progress" as "progress" (with a long "o" sound), while Americans say "prahgress". For those who want to change their pronunciation patterns, the next open enrollment Pronunciation Improvement for Non-native Professionals seminar will be January 10 - 12, 2010; a few spaces are still open at www.BusinessSpeechImprovement.com/class3.htm.

Business Speeches - 5 Big Blunders

Five little words can strike terror in many executives' hearts. They are "just say a few words".
What are the five biggest blunders people make when they give an impromptu speech like that?

5. They start by saying they don't know what to say. This may indeed be true, but it is terrible for your image, and what audience wants to hear it?
4. They repeat themselves, often many times, in their presentation.
3. They say exactly the same thing as the other speakers, who were also asked to "say a few words".
2. They speak much too long. An unknown sage suggested,
"Be brief, be brilliant, and be seated!" A few words translates into 1-2 minutes, in terms of a speech.
1. They should have anticipated having to talk, and prepared something. (If they were not asked to talk then, no-one needed to know they were prepared, and the practice would help them for the next time.) If nothing else, they should have a mental outline of the three things they would say, such as why the occasion is special, thanks to all who helped, and what the audience should anticipate happening next for the cause or event.

We have all suffered through listening to politicians or other leaders who were inept public speakers. A little preparation on the part of the potential speaker can make a huge difference!