Business Speech: Content and Format

"Business speech" means different things to different people. To some people, it means
the content of what a person says when giving a presentation to a small or large group. In other words, what message should be in a business presentation?

Other people want to know the format of how we speak in a business environment. For example, how can we use vocal pitch and intonation (how a voice goes up and down), run meetings effectively, improve our pronunciation, use proper eye contact, persuade others, speak better on the telephone or during a videoconference, or do all this in another culture.

What are you searching for when you look for information on "business speech"?

Business Speech Improvement (www.BusinessSpeechImprovement.com) provides coaching and e-books on many aspects of business communication. These include accent modification, pronunciation or diction, writing and delivering business presentations, and more!

Work in the US and have a strong foreign accent?

(American English) Pronunciation Improvement for Non-native Professionals is a three day intensive course on pronunciation. In some countries, this is called elocution or diction. This "immersion-style" course will be offered June 16 - 18, 2010; a second session will be taught July 2- 4, 2010.

The course is limited to only six learners, and will be taught in Chattanooga, TN.
For more information and to enroll, visit http://businessspeechimprovement.com/enabler/scripts/category.pl?Classes .

Business Speech Improvement also offers courses on regional accent modification, executive communication skills, public speaking and other topics. Great speech makes business sense!

What's the best way to learn to speak English better?

One of the most common questions I get as a communication coach from my professional clients from other countries is, "How can I speak better English quickly?" I then ask them, "How much time do you speak English now?"

Many times people from other countries only speak a limited amount of English at work or when in the community shopping. At home they speak their native language, and many of their friends are from their native country, so they speak that language with them as well. Some also take English as a Second Language classes, or for those more fluent, classes in a local college.

But the best way to learn a language is to surround oneself with native speakers of that language and actually speak it as much as possible. At work, ask to get on company or departmental committees, or get involved in your neighborhood association or a recreational activity that involves speaking. This is not selfish; when you speak better English, you will be able to help your children and spouse with their English as well. The more you speak English, the easier it will be. Many communities and some companies have free classes available for spouses as well to help them become more involved in their new communities.

For those from other countries who want to improve their American English pronunciation, Business Speech Improvement offers a three day intensive class on Pronunciation Improvement for Non-native Professionals. Visit http://businessspeechimprovement.com/enabler/scripts/category.pl?Classes to enroll in the next session!

Professionals: need to pronounce English better?

A businessman was speaking about a client of his who spoke English but was hard to understand. "By the time I understood the word he mispronounced, he was so far ahead that I missed important information." People from other nationalities work very hard to learn American English, but sometimes their pronunciation of it causes them problems. In addition, they also have to learn when NOT to pronounce certain sounds. For example, in the word "clothes", the "th" is silent. (Only English has a 'th" sound.)

Professionals wanting to improve their pronunciation of American English are invited to register for Pronunciation Improvement for Non-native Professionals, a three day intensive seminar May 3 - 5, 2010. The course is offered by Business Speech Improvement. Details are at http://businessspeechimprovement.com/enabler/scripts/category.pl?Classes . The class size is limited, and early enrollment is encouraged.

Some American companies are willing to sponsor an employee for this course if the employee will request it. They know that clear verbal communication benefits both the employee and the company.

New to the USA?

Whether you are coming to the USA as a visitor, an immigrant, a student, a professional or on a special visa, American customs may be different than you expect. Coming to the USA: American Cultural Differences, http://businessspeechimprovement.com/enabler/scripts/e_books. pl is a down-loadable e-book. It covers differences in time, writing dates, temperature, greetings, American workplace culture, and many more categories.

Visit http://businessspeechimprovement.com/enabler/scripts/e_books.pl to buy this invaluable
e-book today!

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.