How to persuade, with one simple word

I recently received a long set of instructions to submit an item to a company. The instructions did not make much sense to me, as a consumer. Researchers know that one way to persuade people is to tell them a reason for taking a specific action. "You need to do this because _____" has been shown to increase people's willingness to take action. The reason chosen must be important to the specific listener. The next time you need to persuade someone, give a reason that will be meaningful to that person. For example, a young mother might welcome increased convenience, a teen might prefer decreased parental supervision, and a boss might be delighted by lower costs and higher output. "Because" is such a simple word, but it can have a powerful impact! Try using it...because it makes a real difference. Business Speech Improvement provides intensive coaching and concise e-books on many aspects of verbal communication.

Training or Draining: How are listeners doing?

When you give a seminar, how are you in keeping your learners focused? Is there so much information being presented that listeners are overwhelmed? Are listeners drained from being an an uninspiring presentation or one given with a mono-tonal speaker?

Adult learning theory teaches that activities should change every 20 minutes or so. Some activities need to involve more than just reading and writing; create interaction with role-plays, physical activities or other techniques.

Business Speech Improvement provides intensive training in verbal communication. Presentation skills (including doing training), accent modification, executive and sales communication are among the topics covered. E-books are also offered. Visit us today!

Persuasion and Your Voice

Do you want to become a more competent persuader? Your voice can help you do it.

Several techniques can help you. First, speak at a normal volume, but at the crucial point, speak slightly softer.
(This only helps if your listener has normal hearing or you are using a microphone!) It sounds to your listener like you are conveying a secret, and he will pay more attention.

Second, pause briefly right before the crucial point. This also helps focus the listener's attention.

Third, change your rate of speech at that point. Speak slower if the information is complicated for the listener to understand. Speak slightly faster if this is urgent, such as pleading with people to stay away from the area of an accident.

If your voice is normally mono-tonal, and lulls people to sleep, speak with more energy and enthusiasm. Be excited about what you are saying!

Business Speech Improvement provides coaching for better communication. Check out our e-books, open enrollment seminars and individual coaching options!

What we can learn from Washington's Inaugural Address

For an amazing exercise in how communication has changed over time, read George Washington's First Inaugural Address. It contains very long, complex sentences, that are hard to understand.

Today's politicians and attorneys speak in short sentences, with sound bites. What an improvement this style is for us modern listeners!

The difference in political speeches can be seen since the advent of television. As more people listened and watched, politicians had to be able to communicate with those who had less time, patience and education.

From this we can learn to use shorter sentences, with essential messages or sound bites. Your listeners will thank you!

For more practical tips, get the e-book Public Speaking:You can Do It! Public speaking is an art, and can be learned!

Business Speech Improvement
provides intensive training in verbal communication skills. Training is offered through books, e-books and coaching. Great speech makes business sense; visit us today!

A secret of employee retention - at no cost

A well-educated manager and single mother stopped before the displays of roses and other flowers right before Valentine's Day. She admired them and said sadly, "I wish someone would appreciate me!"

This woman works hard to make sure her employees and children feel appreciated. When was the last time her manager did the same for her?

Although Valentine's Day is about romance, everyone needs to be appreciated. Take time today or tomorrow to tell each employee (and colleague, if appropriate) one specific thing you appreciate about him or her. Maybe it's the fact that the employee reliably comes in early and makes coffee, or took time on her lunch hour to run an errand for the department. Maybe he corrected an overlooked error in your report, or did a rush job on that assignment. Whatever it is, make your praise specific, and frequent. Appreciated employees stay longer, and that's money in your bottom line. After all, wouldn't you like to feel appreciated by YOUR boss?

Business Speech Improvement (www.BusinessSpeechImprovement.com) provides intensive, targeted training in executive communication skills and other verbal communication skills. Check out the upcoming open enrollment seminars, individual coaching and e-books!

What sounds in American English are the most difficult for you to pronounce?

If you speak American English as a second (or third) language, what sounds are the hardest for you to say? For example, is it our "th" sound, our "sh" sound, a particular vowel, or some other sound? Please indicate your native language or dialect and native country.

This is a serious inquiry, and your comments are appreciated!

Business Speech Improvement provides intensive, customized training in American English pronunciation, presentation skills, general diction, executive communication, lip-reading, idea generation strategies and more. Additional information can be found at www.BusinessSpeechImprovement.com.

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!

"CPR Speech"

Clients call Business Speech Improvement with some interestingly-worded requests. A few years ago, a supervisor called to ask if we would teach his employee "CPR Speech". Puzzled, I asked him to give me more information. He said he wanted his employee to learn to speak concisely, precisely and with relevance.

If you or an employee have trouble with this verbal communication skill, Individual Speech Coaching is available on request. The topic will also be covered in the Executive Communication Training open enrollment course offered by Business Speech Improvement. For a list of available courses, visit http://businessspeechimprovement.com/enabler/scripts/category.pl?Classes .