Redundancy - again

Recently a woman addressed a crowd at the end of a long meeting to announce a future event she was running for the organization. Even though she knew she had 1 minute to say the name of the event, time, date, location and a short description of it, she so frequently repeated herself that the announcement took far longer. If she had written her announcement out ahead of time and deleted all the repetitive phrases, she would have been far more effective as a speaker. Why are people so repetitive? One man explained that he was worried he had not explained himself clearly enough, so he wanted to try again to make sure people understood his ideas. Other people have no idea that they are so repetitive, while a few just enjoy being in front of a group and maybe subconsciously want it to last as long as possible. As the leader of a group, you can help group members by asking that announcements about future activities be written on the website, handed out on a one paper someone assembles before the meeting for people to take with them, or written down ahead of time and read from, in the interests of being complete and concise. If you are a public speaker, whether a clergy person or a subject expert in another capacity, write out the keywords and record yourself speaking. Listen to the recording for redundancies. As an unknown sage said, "Be brief, be brilliant, and be seated" Business Speech Improvement provides intensive coaching in speaking skills. Specialties include American English pronunciation improvement for non-native speakers, presentation skills, executive communication, and more. Training is provided through small group seminars, individual coaching and e-books.

Public Speaking and Your Career: 3 Tips to Improve Your Skills

Public speaking (or presentation skills) according to one survey is the biggest fear of many adult Americans. Many people are especially concerned about how this fear affects their chances of career growth. Their jobs require them to speak in meetings or other settings, and this is very difficult for them. The best way to overcome this fear is through a public speaking seminar, or other type of training. However, this is not feasible for some people due to time or financial constraints. In other cases, people are too nervous to even consider taking this step. Here are three tips to help overcome this concern. First, it is not possible to be both relaxed and nervous simultaneously. Slow, deep breathing before speaking calms people. (Obviously, do not do this into a telephone, which has a microphone, into a regular microphone, or while driving or using other power equipment.) Simply take a slow deep breath, hold it briefly, and exhale slowly. Do this several times. The extra oxygen taken in helps people to think more clearly, as well as to relax. Second, remember the message counts more than the speaker. Focus on making the message as clear as possible, not on yourself. Third, help listeners remember your message. Techniques such as using relevant examples (especially dramatic ones), alliteration (such as "delicious doughnuts") and emotion all increase memory. As one unknown sage phrased it, "be brief, be brilliant, be seated". In general, shorter is better. Plan your presentation and eliminate redundancies. Business Speech Improvement provides 3 ways to get help with public speaking skills. A one day small group open-enrollment seminar is offered occasionally. Individual coaching is an excellent choice for those who are busy. This is tailored to your level of skill and can be used to practice upcoming presentations. A tip-filled e-book, "Public Speaking:You Can Do It!" is excellent for those who need "help in a hurry©" or who live far away.

"May I help you?" - do you care?

Today I listened to receptionists answer telephone calls for two businesses. Both had clearly been doing this all day, and may have been tired. Although they used basically the same words, one's tone of voice sounded like she clearly didn't care about the person at the other end. The other, although not enthusiastic, was more welcoming.

Tone of voice can make a difference between welcoming a prospective or current customer, and turning him or her away.
All it takes is a desire to welcome the customer and a little bit of both training and energy.

Sound like you care - every time. If you don't care, the customer may not share his time and business with you. After all, would you want to do business with a company whose first impression is of not caring?

Business Speech Improvement provides intensive training in verbal skills, from diction and sales communication to American English pronunciation and more.

Regional accents - and their impact

Many people report that having a strong regional accent, such as a strong New England, Midwestern, Southern or some other accent can impact their careers, even if they continue living in that part of the country. The reason is that they give presentations or make phone calls to people in other parts of the country, who may have trouble understanding them.

Have you had difficulty being understood or understanding someone else who has a strong regional accent? If so, what part of the country (and country) are you in? What did you have to do to communicate?

What kind of training would help in this case, if you were the speaker? Would you want regional accent modification alone, combined with customer service training or with public speaking training? Would you prefer it in person alone or in a group, in a webinar online (although you wouldn't get feedback), or in an e-book/mp3 file?

Business Speech Improvement provides intensive individual and group training, and e-books, on many topics related to communication.

Are you worried about your speech skills for business?

Excellent communication skills are essential for business. Many companies put such skills in their list of required qualifications, and offer training (or send employees to classes elsewhere where they can get the needed skills).

Insufficient communication skills can cause lost career development or promotion opportunities, can result in lost clients, or at least can cause embarrassment or frustration. Is that how you are feeling?

Currently, Business Speech Improvement is evaluating what additional seminars, e-books, or individual coaching should be offered. Currently, training in foreign and regional accent modification, presentation skills, techniques to speak slower, general diction, improving communication with someone who has a hearing loss, and communication skills for leadership are available. Many are offered in seminars, individual coaching and/or e-books.

If you would like training in a different topic, or a different format, please comment below or send us an e-mail with the topic and referred format. The first 25 responses will receive a complimentary e-book! Please do let us know how you would like to get help for yourself or an employee!

If you would like to schedule training in one of the above topics, or enroll in an open enrollment seminar, please click here.

Public Speaking and the Scary "Um"

As a speech coach, one of the most common questions I hear is
"How can I stop saying "um" when I speak?"

People say "um" for three main reasons. They are a lack of sufficient preparation, a lack of self-confidence, and a poor level of skill in public speaking in general.

To decrease the "um" factor, be very well-prepared. Know your topic thoroughly, learn your speech through key words (not memorization of the entire speech), and use a moment of silence in place of an "um". For more valuable tips on giving a presentation, get Public Speaking:You Can Do It!, an e-book. Individual coaching on public speaking in general or to prepare for a specific presentation is also available through Business Speech Improvement.

Trained Mentors Can Motivate New Employees

Starting a new job can be confusing and overwhelming. Employees often seek out mentors who are not their direct supervisors, but may be people the employee admires.
New employees, because they need time to learn the company procedures and culture, are inherently less productive. They also have less invested in the job (and long-term benefits such as retirement plans) and may be more willing to "jump ship" and go to another employer because of this.

A well-trained mentor can make a difference in helping guide the employee, listening to his concerns and helping motivate him to stay. The mentor needs to be aware of the importance of being positive, being on time for meetings with the employee, having excellent listening skills and being alert to signs the employee is unhappy.

Business Speech Improvement
provides intensive, customized training in verbal communication skills. A seminar on Executive Communication Coaching: The Power to Lead is now enrolling learners.

Speech Secrets: Tips to Talking More Clearly

Do you struggle saying extra long words or words with a foreign pronunciation? Do people wonder what you said? Do you hate those puzzled looks others give you?

Here are some secrets that speech experts know! First, speak slower when you say tough words. If you have time, look online for a dictionary of that foreign language that has a button you can click which will say the word for you, as many times as you need.

Second, make sure you know what syllable to stress or emphasize. Stressing the wrong one might mean you said a different word. Some languages are very tonal. If the word is in English, you still need to know what syllable to stress.

Third, if the word seems like a tongue-twister to you, say it three times very sloooowly and then you will be able to say it at a regular pace. Think of it as a practice period for your mouth!

Business Speech Improvement
provides intensive training in accent modification, speech rate, pronunciation and grammar, executive communication skills, public speaking and more! Training is offered through coaching and e-books. Check out our options!

Better Business Communication Day - Celebrate with Us!

Do you ever get stage fright or worry about your pronunciation in American English? Better Business Communication Day is celebrated this year on January 24, 2011. You are invited to get some f*ree gifts!

Visit Business Speech Improvement on Monday, January 24, 2011 and get a e-book on Diction Makes a Difference - no cost on this one day! Filled with practical tips and exercises, it allows readers to learn more about Business Speech Improvement's user-friendly approach. This offer is available for this one day only.

Those who register will also receive a special report on "Scared Stiff: Ten Strategies for Coping with Stage Fright". This report is available right now, so register today! Aren't you ready to feel better about public speaking?

Business Speech Improvement provides intensive coaching and helpful e-books on accent modification, diction, presentation skills, executive communication skills, and much more! Visit us and get these special offers!