The speech coaching process - and you!

Have you ever wondered what happens during speech coaching?

It starts with goal-setting. What do you want to be able to do differently by the end of the process? Some clients want to pronounce American English more clearly, due to either a strong foreign or regional accent. Listeners have trouble understanding them, they report.

Other clients want to be able to speak more effectively at a department meeting, or to give a business or scientific presentation better.

Some clients want help to learn to speak slower, or to be more effective leaders. Others want help learning non-verbal communication, how to make "small talk" or how to speak more concisely, as their supervisor is requesting.

Others have different requests involving verbal communication.

After goal-setting, your communication will be assessed, and then customized training will be developed.

Coaching may take place in small groups, be done individually, or sometimes online. Concise e-books filled with practical tips are also available.

Clients comment that the speech coaching they received made a difference; they reported feeling more self-confident, were delighted that others understood them more easily, or did better with their careers. 

Better speech can have a big impact!

Learn more about Business Speech Improvement's speech coaching options now!

Delegating: Is It Clear?

Delegating involves a lot of clear communication. An easy way to do this is to use the 5 W's and an H, as follows.
Who - Who is to be involved in the project and working specifically on this task?
What is each person's and team's role? What are the specifications of the project?
When is each team supposed to complete its' task and when should each check in with the coordinator or project manager?
Where is the work to be done? Where are the components of the project to be found, if online? Where are any other supplies located?
Why is the project important to the client and to the organization doing it?
How will everyone involved know of the progress and any complicating or new factors? Is there a location for this information online? Will there be regular in-person meetings or teleconferences?

Business Speech Improvement provides intensive training in verbal skills, including a one-day seminar on Executive Communication:The Power to Lead.. Open enrollment seminars, individual coaching and tip-filled e-books are available on many topics, from accent modification and pronunciation to presentation skills and leadership training.

Want speech improvement to speak American English more clearly?

Do you need to improve your American English,but coaching is not an option right now?

Learn from an innovative combination of a down-loadable audio file and a pdf, " Learn how to pronounce American English more clearly". Hear a professional speech coach and native American English speaker read specially written paragraphs with many examples of a given sound. Listen as often as you like, and repeat! Each part of the series has several sounds on it; get one or all of them at www.BusinessSpeechImprovement.com.

Business Speech Improvement provides intensive coaching in verbal communication skills, including accent modification, executive communication skills, presentation skills and much more. Training is offered through in-person coaching, e-books and this new audio/pdf series. Great speech makes business sense!

Positive Impressions in Two Ways in Retail Stores

Two chains new in the area are using excellent techniques to create positive impressions on customers.

One technique, used by the new MacAuthority, is to know other nearby stores who carry related products that customers may ask for, which MacAuthority does not carry. The staff at MacAuthority appears very knowledgeable about products when they can do that. Another new store, EarthFare, promotes a positive experience by offering many food samples and encouraging customers to try these items. Obviously they want customers to stay longer in the store, and buy some new items. Whether through referrals, enthusiastic smiles, pleasant smells and wonderful tastes, or generally appearing eager - not just barely willing - to serve the customers, these stores are using some effective strategies to create positive impressions!

Selling with Questions

Are you trying to persuade people to take a job, buy a product, or accept an idea? Try asking what they want in a perfect product or position before starting your sales pitch! For example, if you are trying to recruit a new employee, ask if the hours, benefits, chance to advance, the pay or some other aspect of the work is the most important. If you are selling televisions, ask about size, picture quality, ease of use or cost is most essential. Then start with that information. Your listener will appreciate the fact that you asked, and will listen closely as you address his most important concern first.

Your Front Line's Verbal Image

What is your "front line", the first people to talk to a prospective client or vendor, saying, and HOW are they saying it?

Research shows that 93% of the first impression is non-verbal, but based on factors such as tone of voice, rate of speaking, dress, facial expressions, etc. Only 7% of the first impression is based on words alone.

Today I spoke to a member of the "front line" of a multi-million dollar company, about working for them as a vendor. She answered the phone at 10 AM sounding bored and uncaring. A few minutes later, she said of the staff member to whom she referred me, "I think he does stuff like that." Her information about the staff member's responsibilities was very inaccurate, but her language was worse - it was appropriate for a first grader, not for someone who should have had some college background!

If you work in marketing or public relations, are your efforts being undercut by poor communication skills of your "front liners"?