interviews Archives | Accent On Business

It’s Not Just What You Say, It’s How You Say It

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We all use “credibility detectors” when listening to someone talk to us. These sensors in the brain are activated by tone of voice and body language, not words. They give us important information about the speaker’s sincerity, integrity, and emotional intelligence. Some people equate this to the “gut-level hunch” we often sense. When kids listen to adults speak, they listen to the “strength” of the message for cues about whether or not the adult means what he or she is saying.

Do you “say it like you mean it”? Women often are not taken seriously for one of three reasons. First, her voice may be too quiet, making her sound unsure and non-authoritative. Second, she is too high-pitched, making her sound like a little girl or a cheerleader. Or third, she puts more inflection at the end of a sentence, making her sound […]

2022-04-22T08:33:24-04:00By Ellen Dunnigan|Categories: Professional Communication|Tags: business, communication, conversation, interview, interviews, Public Speaking, technique, vocal quality, voice help, voice problem|Comments Off

Tips to prepare yourself for selling by phone

smartphone-431230_1280 Prepare for your call by making sure your style of communication (the HOW) matches your message. To start off with a warm, friendly message:

Think of a key word which represents the tone of voice you wish to create (warm, friendly), such as “tender”, “calm”, “sunshine”, “cozy”. Repeat that one key word to yourself several times with emphasis until you feel it.
Picture the mental image. Visualize hugging a child or your spouse, wrapping up in a blanket by the fireplace, walking along the beach in the bright sun. Make the picture clear and vivid.
Change the sound of your voice by changing your body tone and placement.

For a warm, friendly voice you must first relax. Inhale, then exhale slowly.
Look into the mirror and smile.
Talk expressively with energy.
Move. Make your movements BIG and FLUID.

2022-04-22T08:33:40-04:00By Ellen Dunnigan|Categories: Leadership Presence, Professional Communication|Tags: articulate clearly, business, communication, executive presence, how to sell over the phone, interview, interviews, messages, phone sales, Professional Communication, Public Speaking, speech, talking, technique|Comments Off

Good Business Cent$

TOP 10 BENEFITS TO A COMPANY ENSURING EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION:

10. Attracting and hiring qualified and desirable employees.
9. Employees are managed effectively and motivated which increases productivity.
8. Job tasks are readily understood and properly executed reducing the margin of error.
7. Information is well organized and disseminated correctly, facilitating meeting deadlines.
6. Interactions with vendors are consistent, which enhances purchasing power.
5. Staff longevity is increased due to greater loyalty to the employer.
4. Perception of the company is strengthened which helps to promote future growth and development, leading to increased revenue.
3. Internal customer satisfaction is enhanced which increases quality assurance.
2. External customer satisfaction is increased helping to retain existing customer base.
1. Satisfied external customers readily support your company which encourages new customers and leads to increased […]

2022-04-22T08:33:40-04:00By Ellen Dunnigan|Categories: Professional Communication|Tags: business, communication, executive presence, habit, image, interviews, Make Over Your Voice, messages, Professional Communication, professional communication advisory firm, Public Speaking, public speaking firm, technique|Comments Off

How Much Do Poor Communication Skills Really Cost?

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TOP TEN RISKS TO A COMPANY WITH INEFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION:

Inability to attract qualified job applicants.
Poor hiring decisions.
Miscommunication of key information resulting in either rework or errors.
Staff burnout due to low morale and lack of motivation.
Reduced staff retention and subsequent increased staff turnover.
Inability to meet critical deadlines.
Costly purchasing errors with vendors.
Damage to company image and loss of revenue.
Frustration among internal customers which leads to downtime.
Misperceptions and frustrations among external customers which equates to dissatisfied customers.

As you can deduce from the preceding top ten risks, ineffective communication is generally not limited to one or two situations or a few employees. Rather it can start out on a small scale and if left unattended, can have a spiraling effect across departments. This can manifest itself in a pervasive company problem, which often leads to finger pointing […]

2022-04-22T08:33:40-04:00By Ellen Dunnigan|Categories: Professional Communication|Tags: business, communication, communication skills, executive presence, image, interviews, maximizing potential, quality, technique, why you need communication skills|Comments Off

Listening is a Sign of Respect

listening-157386_1280 Think of your last conversation. If you remember what you said more clearly than what you heard, you probably need to work on your listening skills.

Listening is a sign of respect. It shows that you value what the speaker has to say. If you take the time to listen to someone, take the time to listen properly. Set aside what you are doing so you can focus on the speaker, showing them that they are important to you. This will encourage the speaker to crystallize his message instead of giving you a shortened and vague version. If you continue to focus on your work, you may miss key gestures or facial expressions that may indicate the speaker’s true feelings differ from his words.

It’s not always easy to focus on what a speaker is trying to say, especially if he has distracting idiosyncrasies. […]

2022-04-22T08:33:41-04:00By Ellen Dunnigan|Categories: Professional Communication|Tags: business, communication, conversation, fillers, habit, how to listen, how to listen better, how to work on listening skills, interview, interviews, listening, listening skills, technique, why listening is important, why you should listen|Comments Off

Sharpen Your Skills Before Your Next Interview!

If you’ve been considering a career change, or know someone interviewing, take time to consider a few additional items critical to the success of your interview, namely your style of presentation and your communication skills. Being mentally prepared for the interview is very important. Presenting yourself as an effective communicator qualification in great demand by employers.

Here are a few tips for before and during the interview process:

Exercise. A short workout the morning of your interview will get your blood and breathing going and will help you present yourself with energy and vitality.
Breathe. Take slow, deep diaphramatic breaths before the interview. This will help you center yourself, reduce stress, and keep your voice steady and confident. Your abdomen should extend outward upon inhalation and deflate upon exhalation. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.
Be positive and enthusiastic. Speak with a positive […]

2022-04-22T08:33:42-04:00By Ellen Dunnigan|Categories: Public Speaking|Tags: articulate clearly, breathe, communication, conversation, executive presence, exercise, how to interview well, interview, interview tips, interviews, professional communications, Public Speaking, qualifications, speaking, speech, talking, tips for interviewing, video, voice problem|1 Comment