There is No Such Thing as “Perfect” English
An English dictionary is not a rulebook, but a suggested guideline. It is based on the pronunciation, spelling, and usage of most educated speakers.
What it Really Takes to Nail Your Presentation
There are several “must-haves” for every great presentation. Of course, depth in your content is vital. Without stellar content, there is just no reason to stand before us as a presenter. Of course, your content must be carefully crafted. Always think about your purpose and your audience when crafting the content of your speech. Beyond depth of content, making sure you are properly channeling your energy (sometimes referred to as anxiety) allows you to show up as the capable and confident speaker that we’re expecting. We advocate our four-part process for mastering your fear of public speaking and for showing up with professional-level energy.
While the four-part process is an effective and essential component, it is not the only formula for successfully delivering your presentation. Your presentation equally depends on
How to Land Your Dream Job, Position, or Project
Most people spend a great deal of time and effort crafting a stellar message when trying to land their dream job or next great assignment. Professional credentials, experience, power words… these are all details we include in attempts to get the interest of a prospective employer. Not that this isn’t an important piece to the puzzle…it is… but there is more. Would you believe me if I said that if this prospective employer HEARD your pitch when they read it – even if you used exactly the same words – they would rate you above others and would be more likely to hire you?
A new study by the University of Chicago Booth School of Business found that when employers listened to job qualifications from prospective candidates, they rated the candidates as more competent, thoughtful, and intelligent than when they simply read a transcript of the same pitch. Note that the […]
See Yourself as You Want Others to See You
Earlier this week, one of my public speaking clients mentioned to me that she would like to work on her “presence” before the audience as well as her actual presentation. I probed a bit deeper, asking her to describe exactly what it was she wanted to project; how was it that she wanted others to see her?
The Power of One Great Question
One great question can elicit useful answers, move a relationship to a higher plane, or propel a business solution. The following tips can make you a more strategic communicator and get you noticed for your thought leadership.
- Ask open-ended questions that stimulate thinking. Typically, these types of questions begin with “How” or “What do you think about…” Note: too many “why” questions can make one sound confrontational.
- Ask for the individual’s own ideas. This empowers the person and makes him/her feel valued
- Ask Interpretive Questions; “ what do you think about…?”
- Dig Deeper. Instead of asking a leading question (“You think that was the best decision, don’t you?”), ask a deeper question, “Why do you think that?”
- Start with what you understand, followed by what remains unclear. “I understand that we’re in a risky economy, but I think I missed why we’re responding this way. What’s our most effective plan?”
- Don’t […]
What is Accent Reduction?
Accent reduction, or accent modification, is the systematic approach for neutralizing a foreign accent to adapt to the majority accent. The process includes identifying the variations in the individual’s current speech, and comparing them to the constants in the target dialect. These variations include not only sound distinctions, but also the differences in grammar styles, idioms, stress patterns, and rhythm of the new language.
A foreign accent is an important personal characteristic to one’s identity. Accents make individuals unique, and they are often viewed as attractive for this reason. Heavy accents can impede communication in the workplace. Accent reduction, not elimination, might be a valuable communication and professional development endeavor. Accent modification aids in better understanding in the workplace and social settings.
Attributes of a Great Leader
There have been many great leaders across the ages. This begs the question, what did they have in common? What about them made them such a good leader? Here is our answer:
5 Things You Can Do Right Now To Improve Your Next Presentation
There have been many articles written over the last decade especially take a peak inside this magician’s tophat. I came up with five Jobsian tricks you can adapt to make your next presentation a little better without spending hours and hours in front of a mirror.
Who’s On First?
Proposals delivered by multiple people from the same company or organization are interesting to watch from a “30,000 foot” view. There are many people involved; each has an agenda. What is their focus? Who should talk, when, and for how long? What is everyone’s individual role? Did the group come across as they envisioned?
Here’s a scenario for you: a business with two different teams — the creative team and the sales team — will be proposing to a potential client. Each of these teams go into a proposal with specific goals. The creative team is, by definition, creative. The creative team, of course, wants the prospect to embrace the concepts and strategies, to love the ideas, and to imagine the success that can come from their wonderful design. And this can be duly accomplished if the vision is unambiguously portrayed by a team of professionals & which can be considered […]
7 Tips For Giving A Great Speech
I’ve heard it said that at a funeral, most people would rather be in the casket then giving the eulogy. Speaking can be a frightening thing for most people, but once you conquer that fear, the world can open up for you. Whether it’s a short speech during a monthly meeting at work or a presentation that promotes your business, speaking is a great way to get noticed and move forward with your goals. Here are a few tips that will help you present like a professional:
1. Get focused. Take 5-10 minutes to do some deep breathing or meditation before your speech. Set your intention. What do you want people to get from this speech? Visualize the outcome. What do you want people to say to you when the speech is finished? Get a clear picture of the outcome in your mind.
2. Have a Plan. Never try to “wing” a […]