Getting Audience Participation When Speaking
I'm going to share with you 18 ways to encourage audience participation.
Good Customer Service Alone Does Not Mean Referrals
Many businesses are under the impression that if they provide good customer service, people will refer business to them - just like that! However, they only have part of the picture ...
Myths And Realities Of Writing For The Web
To paraphrase poet Gertrude Stein: "A text is a text is a text". Whether it is on a piece of paper or a computer screen is of little consequence - what makes a good text good is universal.
Build Your Business In A Downturn - Work Your Network!
Unfortunately, every time the economy takes a downturn, the fallout is felt strongly by salespeople, business owners, and professionals alike. Don't let a bad economy be your excuse for failure. Instead, make it your opportunity to succeed!
Communicating With The Four Personality Types
For a leader to have significance, the message must have significance. Significance to the audience (the follower) - not just the leader!
5 Ways To Get The Most From Your Business Blog
Business blogs have taken the limelight in providing businesses a chance to boost their productivity online. If you are thinking of creating a blog, read these tips to help you break through - and make your blog successful.
10 Ways To Be Perceived As The Expert With Any Audience
Public speaking is an excellent way to position yourself as the expert in your field. It's also a great way to show your audience that you're likable, caring and funny. The focus of this article, however, is on the importance of public speaking and how to use it to position yourself as the authority in your field.
The Secret To Getting Your Press Release Published
You can have the best press (or media) release in the world, but unless it is sent to the right person there is every chance it will not be dealt with (or not dealt with in the way you want it to be).
How To Start Any Presentation With Style
The ABC and D of presentations. A clever neumonic to help you with the first few minutes of any presentation, to get it off to the right start and give you lots of confidence to continue.
How To Use Presentation Slides To Best Effect
Properly used, slides can significantly boost the interest and effectiveness of a presentation. Poorly used, they can significantly damage it. It takes only slightly more effort to do the job well than to do it poorly. You owe it to yourself and your audience to make this minor investment for a major return.
Seven Secret Physical Success Signals
What's the secret to making that perfect first impression? Ensure your presentations go off with a bang - instead of a whimper - with these seven secret signals to physical success.
10 Point Power PR Plan
By implementing the simple strategies and suggestions offered in this plan, you should be able to visibly evidence the results and measure the success of the Public Relations (PR) strategies you implement.
Not Getting Referrals? It's All Your Fault!
Sorry, but the truth is that if your referral network is not working the way you wanted or expected it to, it's ... well ... all your fault. Dispel the myths and excuses - and get the most from your referral network.
Three Principles And Ten Tips For Clear Writing
Use the following 10 tips and techniques of clear writing to write with clarity, conciseness and density.
Design Employee Communication Strategies That Engage - And Can Be Measured
For your employee communication strategies to engage employees (rather than simply inform) and for those strategies to be measured by business outcomes, you must first ask some basic questions ...
Five Ways To Increase Your Visibility
Increased visibility means increased credibility. Improve your credibility and you increase your reputation. Increase your reputation and you increase your perceived value and you can grow your business, your career or your influence.
How To Shine In Your TV Appearance
The key is to relax and enjoy the interview as much as possible - after all, it is your opportunity to promote your business, product or service and hopefully raise your profile and profits.
5 Ways Leaders Can Communicate Change
No matter what the issue is, even if it is just business as usual, having a good communicator as a CEO is critical to impact the culture of an organisation in a positive way.
Complaints - The Art Of Listening
Complaints can be one of our strongest learning tools for success. Your philosophy on communication is what creates either a battle zone, or a strong meeting place. A space that can stand between you and your client, or draw you together. It's largely in your hands.
The Mathematics Of Persuasive Communication - Density
There are various methods to generate such a strong desire to read, depending on the type of readers and the type of information. Whatever the most appropriate device, the crucial thing is to recognise the imperative need to use it. Until this need is met, nothing else is of any importance.
The Mathematics Of Persuasive Communication - Oral Presentations
Above anything else, the success of an oral presentation depends on the precision of its structure. Mathematics is all about precision. It is, therefore, not so odd to think that applying some of the concepts of mathematics to oral presentations could make them substantially more effective.
The Mathematics Of Persuasive Communication - Clarity And Conciseness
When someone reads an expository text or listens to an expository speech, they are likely to judge it as "good" or "not good". You probably do this yourself. But what do you actually mean when you say a text or a speech is "good". After some struggling, most people will usually settle on two criteria: clear and concise.
The Art Of Woo: Selling Your Ideas To The Entire Organisation
Effectively selling ideas - using persuasion rather than force - is one of the most important skills that everyone from CEOs and entrepreneurs, to team leaders and mid-level managers, need to learn if they want to be effective in their organisations.
Imperfect Information Leads To Imperfect Decisions
Any reluctance to share and disclose the full suite of information which is available, necessary and, indeed, imperative, actually impinges on the ability of service providers to offer that which will provide ultimate customer satisfaction. So, go ahead, give it to them - so that they can and will be able to do their job properly.
The Fifth Key To A Remarkable Workplace - Parables
The main ‘essential truth' you should take away from this article is that stories are a powerful resource for your business. Effectively used, they can define how your market perceives you, as well as help staff understand your core values.
Success Is Not Measured By The Number Of Network Meetings You Attend
Referral networking is more about farming, than hunting! An overemphasis of running from one networking event to another, looking for new relationships is a waste of time, money, and energy - that you should be using to develop the relationships you've already started.
Think Newsworthy, Think Media
Develop your credibility, expertise and media exposure. They all help to spread your message and grow your business.
Extra! Extra! Read All About It!
Headlines sell. And yet headlines are usually an afterthought for most writers, something they throw together on the way out the door.
How To Avoid Being Misrepresented In The Media
Being misrepresented is one of the major threats in dealing with the media.
5 Ways To Measure The Impact On Business Outcomes
This low cost, yet highly effective approach, will ensure that you can measure your employee communication strategies against business outcomes.
The Power Of Positioning: How To Answer The Question 'What Do You Do?'
We are not what we do! However we do need to answer the question "what do you do?" in a way that makes us better known and creates more business.
10 Essentials For Networking At Tradeshows And Events
Here are ten tips your team needs to know to shine like stars - even when they're not on the showfloor!
Six Mistakes Made At Business Networking Events
When you consider that business networking events are about establishing relationships, it's surprisingly common to actually alienate those you meet. So how do you avoid making such mistakes?
Survey Writing: Measuring Customer Satisfaction
Measuring customer satisfaction is a great way to focus your business development on the areas that will really make a difference to your customers. So how do you go about writing a survey to do this?
Proven Ways To Get Results From Your Networking
In the same way as we have a marketing or business plan we need to have a networking plan to ensure we maximise the opportunities we have when meeting other professionals. Here are some tips and strategies that will help you network by design, not default!
Communicating With Branch Offices
Communication is the lifeblood of your business. When managing a branch office, whether it is regional, local or overseas, your company will be reliant on the quality of communication.
How To Write A Media Release
Did you know that publicity is supposedly seven times more effective than advertising? And it is free - that is if you do it yourself.
Customer Feedback Surveys: What's The Point?
To get the most meaningful results from your customer feedback surveys, it is important to ask the right questions.
Speak For Success
Do you make compelling presentations? If not here's a few tips that may help.
Increasing Your Media Quotient (MQ) - Increasing Media Coverage
What happens when your MQ, or what I call Media Intelligence drops?
Increasing Your Media Quotient (MQ) - TV Interviews
Television is one of the most powerful forms of media. The visual aspect provides people with additional emotional stimulation and is seen by a large audience.
Increasing Your Media Quotient (MQ) - Answers To Common Questions
You've all heard about personal intelligence or IQ and Emotional Intelligence, EQ. But what about MQ, what I call Media Intelligence? Managers, leaders and entrepreneurs with a high MQ tend to be on the whole more successful than the general population.
Building Rapport With Your Clients
In the article '11 Top Tips for Putting Communication to Work' I dealt with communication within our own businesses and organisations. This time I'll look at how we relate to our clients. Because of course, without the goodwill of our clients, we don't have a business.
Speed Networking... And Beyond!
Speed networking programs are showing up all around the world. These events tend to be a fun, exciting, and effective way to make a lot of initial connections in a very different environment from the standard business networking meetings.
Survey Writing: Is Your Survey Easy To Answer?
When writing your customer survey, the wording of response options should be carefully considered. Surveys should be easy to answer, not a chore and good answer options increase your response rate.
Networking At A Cocktail Function
Cocktail functions have a different feel about them than other business networking events. Here's how to make sure the drinks are diluted and not your networking!
11 Top Tips For Putting Communication To Work
Communication is never a one way street. During my 20+ years of helping people be more effective in their relationships with others, I've developed some strategies I'd like to pass on.
Microphone Technique 101
Here are nine tips on microphone technique to maximise your message, and not ruin your reputation, when giving a speech.
Cultural Differences And Networking Etiquette
We now live in a fully global society where it is imperative to have an awareness of cultural differences as they relate to networking etiquette. We often notice differences within our own states. Certainly between regions of the nation; but what about businesses that are networking with businesses in other parts of the world? We actually cross cultures with every person we meet.
Email Writing - Tips On How To Get Yours Read And Acted Upon
Most of us weigh up our email messages quickly and delete those we consider 'junk'. We tend to scan rather than read the remainder and concentrate on emails that help us in getting something done. The rest are deleted. Below are some tips to ensure that the emails you send are always read and acted upon in the manner that you intended.
The Art Of Negotiating
In today's world, the skilled negotiator has the advantage.
Saying No To Demands
Below are some specific key words or phrases you can use in saying No to other's demands, in a way that flows naturally from your Yes, your power, and your respect. Remember that your tone and underlying intent need to be congruent with your words if they are to have the right impact.
You Have To Be A "People Person" To Be Good At Networking... Right?
A common assumption is that a "people person" is the best type of networker. But this isn't necessarily true.
Improve Your Bottom Line - Use Your Voice!
Some years ago Tom Peters advised business leaders to 'become performing artists'. CEOs and other company leaders hoping to engage, inspire and motive employees and wanting to project a convincing, authentic, distinctive company brand, ignore the power of the voice at their peril.
7 Reasons Speakers Flop - Part 1
Few things create a more vivid perception of an executive than his speaking ability. The higher executives rise in an organisation, the more frequently they are called upon to address others.
7 Reasons Speakers Flop - Part 2
In the article '7 Reasons Speakers Flop - Part 1 I outlined the first four common reasons executives fail at speaking. In this article, find the remaining three.
Asking The Right Questions
Knowing the right questions to ask can have a dramatic effect on our success. Not having good information or not getting the answers we need in doing our jobs can make all the difference in the world.
The Art Of Communicating
According to the Oxford Dictionary, the definition of communication is: "The art of imparting news and information". And it is an art. And as with all arts, it can be learned, and refined and analysed and monitored and measured and, perhaps eventually, perfected.
Killer Customer Surveys
Customer surveys are a fabulous way to do research on a highly specified portion of the market and a way to improve your future service to customers and clients. Following are some of the questions and details I highly recommend you consider including on your next survey.
Six Simple Ways Others Can Promote Your Business
How many times have friends, family and associates said: If there's anything I can do to help you, let me know? How often did you say: Well, now that you mention it, there are a few things you could do?
Networking Faux Pas
A networking faux pas is a slip or blunder in networking etiquette or conduct. I've put together a few of the most glaring ones so that you might avoid them in your networking efforts.
Managing The Media
Having an understanding of the media is essential if you engage with the media intentionally, in a media campaign or unintentionally in a crisis.
Strategies For Effective Networking
This article outlines some effective strategies to employ when networking, including creating a positive initial impression, the art of networking and networking with clients and staff.
Networking Keys - Opening The Door To Relationships
When you tell entrepreneurs that relationships are the "key" to developing a personal and professional network, they often smile and acknowledge the concept without fully appreciating its true meaning.
Converting Casual Contacts Into Business Contracts
Frankly, most professionals don't give a damn about how to network, because they try and sell who they are and what they do based on past success - assuming this will open doors and business. However by selling rather than marketing, many people just simply walk away with no benefit or potential outcome.
Connecting With Your Audience
In this article we look at various aspects of how to connect with your audience. It is necessary to understand this if we are to give a good presentation and achieve the result we are looking for.
Is All Publicity Good Publicity?
The answer is...yes and no. Often it's how well the message is managed when the story hits the headlines.
Laser Sharp Networking
I have found that there are three ways to bring your networking efforts into laser-sharp focus in order to make it a powerful way to build your business.
Building The Body Of Your Presentation
Have you ever heard that the way you present your ideas is as important as the idea itself?
How Skilled Negotiators Align The Relationship
In this article we will explore the constraints that need to be overcome to build long-term collaborative relationships. We will also propose frameworks that can empower both parties to navigate divergent views and manage obstructionist behaviours.
The Importance Of Preparation
In real estate it's location, location, location. In presentation skills it's preparation, preparation, preparation.
Do Your Surveys Say What You Mean?
In "Ten steps to great survey design", we referred to the phrasing aspects of your survey. Accurate phrasing gives accurate responses you can rely on to improve your knowledge of your customers. Here are a few key aspects to check survey phraseology.
Working Your Networking
I challenge you all to focus on your networking. There's almost no profession which can't benefit from it. So whatever you do - I hope the following eight networking tips help!
Ten Commandments For Better Networking
Do you suffer from "Butterfly-itis" at the very mention of networking at business functions? If you answered yes, you are not alone!
Book-ending Your Presentations
Bookends start and finish a set of books on a mantle piece. The books would collapse without them. Bookends also apply to dealing with people. Simple conversations, business presentations and corridor negotiations all have bookends to keep them intact. In this article, I focus on business presentations and tell you what I mean about bookends and their importance in delivering a successful and professional presentation.
Five Ways To Improve The Accuracy Of Your Media Releases
It is so easy to do. A small typo. But it can have big consequences. Especially if it is in your media release.
The 11 Deadly Sins Of Live TV Interviews
Even the most seasoned media performers can make mistakes during live TV interviews. Here are the 11 most common mistakes and some helpful tips on how to avoid them.
How To Avoid 'A Failure To Communicate'
You've seen it in every classified ad and most job descriptions: must have excellent communication skills.
Be A Media Master With Clear Key Messages
As the CEO of your business, you will very likely find yourself in the media spotlight some time in the future. The best news is this. You can make the most of your Media Moment by being well prepared.
Ten Steps To Great Survey Design
If you're to understand why your customers keep coming back, you need to ask them!
The Importance Of Useful And Stimulating Visuals
Most people use PowerPoint these days, although some use the tried and trusted overhead projector (OHP).
People Really Do Like Me!
Successful marketing is about building relationships.
Sniffing Out New Opportunities
Attention from the media is an amazing tool for marketing your business! But, how do you get their attention?
How To Pack A Punch In Your Presentations
Keep it short, sharp, punchy and visual.
Being Effective On The Phone
Don’t be lazy on the phone. Next time you make a phone call or answer the phone, listen to yourself. Are you reflecting your brand?
How To Write An Introduction That Positions You Professionally
Ever been introduced and been disappointed with the outcome? Four key questions to craft a professionally polished introduction.
Communication Excellence
Improving communication is ranked in the top two or three issues in results of workplace effectiveness surveys time after time.
Media Darlings: The Top Ten Do’s and Don’ts of Working with the Press
There’s a saying in the newspaper business: Advertising is expensive - but editorial is priceless!
The Essentials Of Good Writing
There are rules and structure to good writing. Here are some keys points to remember.
Personal Impact - Public Speaking
There are some people who walk into a room and you can almost feel the energy levels in the room double. Other people walk into a room and seem to drain the room of energy - energy vampires.
5 Proven Ways To Make Your Networks Work Well
This article details five ways to get the most out of your network.
The 7 Secrets Of Writing A Great Media Release
How to write a news release that generates free publicity is a great skill to have. The good news is, it is a learned skill!
Nine Networking Tips
It is important to uphold your professionalism to make optimum use of the networking opportunities, no matter what the event.
Networking - Tips On How To 'Work A Room' Effectively
Attending a business function can be a complete waste of time unless you know how to network, or ‘work the room’ effectively.
Effective Media Relations - What To Do After The Media Interviews You!
You've done all the hard work - prepared a media kit, engaged with a reporter and they've listened to your message and asked questions. What now?
10 Steps To Media Success
Does your business have news that’s perfect for the pages of your favourite publication? Need some help navigating the media maze to make your story a reality? Revealed here are some simple steps to follow when dealing with the media to help you get your business in the news.
Business Language - It's All Smoke And Mirrors
There is a dastardly virus stealthily pervading the English language. It is insinuating its way into every facet of our culture and existence. It is slowly eating into the very fibre of the unspoken and written word. What is it? It is 'business or managerial speak' - overused, abused, clichéd, jargon-laden words and terms that have turned human processes, activities and thoughts into mechanical ones.
Is The "Silent Thief Of Confusion" Stealing Your Profits?
Is your business losing money for the simple and avoidable reason that you don’t communicate effectively? Most businesses are not aware that poorly worded communication increases costs, lowers productivity and confuses customers. Precise communication costs less to produce and manage than repetitive, poorly worded communication.
How To Write A Press Release: The 10 Commandments Of A Great Lead Paragraph
How to write a press release is a major challenge facing both experienced and aspiring PR professionals. Press release writing is a learned skill. This article contains ten commandments for that all important first paragraph.
Press Releasing Your Potential
Many businesses fall into the trap of thinking that advertising is the only way of promoting their business. This simply is not true. Well-written press releases, published in the right publications, can be a very cost effective method of promoting your company to your target audience.
The Six Principles Of Internal Communication
In a modern organisation, the power relationship of the executive and management team vis à vis the rest of the company has changed radically in recent years. It is often said that the primary responsibility of such individuals is to shareholders and owners. But if a happy and productive workforce is the best possible way to ensure a viable and growing return to those people, then an executive’s first role, QED, is to create the environment that will deliver it.
Is Your Image Working For You?
In all professional situations, during these few seconds the person you are meeting for the first time forms an opinion as to your ECONOMIC STATUS, EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND, CREDIBILITY, CONFIDENCE and above all TRUSTWORTHINESS! In today’s competitive marketplace, if you are well groomed, appropriately clothed and "current" in your clothing style, thinking, skills, attitudes, and personality, you increase and enhance your chances of making a positive first impression.
How CEOs Can Take The Drama Out Of Public Speaking In 35 minutes Or Less!
There’s no need to add an acting degree to your financial and business qualifications but if you want to give your audience a memorable experience and get them to act on your message, try adding a little GLOSS to your presentation.
How Senior Managers Can Avoid Being ... 'Junior Presenters'
Every presentation, short or long, formal or otherwise, involving any type of audience...is a clear reflection of executive quality and potential.
Guidelines For Handling The Media
Many leaders and managers, especially those involved with public companies, will at some stage have to deal with the media.
Presenting With Impact - It's A Skill That Can Be Learnt
Do you have a presentation due sometime soon? Presenting is a skill that you can learn and improve with practice. Confidence and a feeling of being in an acceptable comfort zone come from careful preparation, rehearsal and a strong will to succeed. Follow these tips.
Communicating With Confidence In The Workplace
Would you like to be a more confident and capable communicator in your workplace? Do you wonder why some people are noticed and listened to at work, yet though you often have ideas to share, you find it difficult to get noticed or heard.
What I Meant To Say
Guilty, as charged ... Most people, upon reflection, will identify with the scenario of not wanting to give a commitment and to uttering the phrase “I’ll get back to you”.
Cut Out The Bad Language
Watch your language!
How Do You Measure PR Success?
In an era when accountability has become a management buzzword, public relations programs are continually placed under the spotlight to justify their existence which begs the question: How do you measure PR success?
Public Relations - What Is It And What’s In It For You?
Public relations is a term that seems to mean different things to different people and it happens anyway, whether you try to control it or not.
Putting Your Business On A 'Sound' Basis
In the current very competitive business climate, the personal presentation of proposals is becoming vital in achieving a successful outcome.
How Do You Value Communication?
If you expect a return on investment from any service you purchase then communication services should be no exception – so how do you value communication?
The Role Of Personal Contact Networks In Today's Business
This article will discuss personal contact networks experienced by small business owners.
The Role Of Business-To-Business Networks
Networking has been identified by many commentators as being a critical tool for allowing potential entrepreneurs and business people to develop their respective businesses. The old adage that “no man is an island” has much relevance for evolving firms.
Personal Presentation - The Cutting Edge
Professional image education, the difference that makes the difference, is an area which has been overlooked by some in the past – "The Future Now Demands It!".
Successful Presenting
Begin with the end in mind & 'know your audience, know yourself & know your stuff!'
Two Keys To Successful Presentations
A successful presentation is one that communicates with your audience. The keys to ensuring this are to know your message and know your audience.
The Media And You - Goldmine or Minefield?
How to deal with the media to your advantage.
Communicating With The Opposite Sex
In many companies there is a very high proportion of male managers to females. This is causing major challenges in these organisations (although many are unaware it is an important issue).