Hate Networking? 10 Reasons to Try a Different Approach
If traditional networking leaves you feeling like a circling vulture, or the roadkill being circled, here’s a different approach that helps achieve the same, or even better, outcome.
Four Steps for Conducting Challenging Conversations
Last week, I posed some questions you should ask yourself before initiating a challenging conversation. Now that you’ve had some time to prepare yourself for the conversation, here is a four-step process that will help you navigate through the most difficult conversations to a successful conclusion. However, keep in mind, no conversation will be successful if both parties aren’t […]
20 Visual Presentation Guidelines I Try to Follow
Many people say PowerPoint is dead, killed off by the new generation of online presentation tools such as Prezi. However, in most corporate, education, and other environments PowerPoint is still the tool of choice. I don’t think PowerPoint is going away anytime soon and having attended several presentations over the past few months that fell under […]
Six Tips for Better Nonverbal Communication
When I started the Practical Communication Blog, my second post was entitled, “What You Don’t Know About Nonverbal Communication Can Hurt You.” In it, I discussed the importance of understanding the powerful role nonverbal communication plays in our interactions. Today, I want to share five nonverbal communication tips taken from my book “Practical Communication: 25 Tips, […]
The First Step in a Successful Job Search: Believe in Yourself
Whether you’re a first-time job seeker or a seasoned, professional job hunter, the first step toward getting the position you deserve is believing in yourself. My friend and colleague Monique Solomon Spence, Executive Recruiter and Business Coach, and President of Spence Staffing Solutions (www.spencestaffingandcoachingsolutions.com), offers the following tips for job seekers. Believe in Yourself “This is […]
Three Steps to a Great Conversation
Whether you’re in a job interview, meeting new people, or catching up with an old friend, a great conversation is more than just, “I talk, you listen. You talk, I listen.” The art of good conversation takes skill and practice. Here are three steps you can take toward becoming a great conversationalist. 1. Get to know […]
7 Rules for E-Mail Subject Lines
I’ve been on the road training for the past two weeks and will basically be gone for the next four weeks as well. Although I have e-mail access on my cell phone, I’m not always able to check it during the day and e-mails tend to pile up. Part of my sorting process is looking at who […]
10 Communication Tips in 10 Sentences
When writing this blog, I often get long-winded in my attempt to explain, define, provide examples, etc., so that people, “get it.” However, there is some communication advice that is so simple, so succinct, that it doesn’t require explanation. Here are 10 tips I’ve received over the years that can stand on their own. 1. […]
Resolution for 2012: Eliminate These 5 Words From Our Vocabulary
Most people don’t like to make New Year’s Resolutions because they don’t last much past January 10th. However, this year, I’m making this one– to eliminate these words from my vocabulary. Any other offenders out there who would like to join me, come on! 1. Like– I’m not saying we should never use the word like, but […]
The Social Media Train: Get Onboard or Get Left Behind
Regardless of the size of your organization or the nature of your business, if you’re not on board the social media train, you’ll be left standing at the station as your competitors travel into the future. From sole proprietors to non-profits, for-profits, cities, counties, and even school booster clubs– organizations are taking advantage of the […]