November, 2013

Judge not!

My November newsletter blog warns against falling into the "speaker's trap" of judging and the fear of being judged.

You can also find more info about my upcoming workshops is December and January.

And check out my new personal business video service, Focus on You, here

Tips you can use!

Dress for that interview
Dress codes vary, so sometimes it's hard to know what to wear. Luckily, you can get clues by looking at a company's website, and doing a bit of research to find out the industry standard. Rule of thumb: dress for an interview one notch up from what you think is normally worn in the workplace.

Turn on your grammar check
But don't rest assured that it will catch everything. If you are on shaky ground when it comes to parallel construction or noun-verb agreement, ask someone who is more of a grammar buff to look over your text before you speak. Just because it "sounds right" to you doesn't mean it is!

Tried and true works
Sometimes things have been done the same way over and over are dismissed too quickly as hackneyed and trite. A classic formula, like the "tell them what you're going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you told them," is used because it works.

October, 2013

Fiction is good for you!

My October newsletter blog shares new research about the fiction/empathy connection, and why the type of novel you read may have a big impact on your communications skills.

Don't forget to sign up for my October and December workshops. Find details here.

And check out my new personal business video service, Focus on You, here

Tips you can use!

The High Heels Rule rules
If you will be speaking at an event where the audience is standing (cocktail reception, meet & greet, even a victory party) make sure you "remember the ladies!" and plan shorter, rather than longer, remarks. Then stick to your agenda. Their feet will thank you.

Take up your space
Even if you are petite or short, the very act of getting up to speak makes you seem bigger. Use that knowledge and embrace your power -- don't shrink from it.

Be aware of "personal adornment"
Your multiple piercings or blue hair may be accepted signs of personal expression on campus or at your restaurant job, but if you want to interview for any job in an office (even a creative one) you might need to rethink that. Hiring decisions are made by senior staff, which usually means older. Give yourself ample time to cover up, remove, or undo any signs of self-expression that have to be explained/interpreted in an initial interview.

September, 2013

Authenticity vs. Preparation?

My September newsletter blog deals with an issue that has arisen lately: an oddly pervasive notion that a speaker's preparation kills any "authenticity" the speech might have. As you may guess, I have a few thoughts about this!

Don't forget to sign up for my October and December workshops. Find details here.
And check out my new personal business video service, Focus on You, here

Tips you can use!

A time not to shine!
If you are going to be taping an interview or even Skyping under bright lights, think about wearing HD-friendly makeup. Your SPF foundation protects you by reflecting light, which is great for outside, but under the lights you run the risk of emitting a ghostly, silvery glow.

 
Dare to waste paper
Make sure you don't look down too much when you deliver your speech; limit your text to the top 2/3 of your page. That way, when you glance at your notes, your gaze will not drift dangerously downward.

Shorter is better
Resist the urge to "embellish" your speech and stretch it to fill your allotted time. If you can say it in fewer words, please do so. Have you ever heard anyone complains about a speech running "undertime?"