Figure Out Why You Are Presenting
Figure Out Why You Are Presenting What is the function of your talk? Are you trying to inform, persuade, inspire, or entertain. What is your motivation for speaking -Were you asked to speak? -Were you ordered to speak? -Do you want to speak? What is your audience’s motivation for listening? -Does the audience want to […]
English Communication: How to Say Good-bye
English Communication: How to Say Good-bye Greeting people is easy compared to saying good-bye, especially when at a social gathering. Here are some of my favorite tips for graciously departing from a conversation. The emphasis here is on “gracious.” The situation: You have listened intently and participated in a conversation. You deem it is time […]
English Communication: How Are You? More Angles of View–In Person & On the Phone
English Communication: How Are You? More Angles of View–In Person & On the Phone It’s not what you say, but how you say it. “How are you?” is a ritual greeting in the United States. But how you say it can move it from ritual to relationship. Here are a few more angles of view: Angle […]
Make the Last Words Memorable
Make the Last Words Memorable Here’s a simple formula for setting up your final line: just say, “I have one final thought that I want to leave you with.” Or: “If you remember just one thing I’ve said today, remember this…” Then give them a whopping thought. Make it strong and make it relevant — […]
English Communication: How Are You? Two Angles of View
English Communication: How Are You? Two Angles of View “How are you?” Simple little phrase, yes? But it drives international people a little crazy in the U.S. That’s because in their home country, if people say, “How are you?”, they really do want to know how you are doing or what is happening in your […]
Write It Out
Write It Out You should write out your conclusion for two reasons. First, writing the conclusion combats stage fright. This time is the second most nerve-racking time for speakers So if you write it out, you don’t have to worry about forgetting it. Second, and most important, if you write out the conclusion, you’ll know […]
English Communication: Wicked Awesome Words
English Communication: Wicked Awesome Words The other day, Roberta (from Italy) commented, “Why does English have so many words for everything? ‘Smart,’ ‘Clever,’ ‘Brainy,’ ‘Intelligent’– in Italian we just say ‘Intelligente!’ It’s true, English has a lot of words! You may think too many. Most experts count at least 250,000. (Other experts say half a […]
English Communication: How to Put People at Ease at Meetings
English Communication: How to Put People at Ease at Meetings Sometimes you are going to a meeting to persuade. In that case, use the first five minutes to put people at ease. People’s egos are on alert status the first few minutes of a meeting, and you want to relax them so they’ll be receptive to […]
Tips for Teleconferencing
Tips for Teleconferencing Use emotion in your voice. Emphasize emotion so you don’t speak in a flat tone. Use metaphors and similes to create word pictures for others.
English Communication: Meetings- How to Succeed in the First Five Minutes
English Communication: Meetings- How to Succeed in the First Five Minutes Everyone goes to meetings. You could be there to persuade. Or you could be there to take in or contribute information. Whatever your purpose, the first five minutes are not about impressing other people. The first five minutes are about putting people at ease. […]