-
Regardless of your industry, the telephone has become one of the most vital tools in the business world. While e-mail ranks high as a means of communicating, take a look at how heavily you rely on your cell phone and you'll quickly realize that its import has heightened. As with any tool, we can always learn how to improve our skills and this article will take a 3-fold approach by focusing on tips, techniques and taboos.Read more…
-
Have you ever managed a large multi-shift workforce? Have you ever thought “What if I could personally communicate with everyone on all shifts?” I once managed a large multi-shift workforce and communicating to that workforce was a big issue for me and it was very important to do it properly.Read more…
-
When I was in high school we were studying several Shakespeare plays, and every now and then I was struck by the poignancy of a given phrase.One of them seemed to be a blending of Machiavelli and Dale Carnegie and it is still sage wisdom:“To all lend thy ear, but few thy tongue.”I’ve never come across a pithier way of saying listening is more important than speaking.Read more…
-
During the last few weeks I've sent out emails to my network seeking people willing to be audience members for a PBS program I'm headlining. I included a request for diverse audience members. A dear friend wrote back "I'm ready and willing but I'm a white male".Read more…
-
Question: My boss conducts terrible meetings. What can I do to help?Answer:First, be aware that some people feel threatened by new ideas (or suggestions).Read more…
-
Recently two legal secretaries made the front page of every major national newspaper. Why? Because they had engaged in an e-mail war over a sandwich!Read more…
-
Implement Work/Love PoliciesIf you do find yourself working with your man it is important to very quickly implement some policies that will minimise any of the negatives of working together and maximise the benefits. It is a great idea to draw up a little contract stating each of the agreed policies. Once you have drawn up the contract get both yourself and your partner to sign the contract in front of a witness.Read more…
-
According to Robert Levering, coauthor of Fortune’s annual “100 Best Companies to Work for in America”, it is not by luck or chance that the best companies to work for are the result of the attitudes and actions of management. The management at these companies sincerely believes that the employees are the ones who are primarily responsible for the success (or failure) of the business.And Mr.Read more…
-
Conflict is inevitable. No matter where you work, sooner or later you're going to find yourself in a disagreement with someone. We've all heard of disputes that erupt into expensive and divisive lawsuits.Read more…
-
Over the past few years an epidemic of rudeness has swept America. Here's how to stop the disease.1) Acknowledge people.Read more…
-
Let me begin by saying that I’m not a prude nor am I a mama’s boy. I’ve traveled the world, spent years in athletic locker rooms, served in the military and have been in my fair share of interesting places. I’m also not going to present a religious argument or come at this topic from the perspective of academic elitism.Read more…
-
E-mail has become one of the most common methods of business and personal communication. It’s fast, efficient, convenient—and it can be dangerous. Consider these tips for getting the maximum benefit while avoiding the pitfalls of e-mail, whether you’re at work or home.Read more…
-
How to Get Your Point Across in 30 SecondsWe are all sales people. We are selling ourselves, our product or service our company or one of ideas all the time. As sales people it is vital to be able to make your point in concise terms and quickly.Read more…
-
Too much or too little communication has destroyed careers, broken marriages and created very sad and lonely people. Nagging is a form of too much communication that can destroy the morale of an office. Delegating and follow up are positive forms of communication that strengthen teams and organizations.Read more…
-
We all know what it’s like when a meeting doesn’t go smoothly. Discussions get derailed, tempers start to fray, and things are seldom resolved to everyone’s satisfaction. In such situation, the problem is often the result of poor communication—and poor communication is frequently caused by poor listening.Read more…
-
In Part I of this article, we discussed the importance of active listening, and how it is important for smooth and effective meetings. In the process, we touched on the topic of reflective listening. Reflective listening is a valuable means of ensuring that we have properly understood the speaker’s thoughts and feelings.Read more…
-
The manner in which we present ourselves has a great impact on how other people perceive and treat us. While you don’t want to be thought of as boastful or egotistical, you certainly can’t afford to shrink back into the shadows. It takes a great deal of courage and confidence to sell others on your dreams and get them to buy into your vision.Read more…
-
Your colleague in the adjacent cubicle took credit for you big sale; she blackmailed the receptionist and got her fired; she sweet-talks the boss every day and he falls for it. She feels no remorse for all the trouble she causes. She has no conscience.Read more…
-
It is a common argument that ‘a fit worker is productive worker’. It is becoming a universal realization that demands modern organizational practice has increased chances of stress breakthrough among employees and it’s becoming crucial for managers to identify sources and formulate strategies to reduce it (Papers4you.com, 2006).Read more…
-
Power exists only because your audience allows it. They grant you the ability to persuade them based upon your real or perceived power. Your audience has the discretion to follow, remain indifferent, or rebel against your power.Read more…
