Kathy's Connection

EXECUTIVE COACH AND CAREER FACILITATOR HEARS ONCE AGAIN COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS NEEDED

Last week I attended a social function and the topic came around to business communication skills once again.
It seems we are reaching a crisis in regard to communicating with each other. For the painfully shy people it is the need to be able to carry on a conversation with just one individual. For salespeople it is the need to be able to present to more than one person at a time or walk into a room and strike up a conversation to start the building of a relationship. For the "Y" generation it is a matter of being able to carry on conversations with individuals that does not include the "shorthand" that they have learned when text messaging on their cell phones or IM (Instant Messaging) on their computers.

What is the answer? It is apparent to me that those of us working in the communication field have to sharpen our skills and develop seminars and training on business communication tools that are easy to understand and easy to implement. There are many training exercises that quickly illustrate "why" something works or for that matter why it doesn't work. Since we are living in an era of quick fixes, there is no time to present fluff, practical applications are needed now.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:

When giving a speech, make the font type about 16 point for your notes and then only use the top two-thirds of your page. That way it will not be so apparent you are reading your speech.