Sunday, June 29, 2008

EXECUTIVE COACH, SPEAKER AND AUTHOR VISITS SANTA ROSA, CA AND CHARLES SCHULTZ MUSEUM.

I have a watched a number of speakers and trainers start to dread the "road trip." A new hotel every night and a new a city can wear one down. Yet, I have decided to take a different approach.

Before I leave, I google the city and look for highlights/events of the city that I will be traveling to. Last week, I was training in San Jose and Sacramento. Since there was a day in between I decided that I wanted to go to Sonoma Valley. The obvious thought is great wine tasting...yet, there was something more special.

Much to my delight, I discovered the Charles M. Schultz Museum was located in Santa Rosa. http://www.schultzmuseum.org

Outside the museum were four-foot high figures of the famous Peanuts characters. I figured it would be impossible to visit the museum without smiling....I was so right.

Perhaps, the highlight was seeing a tiny original drawing of Lucy sitting in a plastic outdoor pool...then seeing it produced in the real comic strip. I also learned that Schultz housekeeper pulled drawings out of his wastepaper basket and ironed them for she knew their value. It was terrific to see them displayed and made you realize the humble beginnings of these famous comic strips.

Afterwards, I visited the ice rink where Schultz had coffee every morning--now it made sense why so many of the comic strips were about ice skating.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:

When you have submitted a proposal and you do not get it, be sure to write a note to let the person know you appreciate the opportunity to be have been considered. The reviewers have a tough job and they have to make tough choices....let them know you understand and let them know you were pleased to be at least considered.


Saturday, June 14, 2008

EXECUTIVE COACH, SPEAKER AND AUTHOR PRESENTS AT HEALTH COMMUNICATORS OF OREGON CONFERENCE

Friday the brilliant sun came out in the Northwest. I was pleased for I needed to make the journey to Woodburn, Oregon to present at the Health Communicators of Oregon Conference.
http://www.hcoregon.org

I got there early and was warmly welcome by committee members. The energy in the room was high and people were intent on collecting the information being presented so that they could take it back to their respective organizations.

Ken Cole, Director of Public Relations for the Southwest Washington Medical Center had asked me to meet with me before the conference. We brainstormed some ideas and then today was the day for me to bring those ideas together for a one-hour presentation.

My presentation was entitled "It's All About Communication." I reminded participants that that there are three things necessary for communication: Help people feel important, ask questions and listen to the answers.

It was a good day. As I drove home, I thought, again, how fortunate I am to have a career that I totally enjoy.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:

Often one sends handouts ahead of time to an organization so they print/and pay for your copies. When you travel to a destination, be sure you take a clean copy just in case there has been a mix up and your handouts are not on site. That way you can run out to the nearest copy place and no one will be the wiser.


Thursday, June 12, 2008

EXECUTIVE COACH, SPEAKER AND AUTHOR PRESENTS IN ATLANTA

When I heard about my time slot to present "Intergenerational Communication: Tools for Communicating with Your Constituents" at the American Water Works Association in Atlanta, Georgia, I groaned...my training time was at 1:00 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon. Not only is 1:30 p.m. my down time, I couldn't imagine people coming in to be trained on a Sunday afternoon. http://www.awwa.org

I used attitude adjustment and was pleased to see 40 public officials settle into their seats in my assigned ballroom. Michael Bell greeted me and explained he would be the one to introduce to me to the assembled group. They were there to receive credit for this seminar --- yet, my goal was to make them feel their afternoon was well spent and to share tools that they could implement once they went home.

Before long we were laughing, interacting and questioning! Perfect--just the reaction I was looking for--people shared their knowledge, their concerns and we kept sharing ideas. When I finished at 4:30 I, personally felt a sense of joy. Yes, some people had to leave around 4:00 to attend other events -- yet, I had looked participants in their eyes, stretched them and was pleased that no one nodded off....always a good sign.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:

When you travel for business, build in time to explore. When I was in Atlanta, I had two extra goals:

1. Visit the Coco Cola Museum http://www.worldofcoco-cola.com

2. Visit Jimmy Carter's Library http://jimmycarterlibrary.org


I am pleased to report I accomplished both of my goals--thanks to Atlanta's great transportation system MARTA. It was a wonderful day of exploring!

Sunday, June 01, 2008

EXECUTIVE COACH, SPEAKER AND AUTHOR ATTENDS RE-CERTIFICATION OF INTERACT AND PERFORMANCE COACHING PROGRAM

Last week twenty of us came together from all over the nation for four days to learn. Eric Allenbaugh's training series provided an opportunity for us gain new knowledge and share.
http://www.allenbaugh.com

Two years ago, I received my certification on both "Interact" and Performance Coaching." Now it was time to review the material. Fifteen of the participants were there for the first time, so it was terrific watching them receive their ahas. Five us who had been through the training before-- we were pleased that Eric had some new, proven models that we can easily implement into our Executive Coaching sessions.

Once again I was reminded to take into consideration the different styles of communications--Analyzer, Supporter, Driver and Performer. If we are really fortunate, we will have all of these styles on our team for each style brings to a team a unique and valuable resource to the team.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:

If you feel overwhelmed with emails here are a couple of ideas:

1. Mark out a block of time and write/answer emails only during that time.

2. Turn off the sound on your computer so you can stay focused on your project and not hear the ding of still another email arriving.