EXECUTIVE COACH AND BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TRAINER CATCHES SEMINAR PARTICIPANT IN THE ACT OF GREAT CELL PHONE ETIQUETTE

Most of us who are trainers/speakers have experienced someone's cell phone going off, usually, right in the middle of one of our most important points. You lose your strain of thought and the participants are distracted while the person fumbles to find her cell phone in her purse.

During a break last week in Chula Vista, I was talking with a participant, Elizabeth. We were deep into a conversation when her phone went off. She had her phone in her pocket, kept eye contact with me and reached into her pocket and open and closed her cell phone so that it would stop ringing. She didn't even look to see if the person was more important than me. I felt honored.

We decided to recreate the scene once the seminar was back in session. Elizabeth stood up to make her point and her cell phone went off -- thanks to help of a colleague. It was a great opportunity to exhibit a way to handle a cell phone during a conversation.

Obviously, an even better approach, put your phone on vibrate. Yet, if you forget, this is a great way to handle the situation.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:

Lately, there has been a great deal of focus on articles explaining "why" men and women are so different in meetings and relationships. Most of them point out that research has been greatly increased on the subject. I would like to suggest that you take the time to read them. My belief is that we can never learn too much about human interaction.

EXECUTIVE COACH AND BUSINESS COMMUNICATION EXPERT TRAINS AND VISITS SUISUN VALLEY CALIFORNIA

Lately, I have been flying off to some place every week to do a training or give a speech. People who do not know me well cannot imagine a life like mine for they hear about plane delays, lost luggage and believe travel is a hassle.

I, on the other hand, look at it as adventure. Each time I travel I make sure that I have at least one day extra at the destination so that I can learn about the community. If I am lucky, I will have the opportunity to see what it is like living in these communities.

Last week I flew in two days early---I would be training in Fairfield. My friend, Cyndi picked me up at the Sacramento airport and we drove to Old Sacramento and had a lovely lunch on the river catching up and I had the opportunity to meet her new son, Michael.

A few hours later, my friend Carolyn picked me up and after another nice dinner, we headed to her home in Suisun Valley. Carolyn and her husband, Warren, families settled the Valley so they are a wealth of information about the "real" history of the area.

The next day we got up and Carolyn started my tour through Napa Valley which ended at the lovely town of St. Helena. It was a beautiful day and made even more interesting because the grapes were being harvested. I learned that often grapes are picked at night, under flood lights, because the sugar content is much higher.

The next day it was time to train and we had an outstanding group of bright, fun people who were eager to learn. What a joy! I headed home that night feeling like I had learned, rested and helped stretch individuals. The perfect combination.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:

Many people are now getting their news from the Internet. It is a great way to keep up and the links often lead to great additional information. However, there is one thing that is missing. If you are serious about networking in your own community, you are missing all of the ads that are advertising events. These events are often fun and provide you with an opportunity to learn and connect with people.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TRAINER SPEAKER AND TRAINER VISITS REMBRANDT EXHIBIT AT PORTLAND ART MUSEUM

Around us are so many events that we read about and think "I'd like to go that." Then we busy ourselves with activities and forget about it. My schedule had been so up in the air as I worked to support my family through my Mother's illness and subsequent passing. Once Mom had passed on I started to rebuild my life and put activities into it that I knew I would enjoy. I purchased tickets for the Rembrandt Exhibit and a lecture that provided additional insight about the artist.

Last Thursday, I went to the Portland Art Museum at the assigned time and went through the exhibit with the outstanding audio tour. I learned so much and the beauty and detail of the paintings are impossible to describe. Two hours later I came out totally refreshed and accomplished so much once I returned to the office.

The following evening a lecture at the museum provided me with an insight of Rembrandt the man. He was an avid art collector and many of the objects he collected show up in this paintings. Apparently, his personality was very complex and, thus, researchers are continuously making new discoveries in his paintings and prints.

I walked out of the lecture and went to my car with a spring in my step -- It had been a lovely evening.....I learned and I had fun....perfect combination.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIPS:

Magazines piling up? When you travel by plane, they are the perfect thing to take with you. As you read them, you can toss them out and your load gets lighter for two reasons: 1. Physically your carry-on weighs less and 2. You no longer feel guilty about the magazines piling up that you are paying for and never get to.