Had a fun morning at Kennebunk’s Town Hall, meeting with local business owners. The occasion was a free seminar on how to use technology (websites, social media, videos, etc.) to grow and expand your small local business. As a panelist, my topic was the importance and benefits of having a business website — especially visibility […]
Category Archives: speaking
Are you annoying people when you speak?
We all do it. We spout shopworn cliches and mindless crutch phrases that make our victims listeners roll their eyes and grind their teeth. Cliches are just as bad in the written word, of course. But at least a reader can turn the page and skip over them. But when you’re in a business meeting […]
Two secrets that make your message seem personal
To make your writing seem personal, write like a person, for cryin’ out loud. That goes for most corporate communications as well as speeches and presentations, as Dick Cavett pointed out in a recent NY Times blog post. The former talk show host was referring to political candidates’ speeches, but the same principles hold true […]
How to fix "meeting hell"
Meetings can be a major bummer. Maybe you’ve noticed. Whether it’s a cell phone ringing, co-workers whispering, or the guy across the table snoozing, meetings can be a big productivity drag. In fact, after I first went out on my own, I noticed I was immediately getting twice as much accomplished in half the time. […]
Win clients with your own business book
It’s the ultimate in information marketing: Write a business book that displays your expertise. Sure, only a relative handful of authors like Jim Collins, Tom Peters and the Freakonomics guys write best-sellers that bring in megabucks. But that’s no reason for you to abandon the idea. Book sales, after all, are only one way your […]
Body language: business tool or manipulation?
Deciphering your customer’s body language can offer important insights, according to a recent piece in Manage Smarter. It’s also kind of fun. According to the article, here are some ways to read a person’s physical cues: Nose or face scratch implies dislike. Head tilted to the side implies interest. Eye rub implies deceit. Hand or […]
Voicemail dos and don'ts
Efficient and effective communication with clients and prospects is crucial. One place where many of us drop the ball is when leaving a voicemail. Seems simple, but many of us do it badly. And that’s deadly because it may mean the person doesn’t call you back promptly — if at all. Author and Yahoo! Finance […]