Many people will commence a response with the two words, “I mean.”  Why do they fall back on these filler words? Most people fall into this habit when they feel anxious and uncomfortable. However, the most common reason is that the …

Drop the “I Mean” When Answering Questions. Read more »

We all have been involved in difficult conversations; it is part of life. Although they can be challenging, in terms of our speaking skills, we can work on various techniques to guide us toward a better outcome. Non-verbal: Body languageAvoid sitting …

Tips to Make Difficult Conversations More Productive. Read more »

In business, our communications are often goal-focused; we are trying to influence, persuade, motivate, inspire or negotiate. The best way to ensure your messaging is accurate and effective is to work on your listening skills. Top tips for raising your …

Becoming a Better Listener Will Make You a More Effective Communicator. Read more »

Start strong: Regardless of your skill level, never begin a presentation or speech with an apology or self-deprecating humor. Don’t warn listeners that you’ve never done this before or ask for their forgiveness if you stumble. Prepare a strong opening and …

How to Instantly Improve Your Presentations. Read more »

Many speakers are eager to share all their hard-gained knowledge with their colleagues. They know so much about their area of expertise that they want to make sure they get it all across to the listeners. This can result in …

Keep It Short, and You’ll Make It Clear. Read more »

Many of us feel a strong attachment to our names. Our parents usually gave much thought as to what to name us. They reflect our heritage and culture and often carry a deeper meaning.  By not learning how to say …

Make the Effort! Learn How to Pronounce People’s Names. Read more »

One-way video job interviews (aka asynchronous interviews) are ideal for employers to screen suitable candidates. The candidate answers pre-set questions which are filmed and watched by the recruiter at another time. The preparation for this style of interview should be …

How to Prep for a Pre-recorded Video Interview. Read more »

Communicating while wearing a mask is part of our everyday life. Whether business or social, we speak to communicate, but masks can impede our speech. Masks: muffle the sound of our voices  may lead us to mumble due to closeness of …

How to Speak Clearly While Wearing a Mask. Read more »