Month: December 2013

It’s the Way You Say It: Becoming Articulate, Well-spoken, and Clear

Posted on by Seniye Groff

t’s the Way You Say It is a goldmine of usable information to improve your verbal and nonverbal skills. Carol A. Fleming is a speech and language pathologist who shares her techniques for voice and communication. Chapter one begins with an assessment. Chapter two covers nine vocal challenges while chapter three reviews vocal techniques. Chapters four and five review what to say coupled with nonverbal body language. Chapter six includes business communication situations. Fleming shares many client stories by discussing the initial communication issue, what she recommended and what the client did to overcome the challenge. Fleming does not offer any “quick fix” remedies, but instead gives an action plan expecting the client to practice to improve the skill.

” People easily make the leap from the sound of your voice to the nature of your personality.”

It’s the Way You Say It has so much valuable information, you will want to read this book over and over, highlight the meaningful areas and practice the activities that Fleming suggests. You can address a single issue or your entire communication pattern with this incredible resource. Buy it, use it, practice it and watch your communication skills soar!

Driving Loyalty: Turning Every Customer and Employee into a Raving Fan for Your Brand

Posted on by Seniye Groff

Kirk Kazanjian does not offer a magic bullet in his book Driving Loyalty. His advice is straightforward: take care of your employees and your customers and your business will succeed. This book has a little bit for everyone. New managers will gain lots of new insight on how to reward and retain employees, while seasoned managers will learn how to implement a company mission and vision to reinforce the focus on employees and customers. The book details effective merger tactics, as well as using technology to delight customers and employees. Kazanjian also covers growth, partnership and sustainability. There really is a ton of information for a mere 272 pages!

“Never underestimate the importance of the role those on your team play in delivering on your brand promise.”

Driving Loyalty is easy to read given its vast amount of usable information and key points summary at the end of each chapter. Throughout the chapters there are tables, numbered lists and graphics to highlight the most vital ideas from each chapter. Highlight the significant concepts, test some of the ideas and implement what works for your business. I am pretty sure you will notice a change in both your employees and customers.

Getting to 50/50: How Working Parents Can Have It All

Posted on by Seniye Groff

There is no “magic” formula to balancing work and family in today’s busy, modern 24/7 world. The authors of Getting to 50/50 suggest that instead of searching for magic, perhaps people should look at how they view their values. Meers and Strober recommend that it is possible to have dual breadwinners if you replace “I” with “we.” Oftentimes women either subconsciously create an either/or option instead of figuring out how to have both. Moms frequently take on the parenting while the husbands pursue careers which reinforces a man’s role as breadwinner. But it is necessary to create an equal partnership. Equal does not mean it is always 50/50 but partners need to manage the ebb and flow. Women must expect that men can take care of their children and that children need their fathers to be a part of their upbringing in a meaningful, engaging way.

“Talk to happy two-worker families farther down the path and you’ll feel more secure about what lies ahead.”

Part one covers why two careers are better than one. Part two busts myths about work, women and men. Finally, part three covers solutions. The book is littered with real-life examples and tons of research to support the authors’ beliefs. Getting to 50/50will give readers lots to ponder. It will challenge them to check their perceptions and possibly even change their behaviors in order to achieve the work/life balance so many modern employees crave.