Leadership is a skill that is not reserved solely for managers, directors, VPs, or anyone else who is the head of a department or a company. It is a crucial quality that any valuable employee should demonstrate in some form or another in the workplace. The term “leadership” can encompass a wide variety of actions and attitudes; it does not necessarily apply only to a single leader of a group. Leadership can manifest in small actions that can ultimately result in change – and as such, it is an essential part of the progress both of a company and of your individual growth as a professional.
Posted on October 19th, 2011 by Diane
Filed under: Communication, Image, Presentation Skills | No Comments »
A captivating new phenomenon in business communication recently has emerged: office-wide social networking sites. Reading an article in The Globe and Mail last week detailing the pros and cons of this rapidly growing form of internal communication, I was struck by the possibilities for valuable discussion between all levels of employees that this casual forum enables. And yet I couldn’t help but wonder: what new questions or problems for communication etiquette could these sites invite? As I learned more about the sites and their benefits, I kept this question in mind.
Posted on October 3rd, 2011 by Diane
Filed under: Communication, Image, Techno-Communication | No Comments »
Want to learn how to give amazing keynote speeches?
Barry Kuntz, the Executive Director of the Black Isle Group sits with Diane Craig of Corporate Class in studio at ThatChannel.com, to discuss his unique training program that can take the most novice speaker and help them look like a seasoned professional in weeks…
Posted on September 25th, 2011 by Diane
Filed under: Presentation Skills | No Comments »
I often ask myself, what about the etiquette for speech and language? Is it long gone or just forgotten? Am I out of step with the culture of today’s youth, the way they speak, their communication innuendos or their idiosyncratic verbal style?
Why does speech etiquette matter to me? It grates against my ear to hear speech that is littered with filler words that have no meaning and clutter the message. I hear questions when none are intended. I identify muffled speech and words that say one thing and mean something else. I call them SLEFs – Speech & Language Etiquette Faux Pas.
I know I’m not the only one who notices them. The boss, the client, the customer, the friend or family member is aware of them too. What effect do they have on the listener? I believe the listener responds negatively to these mannerisms, whether consciously or unconsciously.
Posted on August 1st, 2011 by Diane
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YES!!! I did it, a two “weekend intensive” course at the world-renowned SecondCity. And, no I don’t aspire to become a stand-up comic. My friend and colleague, Deborah Nixon, suggested we did this together. I thought it was a great idea and that it would be helpful for us as presenters and co-facilitators. In the spirit to continue learning and improving, I registered. I cannot speak for Deborah, but I certainly got a lot of out of this, in fact, much more than I anticipated.
I was going to write a blog about it, but one of our classmates, Marguerite Orane beat me to it. I can only echo what she has written.
Posted on June 27th, 2011 by Diane
Filed under: Presentation Skills | 2 Comments »
There are several non-negotiable rules for presenters. Probably the most important two are:
1. Have something of value to say. If not, say nothing.
2. Be prepared.
The presenter last night broke both of those rules and a multitude of others that we won’t get into at this time.
Posted on March 16th, 2011 by Diane
Filed under: Communication, Presentation Skills | No Comments »
Children in grade school are giving presentations. High school students are doing them with PowerPoint. In every company, organization, social gathering, and team meeting, there are more opportunities and expectations to speak in front of a group. Some fear presentations. Others just need help in how to give a presentation that engages the audience and achieves its goal.
It’s not that hard, but there are many steps. Write a clear key message. Develop the outline. Generate the content of your presentation, create your visuals, carefully consider your conclusion, rehearse your opening, then edit and practice.
Posted on March 4th, 2011 by Diane
Filed under: Communication, Conferences, Presentation Skills | 1 Comment »
Public speaking is fundamental to my profession. Every week, without fail, I’m in front of an audience. Size and location vary — from a dozen people in a corporate boardroom to several hundred at a convention centre. Regardless of the size or scope or topic, I generally make sure there’s time provided for questions from the floor.
Many people are reluctant to ask a question. Call it inhibition or self-consciousness, bottom line; it’s good old-fashioned fear — getting in the way. On the other hand, there are folks just waiting to hear the sound of their own voices. Often “specialists” in one-upmanship, they tend to monopolize the time allowed, making everyone uncomfortable.
I’ve compiled a guide to help increase the comfort zone for everyone, so question periods become effective and useful tools.
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 by Diane
Filed under: Business Etiquette, Communication, Conferences | 2 Comments »
As an image and etiquette consultant, I am very conscious of how I present myself — my reputation depends on it. Although my client base is English, my first language is French. I mention this because a great deal of my work involves making presentations to large groups of people and I have a conspicuous French accent. Some people have suggested it enhances my image; others are less enthusiastic….
One of my personal standards is to speak as clearly as I can, particularly when addressing an audience. Several years ago, I decided to improve my pronunciation and contacted the University of Toronto; they recommended Gloria Pierre.
Posted on September 2nd, 2009 by Diane
Filed under: Business Etiquette, Communication, Image, Workplace Etiquette | No Comments »
