Posts Tagged ‘Onsite Communication Training’
Say This–Not That; Danger Phrases and Power Phrases for Work
Thursday, August 26th, 2010
Are you tarnishing your professional reputation simply by making a verbal typo? Check out this great article: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/life/24-things-you-might-be-saying-wrong-2338028/.
For more great professional communication training tips, check out our communication blog, our professional communication tactics podcasts, and our other great free communication training resources. (more…)
“No Problem”–Danger Phrase for Customer Service Reps
Sunday, August 15th, 2010
Here’s your professional communication skills training tip for the day brought to you by expert communication trainer, Dan O’Connor:
Danger Phrase: “No problem.” Power Phrase: “You’re welcome.”
If someone thanks you for something, the correct response is, “You’re welcome.”
“No problem,” or anything similar should be purged from your verbal patterns.
While we certainly don’t mean to sound unprofessional when we say, “No problem,” to do so implies that there may have been a problem to begin with, but you’re forgiving the aggravation. Furthermore, it simply sounds unprofessional. If you listen to savvy, powerful communicators respond to people thanking them, you’ll note they simply say, “You’re welcome.”
While developing your professional communication skills, keeping a Danger Phrase and Power Phrase list will help you stay one step ahead of the competition.
For more Danger and Power phrases, check out our podcasts page and our other free communication training resources.
What would happen to your organization if everyone suddenly communicated more effectively? On-site communication training is now affordable for everyone. Click here to find out more. Are you looking for a motivational keynote speaker for your year-end event? Contact us and ask about our government discounts.
- Tags: communication in the workplace, communication podcast, communication trainer, communication training, Danger Phrases, effective communication, effective communication skills trainer, effective communication skills training, On-Site Communication Training, On-Site Training, Onsite Communication Training, Onsite Training, Power Phrases
How to Talk Like a CEO–Part 1
Monday, August 2nd, 2010
In this professional communication training series, communication expert Dan O’Connor teaches you how to polish your verbal patterns, get more out of every communication interaction, and sound like a CEO.
If you’ve engaged in any communication training, you have most likely already been taught that the word but is a danger word. But is it?
But is a perfectly acceptable word, and it’s one of the most commonly used words in our language for a reason. It sometimes negates what comes before it, but you should not be afraid of using it in the proper context.
That said, there are times where the word but is not appropriate, and should be purged and replaced with another word or phrase. Therefore, take out your Danger Phrase list and Power Phrase list, and write but on the danger side. Again–this is not to say it’s a Delete Phrase–just a Danger Phrase.
There are some phrases that should be deleted entirely from our verbal patterns: I love you but…is one of them. NEVER put a but after I love you, or anything else your truly want to emphasize.
When you are “watching your words” and trying to avoid using the word but in a phrase such as, “I value this job, but I can’t do that for you,” or “I want to help, but I simply can’t,” try using Power Phrases and begin your sentences with while or although–or you can even use a that being said phrase. (more…)
- Tags: American Communication, communication in the workplace, communication podcast, Communication Tips, communication trainer, communication training, communications trainer, communications training, Danger Phrases, dealing with difficult people resources, Difficult People, effective communication skills, effective communication skills trainer, effective communication skills training, expert communication spaker trainer, expert communication trainer, expert communication training, On-Site Communication Training, On-Site Training, onsite communicaiton training, Onsite Communication Training, Onsite Training, Power Phrases, Professional Communication, scripting
NEW FREE AUDIO: Don’t be a communication weakling! These Danger Phrases and Power Phrases will help.
Monday, July 26th, 2010
NEW FREE STREAMING AUDIO: We often hear people say (and we too sometimes make the mistake of saying) “I’m sorry if…” or “I’m sorry but…”
The worst part is, people are usually apologizing for their gifts! You’ll hear things such as, “I’m sorry for being so detail oriented.” or “Well, I’m sorry that I actually care about my job.”
In today’s professional communication training podcast, Dan helps you purge these kinds of phrases and replace them with powerful ones with the use of a Danger Phrase and Power Phrase list. Click here to listen to today’s free audio podcast. It’s the first podcast album entitled, “Professional Communication Tactics” on our podcasts page. (more…)
- Tags: American Communication, communication in the workplace, communication podcast, Communication Tips, communication trainer, communication training, communications trainer, communications training, Danger Phrases, effective communication skills, effective communication skills trainer, effective communication skills training, keynote speaker, motivational keynote speaker, motivational podcast, On-Site Communication Training, On-Site Training, onsite communicaiton training, Onsite Communication Training, Onsite Training, Power Phrases, Professional Communication, scripting
10 Common Errors “Spell Check” Won’t Catch
Wednesday, July 21st, 2010
Great professional writing skills training article. The following is from the Yahoo Shine article entitled 10 Common Errors “Spell Check” Won’t Catch.
While we can rely on a spell checker to catch glaring errors, a computer can’t pick up on all careless mistakes, especially if the word could be correct in a different context. Often word misuse is our mistake. The English language is full of homonyms, or words that have different meanings but sound and look similar, which makes it easy to confuse proper usage. For instance, verbally, you might not even notice the difference between “your” and “you’re.” But in print, the error can lead the reader to perceive you as less intelligent than you are. For this reason, it’s important to spell check and proofread your documents, especially for the following common misuses, which are so easy to make, you might even have to check your document a couple times to catch them. Check out this article to give your powerful writing skills a boost.
Its versus It’s (and all other apostrophes): (more…)
- Tags: communication in the workplace, communication trainer, communication training, effective communication, effective communication skills, effective communication skills trainer, effective communication skills training, expert communication skills trainer, On-Site Communication Training, onsite communicaiton training, Onsite Communication Training, Onsite Training, powerful writing skills, Professional Communication, professional writing skills, professional writing skills training
Elena Kagan and her 4-Tiered Communication Strategy That You Can Use too
Monday, July 5th, 2010
NEW FREE STREAMING AUDIO: In our latest Professional Communication Tactics audio series, you’ll learn to use a simple but powerful professional communication strategy most recently used by Elena Kagan during her supreme court confirmation hearings.
Her strategy was a 4-pronged approach:
1-stay on message
2-use the broken record
3-don’t take the bait, and (more…)
- Tags: American Communication, communication podcast, Communication Tips, communication trainer, communication training, communications trainer, communications training, dealing with difficult people resources, effective communication, effective communication skills, effective communication skills trainer, effective communication skills training, keynote speaker, motivational keynote speaker, On-Site Communication Training, On-Site Training, onsite communicaiton training, Onsite Communication Training, Onsite Training, Power Phrases, Professional Communication
Have trouble remembering people’s names?
Saturday, July 3rd, 2010
Professional communication skills training always incorporates memory-enhancing tricks and techniques. This is a great short article that gives you many memory exercises, but the best one for me is the name one. I use that all the time, and it works! Check it out at here.
To find out more about techniques used by motivational keynote speaker and professional communication trainer Dan O’Connor, check out our course and keynote catalog, to find out more about our affordable on-site training, or contact us any time.
- Tags: communication in the workplace, Communication Tips, communication trainer, communication training, communications trainer, communications training, Danger Phrases, effective communication skills, effective communication skills trainer, motivational keynote speaker, On-Site Training, onsite communicaiton training, Onsite Communication Training
THE LESSON: 5 Principles that Help You Identify It
Thursday, July 1st, 2010
Are you struggling to find meaning, or learn a lesson from some tragic event or difficult person in your life? In today’s free inspirational podcast brought to you by motivational keynote speaker and expert professional communication trainer Dan O’Connor, here’s what you’ll learn:
There is a lesson in every struggle we’ve had, or tragedy we’ve been through, but most of us struggle with identifying the real lesson. In today’s inspirational thought for the day, Dan gives you the five principles that all REAL LESSONS have in common:
1) It’s about you
2) It’s positively phrased
3) It’s true for everyone
4) It’s true all the time
5) It’s a simple truth that explains many things
Click here to listen now… (more…)
- Tags: A Course in Miracles, communication trainer, communication training, communications trainer, inspirational podcast, inspirational thought for the day, keynote speaker, motivational keynote speaker, motivational podcast, motivational thought for the day, On-Site Communication Training, On-Site Training, onsite communicaiton training, Onsite Communication Training, Onsite Training, relationship advice, Romantic Relationships, Thought for the Day
10 Great Ways to Ruin Your Professional Image
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010
Here’s your visual communication skills training for the day brought to you by on-site communication trainer and motivational keynote speaker Dan O’Connor:
Wouldn’t it be nice if we lived in a world where we were judged–and promoted–solely on our professional ability?
Well, we don’t, and “Professional Communication Skills” does not refer only to words.
Everything you say and do communicates some message about who you are and how you think. That said, some of us care very much about our jobs and professional reputation, and are simply unaware when we are sending the wrong visual message. If you’re truly concerned with your professional development, never underestimate the power of image. This doesn’t mean that you have to conform to the norm; it does, however, mean that you have to pay attention to–and take pride in–your professional image if you expect to get ahead. Some people are very vocal about not caring about what they look like at work, because it’s just work, and it should be their skills that matter. These are generally the same people who complain because they are passed over for promotions, fired, or otherwise struggling in their career. The truth is–like it or not–image can make or break you.
Below you’ll find the top 10 professional image-destroyers. If you find that you have committed any of the following offenses, it’s time to take a professional image training course. Sooner rather than later.
TOP 10 PROFESSIONAL IMAGE RUINERS:
1: Flip-flops–under no circumstances–ever–not even at a company picnic. Yes, this includes things such as Birkenstocks. Crocs are still up for debate…but to be safe–No!
2: Just putting your hair up in a scrunchie/pulling it back–If you don’t have time for personal grooming, (more…)
- Tags: communication in the workplace, communication trainer, communication training, communications trainer, effective communication, effective communication skills, effective communication skills training, On-Site Communication Training, On-Site Training, onsite communicaiton training, Onsite Communication Training, Onsite Training, Physical Communication and Body Language, professional image, workplace dress code
Professional Communication Training Tip of the Day–DANGER PHRASE: “In my opinion…”
Friday, June 18th, 2010
Here’s a quick and powerful professional communication skills training lesson from communication trainer and motivational keynote speaker Dan O’Connor:
DANGER PHRASE: “In my opinion…” POWER PHRASE: “I believe…”
When it comes time to give your opinion, don’t diminish the power of your message by prefacing it with something such as, “In my opinion….” Doing so tells the listener, “Well, it’s JUST my opinion, so take it or leave it….”
Sometimes, of course, this is exactly what you mean to say. For example, if you’re the boss, and your employee asks you for feedback, and you’re really not certain that your ideas are spot-on, you might say, “In my opinion,” and the effect is what you intended. However, many up-and-coming executives are uncertain and insecure, (more…)
- Tags: American Communication, Communication Advice, Communication Help, communication in the workplace, communication podcast, Communication Tips, communication trainer, communication training, communications trainer, communications training, Danger Phrases, effective communication, effective communication skills, effective communication skills trainer, effective communication skills training, keynote speaker, motivational keynote speaker, On-Site Communication Training, On-Site Training, onsite communicaiton training, Onsite Communication Training, Onsite Training, Power Phrases, Professional Communication, scripting
Tags: Communication Advice, communication in the workplace, communication podcast, Communication Tips, communication trainer, communication training, communications trainer, communications training, Danger Phrases, effective communication, effective communication skills trainer, effective communication skills training, On-Site Communication Training, On-Site Training, Onsite Communication Training, Onsite Training, Power Phrases