Articles
Feel free to share these articles with anyone you know who speaks or simply wants to improve communication skills. Please contact info@sboyd.com for widespread distribution, such as in your company newsletter or e-zine. If you use an article, we ask that you include the About the Author section following each article.
Communicate Professionalism
Have you ever noticed how auctions draw people into the bidding? Steve worked with an uncle who was an auctioneer, and he carried that experience into his funny and motivational speech where you will be "sold" on the need to communicate well.
Full Article
Don't Say These Words When Speaking
We know profanity is always inappropriate when speaking. There are, however, other words we should leave out of our speeches.
Full Article
A Powerful Persuasive Tool
You believe what you do for a career is important or you would not have chosen it. Convincing the world that it has value is sometimes another matter.? When you are selling yourself to a client or to a superior, one of the best ways to emphasize your assets is to use the testimony of a person or source the prospect respects.
Full Article
Listen First, Talk Second
Voltaire said, "When you listen, you have power. When you talk, you give it away." How can we increase our power or influence by making sure we listen more than we talk? Here are some ideas on encouraging the other person to talk so you will listen.
Full Article
The Beginning of Listening: Silence
In the word listen are the same letters that make up the word silent. This is a powerful indication that silence is an important part of listening more effectively. If we learn the skill of silence, we also have improved our listening. Let me illustrate that by providing silence-enhancing techniques.
Full Article
Pet Snakes and Society
According to the American Federation of Herpetoculturists, the fastest growing area of the pet trade is snakes! Alec Wilkinson wrote in The New Yorker that "The company of snakes is an expression of the new disengagement and necessary concentration of pleasures." A few moments with a snake, not three walks with a dog. Snakes need very little space and you have to feed most of them only once a week.
Full Article
Improving Your Speaking Skills: The Common Sense Factor
Have you ever been appalled at watching a sales presentation in which the presenter was chewing gum? It happens, as do other gaffes that you’d think common sense would eliminate. This article gives you tips and reminders on making common sense work for you in your presentations, from the obvious to more delicate matters you might not have considered.
Alan Alda, in his autobiography “Never Have Your Dog Stuffed,” tells the story of speaking to the Illinois State Legislature. He was asked to say a few words and did not consider the fact that many in his audience did not support his position on the Equal Rights Amendment. Even the consultant he was working with told him absolutely not to talk about the ERA.
Full Article
|
