Conversation Skills Archives

Fewer Data Dumps, More Discussions

by Kathleen Redd

Often when technical subject matter experts present to customers, they're so passionate about their work that they forget to filter the info they present through the “Why should the customer care?” lens. As a result, customers walk away feeling confused as to what the solution was or how it could benefit them. To successfully influence customer decision-making, assume the role of discussion leader, not data dumper. To help you, here are 3 things the best discussion leaders do exceptionally well.

by Kathleen Redd

Briefing Center, Conversation Skills, In-Person Presentations, Presentation Skills, Technical Professionals

Just Say Less!

by Kathleen Redd

Years ago, I had the chance to be coached by a well-respected professional in my field. At the end of the day, I sat poised with pen in hand to capture his wise counsel. Then, he simply said: “Just say less!” In the years since, I've come to fully realize the value of this advice. But, good advice that's simply stated isn't always simple to implement. Which is why I want to offer three suggestions to help you, as you strive to just say less.

by Kathleen Redd

Conversation Skills, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills

How to Better Communicate with Executives

by Steve Mandel

In his 30-plus years as a communications coach and trainer, Steve Mandel says there are two concerns Fortune 500 executives raise again and again about how people communicate with them. He shares what those concerns are and how they directly correlate to steps you can take to become a more skilled, confident, and highly competent executive communicator.

Note to our readers: This is an edited version of a blog post originally published on April 3, 2014.

by Steve Mandel

Conversation Skills, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills, Presenting to Executives

Get Real: Why Authenticity Matters

by Kathleen Redd

Many times, when people talk or present — especially when the stakes are high or the audience is tough — they struggle to be their natural, conversational selves. They needlessly worry that who they are is not enough. The truth is, people can sense when you're being real — and when you're not. Showing up as yourself is the single best way to convey credibility and trustworthiness. Here are a few tips to help you "get real" when communicating with others.

by Kathleen Redd

Briefing Center, Conversation Skills

What Does Your Word Cloud Look Like?

by Kathleen Redd

When you’re talking to colleagues and customers, what does YOUR word cloud look like? Too often, clouds are filled with crutch words like, “ums” and “ahs” and “you knows.” The good news? People can change the shape of their word clouds using an underrated, yet powerful, communication skill: the ability to say nothing at all. Using the “power of the pause” will make you a more effective communicator. Read on to learn more.

by Kathleen Redd

Conversation Skills, Executive Presence, In-Person Presentations, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills, Presenting to Executives

Mismanaged Meetings: Stop Wasting Scarce Executive Time

by David Mears

Executive time is a scarce commodity. Why do meetings squander it? Because, too often, they fail to focus on the strategic issues that are most important to executives. They fail to drive progress on the decisions that need to be made in order to move your business forward. Here are 3 things you can do to change that and to insure your executives' time is well-spent.

by David Mears

Conversation Skills, In-Person Presentations, Presentation Skills, Presenting to Executives, Sales Readiness, Selling Skills

Mismanaged Meetings: Lessons from the Parole Board

by David Mears

What do business meeting attendees have in common with parole board officers? Both suffer from decision fatigue. The consequences? Productivity plummets. Decisions get delayed. Bad choices get made. Outcomes can be disastrous. How can you improve decision quality and productivity? Help your meeting leaders and attendees overcome decision fatigue with these three proven approaches.

by David Mears

Conversation Skills, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills

Are You Paying the Hidden Price of Workplace Distraction?

by David Mears

The decision makers whose attention you're trying to get are too distracted to hear a word you're saying. The implication: having a great business idea is no longer enough. You’ve got to be able to present it in a way that GRABS attention and KEEPS it. Your ability to do that boils down to whether you can accomplish these 3 things quickly…

by David Mears

Conversation Skills, Executive Presence, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills

Unlocking the Secret to Great Storytelling

by Diane Burgess-Faber

I had the pleasure of having Thanksgiving dinner with Steve Faber, the writer of two highly regarded films, Wedding Crashers and We’re the Millers, along with a number of other popular screen and literary works. Over turkey and stuffing, we talked about the SECRET to GREAT storytelling. Today, I'm sharing it with you.

by Diane Burgess-Faber

Conversation Skills, Messaging Skills, Storytelling

Throwback Thursday (#tbt): Making a Thank You More Meaningful

by Steve Mandel

Expressing thanks not only makes you feel good, it makes the recipient of your thanks feel seen, heard, and valued. Saying "Thank you" is a small act with a potentially big impact. It can help you build rapport and make your future interactions with people, both, more memorable and rewarding. In business, this can be especially helpful. Today, I thought it fitting to share a few tips for making a “thank you” as meaningful as possible.

by Steve Mandel

Conversation Skills, Messaging Skills

Do You Demonstrate the Most Desired Interpersonal Character Trait?

by David Mears

What characteristic do we prize most in the people with whom we interact? Learn how our perception of this trait is influenced by communication skills.

by David Mears

Conversation Skills, In-Person Presentations, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills, Presenting to Executives, Selling Skills

Why People Aren’t Hearing Your Ideas (And What to Do About It)

by Brad Holst

What can you do to get your ideas heard and to be recognized as a driver of innovation within your company? Every time you present your ideas, whether formally or informally, try to do these six things.

by Brad Holst

Conversation Skills, In-Person Presentations, Presentation Skills, Selling Skills, Virtual Presentations

When Tough Questions Attack, Here’s How to Respond

by Steve Mandel

Everyone has had to answer tough questions in their careers. Questions that challenge your ideas and opinions – perhaps even your credibility. How you respond to tough questions can make or break your relationship with listeners. Here's how to handle tough questions, while staying calm, cool, and collected.

by Steve Mandel

Briefing Center, Conversation Skills, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills

Are Buyers Using Idea Voodoo on Your Sales People?

by David Mears

Did you know that 58% of B2B sales processes end in "no decision" rather than "won" or "lost"? Is "idea voodoo" to blame? Find out why it's so darn hard to get buyers to make decisions these days and what you can do to overcome it.

by David Mears

Conversation Skills, Selling Skills

Is Your Organization Lacking the Key Catalyst to Successful Innovation?

by David Mears

If you think about it, your organization’s performance depends on its best ideas being turned into profitable innovations. Yet, 87% of executives believe major unexploited opportunities, ones that could make their companies market leaders, are overlooked. Why are so many companies struggling to innovate? (Hint: It's not a creativity problem!)

by David Mears

Conversation Skills, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills, Selling Skills

3 Ways to Communicate Authentically Around the World

by Kathleen Redd

In building Mandel's global training capability, one of the most thrilling things I realized is that there are ways of communicating that transcend borders. I want to tell you about 3 “tools” in particular that were instrumental in helping me to build stronger relationships with my new colleagues and partners around the world, from Shanghai to Buenos Aires.

by Kathleen Redd

Conversation Skills, Executive Presence

How to Build Customer Intimacy One Conversation at a Time

by Kathleen Redd

I walked away from last month’s Association of Briefing Program Managers (ABPM) annual spring conference more convinced than ever that customer intimacy is the key to customer loyalty. Let me explain why, and also what you can do to build longer-lasting, more satisfying relationships with your customers.

by Kathleen Redd

Collaboration Skills, Conversation Skills, Sales Readiness, Selling Skills, Teaming

Can Your Sales Team Get Executive Buyers to Say Yes?

by David Mears

Executives today are making or influencing more and more buying decisions (especially when it comes to technology). Is your sales team ready to engage executives in conversations about the business challenges that keep them up at night? This is where traditional sales training fails. Here’s how you can fix it.

by David Mears

Conversation Skills, Executive Presence, Sales Readiness, Selling Skills

In Business, It’s Personal…

by David Mears

It's just business - nothing personal." How often have you heard someone use that phrase to justify a decision based on the bottom line, even when that decision created pain and problems for employees or customers? It's called the "It's just business trap," and it can sabotage your organizations ability to succeed. Here's how to avoid it.

by David Mears

Conversation Skills, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills, Presenting to Executives

Bring Back the Art of Listening

by Kathleen Redd

Let's face it. We're losing the ability to listen in this always-on, multi-tasking world. And, we're paying a price for it. When we fail to listen well, we miss vital info, misinterpret messages, or even damage our relationships with others. But, still, there have always been those special people who seem to have a natural gift for knowing how to make you feel heard. People like Grandma Hendrickson. Here's how she practices the gracious art of listening...and how you can, too.

by Kathleen Redd

Conversation Skills, Executive Presence, Sales Readiness

Are Acronyms Hurting or Helping Your Communications?

by Brad Holst

I’ll be the first to admit that the proper use of acronyms can benefit listeners. First and foremost among the benefits is increased memorability. But, overusing acronyms unconsciously can be damaging and abusive to listeners. Here are 3 keys to using acronyms effectively in your communications. And, don't miss the fun and illuminating Mental Floss video on what many of our most-loved acronyms and initials really stand for.

by Brad Holst

Conversation Skills, Messaging Skills, Presentation Skills, Selling Skills

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