We’re coming up to wedding season and many grooms, brides, best men and parents of the happy couple will be preparing for a speech that fills them with dread and yet they desperately want to do well. Those feelings aren’t so different from those of us who have to present for work … we don’t […]
For many of us just being able to stand up and speak coherently would be amazing, let alone being confident! I know when I first started having to do sales presentations, I would have done anything to stop myself showing how scared I was, both physically and vocally. My first boss could see how scared
How to present confidently, every time you stand up to speak. Read More »
According to the National Sales Executive Association, 80% of sales are made on the fifth to twelfth contact and only 10% of sales people make more than three contacts. That’s an awful lot of business left on the table for the lack of follow up! One of my clients recently spoke to me about their
Could you be using the telephone more? Read More »
I’ve been meeting a lot of receptionists this month, and bank staff and shop assistants. Not intentionally, but I just seem to have been out and about more than usual. And overall, I’ve enjoyed the human connection … however I can’t tell you the difference a smile has made to the interaction. Don’t get me
How far does a smile go? Further than you might imagine. Read More »
For some people I meet, networking describes everything that they don’t want to do … … Walking into a room full of strangers, making small talk, listening to others talking about themselves or waiting for their turn to jump into the conversation and tell you about themselves. And to cap it all … having to
Are you planning to network more this year? Read More »
Stephen Covey relays a story in his book “7 Habits of Highly effective People” about how important it is to put the big rocks in life front and centre. In his analogy the big rocks are family, friendship, health, projects that will move you forward etc and the pebbles are the minutiae of life –
Make sure you have space in life for your big rocks. Read More »
Do you tell yourself stories about what is, has or will happen? Or provide yourself with a running commentary as you go about your daily business? That’s self-talk … the voice in your head … what you say to yourself, whether positive or negative, can boost or undermine your confidence. And unless you question it
Why self-talk matters. Read More »
Have you ever been caught out on the phone? There you are mid conversation and you suddenly realise you have no idea what the other person just said. It’s not always a problem but it certainly can be … particularly if the first you notice is when they say “do you agree?” or “so what
How to stop getting distracted on the phone. Read More »
A little while ago my niece told me that someone was annoyed with her and said she knew it because they had put a full stop at the end of their text message. “But I do that – it’s just grammar” I said … “yes but they’re under 30 so they know!” she replied. Apparently,
When is a full stop not a full stop but an indication of anger? Read More »
One of the services that we offer to our tourism and front of house clients is a spot of mystery shopping! We aren’t interested in whether the signage works or the shop is well stocked. We are only interested in how the staff make us feel as visitors. In it’s simplest terms we’re looking for
How to make your customer’s day without spending money. Read More »
