Handling Questions

When entertaining questions during your presentation or speech, always repeat the question before answering.  This is a courtesy to the rest of the audience who may not have clearly heard the original question.  It is also a checkpoint for you to ensure you are answering the intended question. 

Phrases to Avoid

Avoid phrases like "honestly" or "to be honest with you" in daily conversations or speeches.  This gives the connotation that any other time, you aren't being truthful.

Email Etiquette - Recipient Lists

Email etiquette is important in today's email driven society.  Here is an important tip, especially in corporate America.  The purpose of "bcc" or blind copying someone on an email is for the sole purpose of informing the blind copied person.  Because the "bcc" recipients are not visible in the email address list when you send an email, the "To" and "cc"recipients are not aware you have blind copied other recipients. 

The "bcc" person has certain responsibilities.  Before you reply, check to see if you are a "cc" or "bcc" recipient.

1 - If you are blind copied, commit the email information to memory and store it in your "FYI" memory bank.

2 - Do not "reply to all".  This defeats the purpose of blind copying you.  You will also alienate the person who blind copied you in the first place.

Happy emailing!

Maintain Human Contact

I found a great excerpt from the article "The New Attention Deficit" in the December issue of Entreprenuer magazine.  The gist of the article is we are becoming so obsessed with technology, we are losing the ability and desire to maintain human contact.  One of the recommendations on how to balance technology and humanity is to maintain human contact.

Imagine being in your office or work space.  When someone walks up to your desk, you may give eye contact for a brief moment to acknowledge their presence, but you quickly go back to the task at hand.  Try these things instead when someone is in your office.

- Shut the lid to your laptop or turn off the monitor while you are having the conversation.
- Ignore any phone calls during your meeting.  Let the call go to voice mail.
- Maintain eye contact with the person.  This goes a long way in making someone feel important.

We are all busy, but "full attention is the new black".  Empower those around you by giving them your full attention.

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Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from The Empowered Speaker!  2011 promises to be an exciting year and even better than 2010!

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your support in 2010.  Whether you were a client, business partner or friend, I truly value and appreciate you.  Thanks for continuing to support this blog.  If you have not yet visited my new website, please take a look at http://www.empoweredspeaker.com/.  If you have not yet purchased your copy of my new book Faith to Conquer Fear:  Inspiration to Achieve your Dreams", you may purchase a signed copy on my site.  The book is also available on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, Borders.com and iUniverse.com in hardcover, softcover, and ebook.  Lastly, I encourage you to become a fan of The Empowered Speaker on facebook, http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/TheEmpoweredSpeaker.

Best wishes for a wonderful 2011!

Sincerely,

Christy