Communication Coaching [Data collected from different site]

Communication Coaching

Style is just as important as substance. We perfect our style by raising self-awareness about communication patterns, deciding how we want to improve, and then acquiring necessary new communication skills.

The problem is that we tend to be blind to our own flaws. We need an outside expert to assess our performance and suggest changes. That's where Communication Power comes in. We're experts at one-on-one communication coaching, tailored to your individual communication needs.

Communication Power is different from many communication coaching programs:

• Communication training sessions are completely customized to address client's personal communication challenges.
• Employees spend only an hour or two in one-on-one communication coaching sessions rather than days in classes, avoiding lost productivity.
• With individualized attention, effectiveness is high — and an excellent value for a relatively low investment.

Our communication coaching sessions are customized for each client, but often focus on two key areas:

• Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking / Improving Public Speaking

Conquering the Fear of Public Speaking

Your personal Communication Power coach will share secrets from the professional speaking and theater worlds to enable you to overcome any fear of public speaking you have, and help mold you into a power presenter.

These presentation skill secrets and tips include:

• Better body language
• Developing audience rapport
• Organizing and prioritizing messages
• Overcoming self-consciousness
• Presenting an authoritative, credible image
• Reducing accents
• Successful staging
• Surviving speech impediments
• Turning around bloopers
• Voice projection, modulation, dynamics

Your customized, one-on-one communication training session will focus on your presentation skill strengths and build off of them, giving you the public speaking training and tips you need to become a confident presenter in any situation.

• Becoming an Effective Presenter / Developing Communication Style

The Polished Presenter

You can become a polished and effective presenter with one-on-one coaching from Communication Power, developing skills that are the hallmark of a professional communicator.

• Animated delivery and showmanship
• Assertive, not aggressive behavior
• Becoming more decisive in all settings
• Better diction and enunciation
• Clear, concise messages
• Creating audience excitement
• Defending ideas to senior management
• Ease in impromptu settings
• Fielding questions and answers
• Generating genuine interest in your topic
• Managing (and participating in) meetings
• Surmounting stress
• Triumphing over conflict
• Winning others to your point of view

Effective communicating can be quickly learned through observation of your current communication strengths and weaknesses, and expert coaching on how to improve your particular communication style.

Communication Power’s communication consultants will take you from being an average communicator to a confident, effective business presenter who can communicate ideas powerfully.

Communication Classes

Communication Power offers a wide variety of communication classes, typically for groups of 8 to 12. In addition we create custom-developed classes to meet our client's specific communication, presentation or management training needs. Contact us to discuss your current requirements and our fee structure.
Here are some of our most popular classes:
Presentation Skill Training
Learn to become more convincing and powerful when presenting your ideas to any audience.

Powerful Presentations

Participants in this all-day (8 hour) presentation skills class learn to become more convincing when presenting an idea or product. These presentation skills are applicable to virtually any social or business setting, from one-on-one interviews to addressing your team or executives.

The class focuses on techniques to improve your presentation effectiveness including:

• Body language that energizes delivery
• Enhancing voice projection, vocal variety, speech dynamics
• Fielding questions
• Handling visual aids
• Importance of the silent pause
• Improving eye contact, facial expressions, body language
• Organizing information in logical, persuasive order
• Overcoming stage fright
• Platform presence and audience rapport
• Presenting an authoritative image
• Refining diction and pronunciation
• Spotlighting important words and phrases

Participants leave this course feeling energized about their presentation skills and more confident in any presentation situation.
Creating Effective Presentations
Analyzing your audience and the end goal of your presentation are among the keys to presentation success delivered in this class. \

Creating Effective Presentations

The best presentations are carefully organized for maximum effectiveness, depending on many factors including objectives, audience, time of day, length of delivery, etc. In this full-day (8 hours) presentation class we will cover:

• Analyzing the presentation assignment
• Assessing audience for hierarchy of needs
• Clear comparisons and contrasts
• Defining goals and messages
• Four categories of presentations
• Handling questions and answers
• Keys for better conclusions
• Writing presentations 
• Selecting among outlining techniques
• Strong introductions
• Structural models for organizing "body" of content
• Three components of every presentation
• Visual aids

Drawing on years of experience, your Communication Power class leader will provide presentation tips that will enable you to consistently deliver effective presentations.
Executive Voice Coaching
There are many techniques that can improve the strength and quality of our voices – this class presents all the tricks of the trade to help participants do just that.

Executive Voice Coaching

People judge us by how we sound. There's a lot executives can do to improve their audible image, as you'll discover by hearing your own voice as others hear it. Then learn all the tricks in this practical 8-hour seminar.

• Better breathing techniques
• Commanding attention
• Developing a voice that is taken seriously
• Discovering the source of sound
• Finding the "resonating ladder"
• Increasing vocal power
• Minimizing accents and dialects
• Modulation and pronunciation
• Optimum pitch and timber
• Overcoming shrill, nasal tones
• Relaxing the channel of sound

Our expert Communication Power class leaders will provide each participant with executive voice coaching to develop a more powerful and confident voice in any speaking situation.

Effective Business Meetings
Meetings often dominate employees’ time – are they as effective as they could be? This class helps both meeting leaders and participants contribute to making meetings effective. Effective Business Meetings

A great business meeting doesn't just happen. It is carefully choreographed by a skilled facilitator and enhanced by savvy participants. In this interactive full-day (8 hours) seminar you will learn how to:

• Control time and protocol
• Create an effective agenda
• Get your point across quickly
• Increase your visibility
• Lead creative brainstorming sessions
• Learn to participate in the first five minutes
• Moderate panel discussions
• Motivate positive discussions
• Nurture talent in your team
• "Own" your voice in a meeting
• Present solutions
• Reach group consensus
• Resolve conflict among participants
• Troubleshoot common problems

Communication is the key to any effective business meeting, and your expert Communication Power class leader will provide invaluable techniques and tips to immediately enhance meeting effectiveness in your organization.

Acting for Non-Actors
Effective presenters project a desired image to their audience – often one that is not their natural personality. Learn skills from the acting world directly applicable to becoming a powerful presenter. Acting for Non-Actors

All-day (8 hour) class focused on developing executive presence by learning from well-known acting techniques. The class includes lecture, discussion, demonstration and plenty of practice in a non-threatening environment. Through monologues, dialogues and scene work you'll discover the fun of standing before an audience — when you know how, that is!

You’ll practice traditional acting techniques that will help you explore new presentation styles as you work to enhance and develop your executive presence. Techniques will include:

• Experimenting with new possibilities
• Improvisation techniques for thinking on your feet
• Playing different roles
• Projecting desired image
• Relaxing and letting go
• Stage presence
• Tricks for releasing tension

Consultative Customer Service
Learn how to uncover customer needs, present your recommendations persuasively, and build positive long-term relationships with clients.

Consultative Customer Service

A one-day seminar (8 hour) that helps build positive long-term relationships with clients and customers.

This sales presentation training class provides techniques to help participants build genuine, lasting relationships with their clients.  Topics the class will cover include:

• Maintaining a natural, relaxed tone
• Making recommendations so clients are receptive
• Psychology of relationships
• Seven Deadly Sins of Customer Service — and how NOT to commit them
• Uncovering needs and concerns
• Value of customer complaints

Conversation Made Easy
Learn tricks to make business small talk and conversation easy in any environment.

Conversation Made Easy

Anyone can learn to be a captivating conversationalist. Being able to make conversation impacts our lives more than any other form of communication. Learn tricks during this all-day (8 hour) seminar, including:

• Avoiding awkward silences
• Customer service conversation
• Drawing out shy people
• Gathering conversational material
• Gift of gab
• Nine mistakes of boring people
• Polite exits
• Starting a conversation
• Talking without dominating
• Using humor

Reference Library

Communication Power is committed to lifelong personal development and empowerment. We offer many complimentary resources for improving your communication skills:

• Articles

• Case Studies

CEO's Communication Skills Help Drive Dynamic Company Growth

Spotlight on Greg Sullivan

Less than two decades have passed since Greg Sullivan started a business with just $300 in his pocket. Today his e-Business Solution company, G. A. Sullivan, is one of America's fastest growing IT firms. In 1999 Greg received the ultimate recognition any entrepreneur could hope for. He was named the national SBA Small Business Person of the Year.

Exponential growth can be traced to a bold decision Greg made in 1992, when he transformed himself from a programmer to a businessman. He developed an ambitious business plan, hired an ad agency and marketing consultant, and built a sales force.

He also brought in Richard Klees for public speaking coaching. Greg and Richard met at a Microsoft conference where Richard was coaching 150 speakers. Under Richard's guidance, Greg immediately understood what polished communication skills could mean for the future of his company - and how improved skills could open new doors for regional and industry leadership.

"Hungry for Knowledge"

"Greg has been one of the most amazing people I've ever worked with due to his dedication and motivation to learn," comments Richard. "Not only is he a very quick study- he's literally hungry for knowledge. When I make suggestions, he practices diligently until the new communication patterns are perfected. His learning curve has been incredible."

Not that Greg had exactly been a poor speaker to begin with. He just had problems conveying his conviction and enthusiasm to others, and sometimes came across as flat and bland. By overcoming old habits he learned to be dynamic and magnetic with audiences. This helped him establish a better impression, whether he was speaking to employees, customers, high-tech groups or large business meetings.

A Proactive Learner

Initial improvements haven't been enough for Greg. As his company keeps expanding, he continues to ask his coach for advice. Sometimes he videotapes his speaking engagements and sends Richard a copy. Richard then provides a careful critique via email.

"We've been working together for almost five years now and I always receive valuable insights from our coaching relationship," Greg comments. "Richard helps me see where new opportunities lie. He shows me how to vitalize messages and set listeners on fire. I can't imagine being where I am now without his help."

Round of Applause

To Greg's astonishment, he began receiving compliments on his speaking skills soon after the first session with Richard. "Total strangers came up on numerous occasions and told me what a great presenter I was. They wanted to know what steps I'd taken to get so good. This was a lifetime first for me! Needless to say, the positive reinforcement made me eager to get even better."

With sharpened speaking abilities have come invitations to give keynotes at a wide variety of seminars and conferences. Every engagement helps keep G. A. Sullivan in the spotlight and enhances the image of both Greg and his company.

With G. A. Sullivan revenues now at $32 million, an employee base of 300, and eight offices in the U.S. and Europe, no one can doubt the wisdom of Greg's game plan ten years ago - including his foresight in being certain he was a confident and poised public speaker.

The Art of Running Meetings

Mark Improves Interpersonal Skills with Coaching

Dry. Too intense. Unapproachable.
That's how colleagues described Mark, a manager in a biotech company responsible for leading meetings all day long. People left sessions discouraged and disgruntled. They complained that Mark was too heavy-handed to serve in management, and asked that he be transferred.

Concerned about morale, Mark's employer brought in Communication Power for coaching. Richard Klees studied Mark's performance during several meetings. He discovered many behavior patterns that Mark could improve with practice.

Better Brainstorming

In the first meeting Mark's goal was to brainstorm a new product launch. The group was diverse, and included people from sales, marketing, R&D and engineering. Several attendees wanted to pursue multiple parallel paths to compare outcomes.

Mark disagreed. He thought deadlines were too tight to allow for several different plans. So he refused to listen to suggestions and pushed his own agenda forward. When the meeting was over, attendees grumbled that Mark was overbearing. They felt unheard.

Listening vs. Agreeing

One mistake Mark made was to confuse listening with agreeing. It never occurred to him that he could respectfully give air time to concepts without personally endorsing them. In other words, he had misunderstood the whole idea behind brain-storming, namely to allow people to consider many different ideas without judgment.

Building Rapport

Another problem Mark had was allowing tension to build in a group. As the leader, he neglected his responsibility to nurture cohesion and camaraderie.

Similarly, Mark rarely gave strokes or positive remarks. He tended to make caustic comments like, "You're not making any sense."

As a result, participants felt put down and held back from making suggestions.

During coaching sessions Mark learned how to give compliments and sound sincere. He practiced commenting on ideas rather than people. This helped reduce strife, and minimized ruffled feathers and damaged egos.

Agenda Woes

Mark also tended to try to jam too many topics into meetings. Then he'd rush participants without giving adequate time for discussion. A three-pronged plan made it easier for him to avoid frustration.

1. Schedule a reasonable number of topics per hour.
2. Publish an agenda ahead of time.
3. Assign specific amounts of time to each topic, with a timekeeper assigned to staying on schedule.

Achieving Accord

Mark's biggest mistake lay in using task-oriented behavior rather than a process-oriented approach. A task orientation includes seeking information, clarifying, elaborating and summarizing. It places work before people.

A process approach, on the other hand, keeps the focus on human interaction. It involves gatekeeping, active listening, reinforcing positive effort and harmonizing.

Mark rehearsed making process-type comments in coaching sessions. He practiced saying things like, "good question," and "I understand your concerns." At first he was very awkward making remarks that seemed nurturing or "soft." But after a while they became second nature.

The bottom line for Mark - and for others who feel most at home discussing technical topics - is to relax and open up. Empathize with participants and establish rapport with the other folks at meetings. Make their ideas seem important and valued, even if you think they're irrelevant nonsense. Teambuilding is the name of the game in Corporate America. And your people-skills, exhibited during meetings, are key to your ultimate success.

Post-Promotion Peer Pressure

Amanda Learns to Be the Boss

Being tapped for a promotion is great for the ego. But problems can arise when you have to manage people who were your peers just days before.
Amanda, a financial analyst in a large investment firm, found out fast about the flip side of career advancement. When she was promoted into management, she suddenly was supervising former colleagues. Plus her former boss now reported to her - and he was openly resentful about taking orders.
"The last thing I wanted to do was lord it over everyone," Amanda says. "Yet I needed to get things done. I found myself in an impossible situation, where nobody took me seriously, and my former manager created obstacles to prevent my success."

Call the Coach in a Crisis

Amanda was clearly failing. Morale dropped in her group. People started quitting and asking for transfers out of her department. Customers even lodged formal complaints. She had to find an answer or she'd be out of a job.
Amanda called Communication Power and set up coaching sessions with Richard Klees. He explained where she was making mistakes. Soon she was able to take charge of her group, become assertive, and eventually enjoy her new role at the top.

Redefining Relationships

Amanda's first task was to learn to separate personal and business relationships - not easy, because her peers had previously been her buddies.
"Before, we talked about everything together," she says. "But this prevented me from acting with appropriate authority, like a manager must. So I made a deliberate shift and set up some mental boundaries. I still have lunch with my friends, for instance. But I limit the topics I'll talk about. We stick to personal matters now, things like our families, health and movies."
Some of the coaching advice came as a surprise. For example, Amanda had assumed speaking tentatively with employees demonstrated sensitivity. But she was actually being perceived as weak and wishy-washy.
"I learned to cut to the chase and make clear, direct requests," she explains. "People appreciated knowing what I wanted. They needed me to be in command."

Learnable Skills

Did she have to change her underlying personality and become hard-boiled? No. All it took was making some tweaks in her outward demeanor and some of her communication patterns. She learned to speak more assertively. She made certain she spelled out expectations. And she acted like she was definitely in charge.
"My first attempts with the new skills were awkward. I was so self-conscious. So Richard helped me script out how an interaction might go. We role-played different scenarios until I felt confident and smooth. It really helped."

Stamping Out Sabotage

Most difficult of all was the fact that Amanda's former boss was deliberately undermining her. He made himself unavailable, avoiding face-to-face meetings with her. He laughed off all her requests for help, saying that she'd just have to figure everything out by herself. Amanda knew that if she didn't take control soon, she'd have a mutiny on her hands.
"Richard gave me a wonderful strategy, which was to point out the consequences of my former boss's actions. I set up a meeting that he had to attend, and then laid out the alternatives in a no-nonsense manner. He could see I was firm and determined. I think that helped me earn his respect."
Amanda persisted, despite temptations to go back to her old job. "With good coaching, I was able to step up to the plate and grow into a more responsible position. I'm grateful to Richard for helping to make this possible."

• FAQs (frequently asked questions)

·         Communication FAQs

·         Q: Does style really matter? I've always thought it was enough just to have really compelling facts and figures?

·         A: Style matters A LOT. People may want to hear what you have to say. They may even be interested in your subject matter. But if you're not a compelling speaker they're going to have a hard time listening, absorbing and remembering your message.

·         Q: Why do I always feel like my ideas don't come across right in meetings? Is it just a lack of self-confidence, or am I doing something wrong?

·         A: Hard to say. That's why a personal coach can be so important. Most likely it's a combination of both — the insecurities most of us feel when speaking before others, plus a few communication skills you could improve on. Here's a tip. Try to stop evaluating your performance while speaking so you can concentrate more on your message and not on how you're saying it. You'll have plenty of time to critique yourself after the meeting is over.

·         Q: Isn't it true that some people are just born with a fear of public speaking?

·         A: Not really. We LEARN self-consciousness and fear from criticism we receive as children. We can just as easily RELEARN self-confidence and poise. Fear of public speaking is commonplace, so you're not alone. Be proactive and do something about it. Volunteer at your place of worship, community center or youth club. Put yourself in front of others and the fear will gradually subside.

·         Q: Can someone change their voice?

·         A: Absolutely. Of course, the most basic vocal traits are genetic. But with practice you can add strength, power and a tone of conviction to your voice — so you project your best self at all times. If you speak in a monotone, you can extend your range. If you are not breathing properly, you can learn to support your voice. If your pitch is too high or low, you can actually change it through vocal exercises.

·         Q: What's the best way for me to persuade people to follow my ideas?

·         A: Be completely convinced in the worth of your concept. Back your idea up with impeccable data that is clearly articulated. Then present the benefits your audience can expect, avoiding patronizing words like "should", "must" and "ought." Finally, charge the air electrically with your point-of-view.

·         Q: What can I do when forced to work with someone I detest?

·         A: Use your best communication skills to map out common goals. Keep your eye on the big picture. Refuse to allow petty personal issues to derail you from doing your best work at all times. You don't have to like everyone, but you do have to work with others productively. That means being calm, polite, respectful and logical. Don't allow emotions to get the better of you. Try to separate issues from personalities.

·         Q: I've got writer's block and can't organize my presentation. Help!

·         A: Write one sentence stating the "take-away" message you want your audience to receive. Then write three (and only three) ideas that support that message. Look carefully at what you wrote. You most likely have the structure for your presentation.

·         Q: I'm no good at thinking on my feet. But I have to do it all the time. Any suggestions?

·         A: You can think just fine, whether or on your feet or sitting in a chair. The problem is not with your brain, but with your emotions, namely fear and self-consciousness. Decide once and for all that you will overcome these feelings — using skills you can learn in a class or coaching sessions. You might want to think about taking an adult education improvisation class to tap into your creative side for more spontaneity and fun.

·         Q: Any tips on improving my conversation and networking skills?

·         A: Put your attention on the other person. Become an excellent listener. Develop a genuine interest in others and their well-being. Every conversation you have depends on "active listening," where you summarize what you think the other person meant. All the topics and clues you'll ever need for a successful discussion lie on the tip of THEIR tongue — not yours.

·         Q: What can I do to reach my customers more effectively?

·         A: Put yourself in their position and provide them with only information that is essential to them. Become a partner rather than an adversary, and help them solve their problems. Thoughtfully analyze their issues and concerns. Remember -- it's not about reaching your customers, it's about reaching OUT to your customers. Establish a "moment-of-truth philosophy," so that every time customers come in contact with your company they have a genuinely positive experience, whether it's driving into your parking lot, greeting your receptionist or hearing your voice mail.

• Other Helpful Websites

Helpful Websites

Presentationzen.com
Great Blog

Ted.com
See some great presentations

beyondbullets.com
Insights into PowerPoint and more

Presentations.com
Online presentation topics and suggestions

• Speaking Tips
• The Audience
• The Room
• Creating Presentations
• Delivering Presentations  

Famous-quotations.com
Browse for famous quotes

Bartleby.com
A collection of passages, phrases, and proverbs traced to their sources in ancient and modern literature

Quotationspage.com
Quotations from famous people and literature

Thebrainstore.com
Everything related to the brain and learning

HayGroup Emotional Intelligence Services
Resources for the understanding of human emotion

Interculturalpress.com
Publisher of books and materials regarding intercultural relationships

Recommended Reading

• Ailes, Roger. You Are The Message
• Albrecht, Karl. At America's Service
• Carnegie, Dale. How To Win Friends And Influence People
• Covey, Stephen. The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People
• DiMattia, Dom. Rational Effectiveness Training: Increasing Personal Productivity
• Ellis, Albert. 21 Ways To Stop Worrying
• Ellis, Albert. Making Intimate Connections: Seven Guidelines For Great Relationships And Better Communication
• Garner, Alan. Conversationally Speaking
• Gawain, Shakti. Creative Visualization
• Goleman, Daniel. Emotional Intelligence
• Hoff, Ron. I Can See You Naked
• Horn, Sam. Tongue Fu
• Leech, Thomas. How To Prepare, Stage, & Deliver Winning Presentations
• Lessac, Arthur. The Use And Training Of The Human Voice
• Linklater, Kristin. Freeing The Natural Voice
• Marsh, Peter. Eye To Eye
• Porterfield, James D. Selling On The Phone
• Robbins, Anthony. Unlimited Power
• Scholtes, Peter. The Team Handbook
• Solomon, Muriel. What Do I Say When …
• Stanislavski, Constantin. An Actor Prepares
• Tannen, Deborah. You Just Don't Understand: Women And Men In Conversation
• Vasile, Albert and Mintz, Harold. Speak With Confidence

•  

The Successful Communication Consultant

The Successful Communication Consultant: A Guide to Starting or Improving Your Consulting Business

Second Edition

by Corinne LaBossiere, ABC, APR

Elevate your career in an independent and empowering way. Launch, manage and grow your own communication consulting business with an insightful guide developed by a seasoned consultant. The updated second edition is loaded with new tips, insights, ready-to-use templates and exercises to guide you in your consulting business. As an ideal first step or a resource for those improving or expanding their practice, The Successful Communication Consultant is invaluable.

Learn how to:

• Set up a consulting firm and put things in motion.
• Create a business plan.
• Market your services.
• Ensure business profitability.
• Expand your business.
• Assess your performance.

About the author:
Corinne LaBossiere, ABC, APR, has her own thriving consulting practice, CGL Communications (www.cglcom.com). After many years working for organizations, she now researches, plans, and implements internal and corporate communications, marketing, and public and media relations strategies. Her clients include nonprofit organizations, professional services firms, small businesses and large corporations.

Details: 228 pages
©2005

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction
My Story

What Exactly is a Communication Consultant?

First, some background
The official definition
An entrepreneurial business manager
A professional adviser who solves clients´ challenges
An experienced communicator seeking new experiences

How Do I Know if I´m Suited to Be a Consultant?

Assess the pros and cons
Evaluate the compatibility of your goals
Examine your personality
Evaluate your resources
Size up your skills

What Preparation Do I Need?

Get started while you are employed
Identify your niche
Research your market
Inspire yourself with a vision
Create a business plan
Name and register your firm
Create a visual identity for your business
Select a business structure
Identify regulations and secure permits/licenses
Acquire appropriate insurance
Assemble a team of advisers
Secure sufficient financing
Open a business bank account
Establish a family agreement

How Do I Create a Business Plan?

Business plan outline
Use your plan

What´s Involved in Setting Up an Office?

Home office?
Outside office?
Set up an efficient work space
Select the appropriate furnishings
Purchase supplies
Acquire essential equipment and technology
Organize your business records

How Do I Market My Services?

Define your unique selling proposition
Become your best salesperson
Prepare winning proposals
Join and participate in associations
Network and seek referrals
Assemble an impressive portfolio
Develop a brochure
Set up a web site
Create a newsletter
Implement a direct mail program
Conduct a telemarketing campaign