Effective Executive Communication Principle #6 Be Prepared

Be Prepared Even When You Think It’s Not Necessary


So often executives think that, because they know their work or their projects so well, they can “wing” a briefing or even a fairly long report or presentation. Don’t do it. Winging it never works well unless you have delivered the same message or report or presentation a hundred times. Take five minutes to figure out your talking points, or take even longer for a major presentation. Preparation makes you feel confident and ensures your nerves will not get the best of you.

Even before you call a client or leave a message for your boss do not hesitate to take a few moments to jot down your ideas. This way you will always come across as the competent professional that you are.

Effective Executive Communication Principle #5 Look Here!

Maintain Appropriate Eye Contact

Another huge challenge many executives have when they are talking is that they look everywhere except at the people to whom they are speaking. Do not let that be you. When you avoid looking at people, they may subconsciously feel that you are not telling the truth. You are also more likely to lose their attention. Maintaining eye contact makes people feel like you are speaking to them personally rather than just speaking out loud.  We should maintain direct eye contact about 70-80% of the time.  If you start to feel awkward or uncomfortable, glance away and up, not down, and return to eye contact.  Your company will feel your interest and respond favorably.

Effective Executive Communication Principle #4 Slow Down!

Pay Attention to Your Pace


Everyone has their own natural pace for speaking. When nervous, many people really speed up. When you talk too fast you convey a lack of experience, and you do not allow time for your listeners to comprehend what you are saying. On the other hand, have you ever wanted to just blurt out, "Spit it out, would you!"  It can be frustrating to listen to someone who is measuring and weighing every word and taking forever to communicate their thoughts.  Pay attention to your pace, be sure to breath, and do not be afraid to pause. 

Effective Executive Communication Principle #3 What Are You Saying?

Be Articulate

The most prevalent challenge in everyday business communication is the lack of clear articulation in conversation. Every time you use a speech filler as in “ah” or “um” or “you know” or “so,” you are detracting from the confidence you want your words to convey, and you diminish the power of your message. Ask a trusted colleague to tell you what your speech fillers are, and then work to eliminate them. You can also record a few of your phone conversations; you will be surprised at what you hear.

Remember to be clear about the message you are delivering. Don’t cloud the issues you are talking about. If you are delivering a message about appropriate office attire, you don’t want to start giving detailed messages about the upcoming company picnic.

Effective Executive Communication Principle #2 Speak Up!

Project Your Voice


Recognize that the purpose of the volume of your voice is not exclusively to ensure that the listeners hear you. Volume adds authority to your vocal presentation and it is important to speak up to project volume that deserves attention.  Become aware if people are asking you to repeat yourself often, of if your conversational mates are moving away when you speak. Ask a few honest, unbiased listeners to critque your speaking volume and tone, and try out their suggestions. 

Effective Executive Communication Principle #1 Posture Power

Here is the first in a series of Effective Executive Communication.  Following these prinicples, most of which are simple and cost-free, will move you forward on your way to professional confidence and success.

As an executive, when you communicate you want to convey confidence and credibility, and you want people to feel compelled to listen. Considering that a lot of what is communicated is non-verbal, your body language and vocal inflection can miscommunicate your real message. Use these seven tips to increase the effectiveness of your communication and ensure that you always get your point across.


#1 Recognize the Power in Your Posture

Your communication starts with the stance you choose when you speak. Whether you are talking on the phone or you are in a meeting, it is always best to stand up when you speak. To be sure to get your point across, pull your shoulders back to slightly exaggerate your posture and open up your diaphragm. Do not play with a pen, fidget, or cross your arms and legs when you speak. Using open body language conveys that you mean what you say and are open to the input of others.

10 (Free) Ways to Improve Your Image, Part II

Whether you are interviewing for a new job, trying to move ahead in your career, or hoping to impress or influence someone, an effective personal image is key. In these tough economic times, nearly everyone is trying to save a buck here or there, so here are the second 5 of 10 ways you can improve your image without spending a dime. Take my word for it, the effort you put into these activities will start paying immediate benefits for you.

6. Smile. Author Charles Gordy stated, "A smile is an inexpensive way to change your looks." How true that is! I'll bet you know someone who is rather non-descript who suddenly becomes stunning when he or she smiles. But there's more to smiling than good looks. A DePauw University study showed that people who smiled more in old photographs had longer, happier marriage. Does that extend to personal and business relationships? Here's food for thought: "In a national survey conducted by Grass Roots, not smiling was one of three top complaints by 25.9% of customers, not meeting customers' needs was 26.4%, and not being friendly was 25.8 percent" (Lucie Willsie, Customer Perspectives). Since we generally display our friendliness by smiling, I'd say that over 50% of customer complaints were directly related to a sour countenance.

7. Eliminate your verbal pauses. Uh, OK, So, what do I want to say about, uh, verbal pauses? You know, verbal pauses occur when your brain is searching for the next words to say. According to business coach Steve Pavlina, "Verbal pauses are distracting in communication. They can make you sound less intelligent and clear. They muddle your message. Verbal pauses are simply noise, not communication" (StevePavlina.com). I would like to add that verbal pauses can also make you seem less honest and forthright. You may be seen as someone who is trying to figure out how not to tell the truth. Pavlina says that awareness and practice are the two best ways to cut back on those annoying space wasters. So, ah, let's get started!

8. Develop and practice your elevator speech. What's an elevator speech? My old pal Wikipedia defines it as "an overview of an idea for a product, service, or project. The name reflects the fact that an elevator pitch should be possible to deliver in the time span of an elevator ride, meaning in a maximum of 30 seconds and in 130 words or fewer." Have you noticed that we live in a fast-paced world? People want information fast and clear. When someone asks you, "So what do you do?" they are not asking for a dissertation, nor do they want to stand around while you try to pin down what exactly it is that you do. Write down your elevator speech and practice it so that it rolls off your tongue like honey--or maybe I should say money.

9. Say "You're Welcome." This is one of my pet peeves. When someone thanks you for something, there is no other proper response than "You're welcome." "No problem," which seems to be the in-vogue response is just plain rude when you stop to think about it. The converse would be, "Helping you out was really a big problem for me, so don't ever walk through another door and expect me to hold it open for you!" Being courteous should not be thought of in terms of whether or not it was a burden. "You're welcome" is one of the most gracious sounding expressions in our language.

10. Speak well of others. It is not possible to fling mud on someone without getting it all over yourself. People who gossip or disparage others are not viewed as trustworthy, credible, or loyal. And business and personal relationships are hard to establish when those qualities are missing.

There you have it! My favorite 10 image principles that won't cost you much except some awareness and a little effort, which will pay incalculable interest.

The Great Closet(s) Cleanout!

Shop early!  Shop often!  All misses/women's sizes and many girl's sizes.  I'm turning over 100's of pieces of clothing, jewelry, shoes, and accessories from business sample pieces and my wardrobe.  All adult pieces are $5, children's $3.  There are many new and like-new pieces, and the "good stuff" is definitely going to go fast!  Call 610-998-9210 or email beth@bethstrange.com for a shopping appointment! 

All proceeds benefit the DAS Piano Scholarship Fund.  Sale ends when most items are gone; remainder will be donated to charity.

A Campaign Image Makeover

Ah! I love the political campaign season. Who wouldn't love watching successful, intelligent adults act like undisciplined middle schoolers? What I want to know is: When did civility get ostracized from the political process? And who was the genius who decided that mudslinging was a good strategy? Here's my position, from an image management perspective, for reforming campaigning.

First, any self-respecting advertising professional can tell you that name recognition is crucial to selling a product. That's why candidates spend beaucoup bucks on placards that say SCHMEDLAP FOR CONGRESS. When we enter the voting booth, the name SCHMEDLAP is theoretically echoing in our brains. So-why is it in a typical slinging commercial that the slinging candidate's name is usually only mentioned once or twice, but the slingee's name is shouted out five to ten times? Whose name will be ringing in our ears on election day?

But in a negative way, you say.

But I say campaigning has become so negative that, like media violence, it rolls off our backs to some extent.

Here's an image principle: As Ms. Strange says, speaking ill of others makes us look ugly, less credible, and distinctly untrustworthy. Whether it's in the office, on the playground, or at home, consciously or subconsciously we know that people who talk badly of others will inevitably turn on us as well. Look at the Primary. SCHMEDLAP is apparently running against his fellow party member, SATAN. Then, when the Primaries are over, SCHMEDLAP and SATAN suddenly can only think of wonderful things to say about one another. Two months ago, SATAN was trying to destroy America, and now he's a "truly great American."

The biggest problem I see with this kind of campaigning is that it's eroding our faith in our political leaders. Apparently they are all scuzzbags (noun: An offensive term for a person that is stuck-up, very mean, stupid, and only caring for themselves. A sleazy, unethical person. [urbandictionary.com]), incompetent, and in league with the enemy-whomever that might be.

What an image makeover it would be for a candidate to carry out a sling-free campaign! I don't know about you, but a candidate like that would grab my attention--and maybe even my vote.

~Fairchild

Meet My Driver!

My name is Fairchild--just Fairchild. We chauffeurs do not have first names--that's why we became chauffeurs. Here's something you may not know about my kind; we're some of the best educated people in the world. "Education." If I've heard Ms. Strange say that word once, I've heard her say it a thousand times. While driving (fetching and toting also) for an image consultant who likes to talk about and knows her stuff, one thing I'm getting is an education. Once I realized that, I started listening, and then I started observing, and then I stared forming some of my own opinions. Not that I don't agree with Ms. Strange on almost everything--after all she is the pro, but if you decide to follow these blogs posts of mine, you will see that working for an image consultant sure makes one think.

First image thoughts coming soon.

Beth Yvette Strange Selected As A “Top-Idea Maven” by The Woman’s Advantage Entrepreneur’s Advice

Beth Yvette Strange
Two Penn Center, Suite 200
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215.854.6324
beth@bethstrange.com

For Immediate Release Contact: Beth Y. Strange, 215.854.6324

Beth Yvette Strange Selected As
A “Top-Idea Maven” by The Woman’s Advantage
Entrepreneur’s Advice Featured in 2011 Woman’s Advantage Calendar

Philadelphia, PA – Beth Yvette Strange, President of Beth Yvette Strange Image Consulting was selected from over 5,000 submissions to be featured in The 2011 Woman’s Advantage Shared Wisdom Calendar. The calendar provides advice for women business owners from influential women leaders across the US and Canada.

Mary Cantando, Growth Expert of The Woman’s Advantage, today announced that Strange’s advice has been included in the calendar which was released on October 1.

“Beth Strange’s quote was selected because it was powerful yet easy to understand. Her idea is relevant to almost every woman in business today.” says Cantando. “Women business owners and those who dream of starting a business will learn so much from the advice provided by Beth and the other successful women quoted in the calendar.”

The Woman’s Advantage 2011 Calendar provides sound bites of advice on key business issues including: organization, promotion, sales, and human resources.

About Beth Yvette Strange Image Consulting, LLC
Beth Strange is the president of Beth Yvette Strange Image Consulting, LLC. Beth is the only Association of Image Consultants International (AICI)-certified, full-service image consultant in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, region. She assists individual men and women, groups, and corporations to refine their image and be their very best by applying proven principles in dress, grooming, verbal and nonverbal communication, and etiquette and protocol. Beth’s education-based image management programs are highly sought after by business, professional, and academic institutions. Her clients range from high-profile to emerging individuals and companies. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of The Pennsylvania State University, Beth earned a B.A. in Linguistics. She employs her language education plus her experience as an editor, a language teacher, and public speaker to help her clients become more comfortable and capable communicators in the public domain. Because Beth believes that image management is a serious endeavor, she graduated from the Conselle Institute of Image Management, will achieve Certified Image Professional status in AICI, participates regularly in continuing education, served as a board member for the Ohio/Pennsylvania Chapter of AICI, and serves on AICI’s International Publication Staff.

About Mary Cantando:
Mary Cantando is a nationally-recognized expert on women business owners. She is the developer of the successful Woman’s Advantage line of products, geared specifically to women entrepreneurs. A member of the National Speakers’ Association, Cantando provides keynotes and workshops for women who want to grow their businesses.

About The Woman’s Advantage:
The Woman’s Advantage is a line of information products, including books, workbooks, audio CDs, and calendars designed exclusively for successful women business owners. For more information, call 919-841-0401 or visit http://www.WomansAdvantage.biz

News Facts:
• Beth Yvette Strange was selected as a “Top-Idea Maven” by The Woman’s Advantage. Her quote appears in the 2011 Woman’s Advantage Calendar.
• The Woman’s Advantage Calendar provides daily advice on key business issues including: organization, promotion, sales, and human resources.
Keywords:
Beth Yvette Strange, Beth Yvette Strange Image Consulting, LLC, Women Business Owners, Woman Business Owner, Women Entrepreneurs, The Woman’s Advantage, Entrepreneurs, Mary Cantando, The Woman’s Advantage Shared Wisdom Calendar

10 (Free) Ways to Improve Your Image, Part I

Whether you are interviewing for a new job, trying to move ahead in your career, or hoping to impress or influence someone, an effective personal image is key. In these tough economic times, nearly everyone is trying to save a buck here or there, so here are the first 5 of 10 ways you can improve your image without spending a dime. Take my word for it, the effort you put into these activities will start paying immediate benefits for you.

1. Sharpen up your manners. So you think manners are no longer relevant? Think again. According to a recent industry study, good manners play an important role in moving up the corporate ladder. According to NFI Research, two-thirds of senior executives believe that good manners are “extremely important” in career advancement (Why Manners Matter, Management–Issues). Rude behavior in the work place is deadly to team building, loyalty, and collegiality. Socially, overt rudeness and even an innocent lack of knowledge about proper etiquette demonstrates a lack of respect both for others and for settings or events that others might hold dear. Many people immediately lose respect for men who neglect to remove their hats when indoors or especially during the playing of the National Anthem. Who wants to spend time with that guy who talks throughout the entire movie?

2. Shine your shoes. OK. So I couldn't find a study to support the fact that a well-shined pair of shoes is an important aspect in gaining credibility and social acceptance. Nonetheless, it is true. Your footwear says a lot about your attention to detail. That will definitely earn points with your boss and may be high on the list of that certain someone you would like to know better. So whether it’s on the job or on a date, well-shined and maintained shoes say that you care about details and about the opinion of those with whom you are associating. (Please don’t email me to remind me that it costs about 2 cents to shine a pair of shoes!)

3. Focus on others. I just got off the phone with someone who was calling me to ask for help with her image and then she spent 90% of the time bragging about herself. When we head to an event, I usually tell my family to try to get others to talk about themselves. People, generally, love to talk about themselves, and if you let them, they will go away thinking that you are a brilliant conversationalist. According to author Roxanne Khamsi, “A Texas corporation ‘aiming to improve productivity,’ told its employees to look in the mirror and say 'I am beautiful' 100 times before coming to work. In contrast, a Japanese supermarket instructed its employees to begin their day by telling each other 'you are beautiful' " (qtd. in Tina Vasquez, Common Traits of the Self-Centered Person, Lifescript: Healthy Living For Women). So which employee would you rather run into first thing in the morning?

4. Look them in the eyes. Few aspects of body language have been studied more than eye contact. E-writer Michael Lee, sums up the research: “You must make eye contact around 70% of the time if you want to convey your sincerity and respect. Avoiding eye contact unconsciously gives the impression of dishonesty, shyness, anxiety, or humiliation” (Eye Body Language - How to Use Eye Body Language to Build Trust and Be Liked, Ezine Articles). I guess if you want to give one of those impressions, you could avoid this tip.

5. Develop your handshake. Study up on this one because your handshake speaks volumes about you. The dead fish, the on top position, the sandwich. Each one conveys a message that you probably do not want to send to someone you hope to influence. According to a survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), prospective employers were more influenced by the caliber of a candidate’s handshake than by either tattoos or body piercing. And a recent University of Iowa study found that “good handshakers are seen as being more extroverted and, eventually, more hirable. Women with strong handshakes have an advantage over men because their grips are more memorable” (Donald Trump, The Importance of a Good Handshake, Evan Carmichael).

Check your next newsletter for 10 (Free) Ways to Improve Your Image, Part II

MEN'S IMAGE PACKAGES

Beth Yvette Strange Image Consulting

Announces New

Men's Image Packages

MEN'S ESSENTIAL IMAGE PACKAGE

*Men’s Essential Image Package Includes:

• Personal Image Profile--2 hrs
• Personal/Professional Style and Body Type Evaluation--1 hr
• Color Profile--1 hr
• Skin Care/Grooming Evaluation and Plan--1 hr
• Hairstyle Evaluation/ Appointment--1 hr
• Closet Audit--1 hr
• Wardrobe Evaluation--1 hr
• Action Plan--30 mins
• 47-Page Workbook

The Essential Image Package for Men begins with an in-depth interview to examine your lifestyle, values, personality traits, physical traits, clothing preferences, as well as your image challenges, needs, and goals.

We will conduct a color evaluation to create your Color Profile. We will evaluate your hair style and color and help you make an appointment with one of Beth’s hairstylists of choice. We will assess your skin care and grooming needs and suggest a skin care routine and products to create a healthy, well-groomed look. We will perform a closet audit of your wardrobe and accessories and evaluate their effectiveness for your personal and professional style.

At the end of your Essential Image experience, you will be armed with an Action Plan to help you accomplish your image improvement goals and create a positive first and lasting impression of yourself and your abilities.

MEN'S EXECUTIVE IMAGE PACKAGE

*Men’s Executive Image Package Includes:

• Personal Image Profile--2 hrs
• Personal/Professional Style and Body Type Evaluation--1 hr
• Executive Color Profile--1.5 hrs
• Executive Hair Evaluation, Appointment, and Accompaniment to Stylist--1.5 hrs
• Executive Skin Care and Grooming Evaluation--2 hrs
• Closet Audit, Cleanout and Reorganization--1 hr
• Wardrobe Evaluation--1 hr Personal Shopping Trip--3 hrs
• Action Plan--30 mins
• 62-Page Workbook

The Executive Image Package for Men is for the man who is ready to take a serious approach to improving his personal and professional image. The first step is an in-depth interview during which you will be asked essential questions to examine your lifestyle, values, personality traits, physical traits, clothing preferences, as well as your image challenges, needs, and goals. Your answers will be recorded on your Personal Image Profile. You will then be armed with the information that can help you accomplish your image improvement goals and objectives.

We will conduct an extensive color evaluation to create your Color Profile. In partnership with a professional hairstylist, we will evaluate your hair cut and color. If you choose to make a change in your hair style, Beth will manage your appointment with a premier stylist and accompany you to the appointment to ensure you get the right cut for you. We will assess your skin care and grooming needs and suggest a skin care routine and products to create a healthy, more youthful look. We will perform a closet audit and reorganization of your wardrobe and accessories, while evaluating their effectiveness for your personal and professional style and image goals.
Armed with a personalized Action Plan, you and Beth will conclude your Executive Image Package by shopping together for those items you need to enhance your new image.

HOW TO CHOOSE AN IMAGE MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL

Choices! Some are fun, some are unnerving, some have significant financial and personal consequences, as in April's Question of the Month.

QUESTION: When someone is ready to consider an image consultant, what should they look for? A lot of people out there call themselves image consultants. Is there a distinction between image consultant, and stylist, and personal shopper?

ANSWER: There are many highly qualified image professionals offering valuable services. Unfortunately, there are many people who have titled themselves image consultants or stylists who have very little substance. The hallmarks of a qualified image professional are first, education; second, continuing education; third, experience; fourth, genuine integrity; and fifth, an investment in the well-being and success of the client.

First, education and training of the image consultant is paramount. Image management is a complex field of study and work. It simply is not enough to have a love for clothing and shopping. Image management is so much more than having fun with fashion. Credible image consultants are highly—and continually—trained in the four Universal Elements of Image: Dress, Grooming, Body Language, and Etiquette & Protocol. We have to treat the whole person, not just their clothing. It is a significant red flag to hear an image representative say that a client should wear or do whatever feels good and comfortable to them. There are proven principles of design in dress, cues that we give in our grooming, proper etiquette and protocol practices, and intricacies in the clues we give through our verbal and non-verbal communication. The knowledge of these principles cannot be acquired through instinct or passion alone.

The second qualification to look for is ongoing education in the image field. Continuing education at qualified image institutes will allow the consultant to keep abreast of current trends and image practices. Here is a good place to mention certifications and professional affiliations. Those seeking the services of a qualified image professional should look closely at what certifications are held, what associations the consultant is affiliated with, and where they have served in the image industry. If the professional is lacking in these areas, image services may be more of a hobby than a serious profession. When the image professional shows a pattern of continuing education and advancing certification, the client can feel that they are in credible hands. The Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) is the leading and largest professional association of personal and corporate image consultants worldwide. A consultant’s membership in AICI is a good start, and certification from AICI is an indication of the image professional’s commitment to education and excellence in image work.

Third, discussing the experience of the image consultant will help a prospective client to discern the consultant’s level of work and whether the consultant is working in an area of image that will fill the needs of the client. I would suggest looking at a past and current client list if possible. For example a C-Level executive would benefit less when working with a consultant whose client base is primarily stay-at-home parents.

Fourth, sadly, there are unqualified people setting up image practices. A list of references and a look at the history of integrity in the consultant’s practice will save a potential client from making a potentially costly and unpleasant mistake.

Fifth, and a little more difficult to assess, is the consultant’s commitment to the well-being and success of the client. An initial consultation and discussions with references will allow you to determine that the image consultant has a practice of investing in the client.

Careful research and personal initial consultation with a prospective consultant will help you make the best choice of an image management professional to meet your particular image goals.

SPEAK UP!

Experts tell us that many people are more afraid of public speaking than they are of death. Whether it’s delivering a sales pitch to one perspective client or customer or delivering the keynote address to a crowd of several hundred total strangers at a conference, talking in public can be intimidating, even terrifying.

Conversely, for some, any opportunity to take the stage can be a signal to get on their soapbox or take an advertising opportunity for their company. This fear of, or over-exuberance for, speaking in public can, unfortunately, even extend to asking questions of the speaker during question and answer times during or at the end of presentations.

If you have ever felt hesitant to raise your hand and ask your question in public, here are a few hints that will help you to be more relaxed, appropriate, and confident:

Form Your Question in Your Mind

1. Be sure that you know exactly what you want to ask before raising your hand.
2. Remember that good etiquette requires that you ask only one question.
3. Try to keep the question as short and uncomplicated as possible.
4. Remember, this is not the time for you to give a speech, so get right to the question.
5. Avoid asking questions that may embarrass the speaker or the audience. Unless you are an investigative reporter, that is simply rude.

When the Speaker Acknowledges You

6. After the speaker calls on you, stand, take a deep breath, and make eye contact with the speaker.
7. Be sure the audience is quiet before starting to speak.
8. In a large audience, there may be a microphone, so wait for it before asking your question.

Asking Your Question

9. Start with, “Thank you for taking my question.””
10. Introduce yourself briefly, “I’m Beth Strange from Beth Strange Image Consulting. I would like to ask . . .””
11. Speak loudly enough for not only the speaker but the other members of the audience to hear.
12. After asking your question, sit down and listen to the answer. This is not the time for a dialogue with the speaker.

Following these simple guidelines will allow you to ask your pertinent question appropriately, receive valuable information, and be respected by your business colleagues.