May 24, 2007What Do You Want to Learn More About? Please Provide Input on Proposed Article Topics
What would you like to know how to say and want to read an article about? I’ve got a list (long) of articles I plan to write (and some I have already posted.) I’d like your input on which topics interest you - and what topics I didn’t think of that you’d like to read about.
Post your comments below or email me at MerylRunion@speakstrong.com.
Article Topics
Electronic communication
General
Dos and don’ts of effective ePolicy
How to leave messages and compose emails that elicit a response from the unresponsive.
eNewsletter
How to write an effective eNewsletter that employees read and the CEO loves
How to use stories to increase the effectiveness of company newsletters
How to write strong headlines in the company newsletter that get the articles read
Dos and don’ts of e-mailing
How to use electronic signatures to get your name out there
How to use emoticons in emails
What to say in an effective autoresponder message
How to write emails that bypass spam filters
How to implement powerful email strategies that get results
How to write a strong e-mail subject line
How to write emails that won’t get you in legal trouble.
Dos and don’ts of email in intercultural communication
How to avoid coming across like a jerk in emails
Phone
How to leave an effective outgoing message on your voicemail
Dos and don’ts for effective answering machine messages that get results
How to run an effective conference call
What to say in an audio conference to elicit participation
How to end phone tag with strong voice mail messages
Blogs
How to establish a dynamic employee blog
Dos and don’ts of blogging: guidelines for employees
How to create an effective corporate blogging strategy
How to use blogs to increase business
How to post on your company blog without getting yourself in hot water.
Instant messaging
How to write great instant messages
Dos and don’ts of instant messaging
Verbal communication
Communicating up the ladder / with your boss
Dos and don’ts of communicating up the ladder
How to handle interruptions
How to ask for equipment and get it
How to tell your boss he’s wrong without losing your job
What to say when the boss steals your ideas
How to ask for and get a raise
How to turn down a project and still look good
What to say when you ask for breaks at work
How to get your boss to listen to your idea
How to ask you boss for help
What to say to your boss when you blew it
How to tell your boss that a coworker isn’t pulling his or her weight
Dos and don’ts of going over your boss’ head
How to tell the boss that someone took credit for your work
How to complain to HR
Support staff communication savvy
How to protect the boss from interruptions
What to say to motivate your boss
How to get your boss to get work to you sooner
What to say to manage your manager
How to take charge when you’re not in charge
How to speak with the boss’ authority
Coworker communication
How to handle a manipulative coworker
How to confront a coworker who talks about you behind your back
How to give feedback to a coworker
What to say when a coworker provides sloppy work
What to say when a coworker wears too much perfume
How to respond to coworker rudeness
How to deal with a talkative coworker
What to say to a coworker who breaks the rules
Dos and don’ts of dealing with a caustic coworker
Customer service
How to deal with talkative customers
What to say to get feedback and endorsements from customers
What to say when a customer swears
What to say when you don’t have an answer
How to respond to questions you can’t answer
Manager / employee communication
How to establish your authority as a new manager
What to say to former peers who are now employees
What to say to friends who are now employees
How to encourage open communication
What to say to get employees to admit mistakes
What to say to get employees to offer honest feedback about your performance
How to delegate work so it gets done
What to say to get employees to take the initiative
How to elicit suggestions from employees
Dos and don’ts to announce a change without creating resistance
How to encourage reporting of an incident
What to say as a manager delivering bad news
What to say – and what not to say - to an employee doing drugs
How to tell someone they didn’t get the job
How to ask the right questions to solve employee performance problems
How to tell an employee they are not meeting standards
Dos and don’ts of delivering a verbal warning
Dos and don’ts of coaching an employee
Dos and don’ts of performance reviews
What to say in a performance review
How to encourage a performance review response from the employee
How to conduct a performance review that changes behavior
Communication in conflict situations
General
Reflective listening scripts
How to brainstorm solutions to problems
How to use an exit line to buy time when you are triggered
How to use humor to defuse tension
How to tell someone how you want to be treated
Difficult people
How to handle passive aggressive people
Put sarcasm in its place
How to deal with an angry person
How to handle confrontational employees
How to handle defensive people
Sensitive situations
How to tell someone they smell bad
How to object to someone’s language
How to initiate a difficult conversation
How to tell a co-worker they talk too much
How to handle gossip at work
Meeting management
How to handle people who interrupt at meetings.
How to keep a meeting on track
What to say to turn vague ideas into concrete action steps at meetings
Interdepartmental communication
How to improve interdepartmental communication
How to use blogs to enhance interdepartmental communication
Skills to advance yourself and your career
How to give a powerful presentation
How to win friends and influence people with thanks you cards.
Dos and Don’ts of persuasion: how to influence without manipulating
Dos and don’ts of self promotions: how to blow your own horn without sounding conceited
How to use anticipation to create interest in what you have to say
Political correctness and diversity
What to say in cross cultural negotiation
Dos and don’ts when talking to different generations
How to avoid diversity land mines
What a manager can say to promote diversity in the workplace
How to speak inclusively
How to handle disparity in the workplace
How to discuss religion in the workplace without legal concerns
Dos and don’ts of faith-based communication in the work-place
Negotiation and vendor communication
How to set the tone in negotiation
What to say when you negotiate with your peers
How to get the best available price
How to turn negotiation barriers into opportunities
How to ask for a price reduction
How to complain to a vendor about service or products
What to say to a vendor to make your order a higher priority
Sales and marketing
How to write a “phrase that pays”
How to write for search engines.
How to use “if…then” to get your customer to identify with a need
How to use feel/felt/found to over come objections
How to use silver-bullet questions
Dos and don’ts of asking yes/no questions when making a sale
How to talk benefits, not features
What to say at a trade show to get businesses
Written Communication
Business writing
How to write an executive summary
How to structure your business writing for better results
How to write a great memo
Dos and don’ts of effective report writing
How to use creativity to enhance your reports
How to wrote a business letter that gets results
Documentation
Dos and don’ts for employee documentation
How to create a working file to keep track of ongoing performance
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Hi Meryl,
you’ve created a great list. I look forward to reading these articles in the future.
One suggestion (and I hope I’m not alone in this situation) - what about “How to ask for greater responsibilies without upsetting your co-workers and/or making the boss think you’re overstepping the mark”.
I could use some assistance with this.
Comment by Anthea Curtis — May 24, 2007 @ 6:52 pm
I like several of the topics in your list, but all of them are great. I am really interested in the topics dealing with email and voice mail as well as working with customers.
My current position is in sales and I am new to sales and would like additional aids to help do a better job.
An additional topic for email: How long should the email be - when is it too long or when is it too short?
Comment by Diane — May 25, 2007 @ 7:27 am