July 10, 2008Reader Discussion Question ~ Looking for encouraging words
A reader asks:
I need some encouraging words to say to high school graduates who will be attending college.
Suggestions?
Thanks.
June 19, 2008Discussion topic ~ You know you’re intellectualizing when…
Many people respond intellectually to situations where an emotional response would be more appropriate. (The opposite is also true, of course.) I’d like your help with my latest list: You know you’re intellectualizing when…
- You know you’re intellectualizing when someone writes you a love poem and you point out a misplaced comma.
- You know you’re intellectualizing when you explain why the rainbow is so colorful and forget to admire its beauty.
- You know you’re intellectualizing when you tell a woman in childbirth “your labor pains are interesting sensations worthy of all your attention.”
- You know you’re intellectualizing when someone tells you they lost their house and you give advice without ever acknowledging their loss.
Your turn. Please post your “You know you’re intellectualizing when…” contributions. (We’ll explore: “you know you’re dramatizing when…” next week.)
August 31, 2007QuickBooks - 1 ShoppingCart conversation
My bookkeeper and I have been struggling to integrate our 1shopping cart with our QuickBooks accounting program. It’s been a long discovery journey and I want to share the results for three reasons:
1) Save those of you who use these from the nightmares we experienced
2) Provide a forum in case there are some fixes we haven’t heard about and to, 3) Encourage the users to encourage the vendors to make these programs more compatible.
This QuickBooks article resulted from our inquiry. If you use these programs, read on.
August 30, 2007Blog format and new book title feedback request
How do you like my new blog design? And do you like the byline? Can you suggest something you’d like better?
I also would like feedback on the book I’m writing now. My title is:
SpeakStrong
Say What You Mean
Mean What You Say
Don’t Be Mean When You Say It
You can see a cover mock-up here.
Someone suggested that it was too much to have it in four sentences, each of which are directives.
What do you think?
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
Email (more…)
May 24, 2007What Do You Want to Learn About? Telephone Seminar Topics
What do you want to learn? Below is a list of telephone seminar topics that I have scheduled or intend to schedule. I would appreciate your input regarding which topics you want to learn more about.
Please post your responses below (click on comments) or email me at MerylRunion@speakstrong.com
Thanks!
Teleseminar Topics
Integrated Performance Management: How to Tie All Aspects of Performance Management Together
How to Talk to Your Doctor for Clarity and Results JUNE 7
How to Write Powerful Promotional and Sales Copy JUNE 21
How to Talk to Your Lawyer to Get Great Results JUNE 28
How to Talk with the Terminally Ill
PowerPhrase for Nurses
How to Say No Without Losing Your Friends or Your Job
How to Lead Powerful Productive Meetings
Effective ePolicy to Enhance Responsible Use of Electronic Communication
Effective Use of Electronic Communication
How to Run a Conference Call to Encourage Participation and Get Results
How to Manage Your Boss to Create a Perfect Partnership
How to Position Yourself for Recognition and Advancement at Work
How to Use Active Listening to Improve Communication
How to Conduct a Formal or Informal Brainstorming Session
How to Deal with Difficult People
How to Improve Interdepartmental Communication
Race, Gender, Age and Religion: Political Correctness in the Workplace
How to Write for Search Engines
If…then, feel/felt/found and Other Sales Phrases to Handle Objections
How to Write an Executive Summary
Dos and don’ts of Employee Documentation
How to Manage Your Emotions to Speak Calm When You Speak Strong
How to be Assertive Without Being Aggressive
Name the Lame Excuse: Why You Don’t Speak Up and How to Overcome Your Reluctance to Speak When Something Needs to Be Said
Eight Types of Aggressive Poison Phrases, Four Types of Passive Poison Phrases and How To Respond When Others Use Them.
The Six Secrets of PowerPhrases for Powerful Communication
How to Overcome Negative Speech Habits and habitually Speak Strong
Discover Your Communication Style and Uncover How to Communicate With Contrasting Styles
Gender Communication: How to Talk to Him or Her
How to Handle Performance Problems from Start to Finish
Change Your Conflict Lenses – How to Speak Strong in Conflict Situations
Brand-Aid – How to Capture and Communicate the Essence of Your Business or Personal Brand
How to Implement Standards of Communication at Work and at Home
Inner Strength for Outer Challenges - How to Optimize Your Thinking, Habits and Behavior
How to Leaders Speak So Others Follow Leadership Phrases
How to Use Features to Enhance Sales
How to Speak Inclusively
How to Use PowerPhrases in Dynamic Presentations
Persuasion: How to Influence without Manipulating.
Meeting Magic – How to Run a Powerful and Effective Meeting
January 25, 2007Format Feedback
We’re tweaking the format to enhance readability and reduce individual problems. I welcome your feedback, and might ask you to communicate with my web designer if problems remain.
Also, my proofreader does a great job, but I make changes after she returns it, and errors creep in. I know accuracy is important and apologize for those errors. When readers point errors out, I make the corrections before I post the archive, (which I have been updating regularly lately.) Thanks for all your input.
January 11, 2007What Do You Think?
It’s been five years and 252 issues. I’m thinking about changing my format. What are your thoughts about it? What are your favorite features? Would you rather get the newsletter monthly than weekly? What suggestions do you have? Thanks.
September 14, 2006Top Ten Poison Phrases
Top Ten Poison Phrases
The results of the Poison Phrase Hall of fame are in. Your top ten more offensive Poison Phrases are listed by obnoxiousness score. 813 Shut up - 782 It’s not my job - 741 What’s Your problem? - 728 Whatever - 684 Bite me - 682 I’m just a clerk - 659 If you say so - 647 I couldn’t care less - 606 I don’t care - 603 I’m done with you - 582 Oh duh
Thanks for participating…it was fun…especially when I received the nominations with the Poison Phrases in the subject lines of the email, so for several days I received emails titled “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” etc.
August 30, 2006What Are Your Poison Phrase Pet Peeves?
What are your least favorite phrases? Here are some examples:
- “I’ll be honest with you”?
- “Whatever”
- “So”?
- “And your point is?”
Share your pet peeve phrases with me, and next week we will vote to determine the Poison Phrase we most love to hate. Email me or post your pet Poison Phrase peeve on my blog.
