32. Start your speech with an opening that gets your audience’s attention quickly. The first three minutes of the speech are critical to its success. A few examples of attention-getting openings include: a question challenging or controversial statements, quote, startling statistic, or an interesting fact.

- Donna Satchell

 

33. Put yourself in the audience’s world and tailor your message to their concerns. -Phoebe Bailey

 

34. Know your audience. – Robert Stack

 

35. Practice the three C’s of communication: be clear, concise and complete:

• Clear – Make sure the person understands what you are saying. Also make sure you clearly understand what they are saying. Ask questions to assure clarity.

• Concise – Avoid providing unnecessary details that clutter up the conversation.

• Complete – Give the person all the information they need and make sure you receive all the information you require.

-Donna Satchell

 

36. Edgar Guest wrote one of my favorite lines: “I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day.” - Keith L. Brown

 

37. The first thing a person hears from you is “sticky.” That means it is most likely to stick in a listener’s consciousness. Sticky messages are more likely to be acted upon because they’re remembered and repeated more accurately.

- Connie Dieken

 

38. Sell yourself in 30 seconds. Experts say first impressions are made within seconds and that fewer than fifteen percent of first impressions ever change. Give

thought to what you want “new people” to think of you. Practice introducing yourself to people as you develop a great way to make a great first impression.

– Cheryl Stock

 

39. To communicate most effectively, learn how about “personality profiles.” Avoid the trap of communicating with everyone else the way you want them to communicate with you. That strategy is wrong about seventy five percent of the time. - Greg Maciolek

 

40. Avoid taking action based on hearsay. To get valid information, go to the source. The effort you take to get the straight message will always be worthwhile.

- Mike Monahan

 

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140. Get people involved in projects that affect them. – DJ Harrington

 

141. Establish a supportive climate by being open to feedback. Powerful listening is a key factor in powerful speaking. - Phoebe Bailey

 

142. Avoid making judgments about what the person is saying because of their appearance, their opinion, or their speaking abilities. This is easier said than done, but remember you cannot really judge a book by its cover or a person by their outward signs. - Donna Satchell

 

143. Do not wear old shoes when you make a presentation. Yes, people make judgments about the worth of your words depending on your shoes.

– Linda Edgecombe

 

144. Avoid EUI: emailing under the influence. If you’re angry, don’t hit the reply button. Leave your keyboard and cool off before responding. - Connie Dieken

 

145. If an employee wants to talk to you and you really don’t have the time, explain the situation and schedule a time to talk. It belittles employees (and children, for that matter) when you don’t or won’t pay attention when they need to talk to you about something of importance to them! - Greg Maciolek

 

146. When you find yourself mired in a continual fight or feel tension with someone, ask yourself two questions. “What am I doing to contribute to this situation? “What am I getting out of this?” Be honest with yourself. Don’t throw blame. Remember, you are asking about yourself, not the other person. True answers to these two little questions will help you put things in perspective and steer a course through the situation. – Cheryl Stock

 

147. Change the venue of a conversation if the conditions are unfavorable for effective communications. If it is too noisy, not enough time left, or

too many people around who have no “need to know”, delay or defer the

conversation to a better time and place. Make certain you tell the  other party how important it is to you to hear them well. - Mike Monahan

 

148. After listening to a presentation, people tend to remember the opening and the closing the best. If you have an important presentation to make, it is a smart idea for you to prepare, practice and memorize your opening 30 seconds and your closing 30 seconds. – Doug Smart

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