by Alan | Feb 25, 2009 | Business, Communication skills, Leadership
Been giving a bit of thought and discussion lately to gurus. From Webster: a teacher and especially intellectual guide in matters of fundamental concern one who is an acknowledged leader or chief proponent a person with knowledge or expertise I think...
by Alan | Oct 15, 2008 | Communication skills, Delivery, Leadership
Watched about 30 minutes — and then the final 5 minutes — of the Final President Debate tonight. Once again, it is amazing to me that with so much on the line (it’s not even a remote stretch to say that the balance of power in the free world is at...
by Alan | Oct 13, 2008 | Communication skills, Customer Service, Leadership
Having just spent a week at Walt Disney World, I have to say their ability to answer questions is what sets them apart. In the times of this economic stress, I have to think they’re a little scared — family vacations are likely the first thing to get cut....
by Alan | Aug 18, 2008 | Communication skills, Leadership, public speaking
I heard a speaker the other day open his talk with a joke. Jokes aren’t inherently bad, but I definitely counsel my clients to avoid them when natural humor or stories are available. But here it came. The punchline of the joke involved a disgraced public figure....
by Alan | Aug 13, 2008 | Communication skills, Delivery, Leadership, Philosophical, public speaking
Just got off the phone with my friend Jeff. We have about a weekly discussion about what works and what doesn’t when it comes to presentations. The theme was present at my lunch, as well. My meeting with a sales guy discussed why folks don’t do things that...
by Alan | Jul 5, 2008 | Communication skills, Customer Service
Had a customer experience story with a major electronics manufacturer. First, I noted that the 800 number was just for the class of equipment I owned. Second, I got a real (English-speaking) person with only two phone menus and 30 seconds. Third, they seemed genuinely...
