Category: Leadership & Management

Happy New Year from the People at Improving Communications

Posted by & filed under Business Writing, Customer Service, Diversity, Grammar Rules, Human Resources, Leadership & Management.

Well lookie here… the Earth has revolved around the Sun once again! Three hundred sixty-five days have elapsed (or as the cast in the musical Rent would sing, “525,600 Minutes”). A year is a good marker for progress made. Once it’s completed, it all starts again.  Happy New Year.   Two thousand seventeen has been Improving Communications’ best year yet. We owe … Read On >

       

Listening: One Cohesive Unit (Rod Morgenstein)

Posted by & filed under Customer Service, Leadership & Management, Music, Networking.
Rod Morgenstein

NOTE: As you read, apply Rod Morgenstein’s message of listening to your profession by substituting the discussion of “music” with “work,” and terms related to “musician” with “colleague.” Listening is the practice of being in the moment, in touch with my surroundings, and fully aware that I am part of a creative process that involves … Read On >

       

Entrepreneur Spotlight: Make It Happen – Erin Bagwell

Posted by & filed under Leadership & Management, Public Speaking.
Erin Bagwell

It’s impressive when you encounter someone who turns dreams into reality. This week, we shine the spotlight on someone whose mind was sparked with an idea that was brought to fruition last year. Filmmaker Erin Bagwell did just that, and she’s got an inspirational story. After having founded a storytelling blog called Feminist Wednesday, she … Read On >

       

English Degree Preferred

Posted by & filed under Business Writing, Leadership & Management.
English Degree Preferred

Hiring a tech writer or copy writer? Have you thought to consider that an English degree would come in handy? There is a readwrite article by Matt Asay, vice president of business development and corporate strategy at MongoDB, Inc.  In his article, the author makes a strong case for why we need good writers on staff in all our business ventures. It’s well … Read On >

       

Leadership Training: The Power of Praise

Posted by & filed under Leadership & Management.
The Power of Praise

Praise is an extremely powerful motivator. When praised, people feel good about themselves. Subsequently, they perform better. Don’t underestimate the power of praise. Why don’t we praise others more? It’s often easier to criticize or say nothing. But constant criticism is bad. It kills ambition. It creates a negative workplace. Employees feel unappreciated and do … Read On >

       

Nick Beggs on Listening

Posted by & filed under Customer Service, Leadership & Management, Music.
Nick Beggs on Listening

Nick Beggs is an English musician, noted for playing the bass guitar and the Chapman Stick. He is a member of Kajagoogoo and formerly Iona and Ellis, Beggs, & Howard. Nick has worked through the years with Steve Hackett and Steven Wilson. His current project is The Mute Gods. Listening Means Understanding Relationships There are … Read On >

       

An Executive Summary About Executive Summaries

Posted by & filed under Business Writing, Leadership & Management.
Writing Executive Summaries

The Executive Summary may be the only thing the reader will read. It is your chance to gain an advantage and make the persuasive case, ultimately to promote the reason why they would want to select your ideas.

       

Emotional Intelligence

Posted by & filed under Customer Service, Leadership & Management.
Emotional Intelligence

What do selling superstars excellent customer service agents brilliant leaders have in common?   Emotional Intelligence (EI) is the ability to perceive, assess and positively influence one’s own and other people’s emotions.  Emotions are habits, as old as the user. EI Includes: Self-awareness – knowing your own feelings. Managing emotions – despite fear or anger. Self-starting … Read On >

       

What Is a “Bad Attitude”?

Posted by & filed under Customer Service, Leadership & Management.
Bad Attitude

Attitude – noun Etymology: French, from Italian attitudine, literally, aptitude, from Late Latin aptitudin-, aptitudo fitness; a mental position with regard to a fact or state; a feeling or emotion toward a fact or state Have you ever eaten in a restaurant and realized along the way that your server had a bad attitude? It is not … Read On >