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Are You Hearing Everything Your Customer, Peer, Boss, Supplier Isn't Saying?
Only 7% of what we say is verbal! The other 93% is nonverbal! How do you think Dr. Phil got his start? Reading the nonverbal communication of prospective jurors as a jury consultant. And that's why he's not afraid to call someone on a lie on his...
How Do You Profit From O.P.P.?
In a previous article we introduced you to the concept of O.P.P., or Other People's Property, and the many ways in which you can profit.
In that article we asked you what you would do if you found a business that:
could generate...
Personal Training: 5 Easy Steps to Sanity on the Road
If you have been a personal trainer for any length of time - or any fitness professional, for that matter - then you know what it's like to spend a lot of time on the road. For trainers who work with their clients in homes or a geographic mix of...
Top 7 Small Business Resources for 2005
If you want to start a business in 2005, and start making money almost immediately, the sites listed below are some of the best I have found. I've chosen each site because it is absolutely outstanding in providing the tools you need to get started,...
Unleash Your True Potential
Some time ago I attended a birthday party and met a young guy who just happened to be 30. I say young because when you're 47, that is a young age!
He told me about his career in a major corporate company where he's been working for the past 3...
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The Cat in the Hat" Will Help You Get Your Point Across! (Yes you can, here is the Plan)
I was recently coaching an engineer who wanted to improve his speaking skills. After videotaping him, we discussed his strong points and then his areas of improvement. Then we got to the area of vocal variety. Vocal variety is the quality of your speech that hold your audience. It is the combination of pitch changes, pauses, inflection, rhythm, and loudness in your voice that adds "color" to any conversation or speech. I suggested he try Dr. Seuss's "The Cat in the Hat." At that point he looked at me like I had a third eye. I then explained how "The Cat in the Hat" could help anyone improve his or her speaking skills, especially vocal variety, and have fun doing it.
Can you remember being read "The Cat in the Hat" by your parents? What held your attention? What made you want to hear "The Cat in the Hat" again and again? "The Cat in the Hat" is set up so that you must use vocal variety to read the story. It's the vocal variety that held your attention.
Here's how Dr. Seuss's "The Cat in the Hat" can help you hold your audience's attention:
1. Buy the Book
My favorite Dr. Seuss books for this type of exercise are "The Cat in the Hat" and "Green Eggs and Ham." You can go to any used bookstore and get a gently used copy of the book at a substantial discount. You can also go to www.half.com and get the book at more than 50% off the price.
2. Read
with Passion
Read to your children, nephews, cousins, etc. While reading aloud, exaggerate your pitch, tone, and pauses. The children will enjoy it as you will become used to the sound of your voice. Children are the best barometers to let you know if you are doing it correctly. The children will have a look on their faces that show they are hanging on every word you are saying. Continue to experiment with different ways to read "The Cat in the Hat" while recording yourself on audiotape. The more fun you have, the more everyone involved will benefit from this exercise.
3. Apply It Right Away (That's the Way!)
Immediately apply your newly acquired vocal variety skills in any speaking situation whether it's in a meeting, with co-workers, speaking in front of a group, or one-on-one with another person. It may feel a little strange in the beginning. However, remember the more you use your new skills, the more comfortable you will be.
About the Author
Ed Sykes is a professional speaker, author, and success coach in the areas of leadership, motivation, stress management, customer service, and team building. You can e-mail him at mailto:esykes@thesykesgrp.com, or call him at (757) 427-7032. Go to his web site, http://www.thesykesgrp.com, and signup for the newsletter, OnPoint, and receive the free ebook, "Empowerment and Stress Secrets for the Busy Professional."
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