The Communication Clinic: 99 Proven Cures for the Most Common Business Mistakes
- 3h 59m
- Barbara Pachter, Denise Cowie
- McGraw-Hill
- 2017
Sending an email plagued with typos. Rushing through a presentation. Never saying “no.” Under-dressing for a company event. What do these all have in common? Bad messaging.
The Communication Clinic is a comprehensive, commonsense guide to getting the job of your dreams and presenting yourself in the best light through your writing, speaking, body language, and overall appearance. In no time, you’ll begin recognizing the subtle mistakes that are holding you back, and taking steps to overcome them.
The Communication Clinic provides the proven prescription for:
- Writing effective emails
- Developing a professional presence
- Mastering verbal and nonverbal communication
- Using social media for career success
- Designing and delivering powerful presentations
- Being assertive (but not aggressive) in person and online
- Managing conflict
Business interactions are increasingly done over digital platforms and across traditional boundaries. Never has clear communication been more critical. Unskilled communicators can create awkward situations, negatively affect business profitability, and even end their own careers with a few poorly chosen keystrokes.
Consult The Communication Clinic and you’ll show everyone that you understand your job, that you care about your career, and that you work well with others ―all of which come across loud and clear through effective communication.
About the Authors
Barbara Pachter is an internationally renowned speaker and coach on business etiquette and communications, and instructor in the School of Business at Rutgers University. She has written 10 books on related topics, including Essentials of Business Etiquette. Pachter is quoted regularly in newspapers and magazines such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and TIME. She has made appearances on 20/20, The TODAY Show, and The Early Show.
Denise Cowie is a writer and editor who has worked on books and newspapers on three continents. She worked for the Philadelphia Inquirer for many years as a feature writer, columnist, and editor. Cowie also edited Barbara Pachter’s book Greet! Eat! Tweet!
In this Book
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Introduction
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“I Didn't Know That!” The Essentials of Good Business Writing
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Getting Started—Five Ways to Overcome Writer's Block
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Imperfect Writing for Perfect Results
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Looks Count—Make Your Writings Visually Appealing
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These Bullets Won't Kill Your Writing
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Simple Words Are Not for Simple People
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Do Not Use Contractions (Don't Worry, I Didn't Mean it!)
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“But I Didn't Mean it That Way!” How to Eliminate a Harsh Tone in Your Emails
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Eliminate Those Extra Words
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Email Rules—Don't Drive Your Readers to Distraction!
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What's in an Email Address? A Lot!
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Grab Your Reader's Attention—Effective Use of Email Subject Lines
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In the Beginning … Salutations Set the Tone for Emails and Letters
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Saying Goodbye—Suggestions for Closing Your Emails
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Reasons You Make Mistakes in Email, and Proofreading Solutions
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How Do I Become a Better Writer? Let Me Count the Ways …
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“It's What You Wrote!” How Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and others Can Kill Your Career
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Improve Your Writing—and Reputation—Through Blogging
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Texting for Business? It is Still Writing!
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Don't Write That! The Top 10 Grammar Gripes (And other Errors)
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Presentation Panic—Take These Steps to Avoid Running off the Stage!
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More Ways to Overcome Stage Fright
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Don't Ramble—Use the Speech Organizer
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It Would Have Been a Great Speech—for a Different Audience
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Openings and Closings Matter—Start with Strength, End with Impact
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Story Time—Use Tales to Engage with Your Audience
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Write the Presentation the Right Way
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Polishing Your Delivery—Pay Attention to the Details
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Don't Put Your Audience to Sleep—Speak with Authority
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Eliminate Filler Words—Um, You Know, Okay
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Don't Let a Microphone Distract from Your Presentation
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Are You Letting These Speaking Quirks Derail Your Presentation?
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Did You Hear the One about …? Guidelines for Humor
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“He's Still Talking!” The Secrets to Managing Time When Presenting
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Tips to Encourage Questions from Your Audience
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Answer Questions like a Pro
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Show-and-Tell—Suggestions for using Slides Successfully
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I'm Speaking on a Panel—What Do I Do?
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Polish Your Presentations a Little More
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Continue to Improve—Use the Post-Presentation Checklist to Evaluate
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Are You Too Nice? Learn the “Three Faces of Communication”
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How Assertive are You? Take a Self-Assessment
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Should I Believe You? Avoid Sending Mixed Messages
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Eliminate the Negativity—No Harsh, Aggressive Tones
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Avoid the Use of the Word But, but …
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Do You Have a Problem with “No Problem”?
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Listen Up! You Can't Talk and Pay Attention at the Same Time
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Silence Isn't Always Golden—Voice Your Opinion at Meetings
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What's My Line? What to Say in Awkward Situations
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Two Communication Secrets to Get What You Want
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How to Manage “Know-It-Alls” without Insult
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“Hold That Thought!” and other Ways to Handle Interruptions
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Fightin' Words—Questions to Avoid Asking (Or Answering) at Work
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“How Can I Say This?” Ways to Deliver Difficult News
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No Pouting—Polite Ways to Handle Criticism
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Offended by a Comment? Try These Simple but Powerful Responses
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Stop Complaining—Learn to Confront others Politely
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Someone Else's Bad Behavior is No Excuse for Your Own!
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Work with a Bully? Tips for Asserting Yourself
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Drama Screens—Handling Conflict Online
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Staying Festive—Ways to Avoid Conflict at the Holidays
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Your Career is What You Make It—So Make it Something!
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Build Your Career, One Day at a Time
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Seven Tips for Young Women Just Starting Their Careers
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Many People are Giving Me Career Suggestions. What Do I Do?
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Don't Put Yourself Down—Speak Well of Yourself Instead
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Build Your Network Both Online and off
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Are You Letting Networking Opportunities Pass You By?
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How to “Keep in Touch” Professionally and Successfully
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Don't Whine about Your Job. Do Something!
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How Do I Conduct a Job Search? Suggestions for Success
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Perk up Your Résumé and Cover Letter
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Avoid Blunders—Interviewing Tips for Everyone
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How Do You Master Interviewing? Practice, Practice, Practice
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Dress to Impress—Not to Fool the Employer
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Avoid Job-Search Gaffes on Social Media
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Lights, Camera, Interview! Tips for Interviewing on Skype
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You Got the Interview—Now Here's What to Do the Night before
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Nice Offer … But I Wasn't Looking for a New Job
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When to Let Your Employer Know You are Leaving
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Do You Want to Be Noticed? The Power of Presence
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Do You Project Confidence When Seated?
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Greetings—The Power of a Simple “Hello”
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Introductions—Frustrations Galore!
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Not for Men Only! The Etiquette of the Handshake
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Cubicle Conversations—Keep Chat Professional in the Office
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Effective International Communication—You Say “Potato,” and I Say …
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Ways to Engage with People—for People Who Don't like to Engage!
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The “Halo Effect”—When Being Nice Has Benefits
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“But it's Playing My Song”—Smart Phone Use for Business
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The Etiquette of Connecting Professionally on LinkedIn
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We Can't All Be Steve Jobs—Dressing Well Reaps Results
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Top 10 Business Clothing Mistakes
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Don't Take Your Neighbor's Bread, and other Dining Suggestions
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Be a Gracious Guest—10 Ways to Avoid Dining Blunders
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Tips for Ordering Wine at a Business Dinner
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In a Restaurant, to Introduce or Not? Tips for a Tricky Etiquette Situation
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Your Mother Was Right—The Importance of Expressing Thanks
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Etiquette for Hallways, Sidewalks, and other Walkways
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Conclusion
