• Prepare, prepare, prepare. If you’ve got a specific message to deliver, practice what you’ll say and how you’ll say it. Envision the recipient’s response. How will the conversation flow? Consider as many possible scenarios as are reasonable. Be ready to handle whatever comes your way.
• Find an appropriate place to talk. If the conversation is private in nature, don’t bring it up in front of others. Plan ahead to assure an appropriate setting is available.
• Listen before you speak. Many times, the most effective way to get your point across is to let the other person talk first. You can get things rolling by asking his opinion or perspective on the situation. Then just sit back and listen. What better way to understand how the other person feels and what he thinks… and then to frame your message accordingly?
• Empathize. Try to see things from the other person’s point of view. You can and should work on this even before starting the conversation.
• Start with something positive. If you begin the conversation on a genuinely positive note, you will help set your listener at ease. He’ll be less defensive and better able to hear what follows.
• Use appropriate language. Don’t talk down to people by overly simplifying language. Likewise, don’t try to wow the other person with your working knowledge of obscure words or needlessly technical terminology.
• Be kind. Be aware of your tone of voice. You can deliver even the most negative feedback without figuratively beating up the recipient.
• Be clear. The other party shouldn’t have to work at figuring out what you’re trying to say.
• Be concise. Get to the point, then move on. Most people have a whole lot of othe
  Dyson Vacuum Cleaners: Better By Design Or Better By Marketing?
  Since the US launch of Dyson vacuum cleaners in 2003, they have taken the US market by storm. In fact, Dyson has been so successful – not just in the US, but throughout the world - that Hoover, once the powerhouse of the vacuum cleaner industry, has rapidly lost market share. In fact, Hoover has experienced such a decline in profitability that
  l say and how you’ll say it. Envision the recipient’s response. How will the conversation flow? Consider as many possible scenarios as are reasonable. Be ready to handle whatever comes your way.
• Find an appropriate place to talk. If the conversation is private in nature, don’t bring it up in front of others. Plan ahead to assure an appropriate setting is available.
• Listen before you speak. Many times, the most effective way to get your point across is to let the other person talk first. You can get things rolling by asking his opinion or perspective on the situation. Then just sit back and listen. What better way to understand how the other person feels and what he thinks… and then to frame your message accordingly?
• Empathize. Try to see things from the other person’s point of view. You can and should work on this even before starting the conversation.
• Start with something positive. If you begin the conversation on a genuinely positive note, you will help set your listener at ease. He’ll be less defensive and better able to hear what follows.
• Use appropriate language. Don’t talk down to people by overly simplifying language. Likewise, don’t try to wow the other person with your working knowledge of obscure words or needlessly technical terminology.
• Be kind. Be aware of your tone of voice. You can deliver even the most negative feedback without figuratively beating up the recipient.
• Be clear. The other party shouldn’t have to work at figuring out what you’re trying to say.
• Be concise. Get to the point, then move on. Most people have a whole lot of oth
  The Rapidly Expanding Market of Subliminal Messaging
  The numbers of consumers buying into products that contain subliminal messaging, such as audio tapes, DVD’s and videos’, and even the newest software products, are on the increase.I was intrigued at the reason why? Can so called ‘normal’ people really buy into some phenomenon and have it change their life so simply, and how on earth do
  Many times, the most effective way to get your point across is to let the other person talk first. You can get things rolling by asking his opinion or perspective on the situation. Then just sit back and listen. What better way to understand how the other person feels and what he thinks… and then to frame your message accordingly?
• Empathize. Try to see things from the other person’s point of view. You can and should work on this even before starting the conversation.
• Start with something positive. If you begin the conversation on a genuinely positive note, you will help set your listener at ease. He’ll be less defensive and better able to hear what follows.
• Use appropriate language. Don’t talk down to people by overly simplifying language. Likewise, don’t try to wow the other person with your working knowledge of obscure words or needlessly technical terminology.
• Be kind. Be aware of your tone of voice. You can deliver even the most negative feedback without figuratively beating up the recipient.
• Be clear. The other party shouldn’t have to work at figuring out what you’re trying to say.
• Be concise. Get to the point, then move on. Most people have a whole lot of oth
  7 Easy Ways to Grow and Manage Your Customer List
  In order for your business to succeed on the internet, you need to convince your visitors that you are reliable, trustworthy and that you care about them. The best way to do this is to build a relationship with them. Provide your customers with lots of valuable information and they’ll never look at your competitor again!But first thin
  and should work on this even before starting the conversation.
• Start with something positive. If you begin the conversation on a genuinely positive note, you will help set your listener at ease. He’ll be less defensive and better able to hear what follows.
• Use appropriate language. Don’t talk down to people by overly simplifying language. Likewise, don’t try to wow the other person with your working knowledge of obscure words or needlessly technical terminology.
• Be kind. Be aware of your tone of voice. You can deliver even the most negative feedback without figuratively beating up the recipient.
• Be clear. The other party shouldn’t have to work at figuring out what you’re trying to say.
• Be concise. Get to the point, then move on. Most people have a whole lot of oth
  No Dollar, No Client?
  You are now a business owner, congratulations! You have everything you need right down to the business plan but one thing is missing. Customers. As you sit in the darkness of your living room at night, you wonder how you can afford to advertise and where.The next morning you drag out the Yellow Pages looking for a company that specializ
  working knowledge of obscure words or needlessly technical terminology.
• Be kind. Be aware of your tone of voice. You can deliver even the most negative feedback without figuratively beating up the recipient.
• Be clear. The other party shouldn’t have to work at figuring out what you’re trying to say.
• Be concise. Get to the point, then move on. Most people have a whole lot of other work to attend to and are eager to get back to their ‘to do’ lists. Don’t waste their time or yours by dancing around the issue.
• Be direct. Communication shouldn’t be a game of ‘20 Questions.’ Say what you mean. Chances are, the other person will appreciate your straightforward approach.

In the words of Lee Iacocca, “You can have brilliant ideas but if you can’t get them across, they won’t get you anywhere.” Be strategic in your communication. Get your ideas out there. Be heard.

copyright 2006, Bywater Consulting Group, LLC, Liz Bywater, PhD. All Rights Reserved.