Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Why Don't They listen? Rotary Speech

My topic today is listening....I am a member of the International Listening Association...really. There is such an organization. So theser's some credibility for you!

Why did I join? because over the years I began to see the value of listening in my own personal and professional life. I think having children really did it for me...got me into listening....because as my babies grew I kept thinking..."Why Don't They Listen?"


Have you ever felt that in you personal life? Think for a moment about an instance when you've felt that in your personal life.

Now think about your workplace...do people trult listen there? Do the same thing. Think of something that shows you people don't listen in their jobs.


You are probably seeing similar examples of people who do the following:

Have short attention
Can't stop interupting
seem to talk about themselves even after you've talked.

Well,,,,it's a national epidemic...the lack of listening...and there are theories aboout why it is getting worse...and it's generational...people did seem to listen better 40 years ago. I will give you reasons why in this short talk and give you one or two ways to help yourself as a listener.


We must first go beyond hearing...listening is processing...and the generations now process differently.

Research today paints a bleak picture for the growth of listening...technology is wonderful but it can be a challenge to listening...here are a few facts...


18,000 hours of TV logged
Average span of attention...90 sec.

Added persoanal inofrmation


Phone numbers for a family of three... email rather than talk...phne from inside the house. or outside...grocereis..

check email before coffee!

Toastmasters #2 Speech...Gimme an M

Mr. Toastmaster, fellow SEC Roughriders and Honored Guests


Since coming to Toastmastes I have learned to value ....The Pause.....and The value in revealing yourself to you audience.
Today I atttempt .....BOTH....as I reveal something to you that few people...specially buiness people know about me....
I was a teenaged......CHEERLEADER,,,rah rah!

but I was awful...couldn't cut it and my career was over in a NY Minute!!!

And Today standing here in these minutes with you in NY,,,,I wish I had been better as a Cheerleader. NOW I HAVE SOMETHING TO CHEER ABOUT!
And ...it's not a basketball star...or a football hero....it's me...and what I want to Cheer about is my own soon to be trademarked concept for Business Success...The New YORK MINIT...Minit!


Ok..you're thinking...not only is she bad a cheeleading...her spelling is awful...MINIT? What's up with that?


Welll..that's my unique acronym for business communication success that I am branding and selling in books, keynotes and workshops...I want to give you a few seconds today with my NY MINIT!



And you say...TRISH..."What makes you think you are an expert in Business Communication and Networking Skills?

Let me tell you my story ...judge for yourself...


I came to NYC last year....Only my doorman knew my name.
I knew no one...nada Oh...excuse me I am learning spanish and I am trying to use it in as many ways as I can...part of multi tasking...

Againnn

I knew nobody..nada
I needed to make Money...dinero...si?
I needed friends...amigos...
I needed dimero...
I needed good work trabajo...

I needed dinero...

and I stand here today telling you I have hit the mark in this city in a year...and my framework for doing it is the New York Minute...if you give me a few of your own, I'll explain as I cheer with you about the Big Idea behind the NY MINIT...ready?


Gimme an M....M meaans make connections and Meaning as you begin to network...I can teach you a few skills to help you be solid in a boardroom or on a convention floor...in a new york minute.

Gimme an I...I means Invite connectivity through your rapport skils, eye contact...body language and questions...I can teach yu to do this skillfully...in a New York Minute.

Gimme a N...N means Nice Work...you must show you are a great communicator by being quiet....listen to others nice work...I can teach you how...in a new York Minute.

Gimme an I...I means that It's my Pleasure,,,now you can talk in business but make it tight and make it defined... I can teach you how to talk in business settings...in a New York Minute.

And T means that's a Wrap/RAP... I can teach you to talk your way to a perfect end to close a conversation, a phone call or a deal!...and do it in a NY Minute!


Want to learn more?

I have many minutes to share!

Gimme an M! The New York MINIT for the Workplace

Gimme an M!


As in the first Volume, the acronym of the New York MINIT will help to place you in a power position as the architect of your emerging unique communications skyline!

As you prepare to read about these AM workplace tools and as you get ready to practice with the AM Networking Challenges, keep focused on being your absolute best....a minute spent in NYC is full of Possibility, Passion and Promise...bring that attitude with you as you create your new business skyline every day!


Gimme an M...The M in the MINIT is for.........Make Connections: Ways to Develop Meaningful Data that builds Confidence

Gimme an I.....The I in the MINIT is for...........Invite Connectivity; Ways to Become the Must Know Person in an Organization

Gimme an N....The N in the MINIT is for..........Nice Work: Ways to Create Geniune on the Job Trust

Gimme an I......The I in the MINIT is for...........It's My Pleasure: Ways to Spread the Word about Who and What you Do

Gimme a T.......The T in the MINIT is for.........That's a Wrap/Rap: Ways to Close and Follow-u that Get you Noticed

Gimme an M! The New York MINIT for the Workplace

Gimme an M!


As in the first Volume, the acronym of the New York MINIT will help to place you in a power position as the architect of your emerging unique communications skyline!

As you prepare to read about these AM workplace tools and as you get ready to practice with the AM Networking Challenges, keep focused on being your absolute best....a minute spent in NYC is full of Possibility, Passion and Promise...bring that attitude with you as you create your new business skyline every day!


Gimme an M...The M in the MINIT is for.........Make Connections: Ways to Develop Meaningful Data that builds Confidence

Gimme an I.....The I in the MINIT is for...........Invite Connectivity; Ways to Become the Must Know Person in an Organization

Gimme an N....The N in the MINIT is for..........Nice Work: Ways to Create Geniune on the Job Trust

Gimme an I......The I in the MINIT is for...........It's My Pleasure: Ways to Spread the Word about Who and What you Do

Gimme a T.......The T in the MINIT is for.........That's a Wrap/Rap: Ways to Close and Follow-u that Get you Noticed

The New York MINIT in the Workplace: A Guide to BIG talk in Small Rooms!

So...one book wasn't enough for you,kid? Great!
I am hoping that you have used the skills from the first Volume of the New York Minute, "The Little Guide to Big City Networking", to sharpen yourself as a fluid, comfortable networker. Your calendar is now sprinkled with just the right balance of morning networking breakfasts, power lunches and after hours cocktail events where you have found a niche group to court!
Now turn your attention to the workplace. You can network there, but your networking takes on a different face. You are no longer looking to get business as you do in the PM hours...you are learning to be a high level communicator, someone who can be seen as a trusted,GO TO person. The Goal of this Guide is to give you the tools that help build a genuine, unique repertoire of skills that not only help you help you communicate on the job but to manage your communication for great career results.
And it doesn't matter where you are.... in a large or small company,,,in the USA or the UK, you can adopt the same savvy New York MINIT model that was usd in Volume ONE.
In the Workplace edition of this New York MINIT Guide, you'll Follow the familiar framework as it propels you to success on the job!

Build your AM Towers

As in the first book, I invite the image of a unique skyline that you build that reflects who you are in your development as a Business Communicator. If you've read the first Volume of The New York Minute you will have build strong, showplace PM towers based upon your networking skill. In the AM Workplace design...your communication towers are not as grand, but there are MANY and they are consistent and familiar looking towers in your skyline, The more AM tools you refine,,,the bigger your skyline! The MINIT framework can help you shine in your office!

The New York MINIT in the Workplace: A Guide to BIG talk in Small Rooms!

So...one book wasn't enough for you,kid? Great!
I am hoping that you have used the skills from the first Volume of the New York Minute, "The Little Guide to Big City Networking", to sharpen yourself as a fluid, comfortable networker. Your calendar is now sprinkled with just the right balance of morning networking breakfasts, power lunches and after hours cocktail events where you have found a niche group to court!
Now turn your attention to the workplace. You can network there, but your networking takes on a different face. You are no longer looking to get business as you do in the PM hours...you are learning to be a high level communicator, someone who can be seen as a trusted,GO TO person. The Goal of this Guide is to give you the tools that help build a genuine, unique repertoire of skills that not only help you help you communicate on the job but to manage your communication for great career results.
And it doesn't matter where you are.... in a large or small company,,,in the USA or the UK, you can adopt the same savvy New York MINIT model that was usd in Volume ONE.
In the Workplace edition of this New York MINIT Guide, you'll Follow the familiar framework as it propels you to success on the job!

Build your AM Towers

As in the first book, I invite the image of a unique skyline that you build that reflects who you are in your development as a Business Communicator. If you've read the first Volume of The New York Minute you will have build strong, showplace PM towers based upon your networking skill. In the AM Workplace design...your communication towers are not as grand, but there are MANY and they are consistent and familiar looking towers in your skyline, The more AM tools you refine,,,the bigger your skyline! The MINIT framework can help you shine in your office!

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

The New York M.I.N.I.T.: AM Power Towers for Inviting Connections at your Office

The brilliant after hours networker has to "roost" somewhere...and it's in the office! An office homebase provides the networker endless opportunity for consistent practice as she communicates with others through rapport building for results. The results are different in the office networking game. You are building good currency that is abstract,not concrete. Eventually your AM networking moves may bring you the promotion and salary you deserve, but until then, you'll build good currency with your colleagues and learn how to connect confidently with people.That's priceless.

The office is the perfect spot to refine your New York M.I.N.I.T. moves. And with any luck, you are "among friends",not strangers at work who will welcome your efforts. If you feel like you are surrounded by strangers who won't "play"...keep pushing yourself through any feeling of rejection since you'll have to bear that in PM moments with total starngers! But if it persists, I'd be on Craig's List looking for a new job!


So let's revisit "I" in the New York M.I.N.I.T...Inviting Connectivity!

Now these are your AM moves for the office,and there are similarities and differences in the connectivity you establish outside of your office and in the workplace when you work to make connections.Connections happen not by accident in the office, they are designed.

Passion for your Work
AM Connectivity sparks from within. You must bring a passion to your work everyday that is a beam...a beacon, attracting connections to those in your office. It does nat have to be done with a brashness, rather develop a sublte glow...a belief in what you do. It goes beyond spending hours at your desk...in the New York M.I.N.I.T. you get out from behind your desk and connect your passion to others through some very public ways:

Make Big Talk in a Small Room. Inviting connectivity hinges on your ability to make BIG TALK in SMALL ROOMS,not so much loud talk...but deep talk where you share your belief and passion for your work in the meeting rooms, conference rooms, elevators or break rooms of your workplace.It is a public setting and it's a place where you can share your positive view of the organization with your colleagues.

Keep it Simple. Bring your simple messages of positive spirit to the day, either in the exchanges you have in the hallway or the boardroom. Use a great quoat,and carry one in your pocket often...For example...

"Even if you're on the right track,you'll get run over if you just sit there!"

There is a sports announcer in Philadelphia who responds with the ultimate positive statement of simple connectivity.When asked, "How are you doing?" This personality responds, " Never had a bad day in my life!" A passion for living, yes?

Weave a fabric of Connections. Talk to everyone. Be sincere. The porters, the secretaries, the bosses...speak to all. If you are in an elevator, be the person who says goodmorning, or makes the first connected comment to the weather. Be noticed for your openess.

Use your PM Connectivity Skills.

Eye Contact....Here even more than in afterhours, use consistent eye contact to include people in your conversatuons, your questions, your presentations, no matter how small...keep looking at people. Look in their eyes. It helps people feel present and valued. it will make you a connected member of the group.

Approachable Voice....Use what research calls an Approachable voice to gain people's trust. Not booming, loud, shrill, but even and at the end of statements, allow you voice to lift a bit in tone to invite comments. This work well in meetings and in conference calls as well as in stand up meetings in the hallways!

Inquiry... Be there with a question that shows you have listened, from the most casual moment of meeting in the lunchroom, to being at the CEO's meeting. People who ask good questions get noticed, seem more connected and get more appreciation. Start working on asking questions without badgering.

Listen! Listen!...As with your PM work in a big room, keep aware of networking in a small room...and us he Big skills of listening. It may be hard to do since research says most of us have a 90 second attention span for listening! But work to listen and frame questions or paraphrased responses as we practiced earlier. A good listener makes connection in an organization and becomes the GO TO person fast!