E-Newsletters

Exec-Comm kicked off 2012 with some big news – we’re transcontinental! On February 1st, we opened our San Francisco office. Of course, we’ve always served your needs on a national basis from our New York headquarters, but now we have resources specifically dedicated to serve you in the west.

Amid the excitement of our announcement we thought about different communication styles. How do they change by region? What differences do we see in the ways individuals communicate? And how do those differences impact you and your key business relationships?

“This ultimatum is just going to make most players angry…” said Chris Duhon, when the Orlando Magic’s NBA player rep learned about another “final offer” by owners during the recent lockout talks. The players were so angry that they threatened legal action. Whether you are negotiating a contract or deciding who brings the cookies for a holiday gathering, meeting the needs of everyone involved is a challenge. Here are some tips for more successful, collaborative discussions.

In a recent client meeting workshop with newly promoted investment bankers, we asked: “Why is small talk important?” A fresh-faced banker replied: “Small talk gets people comfortable talking to you.” Nicely put. As a general rule, when the client is talking more than you, your meetings are more effective. Small talk often plays a big part at the start of a successful interaction.

Spring is here! In this spirit, we offer you some meeting skills tips to help you tend the garden of important relationships you have with clients and colleagues. And while much of your contact may be on the phone or through email, the most effective way to grow your business relationships is through strategic face-to-face meetings.

The learning and development world is abuzz: "The King's Speech," a movie about King George of England conquering his fear of public speaking, is a blockbuster. For our part, Exec-Comm just hosted an Executive Presence Panel Discussion in New York, with four distinguished panelists and over 100 guests. Here's what our panelists shared on this hot topic:

It’s the holiday season again and your December calendar probably includes several parties. Sometimes striking up conversation with new people at a party can be a bit daunting.

It's four weeks before the midterm elections and you're probably getting bombarded with phone calls, flyers and commercials about various candidates. Each of these communications carries a message.

Good readers make good writers and August is a prime reading month. As you head off to the beach chair, lakeside dock or the backyard hammock, grab a newspaper, magazine, book or e-reader and settle in.

June is all about celebrations: weddings, anniversaries, graduations, Father’s Day, even Flag Day. And celebrations often involve giving a toast, an ancient party ritual involving a filled glass and a speech. Just in case you’re the speech-giver this month, we’ve got four key tips on delivering the perfect toast.

At some point in your career, you'll have to apologize to a co-worker--to someone up, down or across the corporate ladder.  Getting to the next rung on that ladder may depend upon how well you deliver the apology.  The well-executed apology establishes your credibility as a decent person and helps others trust you.  Conversely, sidestepping a needed apology makes you seem indifferent to the situation--or emotionally disconnected to the person deserving the apology.

Humor is tricky in presentations and meetings. Sometimes it works-and everyone chuckles, laughs and smiles. That's a swell moment for the presenter and an enjoyable one for the audience. When humor falls flat, causing people to cringe and look away nervously, it's painful for everyone in the room.

Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday because its purpose is so simple – on the last Thursday in November we step out of the rhythm of our daily lives to give thanks. Together with family and friends, we reconnect, share stories, overindulge in great food and watch far too many hours of football. We show those in our personal life our appreciation by giving them our time and attention.

What do Oprah, Heinz, Kleenex and Tiger Woods have in common? They are all recognizable brands. They are known for inspiration, quality, reliability and tenacity.

Summertime! Time to sit around a campfire, telling tales or gather around a conference table, listening to vacation stories from colleagues. Summertime is story time.

It is nearly time for your mid-year performance review. This year, even the best performers may feel a tinge of trepidation as they meet with their manager. While much has been written to help managers deliver reviews, we want to shift the focus to you, the feedback recipient.*

When I asked a client recently how things were going, she replied that she was in a state of "grief relief." Grief, she said, over the daily list of colleagues being laid off, and relief that she still had her job.

We thought it only fitting, with the inaugural issue of our newsletter, Substance & Style™, that we bring you insight into another inauguration – that of President-Elect Barack Obama and his upcoming inaugural speech. He approaches this historic occasion with an outstanding record of public speaking excellence; everyone expects that his speech will be great. But, what makes a speech great? What should you watch for, what should you listen for and how can you apply what you observe to your own speaking occasions?