Recommended Books

We are so obsessed with our dreams that we have forgotten how to obtain them. This exciting new e-book will show you how. "Here's my question to you: If you could find a resource that offered everything you ever wanted to know, on how and what you had to do to become happy and wealthy would you be interested? Well you have found it. If you're really interested in making a better life for yourself and your willing to learn and practice these simple principals then you have found what you are looking for. My method for obtaining the happiness and wealth you want can work for you." Mark Claridge's book is simply a "must have" for those who are serious about achieving their full potential. Everyone can benefit from using the techniques in this book. And, as a bonus, Mark also includes some very useful and relevant books for free. Click here to read more

A Piece Of Blarney: 10 Ways To Empower Your Communications

Your personal success could depend on how well you communicate with people. And, believe it or not, I'll start off by mentioning a bit of Irish folk legend. Yes, it is relevant!

The Blarney Stone is a historical stone, or actually part of the Blarney Castle in Ireland where it was believed that kissing the stone can grant you the gift of gab. Yeah, it seems strange in this day and age, but who are we to question tradition? It's not like I'm saying that Santa Claus doesn't exist (OOPS!).

There is so much to know about conversation that anyone, even I, could ever realize. You can go though watching talk shows; radio programs; clubs dedicated to public speaking; ordinary conversations; certain rules still apply when it comes to interaction through words. It may sound tedious, I know, but even though it's your mouth that's doing the work, your brain works twice as hard to churn out a lot of things you know. So what better way to start learning to be an effective communication is to know the very person closest to you: yourself.

1. What you know.

Education is all about learning the basics, but to be an effective speaker is to practice what you've learned. My stint as guest at every Toastmasters' meeting I go to taught me that we all have our limitations, but that doesn't mean we can't learn to keep up and share what we know.

2. Listening.

It's just as important as asking questions. Sometimes listening to the sound of our own voice can teach us to be a little bit confident with ourselves and to say the things we believe in with conviction.

3. Humility

We all make mistakes, and sometimes we tend to slur our words, stutter, and probably mispronounce certain words even though we know what it means, but rarely use it only to impress listeners. So in a group, don't be afraid to ask if you're saying the right word properly and if they're unsure about it then make a joke out of it. I promise you it'll make everyone laugh and you can get away with it as well.

4. Eye Contact

There's a lot to say when it comes to directing your attention to your audience with an eye-catching gaze. It's important that you keep your focus when talking to a large group in a meeting or a gathering, even though he or she may be gorgeous.

Most of this information comes straight from the pros. Careful reading to the end virtually guarantees that you'll know what they know.

5. Kidding around

A little bit of humor can do wonders to lift the tension, or worse boredom when making your speech. That way, you'll get the attention of the majority of the crowd and they'll feel that you're just as approachable, and as human to those who listen.

6. Be like the rest of them

Interaction is all about mingling with other people. You'll get a lot of ideas, as well as knowing what people make them as they are.

7. Me, Myself, and I

Admit it, there are times you sing to yourself in the shower. I know I do! Listening to the sound of your own voice while you practice your speech in front of a mirror can help correct the stress areas of your pitch. And while you're at it you can spruce up as well.

8. With a smile

A smile says it all much like eye contact. There's no point on grimacing or frowning in a meeting or a gathering, unless it's a wake. You can better express what you're saying when you smile.

9. A Role Model

There must be at least one or two people in your life you have listened to when they're at a public gathering or maybe at church. Sure they read their lines, but taking a mental note of how they emphasize what they say can help you once you take center stage.

10. Preparation

Make the best out of preparation rather than just scribbling notes and often in a hurried panic. Some people like to write things down on index cards, while other resort to being a little more silly as they look at their notes written on the palm of their hand (not for clammy hands, please). Just be comfortable with what you know since you enjoy your work.

You know, it’s funny but I believe that writing about a topic I enjoy helps me learn about it much easier. When I write the article, I’m also thinking of you, the reader, and trying to anticipate what you might want to know next. I’ve found that by doing that, not only do I learn more, but I also know you will find it more informative. I hope I have achieved that with you, here.

And that about wraps it up. These suggestions are rather amateurish in edgewise, but I've learned to empower myself when it comes to public or private speaking and it never hurts to be with people to listen how they make conversations and meetings far more enjoyable as well as educational.

• Zultys Introduces MX Release 7.0 Unified Communications Software
  
  SUNNYVALE, CA-- - Zultys, a premier provider of innovative unified communications solutions that empower businesses to collaborate effectively , today unveiled the latest major firmware release for the ...
  


• Empower people, Coloma tells journ graduates
  
  MASS media practitioners have a major role in elevating public discourse and empowering the people, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told graduating students of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication in San Juan City on Monday.
  


• CarFinance.com Launches to Empower Credit-Challenged Car Shoppers
  
  IRVINE, Calif. , Jan. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- CarFinance.com ( www.carfinance.com ) launches today with a mission to empower the more than 1 in 3[1] car buyers (36%) who have less-than-prime credit. Unlike ...
  


• Cerium Networks, Inc. Achieves Microsoft Gold Communications Competency
  
  SPOKANE, Wash. , Jan. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Cerium Networks, Inc., a leading integrator of unified communications announced today it has achieved both Gold Communications and Silver Messaging Competencies ...
  


• Nu Skin Enterprises Engages Translations.com to Localize Communications with Worldwide Distributors
  
  Translations.com, the world’s largest privately held provider of language services and translation-related technologies, today announced that Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. is using its GlobalLink® Suite to streamline the workflows for translation, review, and approval of its website copy in 20 languages, including Chinese, Finnish, Russian, Spanish, and Czech.
  


• Union Bank Launches RBM Technologies’ Visual Merchandising Solution to Enhance Campaign Execution Across Retail Branch ...
  
  RBM Technologies, provider of the only retail communications platform that supports fixture-based planograms and localized execution, today announced that Union Bank, N.A. has sele
  


• Internet begins to empower consumers
  
  In the wake of the financial meltdown of 2008 and amid the lingering effects of the Great Recession, much of the political debate has been about the degree of regulation that Washington should establish to protect consumers from financial predators.Howe
  


• Avotus Receives 2011 INTERNET TELEPHONY Product of the Year Award for the Third Consecutive Year
  
  Avotus Corporation, leading provider of secure, reliable, and complete communications management solutions, announced today that TMC, a global, integrated media company, has named Unity SMB as a recipient of the 2011 INTERNET TELEPHONY Product of the Year Award.
  


• Outreach Inc. Announces Strategic Changes For Greater Ministry Growth
  
  The reorganization aligns Outreach magazine with the company’s Web initiatives under a new Outreach Media GroupVista, CA (PRWEB) February 02, 2012 Outreach Inc., the largest provider of outreach products and services in North America, announces a strategic plan to reorganize the company to better serve the church and fulfill the organization’s mission: to share God’s love and to empower the ...
  


• Actiance Announces Socialite Engage to Help Financial Advisors Strengthen Client Relationships and Drive New Business ...
  
  BELMONT, CA-- - Actiance , helping organizations benefit from new forms of communications and collaboration, today announced the general availability of Socialite Engage. Socialite Engage helps financial ...