Tips to Overcoming Communication Breakdowns
Have you ever had an experience where you were talking, but the person you were communicating with didn’t understand what you were saying? Communicating in a way that you are easily understood is important to both professional and social activities. My first and most important advice: Don’t stop talking! It is vital that we hear…
Read MoreProject confidence-lose the upspeak
One issue I often encounter with clients looking to improve the professional tone of their speech is upspeak. This is when you say sentences that are a statement but end with a rising intonation (tone or pitch) like you would a question. Find my podcast at the end of this post. Upspeak can be heard…
Read MoreMoney down the drain: The Financial Costs of Poor Communication
Good communication skills are an important part of any successful business, from customer service to employee direction and interaction. The result of miscommunication can have a staggering effect on a company’s bottom line. David Grossman reported in his article “The Cost of Poor Communications,” a company with $100, 000 employees averages a loss of $62.4…
Read MoreEnglish is Tricky!
English is a tricky language because there are so many exceptions to rules of pronunciation and grammar. Pronunciation is tricky because the English alphabet has 26 letters in the alphabet, but most experts agree there are 44 different letter sounds! A fluent English speaker must learn all 44 sounds and be able to predict when…
Read MoreHow does your voice sound?
Our voices should be clear, crisp and powerful. There are three basic things that influence the quality and sound of your speech: The size of your mouth The thickness and health of your vocal cords Your breath control Small children have high pitched voices because their mouths are small and their vocal cords are thinner.…
Read MoreWhat is Accent Modification Training?
Accent Modification training is our signature service at Triad Speech Consultants. This training helps adults who speak with a foreign or regional accent change their speech so they speak confidently and effectively. This program may be delivered individually or in a small group setting. Skills addressed include pronunciation, intonation, rate of speech, voice projection, vocabulary,…
Read MoreMargaret’s Speakeasy Episode #1
Welcome to the podcast of Triad Speech Consultants. The name of this podcast has a special meaning. As you may know, speakeasies were secret bars or nightclubs where patrons could purchase alcoholic drinks that rose to prominence in the 1920s due to prohibition. You had to know a secret password in order to get into…
Read MoreMaking the Most of Season’s Greetings
From the fourth Thursday in November, when our nation joins together to celebrate Thanksgiving until New Year’s Day on January 1, people in the United States are swept up in the excitement of the holidays. This time of year is filled with the communication demands of parties, errands, and shopping. For some people, all of…
Read MoreWomen–Are you heard?
Do you have to repeat what you said to be heard? Do you get interrupted while trying to get across an important point? Women are often spoken over, interrupted, or even disregarded in their speech in both social situations and the workplace. “The Unheard Female Voice,” an article by Stephanie Watson details some of the…
Read MoreTips for Great Small Talk: Conquer Your Networking Anxiety
Having excellent communication skills isn’t just about speaking clearly. It’s also includes having conversations that create a with another person. Many times, if I’m working with a client and recommend they attend a networking event, they will cringe. The prospect of making small talk with complete strangers is something that most people dread. The fact…
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