Is it a verb? Is it a noun? No, it’s both!
Correct syllable stress is important for quick understanding. There are at least 100-word pairs of two-syllable words that are spelled exactly the same are both nouns and verbs. The difference is shown by syllable stress-noun-first syllable stressed, verb-second syllable stressed. These syllable stress changes often result in vowel sounds changing to schwa in the unstressed…
Read MoreWhat’s In It For ME?!
All-day long, we subconsciously and consciously contemplate this question. What’s in it for ME?! Your audience is asking this very question! They want to quickly hear that you are interested in them and that you are offering them value. The value you offer can range from pure entertainment, support, providing them a service, or educating them so their…
Read MoreAdvance your English: Include Final Consonants
Many words in English only differ by the ending sound. Leaving off the ending sound causes confusion in the minds or ears of your listener. Listen and watch this video to hear how closely some words sound. Practice enunciating ending sounds by counting (0-13) or try some tongue twisters. Two tongue twisters to try: Skunk…
Read MoreCan your accent affect your salary?
Research in both Germany and the United States says YES! Speaking pattern can cause you to have a 20% lower salary than co-workers that use the country’s standard speaking style. The fact is that every person speaks with an accent. Our accent reflects the geographic region of our childhood and our native language. People can…
Read MoreReducing Crutches and Fillers in Your Presentations and Speeches
What are fillers? These are sounds and words that take up space in your conversation but don’t provide any meaning. Words and sounds such as like, you know, okay, umm, and ah are common fillers. We use fillers to give us an extra second or two to form our next sentence. Fillers distract from your…
Read MoreCommunication Skills are Essential for Managers
When you Google the top skills needed in management, communication is always at the top of the list, it’s no surprise that communication skills rank high on what’s essential for success in business. A good manager must be able to lead others, encourage teams of associates to work together, empathize with employees, and make presentations.…
Read More10 Idioms of the IT World: Know the Lingo to Join in the Conversation
The world of information technology is full of specific words and phrases that can throw a novice for a loop. Even after studying the technology in school, you might not be familiar with some of the idioms used in the workplace. Being able to understand these phrases and use them correctly can help you perform…
Read MoreTransition to the Next Level
Our current situation encourages us to reflect on our professional position, our career goals and how we may get to the next step. Often, the next career position requires us to both enhance and develop new skills. If you are considering a managerial position, consider your communication skills. Listener friendly speaking patterns are essential for managers. Professionals who…
Read MoreTips 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…
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