Be a Storyteller, Not Just a Speaker

Written by Sandra Schrift


Continued from page 1

Be unique. Think funny thoughts. Live and re-live your story when you are telling a story. Words are critical so be sure to pause when necessary and BE IN THE NOW. Your words need to create an image inrepparttar audience’s mind so that they can remember your story. They may be a step away from their own story. This will strengthenrepparttar 104230 connection between you and them.

It’s a good idea to use props to enhance your humor. Remember most people have an attention span of six to eight minutes.

The Coach asks… what is your story?

Sandra Schrift 13 year speaker bureau owner and now career coach to emerging and veteran public speakers who want to "grow" a profitable speaking business. I also work with business professionals and organizations who want to master their presentations. Get more speaking skills at our "Summer Sizzle" webpage: http://www.schrift.com/summer_sizzle.htm Join my free bi-weekly Monday Morning Mindfulness ezine http://www.schrift.com/monday.htm


Effective Multi Cultural International Business Meetings

Written by Neil Payne


Continued from page 1

Group Sizes in Meetings

In short, small groups will work more effectively in meetings. Smaller groups offer increased security and allow for greater participation. In international business meetings, using smaller groups can be used in two ways.

First, prior to a large international business meeting identify who will be coming and what they can contribute. Willrepparttar meeting cover different topics? Will it require input from different business areas? If you are organised enough you can initiate some smaller meetings where you group participants who are comfortable with one another or who share expertise inrepparttar 104229 same area. Askrepparttar 104230 groups to take their conclusions torepparttar 104231 next, larger, meeting. Participants there will now feel comfortable with their contributions and ideas.

Second, ifrepparttar 104232 company culture allows, break your meeting up into smaller groups where feedback and open discussion may flow more easily. Then ask a delegated head of each group to summarise their findings. This may allow those who would not normally speak out in front of larger groups to get their views across.

Multi-Cultural Meetings

A major mistake made when dealing with diverse cultures in one meeting room is to suggest that those of similar backgrounds work, group or be seated together. Rather than allow for greater fluency inrepparttar 104233 meeting this will haverepparttar 104234 opposite affect. Once cosy in their cultural groups, participants will slip into their cultural patterns. It is vital you mix up your meeting. The additional benefit to this approach is that it allows for cross cultural interpersonal relationships to develop, strengthening staff bonds.

Alternative Communication Methods in Meetings

Most international meetings take on a basic format and structure whereby an agenda is set and attendants contribute torepparttar 104235 topic of discussion orally. If you have participants who potentially will be very quiet and non-participatory then consider some alternative methods of communication.

For example, prior torepparttar 104236 meeting, e-mail members of staff some questions regardingrepparttar 104237 forthcoming topics. Give them open-ended questions as to their opinions. Ask them to e-mail back their replies which can then be used to instigate their contribution inrepparttar 104238 meeting.

If you know some participants are uncomfortable speaking, then why not let them write? Either use a white board or offer to take suggestions and opinions on paper?

Always Confirm Meanings in Meetings

Different cultural assumptions as torepparttar 104239 meaning of a word, phrase, symbol, picture or agreement can cause confusion before and after a meeting. When approaching a topic or after consensus has been agreed upon a subject always confirm thatrepparttar 104240 general meaning has been agreed upon and understood. Where potential problems may exist as to interpretation always simplify meanings. Ifrepparttar 104241 meeting will deal with complex language or concepts consider forming a consensus onrepparttar 104242 meaning all participants will be comfortable with, then circulating them in advance ofrepparttar 104243 meeting for review.

Atrepparttar 104244 end of a meeting, summarise and capturerepparttar 104245 main agreements and disagreements. Ensure everyone is happy with them.

International business meetings require great planning, organisation and consideration if they are to succeed in offering effective outcomes. Always considerrepparttar 104246 cultural variants you will be dealing with and think of ways to overcome potential problems. The above mentioned tips are merely basic pointers that will hopefully help you start to think about how culture impacts international meetings.

Neil Payne is Director of London based cross cultural communications firm http://www.kwintessential.co.uk


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