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What to say when Grandma asks. “What do you do again?”

December 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Grandma

I’m sure it has happened to you.  It is especially prevalent this time of year.  You’re at a holiday party with your spouse or attending a family gathering and within moments you are met with the inevitable question, “What is it that you do?”  Ack!  I absolutely hate this question.  The snarky girl inside me is always tempted to answer, “Well, I eat and sleep,” or “Right now I’m working on eating as many Christmas cookies as possible.”  Thankfully, I restrain my sarcasm and attempt to explain to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Can We Talk? Tagged With: , ,

What’s in a Name? Everything.

October 24, 2011 By 1 Comment
Name bubble

“What’s in a name?  That which we call a rose  by any other name would smell as sweet.” ~ Juliet It may be one of Shakespeare’s most quoted lines.  Juliet is explaining to Romeo that a name is an artificial and meaningless convention.  That she loves someone named “Montague,” not the Montague name and not the Montague family. Mr. Shakespeare, this time, I may have to respectfully disagree.  Yes, our parents or caregivers randomly assign a name of their choice to us, but I don’t believe that names … [Read more...]

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The Art of Introduction

October 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment
handshake

There is a definite art to introduction.  Don’t believe me?  How many times have you been called over at a meeting or a party by someone saying, “You just have to meet so-and-so!” and after strolling over you are introduced to the VIP, but YOU are left nameless?  You’re standing there in limbo land, wondering if your acquaintance, the one who called you over, will eventually introduce you or whether you should introduce yourself.  Maybe the VIP has been trained in the art of introduction and says smoothly, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Interpersonal Communication Tagged With: ,

Are You Confidently Speaking Your Business, Everywhere and Every time?

August 2, 2011 By 2 Comments
Hello Tag

“Hi, I’m Ann Marie and I am a writer.” I am currently in the middle of a 6-week Inspirational Writing course and the very first homework assignment was to introduce ourselves as a writer – to EVERYONE we meet.  “Yikes,” I thought, “can I do that?  Am I ready to announce my intentions of becoming an acclaimed author to the world?  What would people think?  Would they even believe me if I introduced myself as a writer?” As this thought rattled around my mind through the remainder of the class (and … [Read more...]

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What’s in a Name? Presentation tips from 007.

April 26, 2011 By 1 Comment
James Bond

“The name is Bond.  James Bond.” This is one of the most iconic movie lines in history and you’d be hard pressed to find someone unfamiliar with it.  It conjures up images of suave sophistication and martinis, but it should also serve as a reminder of the importance of a name. Oftentimes, an introduction is the only opportunity we get to present ourselves. Whether we are in a networking meeting or attending a seminar our only chance to speak may be when we go around the table and get five seconds to say our … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Public Speaking Tagged With: , , ,