The Communication Clinic: 99 Proven Cures for the Most Common Business Mistakes

In this Book

• Introduction
• “I Didn't Know That!” The Essentials of Good Business Writing
• Getting Started—Five Ways to Overcome Writer's Block
• Imperfect Writing for Perfect Results
• Looks Count—Make Your Writings Visually Appealing
• These Bullets Won't Kill Your Writing
• Simple Words Are Not for Simple People
• Do Not Use Contractions (Don't Worry, I Didn't Mean it!)
• “But I Didn't Mean it That Way!” How to Eliminate a Harsh Tone in Your Emails
• Eliminate Those Extra Words
• Email Rules—Don't Drive Your Readers to Distraction!
• What's in an Email Address? A Lot!
• Grab Your Reader's Attention—Effective Use of Email Subject Lines
• In the Beginning … Salutations Set the Tone for Emails and Letters
• Saying Goodbye—Suggestions for Closing Your Emails
• Reasons You Make Mistakes in Email, and Proofreading Solutions
• How Do I Become a Better Writer? Let Me Count the Ways …
• “It's What You Wrote!” How Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and others Can Kill Your Career
• Improve Your Writing—and Reputation—Through Blogging
• Texting for Business? It is Still Writing!
• Don't Write That! The Top 10 Grammar Gripes (And other Errors)
• Presentation Panic—Take These Steps to Avoid Running off the Stage!
• More Ways to Overcome Stage Fright
• Don't Ramble—Use the Speech Organizer
• It Would Have Been a Great Speech—for a Different Audience
• Openings and Closings Matter—Start with Strength, End with Impact
• Story Time—Use Tales to Engage with Your Audience
• Write the Presentation the Right Way
• Polishing Your Delivery—Pay Attention to the Details
• Don't Put Your Audience to Sleep—Speak with Authority
• Eliminate Filler Words—Um, You Know, Okay
• Don't Let a Microphone Distract from Your Presentation
• Are You Letting These Speaking Quirks Derail Your Presentation?
• Did You Hear the One about …? Guidelines for Humor
• “He's Still Talking!” The Secrets to Managing Time When Presenting
• Tips to Encourage Questions from Your Audience
• Answer Questions like a Pro
• Show-and-Tell—Suggestions for using Slides Successfully
• I'm Speaking on a Panel—What Do I Do?
• Polish Your Presentations a Little More
• Continue to Improve—Use the Post-Presentation Checklist to Evaluate
• Are You Too Nice? Learn the “Three Faces of Communication”
• How Assertive are You? Take a Self-Assessment
• Should I Believe You? Avoid Sending Mixed Messages
• Eliminate the Negativity—No Harsh, Aggressive Tones
• Avoid the Use of the Word But, but …
• Do You Have a Problem with “No Problem”?
• Listen Up! You Can't Talk and Pay Attention at the Same Time
• Silence Isn't Always Golden—Voice Your Opinion at Meetings
• What's My Line? What to Say in Awkward Situations
• Two Communication Secrets to Get What You Want
• How to Manage “Know-It-Alls” without Insult
• “Hold That Thought!” and other Ways to Handle Interruptions
• Fightin' Words—Questions to Avoid Asking (Or Answering) at Work
• “How Can I Say This?” Ways to Deliver Difficult News
• No Pouting—Polite Ways to Handle Criticism
• Offended by a Comment? Try These Simple but Powerful Responses
• Stop Complaining—Learn to Confront others Politely
• Someone Else's Bad Behavior is No Excuse for Your Own!
• Work with a Bully? Tips for Asserting Yourself
• Drama Screens—Handling Conflict Online
• Staying Festive—Ways to Avoid Conflict at the Holidays
• Your Career is What You Make It—So Make it Something!
• Build Your Career, One Day at a Time
• Seven Tips for Young Women Just Starting Their Careers
• Many People are Giving Me Career Suggestions. What Do I Do?
• Don't Put Yourself Down—Speak Well of Yourself Instead
• Build Your Network Both Online and off
• Are You Letting Networking Opportunities Pass You By?
• How to “Keep in Touch” Professionally and Successfully
• Don't Whine about Your Job. Do Something!
• How Do I Conduct a Job Search? Suggestions for Success
• Perk up Your Résumé and Cover Letter
• Avoid Blunders—Interviewing Tips for Everyone
• How Do You Master Interviewing? Practice, Practice, Practice
• Dress to Impress—Not to Fool the Employer
• Avoid Job-Search Gaffes on Social Media
• Lights, Camera, Interview! Tips for Interviewing on Skype
• You Got the Interview—Now Here's What to Do the Night before
• Nice Offer … But I Wasn't Looking for a New Job
• When to Let Your Employer Know You are Leaving
• Do You Want to Be Noticed? The Power of Presence
• Do You Project Confidence When Seated?
• Greetings—The Power of a Simple “Hello”
• Introductions—Frustrations Galore!
• Not for Men Only! The Etiquette of the Handshake
• Cubicle Conversations—Keep Chat Professional in the Office
• Effective International Communication—You Say “Potato,” and I Say …
• Ways to Engage with People—for People Who Don't like to Engage!
• The “Halo Effect”—When Being Nice Has Benefits
• “But it's Playing My Song”—Smart Phone Use for Business
• The Etiquette of Connecting Professionally on LinkedIn
• We Can't All Be Steve Jobs—Dressing Well Reaps Results
• Top 10 Business Clothing Mistakes
• Don't Take Your Neighbor's Bread, and other Dining Suggestions
• Be a Gracious Guest—10 Ways to Avoid Dining Blunders
• Tips for Ordering Wine at a Business Dinner
• In a Restaurant, to Introduce or Not? Tips for a Tricky Etiquette Situation
• Your Mother Was Right—The Importance of Expressing Thanks
• Etiquette for Hallways, Sidewalks, and other Walkways
• Conclusion