Lightening Up!

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Posted by Ben Decker | July 24, 2013 | 3 Comments | Tweet this

True or False: To be taken seriously, you have to be serious?

False. People buy on emotion and justify with fact. Whether we’re presenting at a quarterly business review (QBR), in front of your board or simply touching base in a one-on-one meeting, we have to be light!

But don’t just take my written word for it – watch my face and see for yourself. Notice the difference between when I lighten up my face – and when I do not.

You’ll also learn the #1 tip I share with top executives.

Lighten up! Remember, you might feel a disparity – usually when it feels like an ear-to-ear grin, it’s barely a smile. Watch yourself on video if you can. No matter what, try to overdo your smile.

 

Virtual Meetings, Naturally

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Posted by Kelly Decker | June 13, 2013 | 1 Comment | Tweet this

How do you communicate effectively when you’re connecting via Skype, Google Hangout or a GoToMeeting video conference? I participate in at least 10 meetings every month from behind my computer screen, and I have great news: There is a magic key – a golden ticket, if you will – to … Continue reading →

Decrease Your Disparity Gap

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Posted by Kelly Decker | May 15, 2013 | 0 Comments | Tweet this

Who do you see when you look in the mirror? Is it the same person your boss, your family, your audience and everyone else sees? All of us, men and women, alike, can be our own harshest critics. That’s why Dove’s Real Beauty Sketches campaign immediately went viral (as did … Continue reading →

Communicating Likability

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Posted by Bert Decker | May 1, 2013 | 0 Comments | Tweet this

In effective communicating, it’s not just important to be likable, but to exude likability. Proof? The Voice vs. American Idol. Are you an old time addict of American Idol as I was? I even blogged on how critical confidence was for success – probably my favorite Idol of all time … Continue reading →

Video Blog: Gary Vaynerchuk knows influence

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Posted by Ben Decker | April 6, 2011 | 5 Comments | Tweet this

It’s gotten easy to sit behind a computer and communicate, but we know that in order to influence change, to motivate others, to connect with people — we have to get in front of them. I had the chance to see Gary Vaynerchuk at a book signing this morning (practically at … Continue reading →

Video Blog: Toyota video conference to rally workers

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Posted by Ben Decker | March 5, 2010 | 1 Comment | Tweet this

As many of you have seen, Toyota put on a large-scale video conference with 7,000 employees this morning. This is a great example of using video communication to connect in a business setting. Here’s a video blog about the critical nature of connecting in business, exemplified by this morning’s Toyota … Continue reading →

Disguised Decay

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Posted by Bert Decker | February 5, 2010 | 12 Comments | Tweet this

“Status quo is disguised decay.” -Pete Wilkinson The truth is, status quo is a facade. You’re either improving or decaying. Some have put it that you are either growing or you’re dying. True. There is no in between. What’s your goal as a communicator? To improve specific behavioral skills? To … Continue reading →

Video Blog: 1×1 Feedback for Mayor Gavin Newsom

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Posted by Ben Decker | December 1, 2009 | 1 Comment | Tweet this

Thank you for all the response on my last video blog! I’m happy to keep them coming, so here we go with a second quick video where I’ll talk about communication in the news. Remember, I also want to give you feedback! Video tape yourself at a meeting or giving … Continue reading →

Video Blog: Carrie Prejean on the Today Show

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Posted by Ben Decker | November 12, 2009 | 10 Comments | Tweet this

Here’s my first attempt at a video blog! This is hopefully one of many quick videos where I’ll give feedback for communication in the news. I also want to give you feedback! Send me a video of you giving a presentation, doing Q&A, or rehearsing a speech (less than 10 … Continue reading →