Accent Reduction – Top 10 Tips

1 – Imitate the desired accent and expressions of the people around you e.g. co-workers, T.V. and film characters, teachers, etc. 2 – Record yourself and check your progress continuously. 3 – Memorize useful North American slang, current idioms and expressions, etc. and integrate it whenever possible. 4 – Buy a pronunciation book. Check for […]

Become an Expert Listener

As a Communication Coach I get asked all the time “How can I improve my communication skills?” by accountants and engineers, by ESL students, by immigrants, by counsellors. I always start with the same response: “Become a great listener!” When they ask me how they can do that, I then start to break it down. […]

Quick Tip Rules for Professional Phone Duties

Through my experience working in Customer Service for a global company, plus working with SMEs (including my own) since 2000, and as a current customer service trainer, I have come to rely on a few “golden rules” of telephone management. I hope you find these useful for your business, job, internship, or when you are […]

Body Language Quick Hints

The way that we communicate non-verbally with our appearance, posture, gesture, gaze and expression can be such a powerful tool in the way that we feel and when communicating with others. The manner in which you communicate your interpersonal skills are very important.  Effective communication is vital if you are going to succeed no matter […]

Accents & Emails

Did you know that a person’s email style is often as culturally-specific as their accent? Some times we come to think of English as a standardized tool that everyone is using for business, travel, pleasure etc. and we forget that it is a living, evolving stylized language. We obviously can see this (rather “hear this”) […]

The 3-V Effect

Hello everyone! Whenever you are considering how you communicate with people, please always ensure that you are working the “3-V effect.” That is, communication consists of Verbal, Vocal and Visual elements. Verbal is your word choice. What impression or message do you want to send? Choose your words carefully, and ones that your “audience” can […]