The Complexity and Power of Words

The interesting thing about words is that they have different meanings to different people, even when using the same language, due to the way we process, filter and finally understand information. What does a word mean to you? Does it mean the exact same thing to every member of your family, community, country or language […]

FYI – In Japan

Do you know this shorthand? FYI? It means “For Your Information.” It’s a great way to save time and space in text mail and email. We even can use it in actual speech! E.g. “John, I’ll see you at 6pm for dinner, and FYI, it’s your turn to pick up the tab!”  (Pay the bill). […]

A Sandwich Needs Bread Too!

I am surprised by the number of emails I get where a new contact i.e. a stranger is emailing me for the first time and they just send me a one-liner, with no polite introduction or sign-off. For example: Hi, I need to improve my English – what should I do? Or Hello, How can […]

Talk to Trusted Friends and Mentors

As a Communication Coach I get the opportunity to meet and work with people from all walks of life. Sometimes what they are lacking, in addition to “ideal” interpersonal or professional communication skills, is a person or two in their life who they can ‘bounce things off of’, before they go ahead and make a […]

Further to your request…

“Further to your request, I have attached my resume.” “Further to your request, I am faxing you the contract immediately.” “Further to your request, I am happy to join you for lunch.” Which sentence does not fit in? If you said the last one, you are correct. This is a great expression to use, but […]

“What is NLP and how can I use it to improve my communications?”

This was a valid question given to me recently by one of my coachees. At first NLP can seem (and sound) daunting and scientifically complicated, but I can help you simplify it and use it everyday. First of all, NLP stands for Neuro-Linguistic Programming. If you are thinking “brain-language training” you are correct. NLP assists […]

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”) […]