Copying is the finest form of flattery

I was very flattered to find that there is a Communications style blog (or blodger) copying my posts - but changing a couple of words. Yes: what I say is relevant, of value and good. It's great that other people think so too.

But Guys - I know you give 'Executive Voice' a mention. I'd be even happier if you put a link to my website!! http://www.executivevoice.co.uk

Cheers!

Children are being taught to 'speak better'

In the news yesterday was an article about school children learning to speak properly. As usual there were plenty of postings on the Telegraph - and particularly the Daily Mail websites, criticising parents, the Government and teachers. One post actually said that 'Most teachers were illiterate' (could I see the figures to prove this statement...)
There is a need to address the problem of children's lack of positive communication skills - and also that of society as a whole. One could argue that this ought to be the parents' responsibility, but since this is such a problem, they are clearly not doing this, so there needs to be a strategy for improving these skills.
By poor speech, I DO NOT mean regional accents - or indeed certain Public School accents that are incomprehensible, but speaking where grammatically the language is WRONG, and also the use of slang and phrases like "Oh - My - God" - which personally I find offensive and sloppy. There is a way to speak and communicate with your friends and peers: another when you are at work.

To me there are a couple of crucial points about current communication styles. One is that there are many more people who are 'voices' in the media, who have poor communication skills: in particular grammar and pronunciation. Celebrities, footballers etc. This gives the appearance of 'being the norm', when in fact they are dreadful. These people are role models for a lot of children and of course they mimic and believe this is totally acceptable. Not only are their speaking styles sloppy, but they use poor English.
Also, it is important for young people - everyone infact, to be able to recognise what type of speech is appropriate for different situations. I delivered some training to a company where the lovely employees were 'over friendly' and 'familiar' with their use of speech with clients. Clients were being put off by this. When the employees realised that there is an appropriate language style for clients and a different one for friends, the communication effectiveness in the office increased.
Rather like we wear work and 'home' clothes, we should adopt 'work' and 'home' speech.
Here is the article>
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/primaryeducation/5227625/Children-to-be-taught-how-to-speak-properly.html

Read more from Executive Voice http://www.executivevoice.co.uk

Preparation includes remembering your trousers

Over the weekend I am sure you read the faut pas the great International Opera Singer, Bryn Terfel did which created some 'titters' in the press. I have put a link through to the article below.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/5140272/Bryn-Terfels-night-at-the-opera-with-no-trousers.html

Bryn Terfel has been performing at an international level for over 15 years. He is highly respected, is a great colleague and a number of my ex-colleagues either know him or have worked with him, and do not have a negative word to say about him. He is a great singer, colleague and friend.

BUT, I was just rather surprised that he arrived at the venue of the concert quite late - there was no opportunity to go back to the hotel to collect his trousers, or to instruct either an assistant to do so. Presumably he had a run through in the afternoon, to check the balances, the venue etc. Normally artistes take their clothes at that point - to prevent any such error. They can go back to the hotel between the rehearsal and performance to collect anything they've forgotten. As a student I worked backstage at Symphony Hall in Birmingham, looking after the International Artistes such as Jose Carreras, Jesse Norman, Monserrat Caballe etc. This is what they did. They also had assistants who were available to go back to the hotel. Clothing was always put into their dressing room at the rehearsal time!

So what can we learn from this to prevent a "Bryn" occurring. Well, I don't want to preach: I do mention this to my clients regularly but...

• Arrive early. If there are problems such as something forgotten, there will be time to go back and get it.
• Have a checklist of what you need to take. Include everything from business cards to what you will wear. Check the checklist as you pack.
• Don't be tempted to skip the 'rehearsal time' at the venue. Not only does this provide valuable experience of learning the venue's characteristics, it could also alert you to anything you've forgotten.
• It is easy to blame your assistant for not packing something. In the theatre world, the buck stops at you - so check yourself!

Good luck. More information on our services is at http://www.executivevoice.co.uk