It's all in the preparation!

Perhaps I'm being over protective of my creative cousins: actors - but I have an expectation that they will be mentally prepared for any media opportunity - particularly an award ceremony. After all, if we believe the press, most of them take hours to get ready - and that's just the men; the actresses apparently have botox injections in their arm pits to avoid nasty sweat marks and weeks of wardrobe planning. So why is it that some actors let themselves down when they have to open their mouths - during acceptance speeches? Surely they are masters or mistresses of conveying words and will have prepared a response - however 'humble'.
Could it be that too much energy has been put into the appearance of said actor, or that their 7 day starvation diet, to look fantastic on the red carpet results in a fuzzy head when combined with champagne and adrenaline?
Some are great acceptance speeches: others are = well - emotional. The links below: learn from their mistakes!

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article5696225.ece?&EMC-Bltn=NMUC7A

Positive Stories from the 'High Heel and Lipstick Memo' story at the Bank of England

As a business woman I could not fail to be surprised - well horrified by the headlines and story of women finance workers at the Bank of England receiving a memo instructing them to wear heels and lipstick in the office. Here is the link from the Telegraph report.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/4421656/Women-workers-told-to-wear-lipstick-and-two-inch-heels-in-Bank-of-England-memo.html

The publicity was somewhat 'unfortunate' given the present profile of the finance sector, and it did nothing to reverse the myth (?) of sexism in the city. However, it did focus on the importance of 'image' within an organisation. It is usual for consultants to focus on the impact of physical appearance as a way to create an image. This is correct and it makes huge sense to have another person - professional or not, give you advice on the visual image you are portraying.
However, audio image - your voice - is equally important and the most important skill when you are on the telephone.

18 months ago, I worked with a dynamic Tyne side based estate agency. The majority of their business was with wealth investors from the South East, who were purchasing re-development projects and increasing property portfolios for £1M + figures. The enthusiastic staff had all had a 'make over' and they now wore a corporate 'uniform'. However, they had received feedback from
clients saying that they were put off by 'the manner' of the largely female employees. I did some research before working with them, and when calling the office, I could hear laughter, swearing and general 'horseplay' behaviour in the background. The receptionist also called me 'Pet'.
Now I spent three happy years in the North East at University, and I know that people from Tyne side are warm, friendly individuals. 'Pet' is a friendly term and not derogatory in any way. However, to a high powered business man who is wanting to invest serious money, this greeting is not welcome - and viewed with concern!
I also accompanied employees on viewings, and their interaction with potential clients was friendly - but again, not considered appropriate for the type of business relationship.
Through working with this fine group, we were able to establish an appropriate 'Speaking style' for the office: with clients and on the telephone. The employees were able to understand that in the same way as we wear work clothes, we have to adopt a particular type of 'work' behaviour and speech. We also created a framework of how to answer the phone, and awareness of behaviour in the office - to ensure nothing inappropriate was heard on the phone! Whilst not wishing to dampen the natural warmth and friendliness of the employees we were able to create a more positive, professional image that was appropriate for their business and the type of client they were attracting - and wishing to attract. As this work was conducted as a workshop: with everyone involved and valued, the whole team took ownership of this.
As a result, the employees felt they had received guidance on how to behave: the professional image they needed to adopt. For some, they had received no guidance on this before and was an invaluable skill to acquire. From the company's perspective, this changed their image in the eyes of it's employees, customers and competitors in a positive way.

So, although we can sniff at a headline about Image, it is worthwhile considering the image - visual as well as vocal, that we are projecting to our clients and competitors.

To have advice on how you can manage your vocal image, call 0844 576 3015 or email susan@executivevoice.co.uk

Positive and energising activities for this present time of doom and gloom

Last week the world class musician, Benjamin Zander led the DAVOS Conference in a performance of Happy Birthday. The conference had featured various economists and leaders spreading doom and gloom. Was each speaker trying to out-do the bad news??
Benjamin Zander blew away the black clouds that had descended by energising the delegates and leaving them with more positive feelings - and the energy to explore 'possibilities' rather than 'prepare for the recession'.
How did he do this? Through music! He invited everyone to sing Happy Birthday in a variety of ways - engaging everyone to contribute, laugh and feel part of a community. Everyone left feeling uplifted and willing to consider changing the current economic situation.
Zander is not the only person to run such a positive presentation within a conference or away day: Executive Voice regularly deliver 'icebreaker' presentations and workshops to energise delegates and teams.
This is what some of our clients have said:

"It's the best team building exercise; it reduces tension and is extremely uplifting. I thought it was a fantastic idea and definitely something I would like to use at some point in the future. I've talked about you to a number of people.! Deb Leary, CEO Forensic Pathways Ltd - at the WEConnect Conference 2008

“The vocal workshop was amazingly restorative”

“The activity had the potential to build upon later in the programme as an example of active team working”

“The vocal workshop was a really nice touch”.

Chartered Management Institute Conference

“Thanks again for yesterday. The Ladies all enjoyed your presentation; the event was buzzy from the word go and was a great success.” Sally Brett, BDO Stoy Hayward LLP

“I am writing to thank you very much for entertaining the attendees of our Ladies’ Dinner last week. It was a great idea to do some singing and generally wake us all up after all that sitting, eating and beverage consumption. I know that others enjoyed themselves, it was good fun and something a little different to the usual run of the mill. It was a pleasure to see you last week and thank you once again for your contribution in making the evening such an entertaining event.”

Veronica Cooper, Hertfordshire Institute of Directors October 2007

So: if you want your conference or away day to make a genuine change to the way your employees or delegates think - consider using Executive Voice's Services to make a REAL change.

Internships and voluntary work - the benefits

You do not need me to point out that there is more competition for jobs: I had a meeting today with a high profile financial recruitment company. They said that clients are wanting to fill posts but paying a significant cut in 'normal' salary. Also, outstanding candidates are prepared to take a cut in 'normal' salary, in order to secure A job.
So what does that mean to people entering the job market - such as graduates, school leavers or job returners after a career break? If experienced and well qualified individuals are down sizing, how can less experienced candidates enter or progress within the job market?
The Government has is encouraging large businesses to provide graduates with internships - with the hope that a significant number will then be employed full time. But how much valuable experience do you really acquire at a multi-national, where the reality is that it is unlikely an intern will be trusted to do more than the coffee run?
Small businesses: my own included, are encouraged to provide work experience and internships by local universities, but it is often a struggle to entice a student to work for a small business - yet, the experience is invaluable. Our present intern has acquired so much experience from helping us at a trade show, setting up databases, checking our websites, managing our hard drive and hard copy filing systems and accompanying us on meetings. We are hoping that our next one will help create a media campaign for particular products and services. They wouldn't get this experience from working in a multi- national - and they have proven experience to put on a CV and discuss at an interview.
Likewise, I have a client who has been a mother for 17 years, and was a highly successful bilingual PA before her career break with a degree in Modern Languages. Personal circumstances and the fact that her sons are older, has meant that she needs to work, yet she has no confidence. However, throughout her career break she has always done voluntary work: everything from PTAs to the toddler group at church and meals on wheels delivery for Old People. After some practice, my client has been able to recognise - and record on her CV, valuable experience she has that would set her apart from other candidates. Not only does she have excellent organisational skills, but she has maintained a book keeping system for funds, liaised with different organisations, fund raised, chaired meetings, communicated with different groups...... The list goes on. If she lived closer to my offices - I would employ her!
My message today is to consider what experience you have - whether it is paid, voluntary or 'work experience'. All are valuable, and could mean the chance of getting a job when you need it. Spend some time writing down all of your experience and how you could relate this to the business world or a particular job you are interested in.
Executive Voice has a telephone and email service, where individuals wanting support with identifying experience - paid or unpaid - how to write it into a CV and also how to discuss it within an interview process. Contact Executive Voice on 0844 576 3015 or susan@executivevoice.co.uk for more information.

Just call me "Ging"

Clive Hartwell was a cool dude: glossy collar length hair, shiny platform shoes and the latest cut of suit. He marched into the Sixth form introducing himself as "Just call me Clive". Dangerous, since this was a girls' school. He lasted two weeks.
Within rugby teams, they address each other with names like "Wrighty", "Johnnie", "Johno", "Simo" etc. It might appear odd to the outsider but is friendly banter and not cruel in any way.
It was with an uncomfortable feeling that I watched Prince Harry's recent experiment as a documentary maker. At one level, hearing a racist term to 'label' a member of his platoon was quite shocking, but then it became obvious that other platoon members were also being given odd names - albeit not of a racist nature. Could it be that the army has a culture that is somewhat adolescent in nature, when they are winding down or away from danger??
The third in line to the throne has a tricky career path to follow: he is always the 'spare': the understudy, and has to be kept occupied. Few would deny that he would have been accepted to Sandhurst had he not been the boss's grandson, and one wonders how many people within that organisation have had the courage to reprimand him without fearing that their progress upwards will be affected.
I am just wondering what Harry's colleagues call him? Given that Clarence House declared that he had returned from Afghanistan "A Hero" and Gordon Brown called him " A role model", I am sure he won't mind me calling him "Ging", "Plank" or even "Idiot".

Excellent Customer Care

I received the following story of customer care from a reader of this blog:

For all Who Work With Rude Customers:

An award should go to the Virgin Airlines desk attendant in Sydney
some months ago for being smart and funny, while making her point,
when confronted with a passenger who probably deserved to fly as
cargo.

A crowded Virgin flight was cancelled after Virgin's 767s had been
withdrawn from service. A single attendant was rebooking a long line
of inconvenienced travellers. Suddenly an angry passenger pushed his
way to the desk. He slapped his ticket down on the counter and said,
'I HAVE to be on this flight and it HAS to be FIRST CLASS'.


The attendant replied, 'I'm sorry, sir. I'll be happy to try to help
you, but I've got to help these people first, and I'm sure we'll be
able to work something out..' The passenger was unimpressed. He asked
loudly, so that the passengers behind him could hear, 'DO YOU HAVE ANY
IDEA WHO I AM?'

Without hesitating, the attendant smiled and grabbed her public
address microphone: 'May I have your attention please, may I have your
attention please,' she began - her voice heard clearly throughout the
terminal.

We have a passenger here at Desk 14 WHO DOES NOT KNOW WHO HE IS. If
anyone can help him find his identity, please come to Desk 14.'

With the folks behind him in line laughing hysterically, the man
glared at the Virgin attendant, gritted his teeth and said, 'F...
You!'

Without flinching, she smiled and said, 'I'm sorry,
sir, but you'll have to get in line for that too.

So do you think this was the best response???

Let's be pleasant to everyone - a New Year's Resolution

You possibly don't know that I am addicted to certain 'Reality Shows'; not the down market Big Brother rubbish, but the Strictly Come Dancing/The Restaurant/I'd do Anything/Last Choir Standing/The Apprentice type - and whilst grimacing at the singing: X Factor. I have just discovered the latest offering by Andrew Lloyd Webber to find a singer to perform at the Eurovision Song Contest later this year.
As anyone familiar with Eurovision in recent years knows: it has been impossible for any UK entry to score points in double figures yet alone win the competition. This has, in part, been due to block voting by neighbouring countries: ex-Russian satellite states awarding Russian maximum points; ditto for Balkan nations and even the Scandinavians ganging together.
Terry Wogan's camp commentary of the event became more frustrated each year, and last year he threw a hissy fit. He has since resigned. Other countries - particularly in Eastern Europe, have accused of UK not taking the competition seriously...
Now - enter stage left, ALW; the world famous musical theatre composer of great musicals including Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita. He is known and respected throughout the world and his musicals have been performed throughout Europe. He's frustrated that UK underachieve at Eurovision. Instead of grumbling about block voting he has another game plan; he's going to be 'Nice' to everyone. Once the singer or singers have been chosen and he has written the song, he's going to visit Eastern European countries with the artiste and be friendly/pleasant and introduce the music. UK probably won't win, but you can bet that:
1. Other countries will warm to the sentiment of being pleasant rather than whingy/standoffish.
2. Other countries that take the competition seriously will recognise that UK are wanting to take it seriously too.
3. Hopefully other countries will like the song, having been introduced to it before the competition and VOTE for UK (and not just one point).
4. It will restore some good will between UK and other parts of Europe.
5. Hopefully it will prevent any gas blockades by Russia to UK.

ALW is being very clever; he isn't being arrogant or confrontational; rather he is being pleasant, empathising with other nations and just, well, trying to encourage people to like him and his music.

My message to you all is: why not have a resolution to be pleasant to people this year. Have a smile on your face - which always makes your voice sound better anyway; be polite to people; hold doors open; say thank you etc.... In these challenging economic times this is something that is free and can lead to very positive outcomes.

Thank you for reading this!