Yesterday I attended a large Exhibition in London. I was struck by how different organisations presented themselves within this busy, competitive market. For me, it wasn't the stands that were the largest, or that had cost the most, that drew me in. On occasions, it was the tiniest stands that didn't have all the gimmicks, that enticed me to ask questions and engage with the company.
In the end, it was down to the people manning the stands; how they presented themselves; their body language, manner and attitude that attracted my attention: and I have to say, that of others. When they appeared friendly and inviting, people responded. No matter how many chocolates and biscuits were available, it was the people themselves that made all the difference. No prize draw made up for unfriendly people!
So what can we learn from this?? As a company, you are only as good as your staff; even if you have the best products around, if you do not have staff that engage potential and existing clients, your business is going to suffer.
We support businesses of all sizes to present themselves, via their staff, to clients and potential customers. For more details go to http://www.executivevoice.co.uk
Executive Voice are delighted to be one of the Sponsors and workshop leaders for this exciting event, which takes place on 4th March at the Fielder Centre, Hatfield Business Park.
Executive Voice will be leading two showcase workshops, where we will discover how small adjustments to posture make a huge difference to the impact you make with clients and customers.
If you would like to attend go to http://www.the-bigevent.com What's even better, is that I have a 25% discount code for my readers. To receive this, contact me. with your email address and I will send it to you.
I will also be offering a one to one Vocal and Communications session (worth £100 if you come to my studio). Let me give you invaluable advice on how to make a positive impact with your clients.
Nearly half of new teachers do not feel properly equipped to deal with violence in the classroom, a survey suggests. The association of teachers, lecturers surveyed 1,001 NQTs with 49% respondents believing they had not had enough training to deal with challenging behaviour, and nearly 55% who were still training who felt they were not getting enough guidance.
One of the most challenging aspects of violence within schools is how guidelines of restraining pupils are interpreted. There have been cases of pupils complaining that undue force has been used by teachers, to stop a fight: and the complaints have had an impact on a teacher’s career. Instead of respecting that a teacher has taken reasonable measures to stop a fight, they have to justify their decisions, which make them feel vulnerable to malicious complaints by students.
During teacher training courses, it appears that this is still a skill that is not taught to students. If student teachers do ask advice, they are referred to the ‘School’s policy and guidelines’, which they do not find helpful.
Guidance by the Department for Children, Schools and Families lists the types of force teachers can use on children. This can include passive physical contact such as blocking a pupil's path and active contact such as leading a pupil by the hand or arm. In more extreme circumstances, "appropriate restrictive holds, which may require specific expertise or training", may be used, it says. However, these guidelines can be misinterpreted, and as mentioned before, still require the teacher to prove they had assessed the situation quickly and acted accordingly. Given that a lot of violent situations arise suddenly, there isn’t time to make a full risk assessment before acting.
I believe the physical aspect of intervention needs to be discussed within schools to make school policies very clear to all staff members. However, there are also other actions that staff can do in addition to physical intervention, to diffuse a violent situation. These are not covered by the CSF’s guidelines but are invaluable skills to acquire.
·Eye Contact. When communicating with the students, create eye contact with them, to engage their attention where possible. Look directly into the eyes of the student in a neutral way – not aggressive.
·Body language – ensure this is open, professional and not aggressive or threatening.
·Non-mirroring of the students’ body language – you are trying to diffuse the violence, not fuel it. Your neutral body language will influence the outcome.
·Voice – make sure you maintain a low pitch in your voice; when one is stressed it has a tendency to become high and shrill (particularly in ladies). Keep the voice clear, calm, audible and speak slowly.
·Language – use assertive language; repeating what you want as the outcome. Use non-judgemental and non-emotive language.
·Mentoring. It is essential for all teachers, that they have an opportunity to discuss challenges and ideas with a trusted confidant; preferably a more experienced teacher. Also, watching more experienced teachers dealing with challenging situations is an invaluable learning opportunity for Nqts and training teachers.
Executive Voice have produced an audio training CD “Making an Impact with your Vocal and Physical Presence” for teachers – available from Amazon.
Executive Voice also deliver INSET and after school training for groups of teachers.
Having worked in the creative industry, I have witnessed many 'feedback' sessions, where the feedback is more about the giver's ego, than the recipient's needs. This style of feedback is tolerated only because the giver often has a lot of power in casting artistes...
Of course, in the business world there are also massive egos and people that are unable to give constructive criticism since their status 'gets in the way'. Yet ineffective criticism actually devalues the "giver" if delivered in the wrong way. Here are some examples:
"Where do I start?" - Brace yourself; you're getting feedback from an expert here.
"Why did you decide to do that?" - That's a brilliant idea but I'm loathed to give you credit for it.
"I'm surprised you did that given your experience" - Let's have a dig about your 'experience' - I'm the star here.
"And when you do this next time you will need to" - Let's make sure I put my stamp on this, so that I can take credit for it.
I am sure you have many more examples of poor feedback styles you have received. The latter is particularly interesting since it has nothing to do with the task that is being criticised but about them. In all of the cases above, the comments are about the giver; establishing themselves as "the expert" and the other person as a grateful listener. Some of these comments are quite personal: particularly the "I'm surprised at..." which is a cruel and patronising put down. I envisage the giver wishing to sit on a high seat with the recipient sitting at his feet.... you know the scenario. I am interested in YOU ensuring that you give feedback without compromising on your image or risking your respect being eroded away. I have come across the "Sandwich" feedback; *Feature a positive point from the task that worked - such as the idea; the delivery; the visual element etc. *Add a recommendation "You might have considered this to make it work even better...." * Finish on another positive point.
The benefits of this are that as an expert, you are not damaging your professional image by being patronising; egotistical or jealous. You will be gaining respect from your team, but you have the opportunity to provide some advice.
Executive Voice are delighted to be involved with the BIG event on 4th March 2010 at the Fielder Centre, Hatfield Business Park, Hertfordshire.
http://www.the-BIGevent.com offers the opportunity for businesses, business organisations and entrepreneurs in Hertfordshire and the East of England to share ideas; discuss new initiatives and hear expert speakers such as James Caan; Andy Lopata; Mindy Gibbins-Klein, Julie Mayer and Penny Power. in addition there will be workshops: 2 led by Susan Heaton Wright of Executive Voice; round table discussions and networking opportunities.
As a reader of this blog, we are offering you a 25% discount on the entrance fee. Contact Executive Voice for your discount code.
We have to be so aware of the boundaries between work and home - and how we present ourselves for each. Unfortunately, due to Social Media, it is easy for potential employers to search for information about yourself; your tastes; activities - and behaviour. Social photographs, which are fun, but might not present you in the best possible light could be visible to potential employers - and they could base their decision on whether or not to employ you, on this. Within Facebook, photographs of you could be put on your 'Wall' and be associated with you - AND be visible to people wishing to find out information about you.
There are some measures you could enforce to avoid sending the wrong message about yourself:
Set up privacy options on your account, so that your photos and profile are only visible to friends.
Be careful what you include on your account.
Remove any dodgy photos.
Set up a 'professional' and 'friends' accounts and have appropriate friends for each aspect of your life.
In the end, you want to present yourself in a positive light; I'd hate it if you missed out on a great opportunity, because a photo of you in a Toga was misconstrued!
Executive Voice supports successful individuals to make an impact with their voices and physical presence in presentations, meetings, public speaking and on the media. Susan is an opera singer, who has performed as a soloist throughout UK, in France, Italy, Spain and USA, at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, The Royal Albert Hall to name but a few venues. She has worked for eminent conductors such as Sir Simon Rattle and Mark Elder and premiered works for a number of top composers including Howard Goodall and John Joubert. She has appeared on BBC1, Radio 3 and as the soprano soloist in a major TV advertisement campaign.
Yesterday I attended a large Exhibition in London. I was struck by how different organisations presented themselves within this busy, competitive market. For me, it wasn't the stands that were the largest, or that had cost the most, that drew me in. On occasions, it was the tiniest stands that didn't have all the gimmicks, that enticed me to ask questions and engage with the company.
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