http://coachdonharris.com/speech/ en-us editor@example.com webmaster@example.com http://coachdonharris.com/speech/blog.html?newsid=17 Proven Programs to Improve Your Memory

Uh-oh. Your spouse just pointed out that you forgot to pick up your 12-year-old niece, Gail, who arrived at the train station at 8:15. You have only a vague memory that your friend Dale was coming on the 8:50 train.

What happened? Although your spouse said Gail, you heard Dale—and since Dale did not need to be met, you did not listen carefully, record deeply or recall the message.

Scientific research has revealed that three core trends begin to affect brain function as early as age 30. We likely don’t notice at first, but ultimately these brain changes lead to less mental precision and weaker recall, as in the example above. Read below to find out what these changes are and why they aren’t as inevitable as once thought.

SPEED…Slower Processing

Like our bodies, our brains gradually slow down—but the speed of information coming in does not. As a result, we begin to miss details that are essential to our ability to receive, interpret and remember information.

ACCURACY…“Fuzzier” Processing

Over time, input from all our senses loses its fidelity (strength and clarity). Our sensory organs (eyes, ears, etc.) weaken and so does the brain machinery that processes sensory input. Like the grooves of an old record, the brain’s neural pathways often get fuzzier, scratchier or even distorted, making it harder to separate the static from the sound.

RECORDING…Lowered Neuro-modulatory Production

With each passing decade, our brains tend to produce fewer neuromodulators—chemicals that signal to the brain what is important enough to remember. A deficit of neuromodulators hinders the brain’s ability to record new information—in other words, its ability to learn and remember.

The brain’s ability to create clear memories depends on its processing speed, processing accuracy and neuromodulatory production. Posit Science™ has gathered some of the world’s leading authorities on the brain—scientists who have contributed to a revolutionary new understanding about changes in the brain that arise with age. The Brain Fitness Program, a novel approach to improving cognitive function in adults, is built on their research.

Please contact us with your comments or questions about improving your business communication skills or how our accent reduction programs can help you be more successful.

Don Harris, MS, CCC-SLP
Certified Speech Language Pathologist
Business Communication Coach
www.SpeakingSuccessfully.com
2008-12-27 http://coachdonharris.com/speech/blog.html?newsid=17 http://coachdonharris.com/speech/blog.html?newsid=14 Business success relies heavily on your professional image. And now you've made the decision to invest in your professional image! Competition in business can be fierce, but with our coaching you can strengthen your professional image by communicating with confidence when you network, interview, speak on the phone, deliver presentations, lead meetings or interact with your clients, staff, and friends.

We train executives, small business owners and entrepreneurs to develop powerful, persuasive and professional communication skills. Our customized training programs include accent reduction, business communication, speech therapy, voice enhancement and professional presentation skills.

Benefits For Business
• Increased customer retention and satisfaction
• Increased revenues due to increased employee productivity
• Improved organizational communication and efficiency
• Your customers can conduct business quicker and more efficiently

Clear and effective communication skills are critical to your success in today's business environment. Yet, obtaining the highest level of communication competence can be difficult. Everyday highly trained individuals are seeking employment with companies that provide global products and services throughout the world.
Although a majority of foreign born professionals have a command of the English language, they become frustrated by their inability to accurately convey information due to individual speech patterns that prevent them from being understood. These limitations may result in embarrassment or the inability to fully make valuable contributions to their companies or clients. Companies realize that good communication skills are a priority and are investing in training of their key employees.

Benefits For Employees
• Increased self confidence
• More effective and organized oral presentations
• Improved relationships with coworkers and clients
• Greater advancement opportunities
• Decreased turn around time for processing work

Accent modification for regional dialects and foreign accents includes an individual pre and post assessment. We employ many different speech improvement tools including the Compton P-ESL method. Clients who have benefited from our accent modification training include: medical professionals, graduate students, and corporate clients.

We provide evaluation and treatment in all areas of communication.

Our Specific Training Programs
• Accent Reduction Training
• Business Communication Improvement
• Presentation Skills And Public Speaking
• Speech And Voice Enhancement
• Medical Communication Skills
• Active Listening Improvement

Don Harris, MS, CCC-SLP
Certified Speech Language Pathologist
www.SpeechAndListening.com 2008-11-23 http://coachdonharris.com/speech/blog.html?newsid=14 http://coachdonharris.com/speech/blog.html?newsid=13 A workforce without sufficient English skills presents a significant challenge to global companies. Employees who are unable to process and disseminate information quickly and accurately can adversely affect the bottom line. The question is not if a lack of English proficiency impacts operations, but how much it costs a company.

Potential Annual Costs For a Workforce without Adequate English Proficiency (per 1,000 employees in US dollars).

Lost productivity
Additional time to understand, respond to, or consult information in English (average salary $50,000)
• Reading and writing emails: 2 per day, 10 minutes each--$2,000,000
• Reading technical manuals: 20 minutes per week--$400,000
• Duplicative work due to poor comprehension in meetings: 20 minutes per week--$400,000

Increased Organizational Support Needs
Checking the work of or assisting non-English speaking employees
• Managers at 1:5 manager to staff ratio (average salary $100,000): 15 minutes per day--$600,000
• Peers (average salary $50,000 at 15% staff proficiency): 30 minutes per week--$100,000

Translation Costs
Includes Translating training manuals, safety information, company policies, etc.
• Translation at $0.50/word--$500,000
Opportunity Costs
• varies by company

TOTAL POTENTIAL COSTS--$4,000,000!!

Source: GlobalEnglish.com

Don Harris, MS, CCC-SLP
Certified Speech Language Pathologist
Business Communication Coach
www.SpeakingSuccessfully.com
2008-10-26 http://coachdonharris.com/speech/blog.html?newsid=13 http://coachdonharris.com/speech/blog.html?newsid=10 Many of our foreign accent clients have a speech rate that is way too fast.

We’ll recommend the tried and true techniques of producing multi-syllabic words as if they’re individual words (hotdog would be hot-dog), tapping your finger for each word or syllable, repeating the word ‘100’ between words and phrases, taking a breath after each sentence or exaggerating vowel sounds.

However, often times when these activities are done in conversation, the client feels like he’s loosing his personality. He-will-sound-like-a-ro-bot! So he become very quiet and no longer seem to have the enthusiasm for his topic that he did when he was speaking faster.

Has this happened to you? If so, here is a technique we use that may help you solve this problem.

Videotape an evening news program. TV anchorpersons tend to speak with a moderate to slow speech rate. Have someone transcribe the monologue. Then orally read the transcript along with the anchorperson. Since it's videotaped, you’ll also be able to model some body language as well. This should help you develop a slower speech rate and mimic intonation so you won’t sound like a ro-bot!

Initially accuracy is more important than speed. You’ll need to sacrifice speed until you gain control of phrasing and pronunciation. You can easily pick up the speed you’re used to later.

Remember to practice, practice, practice and nothing takes the place of a qualified Speech Improvement Coach.

Please contact us with your comments or questions about improving your business communication skills or how our accent reduction programs can help you be more successful.

Don Harris, MS, CCC-SLP
Certified Speech Language Pathologist
Business Communication Coach
www.SpeakingSuccessfully.com
2008-10-11 http://coachdonharris.com/speech/blog.html?newsid=10 http://coachdonharris.com/speech/blog.html?newsid=8 We have had the pleasure surveying many small business owners and therapists interested in starting and expanding their practices. It has become, more than apparent; those of us who operate private practices are indeed a rare breed.

The following part two of a list of character traits exemplified by the best of us. We hope you see yourself in this list and also that you might identify possible areas of growth.

6. Stay informed and connected via professional groups

It does the heart good to know that others experience the same highs and lows as you do. These groups are great resources for developing ideas and finding solutions.

7. Take time for yourself - have outside interests

Mankind does not live by work alone!! Develop ways to unwind and redirect. Your families will looooove you for it!

8. Don't chase the money

You will never catch it!! Don't ever let you or your business be defined by reimbursement. You started this thing because you wanted to set the rules for yourself...remember?

9. Respect your employees

Sounds pretty obvious but it isn't always the case. You probably started your small business because you worked somewhere you weren't respected. Don't make the same mistake. Once your policies and procedures are in place include your staff in future growth decisions.

10. Mentor others and share your successes

Hiring a coach makes good business sense. Helping others around you to be successful makes good business sense too. We all learned from someone else. Share you knowledge and enthusiasm.

Consider hiring a Business Communication Specialist to help you outline and rehearse your speech. You'll gain confidence and professionalism. Who knows, you may even learn to LIKE public speaking!

Please contact us with your comments or questions about improving your business communication skills or how our accent reduction programs can help you be more successful.


Don Harris, MS, CCC-SLP
Certified Speech Language Pathologist
Business Communication Coach
www.SpeakingSuccessfully.com
2008-09-21 http://coachdonharris.com/speech/blog.html?newsid=8 http://coachdonharris.com/speech/blog.html?newsid=7 A List Of Character Traits Exemplified By The Best Of Us (Part One)

We have had the pleasure surveying many small business owners and therapists interested in starting and expanding their practices. It has become, more than apparent; those of us who operate private practices are indeed a rare breed.

The following part one of a list of character traits exemplified by the best of us. We hope you see yourself in this list and also that you might identify possible areas of growth.

1. Be a self-starter and a risk-taker

Your small business will be successful because you have determination and initiative. Be daring yet thoughtful in your risk taking. There is no greater rush than success and satisfaction.

2. Set goals for yourself (professionally AND personally)

Every successful entrepreneur has a plan. Goals need objectives. Start at the end and work backwards. "I know I will be successful when....” Now develop the steps to reach this goal.

3. Know your strengths and weaknesses

What do you enjoy about yourself? What do you enjoy about your current position? What do you dislike? Take stock in your skills and pleasures then design your small business to maximize these traits.

4. Take time to plan

You have to recharge your batteries and tweak your plan. Invest in yourself. Otherwise, you'll be too busy doing the 'job' to notice that growth isn't occurring. Stagnation is not a good business result!

5. Value your time - YOU are the most expensive employee

You are the greatest asset your business has! Don't get bogged down in the minutia. You should be constantly working at improving your business. Hire someone to water the plants and buy stamps.

Stay tuned for Part 2.

Consider hiring a Business Communication Specialist to help you outline and rehearse your speech. You'll gain confidence and professionalism. Who knows, you may even learn to LIKE public speaking!

Please contact us with your comments or questions about improving your business communication skills or how our accent reduction programs can help you be more successful.

Don Harris, MS, CCC-SLP
Certified Speech Language Pathologist
Business Communication Coach
www.SpeakingSuccessfully.com
2008-09-05 http://coachdonharris.com/speech/blog.html?newsid=7 http://coachdonharris.com/speech/blog.html?newsid=5 ‘6 Good Reasons Why Reading Your Speech or Presentation is Not a Very Good Idea’ (Part 2)

Have you ever attended a conference or workshop and the presenter reads his PowerPoint presentation to you? How did you feel? Bored? Put out? Did you feel like he was wasting YOUR time? Did you learn anything? If you're a nervous or anxious presenter, you may think reading is a quick and dirty way to get it 'over with'. Trust me, it's not.

Here is part two of our ‘6 Good Reasons Why Reading Your Speech or Presentation is Not a Very Good Idea’.

4. When you're reading, you're not connecting with the audience. Your eyes are down on the paper or up at the screen. Your eyes need to be on your listeners.

5. Most of us are not able to present without notes. Prepare your notes in an outline. This way you can keep your place, not leave out anything important and you'll be able to keep the audience engaged. You'll appear relaxed.

6. A good presentation needs a lot of rehearsal. Rehearsing your speech will give you the confidence necessary to ensure topic knowledge, pronunciation, time management and vocal quality. Reading will not replace rehearsing.

Consider hiring a Business Communication Specialist to help you outline and rehearse your speech. You'll gain confidence and professionalism. Who knows, you may even learn to LIKE public speaking!

Please contact us with your comments or questions about improving your business communication skills or how our accent reduction programs can help you be more successful.


Don Harris, MS, CCC-SLP
Certified Speech Language Pathologist
Business Communication Coach
www.SpeakingSuccessfully.com
2008-08-24 http://coachdonharris.com/speech/blog.html?newsid=5 http://coachdonharris.com/speech/blog.html?newsid=3 Have you ever attended a conference or workshop and the presenter reads his PowerPoint presentation to you? How did you feel? Bored? Put out? Did you feel like he was wasting YOUR time? Did you learn anything?

If you're a nervous or anxious presenter, you may think reading is a quick and dirty way to get it 'over with'. Trust me, it's not.

Here is part one of our 6 Good Reasons Why Reading Your Speech or Presentation is Not a Very Good Idea.

1. You'll bug the heck out of your audience. They're thinking "Stop wasting my time, I can read'. They came to hear your thoughts and experiences. Take the time to teach not read.

2. When we communicate, 80 % of all meaning is nonverbal. When you read your speech or PowerPoint slides you're stiff, your voice is monotone and your speech rate is too rapid. You lose all your enthusiasm. You're audience will fall asleep.

3. The vocabulary we use when we speak about something is very different from the vocabulary we use when we write about it. If you're reading a script, the vocabulary is probably too technical. You run the risk of losing newbies or English as a second language listener. Business language is also difficult to read.

Stay tuned for Part 2.

Consider hiring a Business Communication Specialist to help you outline and rehearse your speech. You'll gain confidence and professionalism. Who knows, you may even learn to LIKE public speaking!

Please contact us with your comments or questions about improving your business communication skills or how our accent reduction programs can help you be more successful.

Don Harris, MS, CCC-SLP
Certified Speech Language Pathologist
Business Communication Coach
www.SpeakingSuccessfully.com
2008-08-07 http://coachdonharris.com/speech/blog.html?newsid=3