SPEECH

Proven Programs to Improve Your Memory

2010-04-03

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

The American Bounce

2010-03-11

Learning to speak in the rhythm of an American can be a little tricky. The 'American Bounce' is slower and more deliberate than the 'intonation' of many other languages.

One of the easiest (and least expensive) ways to learn the 'American Bounce' is by watching television (especially soap operas). Study the mouth movements of the speakers. Try to repeat what they say and copy their intonation and rhythm.

Slow down your speech until you've learned the different intonations and rhythms of English. If you speak too quickly we will have a harder time understanding you.

And please don�t be concerned about your listener becoming impatient with your slow speech, accuracy is way more important than speed!

Don Harris, MS, CCC-SLP
Certified Speech Language Pathologist
www.SpeechAndListening.com

The Benefits For Improving Communication Skills

2009-08-02

Are your communication skills preventing you from obtaining your business or personal best? How would your company benefit from corporate speech improvement training?

Speaking Successfully is dedicated to helping you achieve your goals in the workplace and at home. There isn't any reason why your communication skills should be holding you back. We want you to be wildly successful!

Our Business Communication Specialists will help you modify or soften your accent so you will be better understood by your customers, your friends and your boss.

Employee Benefits
� Greater advancement opportunities mean greater chances for a better career
� Increased professional performance
� Increased customer satisfaction - face-to-face and over the telephone
� Increased confidence: professionally, socially, and personally
� Improved organizational communication and efficiency

Employer Benefits
� More effective and efficient communication with customers
� Increased productivity and effectiveness because your teams can do more work
� Decreased costs because now you don't have to supervise so closely
� Increased staff loyalty since opportunities for advancement are more available
� Increased customer retention and satisfaction

Who Benefits from Training?...ANYONE!

Physicians, pharmacists, engineers, accountants, bankers, teachers, college students, teenagers, receptionists, executive assistants, managers, public speaker, trainers, sales reps, call centers, people with foreign or regional accents, clergy, coaches�anyone!

Don Harris, MS, CCC-SLP
Certified Speech Language Pathologist
www.SpeechAndListening.com

Best-Kept-Secret Career: Accent-Reduction Specialist

2009-04-06

Snapshot: A customer-service person in India speaks perfect English but wants his accent more clearly understood by Americans. A Chinese scientist at a government lab speaks poor English and in such a heavy accent that it's hard to understand him. A corporation has executives with thick Brooklyn, African-American, Latino, or southern accents, and the company believes they'll be more credible if they sound more like a TV news anchor. These are typically the clients of accent-reduction specialists, also known as accent neutralization or accent modification specialists. Demand for this specialty is strong. Most accent-reduction specialists come from the ranks of speech therapists or English-as-a-Second-Language teachers.

Getting there:

Typical qualifications: a master's or Ph.D. in speech-language pathology, a license in speech-language pathology in your state, or a specialty credential in accent reduction or ESL training.

Reported by US News & World Report

Don Harris, MS, CCC-SLP
Certified Speech Language Pathologist
www.SpeechAndListening.com

Specialized CD - Speech & Language Integration Classic 1

2009-02-18

TLP Specialized CD - Speech & Language Integration Classic 1

The relation of the ear and language is today, undeniable. Yet it was Dr. Tomatis who discovered a simple, basic fact, just decades ago. It's known as The Tomatis Effect. The voice reproduces only what the ear hears. The Tomatis Effect is held in high regard in relation to our development of Music-Based Auditory Stimulation.

Speech & Language Integration Classic CD 1 has a very significant emphasis on the frequencies fundamental to our understanding and production of spoken language by focusing stimulation of the fundamental frequencies for many languages, especially in North America.

The Benefits You Can Expect

Speech & Language Classic CD 1 is appropriate for enhancing your receptive and expressive language, sense of melody, pitch discrimination, fluency, voice modulation and control. It may be used during silent or out loud reading activities at a low volume. Many find this CD very helpful to listen to prior to speaking on the phone for long periods of time, before a public speaking engagement or presentation, and while writing.

It may also be used in connection with vocal exercises and may have some benefit with second language acquisition. This is a tremendous tool for voice coaches, reading and learning specialists, speech and language pathologists and those working with communication difficulties. It also proves helpful developing your attention, memory and concentration. You may practice active listening with SL Classic 1 but you might also want to hum, sing or explore your voice during your listening sessions.

With the emphasis of the speech and language frequency band, especially with the fundamental frequencies and lower harmonics of the strings in the right channel and reduction of volume to the left ear. The SL Classic 1 can be useful in reinforcing right ear laterality.

Call our Certified Provider today at 509-833-3264 or Contact Us Online to further discuss the many ways The Listening Programs and the TLP Specialized CDs will benefit you and your family.

Don Harris, MS, CCC-SLP
Certified Speech Language Pathologist
Business Communication Coach
www.SpeakingSuccessfully.com

Proven Programs to Improve Your Memory (Part 1)

2008-12-27

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

Business Communication And Speech Improvement Programs

2008-11-23

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

The Cost of Communication Barriers

2008-10-26

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

Are You Talking Too Fast?

2008-10-11

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

A List Of Character Traits Exemplified By The Best Of Us (Part Two)

2008-09-21

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