Oprah Winfrey starts every meeting with these same 3 sentences

Oprah Winfrey starts every meeting with these same 3 sentencesOprah Winfrey starts every meeting with these same 3 sentencesKicking off meetings can beawkward- there might be chit-chat among colleagues about totally irrelevant topics since theyre all finally in the same space, and there are almost always stragglers and those who forget to call in well past the five-minute grace period. Somebody will probablyforgettoread the meeting agenda, someone will sit down anxiously in a rush back out there door and someone else will likely forgettheir notepad.Even after the meeting finally commences,nine out of 10 peoplewill daydream during it and73 percentof people will work on other things during it.Thats why Oprah Winfrey kicks off every meeting with the same three questions to get everyone engaged and to set clear intentions What is ur intention for this meeting?Whats important? What matters?Brendon Burchard, author ofHigh Performance Habits How Extraordinary People Become That Way, says O prah starts every meeting with those questions because high performers seek clarity. Clarity isnt something high performersgetbut, rather, its something theyseek, Burchard explains. Thats why they consistently ask themselves the following four questionsSelfHow do you want to describe your ideal self?SkillsWhat skills do you want to develop and demonstrate?SocialHow do you want to behave socially?ServiceWhat service do you want to provide?Asking themselves these questions helps them to refocus. Likewise, asking questions to start off a meeting helps attendees to refocus.In the US alone, Americans attend 11 million formal business meetings each day. That means that every meeting better be important, and the meeting agenda should be clear and simply stated. Select date for the campaignlaunch, for example. There shouldnt be any recap, review or discuss, according to Burchard.Following a detailed agenda and starting on time can reduce meeting times up to80percent. Thats important given t hat the time employees spend in meetings has risen around10 percenteach year, since 2000, which means that the average meeting length is between31 to 60 minutes.Though47 percent of Americans consider too many meetings the biggest waste of time, meetingscanbe necessary to advance a project or organization - so long as theyre constructive and intentional. If not, itdoesnt only affect the individuals involved, butwewaste$37 billionevery year on time that could have been better utilized.With Oprahs three questions, your next company meeting will be sure to result in decisions being made in an efficient manner.AnnaMarie Houlis is a multimedia journalist and an adventure aficionado with a keen cultural curiosity and an affinity for solotravel. Shes an editor by day and a travel blogger at HerReport.org by night.A version of this post previously appeared onFairygodboss, the largest career community that helps women get the inside scoop on pay, corporate culture, benefits, and work flexibi lity. Founded in 2015, Fairygodboss offers company ratings, job listings, discussion boards, and career advice.

The Express Elevator Speech What is it, whats the goal, how to improve

The Express Elevator Speech What is it, whats the goal, how to improveThe Express Elevator Speech What is it, whats the goal, how to improveWeve all been there You go to a networking event, social function, or seminar and the leader says, Before we get started, lets go around the room. When its your turn stand up, tell us who you are and what you do. Give us your elevator speech.Alternatively, youre at a gathering where the instructions were Arrive early and networkAn elevator speech is a personal infomercial that succinctly answers that question. For many, responding to that query, be it in front of a group or one-on-one, is a struggle.Some people merely give their name, the name of their company, and the products and tafelgeschirrs they offer. Thats pretty standard, but not very inspiring.If they are seeking a new position, they often awkwardly give their name, years in an industry and job they would like. Again, typical fare for this question, but not exciting.Thats misfortunate. Its a problem because the research shows speaking opportunities are business, career, and leadership opportunitiesPeople who take and make speaking opportunities grow their businesses, advance their careers, gain leadership positions, and get hired for great jobs.An elevator speech is a mini-speaking opportunity Bottom line Everyone needs a great elevator speechThe ultimate goal of an elevator speechAll elevator speeches have the same ultimate goal A conversation.A conversation with someone having a sincere interest, for themselves or someone else, in your products and services.Those wanting that conversation want details.How much does your product or service cost?What are the terms?How long has this product or service been available and what is the track record?Is there a guarantee?How is the product or service delivered?Other pertinent questions specific to their needs.On the other hand, if youre looking for a job.What specific company, companies, or industry are you looking to la nd in?What is your experience in this, or related fields?What specific skills do you possess that make you a viable candidate for this line of work?That conversation may not be with the person who heard your elevator speech. It could be with someone referred by someone who heard it. Thats one reason the Immediate Goals of an elevator speech are critical.Immediate goals of an elevator speechThe goal of all communication, verbal, written, or visual, is the same. We want the audience, as quickly as possible, to GET ITThe immediate goal of your elevator speech should be clarity and understanding.Everyone who hears it should know exactly what you do or what job you are seeking. Then, they should be able to tell others precisely what you do.Clarity is not optional. Dont be clever with words or phrases that cant be interpreted immediately. Use plain, simple language, avoiding buzzwords, acronyms, and techno-speak. You wont impress people with words they dont know. Youll lose themIf they do nt get it, theyll never be a prospect nor will they ever refer you.There are three possible outcomesNumber 1People hearing it want to talk to you right away. They want to have a conversation and get details.Number 2 They dont need what you offer, but if they ever do, they would be very comfortable having that talk with you because youve established credibility and presented yourself as an expert.Number 3They know what you do. Their radar is now up, and if someone ever says, Hey, Im looking for this product or service or someone to do this kind of work, theyll think of, and refer, you.Dis-qualifying is importantWhen networking one-on-one, usually before a scheduled program or, perhaps, at a party, one specific goal is to dis-qualify Everyone is not a prospect for the products and/or services you offer.You are not going to purchase every product and service someone tells you about.When networking, an important goal should beDont waste major time on minor possibilitiesExampleI was atte nding a chamber event, where people arrived early to network. As typically happens, people were introducing themselves to others and giving their elevator speech.One attendee was lady who sold replacement windows for older homes. She had a pretty good elevator speech for presenting to a group of people. It was easy to understand what she was selling. The product has an excellent reputation, and the firm she worked for had been in business for a number of years. If I was a prospect for replacement windows, or knew someone in the market for those, Id feel comfortable having a conversation with her or making a referral.Many attendees were not prospects for her product. They made be renters, recently purchased windows, or live in a newer home where the original ones are great. Additionally, I knew the line of windows she was selling was very high end, quite expensive, and definitely not in every homeowners budget.Delivering her entire elevator speech to people who have absolutely no int erest, or not likely to purchase her windows, was wasting their time and hers. Sure, they may know someone who may have an interest, but time is a precious commodity when networking before an event starts.A good one-on-one elevator speech will quickly dis-qualify someone.The Express Elevator Speech will do thatNumber OneIt starts with asking a question. Start by answering that question by asking one.Number TwoGive your WHY. Simon Sinek says, Its not what you do, but why you do it.Number ThreeAsk another question.I speak, coach, and write about networking, public speaking and presentation skills.The following is my Express Elevator Speech. Put the verbiage in your world.Thanks for asking what I do. Im going to answer your question by asking you one. Have you ever been an audience, watching and listening to a speaker and you think to yourself Boy That guy is good I mean, he is really good. Hes articulate, authentic, very entertaining. Obviously, he has a passion for what hes doing and Im getting a lot out of this presentation. Man I wish I could do that.Im the guy they hire to develop, practice and deliver presentations like that.The fact is, everyone who hires me knowsspeaking opportunities are business, career, and leadership opportunitiesYou probably dont know anyone who wants to improve their networking, public speaking and presentation skills, do you?Now that elevator speech will get their attention It has clarity and it ends with impact.In addition to being used one-on-one, the Express Elevator Speech can also be used when delivering it to groups. This is especially true when time is a consideration.Use this formula for developing, practicing, and delivering your Express Elevator Speech and I guarantee the next one will be absolutely, positively no sweatFred E. Miller is a speaker, a best selling author, and an international presentation coach. His books, NO SWEAT Public Speaking and NO SWEAT Elevator Speech are available on Amazon.com. His website, NoSwe atPublicSpeaking.com, has hundreds of articles and videos to help you be a better public speaker.

5 steps to outshine your competition in a job interview

5 steps to outshine your competition in a job bewerbungsgesprch5 steps to outshine your competition in a job interviewAn interview is a business transaction wherein the objective of the hiring manager (the rolle who has the authority to hire) is to make a selection among job candidates called in for interviews. A candidate has two challenges first, to convince the hiring manager that he is the ideal candidate for the position, and second, to outshine the others (i.e., the competition for the job). Following are several suggestions.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreFirst, prepare for the interview by working with a seasoned interview coach. An interview coach can practice with you certain mock-interviewing techniques, thereby helping you to not only answer difficult interview questions but also recognize traps and avoid saying the wrong things. As an interview coach, I need no less than five hours to get someone ready for the big test. If the result is to get the job, then the fee paid for such a service is merely a drop in the bucket.Second, prepare your SARBs situation/action/result/benefit. These are short vignettes about your experience, describing for the interviewer how you solved problems on the job and the results and benefits to employers. They are the tools you bring with you to the interview. If presented well, the examples will convince the hiring manager youre the right person for the job.Third, research the company. Spend some time in the public library investigating as much as you can about the company. You cannot overdo this aspect of the job search, and neither should you underestimate the importance of showing the interviewer you understandon either a macro- or micro levelthe issues the company faces. Knowing details about the company improves the cultural fit-factor.Fourth,use your personal connections via LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to discover as much information as you can about the people youre going to interview with. While doing that, attempt to find something in common with them. This is very important, because people are known to hire candidates with whom they can build a relationship even during the interview process.Andfifthand last but not less important, make sure the position youre interviewing for aligns with your own needs and desires. Consider your skills and attributes and traits. Evaluate the organizations work environment, the commute, the compensation, and the benefits. Pay attention to your gut feeling. If it feels good, make sure you clearly show your enthusiasm. This is what the hiring manager wants to buy.This article originally appeared on Personal Branding Blog.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your pr oductivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people