Blog Archives

Building Rapport with Confidence

6/27/2014

Your ability to establish positive and productive relationships in the business world is key to your success. The self-confidence you convey while speaking contributes greatly to how others view you. In addition, your ability to easily carry on a conversation or “small talk” tells others you are comfortable interacting in less formal settings. Confident interactions are tremendously valuable in establishing your personal and professional presence. The key to building rapport is to find a common topic that will put both you and the other person at ease. At a meeting, the rapport-building segment should be brief. At parties and receptions, it is ongoing.

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Improvisation for Business

6/18/2014

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The Roman philosopher Seneca and Oprah Winfrey have both been quoted as saying: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” There’s no getting around it, preparation is crucial if you want to achieve success in life.

I cringe when a client insists they are better when they wing it - better for them maybe but not for their audience. Time and time again we have seen what a difference preparation makes in the delivery of a presentation. A client comes in “winging it” and practically bores the audience to tears and then after putting some easy, effective techniques into play delivers his or her message again as a seasoned professional. But while we can prepare for many things, can we prepare for everything? How is that even possible?

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Conveying Your Credibility

6/12/2014

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The word credibility comes from the Latin root word credere, which means to believe or to entrust. We give credence (belief) to ideas when we accept them to be true. When you have credibility, people believe in you and they trust you. Your credibility is decided upon by other peoples’ perceptions of you and what they observe about you. The interesting thing is, if other people don’t perceive credibility in you - you will not be credible in their eyes. However, you can influence another persons’ belief in you.

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Just Plain Rude

6/6/2014

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Whether you call it manners, etiquette or common consideration for your fellow human beings, it appears it needs to be reinforced in today’s business environment. We hear so much about how to conduct ourselves in business and yet we don’t realize that our actions are speaking louder than our words when it comes to how we conduct ourselves with others. We have become so tied to our cell phones, tablets and computers that they have literally become the focal point of our world—at times appearing more important than the people we are physically with or around.

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Deborah Darling

Deborah Darling is a professional development coach, trainer and an internationally acclaimed best selling author and speaker. She is an expert in the fields of personal image, self-esteem, personal growth and development. She is the author of five books, including Upsize Woman in a Downsize World™, the international best seller Dress to Look Your Best: Fashion Secrets the Experts Don't Share and her new book PRESENT: 7 Keys to a Powerful, Persuasive Presentation. She conducts powerful, provocative workshops on all aspects of communication and personal growth and transformation. She has trained for many Fortune 500 companies in all aspects of communication and empowers her clients with the skill sets to deliver their messages with power and persuasion.
From 1997-2002 she was the national spokesperson for the largest retailer of women's plus size fashions in the world. In addition, she's been an on-camera and voice over personality for some of America's best known companies, and has appeared on numerous radio and television shows, including Hard Copy, The Richard Simmons Show and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Debbie is a facilitator for both Jack Canfield's self-esteem seminars and Dr. Teri Mahaney's Change Your Mind program.

The workshops she conducts give her the opportunity to use her skills in helping her clients identify their greatest strengths and provide them with tools to achieve their full potential. She loves to help people find their voice and gain an open, confident credible presence. Debbie's ability to recognize and build on others' fundamental strengths provides immediate results for her clients. She looks forward to working with you to achieve your goals.