Articles

It’s that time of year – when the newest crop of college graduates find or hope to find their place in the workforce. So, what are their job prospects? Pretty good, actually. In his May 15 commencement address at Rutgers University, President Obama told the audience, “You and your fellow graduates are entering the job market with better prospects...

Having good communication skills is beneficial for every employee, but especially in management positions where being a skilled communicator is essential. Good communication skills allow managers to create an environment of trust, understanding, and, ultimately, productivity. When managers communicate well, their employees feel connected to a...

It doesn’t matter what business you’re in: successful managers are the ones who communicate well. Most of your time is spent communicating with owners, employees, clients/customers, etc. However, in the world of business, communication is a whole lot more than just a person’s ability to talk to his or her employees. Communication is everything —...

The sad fact is that most people think that meetings are a waste of their time – and because of how most meetings are run, they’re probably right. The majority of people report that their meetings tend to be boring and unproductive. One study found that nearly 70% of employees say that meetings don’t help them get any work done. That’s not a good...

For some presenters, one of the most challenging things to do is deliver a presentation with energy and passion. Who are these low-energy presenters? Some are introverts. Some are just naturally quiet individuals. Some may even be people who fear public speaking. When we encounter such individuals as clients, our challenge is to help them deliver...

Janet Reno, America’s first woman attorney general (1993-2001), was one tough lawyer. Among the challenges she faced during her time at the Justice Department were the siege of the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas, and the fight over the custody and immigration status of a young Cuban boy, Elian Gonzalez. Reno was also tough on reporters...

It’s that time again – the annual company conference. You’re responsible for providing a detailed presentation, highlighting your company’s accomplishments over the past year and the goals ahead. This, of course, has to be done in front of everyone, which might bring about some sleepless nights for you. You’re not alone. Plenty of executives have...

Although agricultural companies sometimes prefer to stay away from the media spotlight and focus on the ins and outs of business, the truth is this: to adapt in today’s world, agricultural companies need to connect to the media. Part of this involves getting in touch with the social media strategies that every major company utilizes, but to...

Becoming a confident and effective presenter includes a lot more than just feeling comfortable in front of people, or knowing how to make eye contact with your audience (tip: stop reading off your own slides). You need to be able to read your audience (coworkers, employees, executive peers, clients, etc.) and deliver your information clearly and...