Processes and procedures. 

A/E/C firms have long been hot on operations. 

What happens, though, when senior leaders teach new hires inefficient methods?

The cost of doing business like this is mind-boggling.

Productivity, morale, lost bids, and the labor shortage, to name a few. 

Senior management must know how to train and onboard new hires in new ways. 

Are you showing people how you scramble to prepare for a short-listed meeting the day before?

Do you confide that you don't know who will be in the room?

Does your team know when to speak and what to share?

Are they sharp and paying close attention to each other and the decision-makers?

I spoke recently at my local SMPS chapter on this topic.

The business development leaders unanimously agree:

They need (and want) to learn new communication and selling strategies, such as:  

• Storytelling

• Reading the room

• Body language

• Vocal pacing so that your words *land* with...

Soft skills can be hard to learn, especially if you're analytical and logical. These left-brain thinkers have careers in science, math, and the trades.

Many work in architecture, engineering, and construction.

A lack of communication and people skills translates into lost revenue and relationships.

This week, I was featured on Forbes.com. The article covers leadership and the three essential soft skills for business growth.

Storytelling is one of the communication tactics I talk about.

Read the Forbes.com post here for all three tips.

Work with a sense of urgency.

High achievers do it all the time. 

What about having a sense of urgency to improve communication skills? 

Not technology tools. I'm talking about interpersonal relationships. 

There's been a flurry of posts and infographics about communication in today's workplace.

The suggestions include: 

• Don't complain
• Be assertive and empathetic 
• Be a team player 

These recommendations are covered in cobwebs and dust. 

Hello, 2023. 

Too many industries work with a sense of urgency around technology and equipment.

But problems arise when human communication is not a priority.  

Most employees don't know the new brain science and psychology behind our communication. 

Yes, there are legit concerns about people skills. 

First, though, we must have high levels of self-awareness. 

Internal communication and narratives have to shift. As you clear out limiting beliefs, interacting with others is much...

I am LOVING my amazing client who brought in more money in Q4 of 2021 than all 3 previous quarters combined! 

Yep, John Woods beat a big competitor in the employee health benefits field.

The contract was worth $61,000.

 Here's the kicker: John had his best year—during the Pandemic! (Most of my other clients have as well )

 How did this banner year happen when John's marketing was inconsistent and paid ads didn't convert?  

 John says the results **finally** showed up…WHEN HE SHOWED UP, for himself. He made a commitment to private coaching with me. 

 And I immediately nailed John's real issue.

 It had ZILCH to do with marketing. 

 John had to clear out the blocks around his internal story and self-worth.

 John had never heard this from other coaches or consultants. 

He had to love his story --and himself--so decision-makers could appreciate his value and approach--and hire him. 

  Bottom line: If...

I want to get in front of people who can hire me; I want to grow my business! 

That’s what I’ve been hearing these past few weeks on social media and from my own client calls. 

Look, social media gives each of us access to the masses.

So, it’s not hard to get in front of people—even the right people who are your dream clients. 

Still, there’s a challenge that most entrepreneurs and coaches don’t recognize.

It’s this: What do you SAY when you get in front of your peeps?

If you’re like most of my clients, when we first start working together, they say the same thing.

You’re not alone…

• Maria thought her problem was only having a few small clients (and struggling to make money). Then she realized she needed the confidence to talk about herself in a big, bold way.
• Chris thought he wasn’t closing enough sales. Then he realized he didn’t feel worthy enough to speak up. 
• Heidi knew she...

He had the stories in his heart and his head.

But David couldn’t get them out on paper.

No, it wasn’t a sales presentation or media coaching.

David was an accomplished project manager and engineer who was referred to me by a mutual business acquaintance.

He had a personal communication project that was new to me.   

Look, I had ghostwritten nearly 1,000 posts, articles, bios, speeches, editorials and messages during my 35  years in the news and communication industry.

But never one like this.

[Access My 3-Step Stories That Sell System Now So You Can Communicate with Clarity and Confidence…and Close More Clients. Click here! ]

David needed a Father of the Bride speech for his daughter Melissa’s rehearsal dinner.

This was big; 150 people at the dinner and 500 for the wedding the next day. David knew some of the guests intimately; the others he had never met.

People would be watching.

And judging.

It could be a tough crowd.

And David—whom...