Taking time to ? b/4 given the 411:  It has been said that absence makes the heart grow fonder.  Have you missed me since I haven’t written anything?  It has become apparent to those around me that I have a lot going on and less time to just sit and enjoy.  Do you ever feel that way?  Has your communication become rushed and you are always looking for a shortcut to get “IT” said?

It is time to slow down and think more about your communication.  I use a very simple 3 step process for preparing my communication.

Audience

• What do they already know?
• What do they need to know?

Purpose

• How do I support my message to them?
• What data will provide best results?

Goal

• How will I know if they got the message?

This simple 5 question example above proves timeless when thinking of communicating with others.  I can write more effective emails, hold better meetings and prepare for a conference call with the knowledge that I have my audience in mind.

What do you do to prepare for your audience?  Are you giving your audience what they need to make a difference?

Spend a few minutes before your next meeting, email or call and ask yourself these questions.  It will give you the clarity of mind to deliver a very powerful message that everyone understands.

Keep it real! Tell it like it is... What's the 411, lowdown, and skinny?  It is this, real people use their background, history, experiences interwoven in presentations and business communication to make and keep it real for their audience. 

Keeping it real makes it interesting for the audience to hear and it helps them stay focused on you, the speaker.  If you have had expereinces renting cars that were funny and your presentation is about service, use the stories to make a point.  Use the stories that have given you frustration, joy, laughter or pain to make examples, analogies, etc.

I often use my children, their mother and family events in classes that I train on leadership, presentations and communication. 

For example, I have watched my daughter, a softball catcher get run over by girls twice her size when they steal home.  My daughter jumps up with her hair a mess, her gear in disarray, and occasionally a tear running down her cheek, all while yelling how many outs, where the runners are and where to throw the ball if hit.  Softball is her business and leading a team is her game.  She is a leader, and she has persistence, vision and passion for the game and team members.  That is a true leader and thus, the end of my point...

Make it real by including those events in your life that occur with tears and laughter, look into your past for what has changed you and the way you think about things.  Use these topics to make your point known.  Adults love to hear stories and when a message, similar to parables, fables, etc, are derived all the better.  They will listen and remember.  That is the 411 of presenting and communicating in business.