When it comes to communicating, the biggest threat is ourselves. 

Here is a great read about the barriers [from hodu.com]:

Seven Barriers to Great Communication

It's not always easy and often takes a lot of determination. But making an effort to remove the obstacles - tangible and intangible - that stand in our way, can be the key to building relationships that really work

by Eric Garner

Click here to read the rest

The 3-phases of Responding to a Question

If anyone asks a person during in an official situation such as a meeting, presentation,
etc, an average person (whose primary language is not English) would mostly answer
in one sentence, or two. This is not an ideal way of structuring the answer, and you
are advised to follows guidelines below:

Example of a Less Appropriate Response:

Q: "Please tell me what you have in mind regarding North Korea."
A: I think that the issue must be dealt between the South and the North first."

Example of an Appropriate Response:

Q: "Please tell me what you have in mind regarding North Korea."
A (Phase 1): "Well, thank you for asking me that question."
(Acknowledging the nature of the question)
A (Phase 2): "As you may know, the issue on the North Korea is global."
(Generalization without telling much what you have in mind)
A (Phase 3): "However, I believe that the issue must be dealt between the
South and the North first."
(Your answer)

You can switch (2) and (3).
If asked with a close-ended question, you may answer with YES or NO, and
then proceed as instructed above.

Three Forms of Questions

Lawyers are trained to ask certain type of questions in order to get a certain type of response.

Here are the three types of questions.

(1) Open-ended Question:

An open-ended question helps the person to give more details and
explanations when answering to your question without leading to the “Yes”
or “No” answer.

- Mostly used in friendly situations (to familiar persons)
- Answer usually does not come as “Yes” or “No”
- Usually not hostile in terms of nature of the question

Ex) Please tell me your idea on... / I wonder if you have any idea on…

(2) Direct Question:
Starts with what, why, where, when, who, and how
A direct question usually starts with “What,” Why,” Where,” When,”
“Who,” and “How.” You will expect the person to give more details and
explanations when answering to your question but usually in a limited way.

- Casual, informal, not heavy, can be considered as not serious
- The answer can be too simple, or sometimes too direct.
- Can be risky when overused in business situations (too direct)

Ex) What did you do ...? / Where did you put…? / Why did you…?

(3) Closed-ended Question:

A close-ended question only expects the answer with “Yes” or “No.”

- The answer is mostly “Yes” or “No” (or “I don’t know”)
- Can be risky when overused in business situations (too direct)
- Good for interrogation?

Ex) Did you have…? / Do you have…? / Are you able to…?

What's Your Body Language Saying?

Whether we realize it or not, body language is a major player in communicating.  We can hear the words coming out of someone's mouth, but body language can give us a sense of if it is true or not.  Those that can read body language (and most of can read the basics) have a powerful tool that can be helpful in all sorts of business situations. 

Click here to read an article about body language.

Employee Communications in a Global Economy

A Presentation about changes in Employee Communications in today's Global Economy.

Employee Communications in a Global Economy

View more PowerPoint from jtreem

Don't blame the device

“What we got here is…failure to communicate.” (Captain, Road Prison 36, “Cool Hand Luke”)

We use many types of communciation tools today to stay in touch with just about everyone.  Whether it is through mobile communications, internet or snail mail, we are literally constantly connected to each other if we like it or not.

What we need to understand that these are merely tools.  What we use to communicate may not be the problem, but the way we speak or write and listen or read usually is.  And I am not just talking about the language barriers.  Even if we are communicating in our mother tongue, there are still problems that arise.

So focus on the way you speak or write and the way you listen and read to improve your communications skills rather than blaming it on the means of communciation.

Greetings All!

This blog will be a source for those who wish to become familiar with the tools necessary to conduct business and social interactions across borders.

If you want to chit chat with foreigners or need to enhance your presentation skills, this site will cover all the bases.

Stay tuned to gain the skills you need in order to confidently communicate in the world of business today.