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How to be an Effective Communicator for Presentations
October 24, 2024
There is an old saying in Chinese, “To stand like you are a pine tree (Zhan Ru Song),” symbolizing steadiness. Today, Coach Ric introduced us to a new tree to mimic during presentations: the palm tree. It represents both steadiness and natural flexibility. The session was packed with theoretical and practical advice, including RSVP (Rhythm, Speed, Volume, Pace) for voice and PPP (Pleasure/Pain Principle). My personal favourite, though, is his honesty about how he, a native speaker and communication coach, still practices his speeches and looks for improvement constantly. Check out this month’s material here.
How to Best Facilitate Meetings
September 26, 2024
After chairing and participating in countless meetings, I still find myself trying to fill every minute. In today’s session, I realized that planning for just 75% of the “true meeting time” can actually make meetings more effective and manageable. Using transition words also helps keep the conversation flowing smoothly without awkward gaps. Another great tip from Coach Ric is how to handle distracting conversations: we should be supportive listeners while staying focused on the agenda in the group’s best interest, offering to follow up later if necessary.
You can find this session’s presentation here: Strategies for Meetings and read the handout for Useful meeting phrases .
Negotiation at Work
June 27, 2024
I thought workplace negotiation was a relatively new concept in Asian culture, but Coach Ric apparently learned some valuable lessons about price negotiation in China. When it comes to salary negotiation, however, Ric’s personal story and his 3L approach remind us that it is in a company’s best interest to save money if you don’t negotiate.
Key takeaways (click to expand)
- – Do not negotiate when emotions run high.
- – Ask probing questions when stuck (and remember the negotiation orange!).
You find the full presentation and quoted video and article links here.
Let’s Talk about Performance Reviews
May 23, 2024
From pilaf in Uzbekistan to DAWA, this month’s talk was fun and engaging. Ric revisited the recurring theme of being “open to all cultures” and spoke about the rarely discussed topic of “performance reviews,” including how to handle the emotions that come with negative feedback.
Key takeaways: be proactive with your performance reviews
- – Self-evaluate often
– Keep supporting records (emails, memos, chat comments, etc. from customers, team and management)
– Squeeze ‘good deeds’ into chit-chat
You can find this session’s presentation here: Let’s Talk about Performance Reviews
Small Talk and Everyday English
April 25, 2024
This month’s topic is Small Talk and Everyday English. Ric shared why small talk is helpful for building connections and trust in both business and non-business settings. He also provided useful templates for initiating small talk, as well as strategies for asking questions.
Key takeaways for small talk (click to expand)
At every opportunity, try your new small talk skills with clerks, sales staff,
and bank tellers, and anyone that is paid to talk to you! Get good at it so it’s there when you need it for dates, networking, interviews, client meetings and any other time you need to strike up a conversation or keep one going with a new colleague, friend or even a stranger. By practicing all the time, you are much more comfortable when the important meeting, interview or date comes around. Practice really helps a lot here. Pay attention to their words, voice and body language. Pay attention to YOUR words, voice and body language as well! – Coach Ric
You can find this session’s presentation here: Small Talk and Everyday English
Small Talk Helpers – Starting Phrases PDF, Word Doc
Best Strategies for Newcomers
March 28, 2024
We kicked off this year’s series with a wonderful presentation about Ric’s personal journey of connecting with different cultures and stories of people he has coached from diverse backgrounds, including Russia, Korea, Hong Kong, Pakistan, and China. He believes these six strategies will help newcomers to Canada adapt to and thrive in a new culture.
Best strategies for newcomers (click to expand)
1. Be curious, do research, ask questions. Be proactive, not passive.
2. Connect with ‘tribes’ (country, profession, non-profit etc.) to understand and integrate faster.
3. Be open to other cultures and customs, and share your own.
4. English: survival, practical/everyday, academic, business. Idioms, slang and cultural references are everywhere, including in your industry. Don’t live in a bubble.
5. Get help when needed. Hire someone, make a strategic friend, join a group.
6. Be friendly, professional, easy-going and approachable, brave and determined. Take charge of your life!
- – Coach Ric
You can find this session’s presentation here: Best Strategies for Newcomers