by Katie Mead

   This article was originally published in The Productivity Institute (PI) Newsletter

When opportunity knocks, it’s important to answer, right?

Success in business depends upon the integration of many factors.  Commitment, excellent organizational skills, courage and vision are all important.  Choosing a direction and consistently working toward it is imperative.  All this, combined with an excellent business offering, will ensure that you’re poised to act when opportunity comes knocking.  Maintaining the momentum required for growth and advancement is important; however, is every opportunity worth the leap?

Success at all costs
Many of us were taught that in a job interview we must land the job – no matter what.  Once you’ve got the job then you can decide whether or not you want it.  However, chances are this tactic will not guarantee your career satisfaction; nor will it reflect well on your reputation.  Instead, what if you assessed each opportunity’s suitability based on its potential fit?  Approach each meeting from a fact-finding perspective and remember: as a job-seeker it is important that you ‘audition’ the prospective employer, as well as the other way round.

As a business owner, you may be faced with similar situations.   When a prospective client approaches you to provide a service not within your area of expertise, there may be the temptation to take the job.  If someone wants you to repair their stucco but you’re an expert roofer, this is probably not the best opportunity for you.

Fear of refusal
As a small business owner, or when just starting out, it might seem dangerous to turn down any opportunity.  Keep in mind that if you take every job that comes your way, there may be repercussions.  Due to inexperience you may end up doing substandard work, or the learning curve may be too steep.  You may spend too much time, bite off more than you can safely chew and develop a reputation for being unprofessional.  You may have been offered the job once, but chances are you won’t receive the same opportunity twice.

When faced with any opportunity, take a good look at its viability.  Make a list of pros and cons; determine exactly how much time, paid and otherwise, the job requires – what other projects might you have to pass up to ensure you’ve got the bandwidth to continue?  What level of job satisfaction is attainable if you take the project or position?  Are you setting yourself up for success by committing to a task you can excel at?  Will you be proud to list the finished project on your resume or as part of your portfolio?

In for the long haul
Much of this decision comes down to your mindset and confidence level.  You may be afraid that passing on an opportunity might mean that you won’t get the chance again – probably this isn’t true.  Instead, if you have the foresight to honor your strengths as well as respect your limitations, you will ensure that you complete every task you accept successfully, with professionalism and verve.

A one-time opportunity is great, but true success and longevity are dependent upon repeat business.  By passing on opportunities that don’t speak to your strengths, you’ll wow prospective clients with your honesty and integrity and guarantee that they seek you out in the future.  Refer business to colleagues and you’ll develop professional relationships that are supportive and lucrative.  All of these factors will come together to create an abundance of opportunities for you.

This anonymous quote sums it all up:  “To recognize opportunity is the difference between success and failure”.  Have the courage to distinguish the great from the mediocre and when opportunity truly knocks, go for it.

Katie Mead is the co-founder of Springboard Consulting, Katie is a passionate about good communication.  From a diverse background in the fine arts, she has developed a proven track record of success working in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. Her particular areas of expertise include marketing, grant writing, non-profit resource building and management, fundraising, and the design and launch of various keynote projects and events.  Katie can be reached at:  katie@springboardconsulting.ca

by Katie Mead

   This article was originally published in The Productivity Institute (PI) Newsletter

Walking into a crowded room full of professional people you don’t know can be stressful; it can even be terrifying.  However, networking is an essential tool for the successful business person, and though phone and email exchanges are invaluable, there’s nothing like the face-to-face meeting to make a real connection. 

So, unless you’re naturally extroverted or come from a solid performance background, you might be interested in a few tips to ensure that great first impression so crucial for forging profitable, sustainable, long-term partnerships to help build your business and make sure it continues to thrive.

1. Dress the part 
It may seem insignificant, but a first impression starts here.  What is your business?  Who is your target market?  What connections are you looking to make?  If you own a funky skateboard shop your ‘business casual’ might be different than that of the partner in a successful accounting firm.  Just remember that people will probably make assumptions about you and your business practices based on the image you project – your clothes are a part of the total package.  If you look sloppy, does it mean your business habits might be sloppy also?

2. Jokes: avoid them 
Although a couple of witty off-the-cuff comments might inject some levity into an otherwise awkward situation, you’ll want to be very careful.  Humour is subjective and if you launch into your stand-up routine, however well-intended, you may risk offending your new acquaintance.  Being known as charming and funny is great, but no one wants to be branded obnoxious.  Keep away from controversial topics, keep your comments on the conservative side and pick up on body language cues – this will reduce the likeliness of a major gaffe.

3. Use the person’s name
Not only will this help with memorization, it will indicate to your listener that you consider them important enough to pay attention to what they’ve said.  This will help personalize the conversation and will show that you are engaged by what the other person is saying.  And the next time you see them, when you’re able to remember their name, this will really impress them.

4. Cultivate excellent listening skills 
This doesn’t have to be complicated: as the other person talks, let them know subtly that you are paying attention.  Compliant head nods and comments like, “I see what you mean” are good ways to do this, and if you require any clarification don’t be afraid to ask questions.  Let the other person be the centre of the conversation.  If you monopolize the conversation, you risk being perceived as a selfish person. 

Instead of talking incessantly about yourself, make sure to ask questions of the other person and really listen to what they have to say.  While being polite, you will learn much more about the other person, better situating yourself to be of service to them in a business capacity.  Be an active listener and never interrupt anyone who’s talking to you.  Not only is this rude, but it will definitely work against a good first impression.

All of this, combined with an open smile, clear speech, and a good, firm handshake will definitely help your chances of making a great first impression.  The last ingredient is experience.  These tips will help, but the best thing you can do for your business is to conquer your reluctance and just get out there. 

Each time you enter the room and each time you approach a total stranger, the exercise will get easier – take advantage of the networking opportunities available to you and hone those skills.  Presumably your business excellence will keep them coming back.  But you’ve got to meet prospective clients in the first place.    
   
Katie Mead is the co-founder of Springboard Consulting, Katie is a passionate about good communication.  From a diverse background in the fine arts, she has developed a proven track record of success working in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. Her particular areas of expertise include marketing, grant writing, non-profit resource building and management, fundraising, and the design and launch of various keynote projects and events.  Katie can be reached at:  katie@springboardconsulting.ca

by Katie Mead

   This article was originally published in The Productivity Institute (PI) Newsletter 

These days, regardless of your business or industry, chances are your most effective communication tool is your website.  Conversely, a poorly written, poorly designed or out of date site can be a great liability.  Assuming you know what you want to say, using your site as an effective vehicle for communication often comes down to two things: content and formatting.  Both are essential, so here are some tips to maximize your efforts:

Content
1. Stick to the point
Who are you and what do you do?  Hitting these points may sound obvious, but are often overlooked.  Attention spans are short – a new visitor to your site is only willing to spend about 30 seconds exploring – it’s essential that you make a powerful impression.  Don’t make them search for information about you or your services, and keep the information useful – to them, not you.

2. A call to action
General overviews are a nice way to start, but keep them short.  People need to know what you want them to do, and how to do it.  Leave no room for interpretation or even subtlety – don’t hint!  Be direct and you’ll get your point across.

3. The personal touch
There’s something intimate about reading text on the web: while remaining informative, keep  your writing personal and conversational.  Attention to tone will help get your point across without seeming aggressive.  Writing naturally will enhance personal buy-in and engage your audience – it’ll also make your text easier to read.

Formatting
1. Head it up
It can be hard to read text online.  Help your readers by using lots of subheadings.  Start at the top with a catchy headline and provide links to the subheads.  Break up the text by formatting the subheads so that they stand out from the surrounding text.  Know that your readers are going to scan your article – make sure the subheads easily tell the bare bones of your message and you’ll draw them in. 

2. Faster than a speeding bullet
Bullet points jump out and will draw your readers’ attention.  Use text sparingly, but bullets liberally.  Wherever possible, condense ideas to lists of easily-read bullet points.

3. Emphasis
Used sparingly, italics can be a powerful tool.  People imagine they can hear the tone of your words; know how italics can impact the way your message comes across and use them appropriately. For example:
Our writing has impact. 
Our writing has impact.
Our writing has impact.
All slightly different, conveying a slightly different message – help your readers hear what you want to say.

4. To be so bold
Don’t overdo it, but used occasionally, bold text stands out.  Write your headings in bold text and you’ll get your point across.

So while writing for the web requires some different skills than writing print copy, some of the basic tenets remain the same:
• Write well: pay attention to correct grammar and spelling,
• Write with purpose: have something of value to say and say it well, and
• Write for your audience: always remember who you’re writing for and why they should be interested.

Keeping all this in mind can be quite a juggling act but a well-written site that broadcasts your message is definitely worth the effort.

Katie Mead is the co-founder of Springboard Consulting, Katie is a passionate about good communication.  From a diverse background in the fine arts, she has developed a proven track record of success working in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. Her particular areas of expertise include marketing, grant writing, non-profit resource building and management, fundraising, and the design and launch of various keynote projects and events.  Katie can be reached at:  katie@springboardconsulting.ca

by Katie Mead

   This article was originally published in The Productivity Institute (PI) Newsletter

At some point in your career, regardless of your industry, you will probably be asked to make a presentation.  While we may not all be natural-born actors, neither should the thought of giving a presentation cause headaches or night sweats. Here are some simple tactics to help ensure your presentations go off with minimal pain and a maximum impact.

Know the room – Don’t leave the details to chance.  This includes having a handle on the room in which you’ll be presenting.  How big is it?  What kind of layout are you facing?  Are there enough chairs?  Will you have all the requisite markers, whiteboard, and erasers, you might need?  And absolutely make sure you know how to run the multimedia equipment…a great presenter anticipates glitches and deals with them beforehand.

All the world’s a stage – OK.  Maybe you didn’t live for drama class.  Nevertheless, consider your presentation space your stage and ‘own it’.  Don’t stand stiffly on the spot, but don’t wander aimlessly either.  Move with purpose, exactly like you prepared the information you’re presenting, and really interact with your audience.

Speak up – You may know exactly what you want to say, but remember: it’s all new to your audience.  Project your voice – you certainly don’t want to yell, but get used to speaking a little more loudly than in a typical conversation.  And don’t be afraid to practice this: ask a friend to join you in a noisy café and practice your pitch. When in doubt (and dependent on the size of the room) plan to use a microphone (but practice in advance).

It’s not just the words – The way you speak goes a long way to enhancing your delivery of a compelling presentation.  Avoid becoming an automaton – modulate your pitch, tone and speed of your voice.  And despite your nerves, remember the power of pauses.  A good pause to let the information sink in is always more effective than a filler ‘uh’ (and less annoying also).
 
Come alive – A lot of compelling communication is non-verbal.  Using appropriate gestures and facial expressions goes a long way to helping you emphasize or explain your point.  However, be sure not to take it too far.  Unconscious nervous habits can be amazingly distracting.  Try videotaping a rehearsal to see if you’re in danger of developing these detracting habits and work to unlearn them.

Engage your audience – The best way to lose your audience is to keep your eyes glued to your notes or slides.  Sure, have them there as backup but know your material well enough to depart from the plan.  Eye contact and a relaxed stance will imply confidence and convince your listeners that you know what you’re talking about.  If you feel that you’re losing your audience take time out to ask and answer questions – helping them to re-engage will make sure they ‘get’ what you’re discussing.

Timing’s the thing – You’ve got something to say and you expect your audience to listen.  Show them the same respect by starting and ending your presentation on time. Let them know you appreciate their willingness to take time out of their busy schedules, and avoid audience fatigue also.

Above all, be passionate about what you’re discussing and never take yourself too seriously.  Know that you will make mistakes – be able to laugh at them.  Injecting a little humour will help you win over your audience, and enthusiasm for your subject will convince them that they should care about what you have to say.  Acquiring the skills to give great a presentation might require some hard work; isn’t the impact worth it?

Katie Mead is the co-founder of Springboard Consulting, Katie is a passionate about good communication.  From a diverse background in the fine arts, she has developed a proven track record of success working in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. Her particular areas of expertise include marketing, grant writing, non-profit resource building and management, fundraising, and the design and launch of various keynote projects and events.  Katie can be reached at:  katie@springboardconsulting.ca

by Katie Mead

   This article was originally published in The Productivity Institute (PI) Newsletter

The success of any project, from facilitating key special events to designing a communications strategy, is dependent upon great coordination.  However, it can be difficult putting your finger on which criteria will best set a project up for success.  Whether designing and coordinating your own project or looking to hire an exceptional project coordinator, here are some key competencies to keep top of mind:

 1. ‘Getting it’ and making changes
A talented project coordinator will quickly and effectively grasp the project goals and be able to readily articulate them (translating technical jargon, if necessary) to the team.  And it’s not just the goals at the project outset that matter: great coordination depends upon agility and flexibility – the ability to respond to changes as they occur.  It’s not enough to meet every pre-arranged milestone and deliverable on time and on budget if the project goals have changed.  Constant vigilance and the ability to change tacks are essential to good project coordination.

2. Team building
The results of a project are usually reliant upon the efforts of a team.  With a focus on effective team-building, a great coordinator is able to marshal the resources of many, while maintaining the vision of the project’s greater scope.  Especially valuable is the ability to anticipate and remove barriers to team-effectiveness before they become problematic.  A successful team will result in a successful completed project.

3. The great balancing act
Intrinsic to any project, regardless of its size or complexity, is the buy-in of various stakeholders.  Whether the development team, business sponsors, sales, marketing or human resources, each group has its own agenda and priorities.  It’s the job of the project coordinator to keep all these ‘balls in the air’, to stay abreast of the different needs and requirements of each stakeholder, and juggle priorities appropriately.  This balancing act is intensified when the project also requires the facilitation of outside or outsourced talent.

4. Following the leader
Seamless project coordination requires excellent project leadership ability.  An exceptional project coordinator possesses a variety of important skills and qualities: exceptional communication, the ability to motivate others, the ability to negotiate, as well as consummate organizational and conflict resolution skills, just to name a few. A project will be successful according to how well the project coordinator manages this skill-set.

5. Natural-born diplomacy
Regardless of the nature of the project, any competent project coordinator will tell you that effective project coordination deals with people as its first priority.  Great diplomacy skills are required to keep people productive and feeling valued. And if problems can’t be sidestepped, great conflict resolution skills are essential.   The ability to smooth out people-problems when they occur with great tact and respect is an invaluable skill, and an intrinsic tool in any good project coordinator’s toolkit.

6. Persistence
An often overlooked, but nevertheless essential, part of effective project coordination is persistence.  To overcome all the various obstacles and challenges that can arise, a great project coordinator depends upon both a sense of humour and a flexible contingency plan.  The ability to regroup and come at the problem from a different angle is an important skill for any seasoned project coordinator.

7. Trustworthiness
Let’s face it: hiring an excellent project coordinator ultimately comes down to trust.  Look closely at their credentials: it’s guaranteed that a seasoned coordinator will have a demonstrable track record of success and excellent references.  An effective project coordinator will take the needs of the project and run with it.  Along the way, they’ll go the distance by utilizing great communication skills and transparent processes to put you at ease while ensuring delivery of a successful finished project, on time and on budget. 

Katie Mead is the co-founder of Springboard Consulting, Katie is a passionate about good communication.  From a diverse background in the fine arts, she has developed a proven track record of success working in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. Her particular areas of expertise include marketing, grant writing, non-profit resource building and management, fundraising, and the design and launch of various keynote projects and events.  Katie can be reached at:  katie@springboardconsulting.ca

by Katie Mead

   This article was originally published in The Productivity Institute (PI) Newsletter

We all know the value of superlative communication skills.  However, too often when we think of being a great communicator we think ‘words’ – what we say and how we say it.  But a crucial aspect of being a great communicator is having great listening skills.  Excellent communication is a two way street – here are some tips to hone your listening skills:

Repeat it back
One of the best ways to ensure you’ve heard correctly is to repeat the information as it’s given.  This will help to avoid misunderstandings down the road, and indicate in the moment a high level of involvement.  It proves you were listening and helps you remember what was said later.

Write it down 
Remember taking notes at school?  For memory retention this is a great tool.  At a directors’ meeting, a job interview, or a sales pitch, let your audience know you’ll be taking notes and write down all the important points.  You’ll broadcast your commitment to the conversation and be amazed at how much you remember at the end of the day.

Ask questions
Great listening is also about clarity, and the best way to ensure understanding is to ask questions.  If there’s something you’re not clear about, ask.  If you want to show your audience that you are truly engaged by what they’re saying, ask.  It will be clear that you’re paying attention, and they’ll appreciate your interest.

Maintain eye-contact
We’ve all had conversations with someone who won’t look you in the eye, and we all know how unsettling that can be.  To be a great listener, you have to pay attention.  And one of the best ways to focus on doing that is to maintain eye-contact.  The speaker will feel respected by your attention level, and it will give you a great chance to pick up on any non-verbal cues.  Again, it’s all about clarity.
 
Avoid distraction
As a great listener you want your speaker to know that you’re paying attention.  Turn off your phone, turn off your TV, resist the temptation to check your email, and let others know that you don’t want to be disturbed.  Make sure you choose a setting in which you’re both comfortable – this could be your office or a busy coffee shop – whichever suits the situation best. By demonstrating consideration and respect, you’ll also make it easier to focus on what you’re hearing.

Practice makes perfect
Like any learned skill, the best way to master being a good listener is to practice.  Every time someone engages you in conversation, practice listening actively.  Whether at the playground or a cocktail party, make the most of your opportunity to practice listening. Not only will you strengthen existing relationships, but you’ll make active listening a habit.

Don’t make it about you
Listening with empathy goes a long way to becoming a great listener.  If you’re not thinking about how what the speaker’s saying relates to you, or what your response should be, you’ll be more engaged and won’t miss key concepts.  If you truly want to hear what the other person is saying you’ll find it much easier to listen actively and remember what was said.
 
Developing great communication skills takes time.  Focusing on what someone else is saying will help you understand and communicate with them better; so will knowing the difference between hearing and really listening.  To be a great communicator knowing what to say is only half the battle.  Knowing when to listen is just as important.  Keep your mouth shut, your ears open, listen with respect and good intentions, and you’ll learn a lot.

Katie Mead is the co-founder of Springboard Consulting, Katie is a passionate about good communication.  From a diverse background in the fine arts, she has developed a proven track record of success working in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. Her particular areas of expertise include marketing, grant writing, non-profit resource building and management, fundraising, and the design and launch of various keynote projects and events.  Katie serves as a founding member of RECREATURA_Arts & Culture, an international arts organization.  Read more from Katie on her blog site: A Love of Art.

by Katie Mead

   This article was originally published in The Productivity Institute (PI) Newsletter

Regardless of your message, every great leader knows the power of a good story.  While facts and figures are essential, it’s in crafting that information into a compelling, inspiring narrative that will inspire in your audience everything from deep understanding to action.  As a leadership tool, storytelling can be a powerful, persuasive technique to capture your audiences’ attention and bring home your meaning.  It’s important to match the type of story to the occasion, and once mastered, these techniques are powerful tools.

Here are five kinds of stories guaranteed to get your point across:

1. ‘I Am’ Stories
Make things personal.  When striving to lead a team one of the greatest challenges may be getting everyone on your side.  Revealing who you are and what motivates you may go a long way to building trust among your team members.  Presenting yourself as fallible by offering a humorous anecdote can help break down any defensive walls or perceived barriers, as well as make you seem more approachable.  Explaining your motivation, the ‘why you’re here’, helps assure your team that you’re not interested in hidden agendas but simply want to work well together.

2. Teaching Stories
Demonstrations are some of the most effective teaching tools.  Think of parables or morality tales – how many fables can you remember?  Use teaching stories to illustrate examples; this demonstration of your point helps people learn and remember your message.  A simple narrative clarifies your meaning and makes it much more memorable.  Your audience may be more sophisticated than most children but the learning principle is the same.  Drive a good story home by using a relevant example and your audience will get the point.

3. Value Stories
What’s in a word?  When talking about values it’s important to remember that esoteric concepts may mean different things to different people.  How do you define integrity or authenticity?  In wanting to ensure clarity and avoid inaccurate assumptions, tell a story illustrating this value in action.  Your team can’t know what a particular value means to you (or how to satisfy your expectations) unless you guarantee that you’re all on the same page.  If great customer service is important in your business then tell a story that exemplifies this.  Using a value story can help guarantee that you’re all starting from the same place, right from the get-go.

4. Doubt Stories
At some point you’ll have to persuade your audience.  Whether you’re pitching a service or outlining a new business practice, your audience will have doubts.  If you can respectfully head them off by indicating that you ‘know what they’re thinking’ and respect their thoughts, you’ll be much closer to getting your point across and convincing them that you’re right.  Anticipate what the objections might be, and provide descriptive examples of how this objection doesn’t apply or might be transformed.  Use the story to show that you are actively listening and are committed to creatively meeting your audience’s needs.

5. Vision Stories
Everyone needs inspiration.  Use a vision story to remind your team of why they’re doing what they’re doing, and to give them a lift.  If you all share a common goal, choose a story that illustrates this and helps everyone envision success.  It will help renew their commitment levels and boost morale.  Be authentic – tell the story with conviction and emotion and you’ll be sure to enhance your audience’s buy-in.  A well delivered story can be the ultimate pep talk.

Some last words
Regardless of which type of story best communicates your message, keeping these tips in mind will be sure to enhance your effectiveness:

Make the story an experience.  Try to appeal to as many of your listener’s senses as possible.  Don’t just tell the story – paint the picture and show them what you mean.
Never forget to practice.   Like any performance, good story-telling is an art.  Hone your craft by practicing – not only will this allow you to pay more attention to your audience, but you will be much more effective if you come across as confident and knowledgeable. 

And lastly,
Always be authentic.  Everyone can spot a faker.  Choose your stories wisely and tell them truthfully with real emotion. If your audience thinks you’re lying to them, your story will undermine your integrity.  Tell it with authenticity and you’ll move and inspire.

Katie Mead is the co-founder of Springboard Consulting, Katie is a passionate about good communication.  From a diverse background in the fine arts, she has developed a proven track record of success working in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. Her particular areas of expertise include marketing, grant writing, non-profit resource building and management, fundraising, and the design and launch of various keynote projects and events.  Katie serves as a founding member of RECREATURA_Arts & Culture, an international arts organization.  Read more from Katie on her blog site: A Love of Art.

by Katie Mead

   This article was originally published in The Productivity Institute (PI) Newsletter

Communication, even with great content, is nothing without trust.

Elusive and essential, whether personal or professional, trust is an intrinsic part of every successful relationship.  But in our modern age of de-personalization and lightning-quick information transfers, how do you ensure that the necessary trust is developed?

More than words
Effective communication is also an essential tool for relationship development; from a supervisor to her employees or a business owner to his clients, what you say and how you say it has a crucial impact on the ways you build trust.  In our climate of ever expanding social media options, there are countless ways to reach out to our audience; how do we ensure that we really connect?  Every relationship is unique, but here are some commonalities shared by great communicators:

Despite the adage ‘no news is good news’, make sure that you do the opposite. 
There’s nothing worse than being left hanging – as an employee, a client, or a prospective contractor.  Whether or not you’re the key decision-maker, and even if you don’t have much new information to impart, use all available channels to update your audience.  Thanks to applications like Twitter, Facebook, and endless instant messaging options (not to mention the good, old-fashioned phone), it’s amazingly easy to stay in touch.  A quick note apprising someone of the situation will put them at ease and help them trust you – as well as convince them that you will indeed be in touch as soon as you’ve got real news. 

When getting the point across, make sure to tell the whole story. 
Lots of would-be communicators do a good job of relaying the facts, but that’s not enough; they don’t connect the dots.  Giving someone the whole story and telling them how the facts inter-relate is important. If you assume that the information is obvious you risk erroneous interpretations and misunderstandings.   Understanding the ‘why’ will strengthen commitment levels too: people are more invested in their actions when they know why they’re doing them.

Remember that your role as a good communicator includes helping others make good decisions.  To do this it’s essential that you’re truthful – have the courage to tell the truth and expect honesty in return.  That’s not to say that you must divulge every piece of information, but telling someone that you’re uncomfortable saying more engenders more trust than dissembling or telling a half-truth.  It’s only when we’re given all the facts that we can make informed decisions.   An effective communication strategy is one that enables good decisions – your audience will thank you for this, and it will go a long way toward building solid relationships.

You must be accountable for your own message. 
Don’t pass the buck or absolve yourself of responsibility even when the message you’ve got to pass on is a hard one to give.  Don’t hide behind the guise of messenger – email certainly has its place, but a difficult message is better received in person or on the phone.  Choose your words carefully, but remember that people respond to authenticity and this coupled with respect and compassion will go a long way to developing solid relationships, even in tough times.

Above all, building trust takes time. 
Effective communication is an ongoing and continuous process that evolves and develops alongside your message.  Words mean a lot, but when they’re paired with consistent action you’ve got a truly powerful message.  If they are trust-based, great communication skills will continue to work for you as you build morale, boost a profile or grow your business through the referrals of satisfied customers.

The bottom line
Great communicators know the value and power of trust as essential element of effective communication.  Whether your medium is verbal or textual, developing solid trust-based relationships will make your audience sit up and listen.

Katie Mead is the co-founder of Springboard Consulting, Katie is a passionate about good communication.  From a diverse background in the fine arts, she has developed a proven track record of success working in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. Her particular areas of expertise include marketing, grant writing, non-profit resource building and management, fundraising, and the design and launch of various keynote projects and events.  Katie serves as a founding member of RECREATURA_Arts & Culture, an international arts organization.  Read more from Katie on her blog site: A Love of Art.