Diane Parente, AICI, CIP

1. Have you always wanted to improve your voice and command a strong presence?
2. Do you think the way you talk is important to your business and social success?
3. Would your ultimate success in life be strongly influenced by the strength of your voice and confidence?
4. Would you like to give someone you love the opportunity to find and develop the way they speak?  It can change a future, it can change a life

Good News! Dr. Carol Fleming is going to help you!

For the first time, Dr. Fleming is offering a Holiday Special to get you started on the changes you want to make in your communication impact.

The Holiday Special: Speak Your Best includes the following:

Dr. Fleming’s newly published book “It’s the Way You Say It: Becoming Articulate, Well-spoken and Clear”. The first book of its kind, it offers practical guidance and encouragement for the general public from the experience of a Ph.D. speech pathologist. People love this book and you will, too. It tells the stories of people who sought help for their concerns, people like you who cared about the impression they made by the way they spoke. Their speech work gave them hope, direction, and attainable goals.

Her classic best selling series, The Sound of Your Voice. This series has helped thousands of people advance their voice and speaking skills. It is a step-by-step guide through the fundamentals of good, confident, vocal technique.  You may choose the audio tape or the CD version. The series give you a chance to hear Dr. Fleming and some of her clients as they work with their voice. Actually hearing the voices and the exercises make this series practical and easy to use.

A 20-minute private phone or skype appointment with Dr. Fleming. After hearing your speaking concerns and questions, Dr. Fleming will guide you to the materials in the book and audio series that will have the most importance in your development. This will help you save time, set realistic goals, and be focused.

Purchase the Holiday Special as a gift for someone or a treat for yourself.  This will be an important investment in your future.

The cost is $150.00 (savings of 25%). Payments can be made through check, credit card or Paypal.  This purchase is tax deducible if it is part of a professional development program for developing advanced communication skills.

The book and audio series will be mailed to you after payment is received.  A 20-minute appointment will be scheduled after you have received your package.

For more information please call Dr. Carol Fleming at telephone number 415.391-9179 or send and email to query@speechtraining.com

Standing above the rest; A Professional Image can make the difference
By Diane Parente, AICI, CIP

In these times of economic uncertainty many people have flooded the job market. Employers are interviewing more people than ever and the competition for the best positions is fierce. Are you doing everything to make sure you stand out? Ask yourself the following questions. If you answer no, or are not sure of even one of these, it is probably time to give me a call. I can quickly evaluate your image, to make sure it is professional.

• Does your style help prospective employers take you seriously and know that you will deliver high-quality results?

• Does your style help you easily establish a professional rapport with decision-makers?

• Does your style communicate assurance?

• Does your style speak professionalism and attention to detail?

• Does your image tell a prospective employer that you will do better than the other people they are interviewing?

If you answered even one “no” or if you feel you have to ask someone else’s opinion, then it’s time to invest in your style with IDMI at imagesellsyou.com

By Diane Parente, AICI, CIP

On stage all eyes are on you. Your clothing, as one of your props, helps to set the tone for your presentation. Your physical presence can lead the audience to tune in or tune out even before you begin to speak. Remember, you want your clothing to add to your presentation, not detract from it, because it is difficult to reverse a poor first impression.

To convey a professional image, first define the audience and your message. Then make whatever adjustments are necessary to be certain that your clothing fits the presentation, place and time. More serious presentations (for instance, those concerning financial, legal or governmental topics) call for a dark structured suit or dress with a contrasting blouse or scarf to reinforce your message. Conversely, for more informal situations (such as high technology or academia), try a lighter relaxed suit, dress, or coordinated separates (perhaps even a pantsuit). For more persuasive presentations, such as sales promotions or political speeches, try an eye-catching, distinctive jewel tone, such as ruby, royal, emerald, or purple in structured suits or dramatically styled dresses.

The following suggestions provide you with the basics on presenting an effective image on stage:

* Select clothing that is conservative, yet distinctive, such as a red suit with a dramatic cut or asymmetrical closing.

* Enhance your visibility from a distance by wearing a contrasting blouse and jacket, or a dress that contrasts with your skin color.

* If you will be moving around, select a garment that provides freedom of movement without pulling, gapping or excessively wrinkling.

* Skirt or dress hemlines should be mid-knee or longer, especially on an elevated platform where some of the audience may be looking up at you.

* Develop a signature with either accessories or clothing. Try a colorful scarf, conversational pin, unique cut of the garments, or use of color.

* Create a professional image by wearing pumps with a moderate heel, especially in a formal or conservative setting.

* Try to wear hosiery in natural or sheer tints.

* Select earrings no larger than your eyes to prevent distraction.

* Be sure your eye glasses have non-reflective lenses.

* Wear understated makeup for a smaller group and more exaggerated for a larger group (100 or more, where the light and distance may make you look washed-out to those in the back of the room.

Other Valuable Tips:

* Whenever possible, check on the background color before going to the location to be sure you have the proper contrast and balance of colors. If you feel the background is inappropriate, ask if there is a screen or other backdrop that can be used during your presentation.

* If you will be using a clip-on microphone, be sure your outfit has a lapel for the clip and a place to attach the microphone pack (on the belt or waistband).

* Be prepared to take your clothes with you and change before you go on stage. Impeccable grooming and wrinkle-resistant dressing are a must.

Public speaking is one of the best ways to promote your business. If you give more than two presentations a month, you may want to have certain designated outfits that can be worn exclusively for these engagements. By doing this you always have something appropriate to wear, even if you get a last-minute call.