communication

Excellent customer satisfaction What Not to Do if You Want Satisfied Customers

You may think that overperforming would ingratiate you to your customers. But customers don't always want you to go above and beyond—often, they just want what they asked for. Don't fall for this common misconception. The trick to customer satisfaction is delivering just what they want—and good communication.

Naomi Karten's picture
Naomi Karten
Effective communication Effective Project Communication: Not Just What, but Why

The requirements for communicating project status to executives are often paradoxical: Be brief but thorough; don’t go into the weeds, but make sure I know all the important details. Responding to these constraints can be challenging, but you still need to clearly convey your work's significance and risks.

Payson Hall's picture
Payson Hall
Person giving a presentation When Giving Presentations, Weed Out the Wordiness

Sitting through a presentation that features text-filled slide after boring slide can be an eye-straining, headache-inducing experience. If you really want to engage your audience, opt for more photos and graphs, limit the bullet points, and make your presentation about more than what's on your slides.

Naomi Karten's picture
Naomi Karten
One-on-one meeting Make Your One-on-One Meetings More Effective

One-on-one meetings between managers and the people on their teams can be a very powerful tool, but it's also all too easy for these meetings to become routine, simply turning into regular status reports. One-on-ones should address career development, identify obstacles, and look at the big picture.

Steve Berczuk's picture
Steve Berczuk
Breaking down the walls of IT silos Can’t We Tear Down More Than One Wall at a Time?

Specializations tend to put people in silos, which inhibits communication and collaboration. The agile movement seeks to break down the dividing walls between customers and developers, and now DevOps is dismantling the wall between development and operations. But can't we break down multiple walls at once?

Lee Copeland's picture
Lee Copeland
Businessmen engaging in small talk Not a Fan of Small Talk? Practice Makes Perfect

Most people who dislike small talk say it's because it's a waste of time. But sometimes it's necessary—provided you don't want to appear standoffish. One key to making small talk, therefore, is to find ways to turn the trivial banter into something more substantial. Use these suggestions in your next chat.

Naomi Karten's picture
Naomi Karten
Help key on a keyboard The Sign of a True Professional: Asking for Help When It’s Needed

People worry that asking for assistance will somehow undermine their standing in the eyes of peers or employers. But most successful people are quick to acknowledge what they don’t know and to ask for assistance. Honestly admitting to limitations in your knowledge is the sign of a true professional.

Payson Hall's picture
Payson Hall
Dictionary definition of persuasion How Not to Make a Persuasive Case

Persuasion skills can be learned just like any other skills, and they are a key part of being able to influence others to help you achieve your objectives. If you're looking to convince your manager or coworker of something, knowing what not to do or say is just as important. Here are some tips.

Naomi Karten's picture
Naomi Karten