How to be a better public speaker 27 tips for public speaking

How to be a better public speaker 27 tips for public speakingHow to be a better public speaker 27 tips for public speakingFive days before the release of the first iPad, James Murdoch, a high-ranking executive at News Corp., exchanged a flurry of emails with Steve Jobs. Murdoch and Jobs couldnt reach an agreement that would allow HarperCollins, a publisher owned by NewsCorp, to add its books to the Apple store before the launch.Their email exchange offers insight into what to do - and what not to do - when writing business emails.Murdochs notes are a classic example of how fruchtwein of us tend to write long, with multiple ideas and no clear message. Jobs used simple tactics todominatethe correspondence.Here are five things we can learn from Jobs about how to write effective emails.1. Have one purposeThe most efficient emails include just one goal or question.For example, consider these lines from a long email from MurdochIf we could offer to you that a certain percentage of releas es (50%) would be available within your pricing structure ( or = 14.99), does that give you enough comfort? . . .But if you were willing to accept that a supplier can exploit other avenues (at prices not disadvantageous to you), with a guarantee of substantial volume through Apple- maybe I could work with HC to get to some common ground. Please let me know. . .But are you willing to accept that a supplier can exploit other avenues. Please let me know.What was he asking?There are so many questions that Jobs answered exactly none of them. Jobs response was to-the-point, and he asked just one simple, rhetorical questionMaybe Im missing something, but I dont see any other alternatives. Do you?Its easy to imagine he was getting sick of the meandering correspondence.When you ask more than one question in an email, you run the risk of not getting an answer. A more effective strategy is to make one request per email. If you need to ask another question, wait to get the first response.2. Kee p the konzeption simpleA key to Apples success is its relentless commitment to simplicity. This is evident in the smallest design decisions on products, and its clear in Jobs emails. In Jobs emails, there is one common design element that enables the reader to quickly skim the email and understand its main points.Unlike Murdochs emails with their unwieldy paragraphs, Jobs emails included lists. He separated his messages into easily digestible points that contribute to the same argument.Consider using lists or adding space and emphasis in your own emails to drive home your point.3. Remove filler wordsJobs didnt use adjectives, adverbs, or other filler words. His sentences were straightforward and concise.Murdochs sentences, on the other hand, were long and clunky. For exampleIt seems though that we in each one we largely encounter a take it or leave it set of terms . . .Typo aside, heres what the sentence would be without fillersEach discussion gives us a take it or leave it set of t erms . . .If you tend to use a lot of adverbs and adjectives - words like though, largely, seems, that, and really - make it a habit to remove them before you send an email. Reread the edited draft. If an adjective or adverb was necessary, itll be obvious, and you can add those back in. This will make your emails clearer and crisper.4. Use the active voiceMost rules have exceptions. This one does not. Stephen King has a strong opinion on the topicTwo pages of the passive voice- just about any business document ever written, in other words, not to mention reams of bad fiction- make me want to scream. Its weak, its circuitous, and its frequently tortuous, as well. How about thisMy first kiss will always be recalled by me as how my romance with Shayna was begun. . . . A simpler way to express this idea- sweeter and more forceful as well- might be thisMy romance with Shayna began with our first kiss. Ill never forget it.The passive voice often sounds timid and lacks clarity. For examp le, consider this line from MurdochIn short- we would like to be able to get something done with Apple- but there are legitimate concerns.Using the active voice would make it a bit clearerWe want to work with Apple- but there are legitimate concerns.If you read the sentences side by side, you can see what King means when he calls the passive weak. Focus on using the active voice and strong verbs to strengthen your message.5. Close with your requestIn marketing campaigns, copywriters always put the call to action at the very end. The same should be true of emails. Why?If the request is embedded in the middle of the email, its likely to be forgotten. At the end, the recipient has just finished reading and is focused on the next step.In the emails between Jobs and Murdoch, Jobss agenda, or ask, was straightforward. He wanted Murdochs company on board for the iPad launch.But even though the point was abundantly clear, Jobs still ended on itWed love to have HC among the other publishers. The purpose of most emails isnt this complex. We often use emails to request a meeting, get permission for a change, obtain information, or do other daily tasks. But with a simple ask, ending with your request is even more important. When the recipient dashes off their reply, theyre more likely to respond to the last thing that was mentioned.It can often feel as if email takes up a lot of our workday. With these simple tips, not only will you simplify your email routine, but youll also find youll get better results.Natasa Lekic is the Founder of New York Book Editors, an editorial service that connects authors to veteran industry editors. In other words, theyre nerdy matchmakers.

New study 4 cups of coffee daily may make you practically immortal

New study 4 cups of coffee daily may make you practically immortalNew study 4 cups of coffee daily may make you practically immortalThe fountain of youth is right in our coffee cups. A new study found a link between drinking coffee and a longer life.In new research that was presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Barcelona, researchers found that the more cups of coffee you drink, the lower your risk of dying.In a 10-year study of 20,000 participants, the people who hadfour cups of coffee per day had a 64% lower risk of dying during the study than those who never drank coffee. Even controlling for factors like people who put sugar in their coffee or the participants gender, diet, or age, the link between caffeine consumption and staying alive remained strong.Older adults can benefit from drinking coffeeBy the way, the Mayo Clinic also says that up to 4 cups of coffee a day is safe for adults.The link was particularly strong with older adults. Participants who were at least 45 years old and older had a 30% lower risk of mortality when they drank two cups of coffee a day.The studys lead author Dr. Adela Navarro suspects that this finding may be because coffee contains several bioactive compounds with tauglichkeit beneficial properties. Those benefits can include anti-inflammatory properties that can protect elderly adults immune systems. In fact, increasing your coffee intake has been linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.The Spanish study builds off of previous research that found that we can drink up to four eight-ounce cups of coffee before its no longer good for our health. In fact, one studys 15-year review of all coffee studies found that 400 mg caffeine/day in healthy adults is not associated with overt, adverse cardiovascular effects, behavioral effects, reproductive and developmental effects, acute effects, or bone status.So live long and drink coffee. Immortality may be just one sip away.

Certifications and Your Human Resources Career

Certifications and Your Human Resources Career Certifications and Your Human Resources Career People considering a career in the field of human resources frequently ask whether they need a degree or certifications to get employment in the field of HR. The answer is complex, with factors extending beyond the financial return, requiring thoughtful consideration as to how a certification might benefit you personally. Generally, certifications are considered a worthwhile investment. Why an HR Certification Might Be Needed Going forward with your career, you will be competing in the job market with people who have earned similar certifications. Companies that are looking for more strategic, financial, and organization development skills in their HR staff dont advertise these credentials as essential for applicants. In fact, many post these certifications as optional or decide not to require them at all, although they can be a substantial boost to career success. Obtaining either of the available certifications involves an investment of money for preparation courses and books. Theres also the time investment that requires hours and hours of study, often attending in-room class sessions. Talk to current HR people where you live  and want to work to find out answers from informed people about whether you need an HR certification. People reporting actual local conditions may differ from what you hear from industry publications or your schools career office. Different Types of Certifications No certification is required to work in the field of human resources. Certifications are optional in most circumstances. Increasingly, however, human resources professionals are seeking  certification  as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute (HRCI). Recently, the HRCI added Associate Professional of HR (APHR) for college students. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has developed and is offering a competing certification program  that has been available since 2014. SHRM has established two competency-based certifications, the SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) for early- and mid-career professionals and the SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) for senior-level practitioners. Additional certifications are available through professional associations in such areas as compensation and benefits management. The Association for Talent Development (ATD) offers certification as a Certified Professional in Learning Performance (CPLP). Compensation Differences According to research by Payscale.com, certified HR professionals make substantially more money than their uncertified counterparts. Employees with the SPHR certification make 93 percent more money overall than those who have no certification. Those with the SPHR also make 49 percent more than those who stop with the PHR. For all HR employees, the median pay with a PHR is $59,100, with an SPHR is $87,900, and is $45,600 with no certification. HR Promotions for Employees with Certifications HR professionals who have earned SPHR or PHR certifications also receive more promotions and achieve career success more quickly than their uncertified counterparts. For example, the percentage of HR employees receiving a promotion increased substantially with certification. For professionals at the HR associate level, 63 percent of professionals with certification were promoted to HR administrator while only 34 percent of uncertified employees were promoted. Promotions from HR administrator to HR generalist came in at 57 percent for certified employees and 27 percent for uncertified employees. As people progress in their HR careers, more and more personnel have industry certifications. At the vice president level, 42 percent of people holding these positions are certified. Thirty-nine percent of employees with the title of HR director and 30 percent of HR managers hold a certification.