BOOKS WE LOVE

BE A SUPERSTAR! THREE BEST TECHNIQUES TO PUBLIC SPEAKING

2008-10-19T23:58:29Z

www.staceyhanke.com

Author and speaker Stacey Hanke shares her top tips for speaking in public and no, we don’t have to imagine everyone in the audience is naked.

1. Focus on your listeners expectations. When you design your presentation to meet your listeners needs and expectations you increase the likelihood of influencing them to act on what you have to say. The acronym K.N.O.W. is an immediate, easy and effective way to do this.

o What do your listeners Know about your topic?

o What do they Need to know in the time frame you have to take the action you want them to take?

o What is their Opinion about your topic?

o Who are they?

2. Prepare, Prepare, Prepare…Practice, Practice, Practice. If your communication is not top notch in your day-to-day interactions, it certainly will not be powerful during your presentations. To be an effective, memorable and persuasive presenter you must first polish your day-to-day communication; face-to-face conversations, meetings, phone calls, etc. Then and only then will you be a presenter whose message gets heard.

3. Less is more! Stop rambling and start engaging. Pause is a powerful skill few people know how to use or are willing to use. You need to pause to think on your feet, change your message on the fly and give your listener an opportunity to hear and understand your message. Without the pause you will ramble, forget what to say and communicate more than your listeners want to hear. As a result, your listeners begin to question your intent. When you begin placing pauses at the end of your sentences, in between your thoughts and points, you immediately begin to engage your listeners and reach a call to action.

Stacey Hanke helps individuals change their communication behavior to maximize performance, boost profits and build relationships to win business. Her book “Yes You Can! Everything You Need From A to Z To Influence Others To Take Action”shares practical and immediate skills and techniques to change the way we communicate. Website: www.staceyhanke.com.

Keeping Our Skirt On during a Recession - Author Jill Keto tells us how

2008-10-06T11:33:42Z

1. Why should we care about what happens on Wall Street?

Wall Street controls how money works in our society, including your money. All car loans, all home loans, all credit cards - anything you borrow money to buy - Wall Street affects. If WS goes down, your access to leasing and getting loans becomes unattainable. Additionally, the recent bailout of Wall Street will result in massive inflation, meaning that everything will be getting much more expensive, including every day things like groceries. Being prepared for this inflation will put you at an advantage later.

2. Should we cut back/stop our contributions to our 401K?

Not necessarily. Your first priority is to get rid of all of your debt. If you use the money that you would have put into your 401K to get rid of your debt, then yes. If you have a long time horizon before retirement, say 20-30 years, your 401K can stay like it is. If you are going to retire in 5 years, the deep recession we are heading into could have an adverse impact on your 401K and you should consider protecting your wealth by investing in other areas.

3. Where's the safest place to keep our money?

In the U.S. , there are few safe places for your money to hide. The dollar will decline rapidly, as will the stock market, as will government bonds. Consider investing in companies that produce resources like oil, timber, precious metals, wheat - resources that people need. Or with countries that are historical safe havens for money, like Switzerland (you can buy Swiss Francs, or Swiss bonds). Historically, precious metals, like gold and silver, do very well in times of economic crisis.

4. What is the first thing we should do if we loose our job?

Take a realistic look at your financial situation - your debt, your assets, and your monthly expenses. If you have plenty of savings, you can take your time and shop for the right job. If you are in more of a desperate financial situation, you should seek out any employment (temporary employment agencies, etc.) and swallow your pride. Some income is better than nothing. If you qualify for unemployment, you need to apply immediately.

I am Jill Keto, author of Don't Get Caught With Your Skirt Down: A Practical Girl's Recession Guide, which addresses the collapsing U.S. economy and practical solutions to survive in it. My expertise is in the current recession and lifestyle factors surrounding it, including how women can take charge of their money. My book is presently #5 on Amazon for "recession" books, and the only one for women.

Luis Eladio Perez relata su secuestro a manos de las FARC

2008-09-18T01:32:22Z

Ingrid Betancourt made headlines across the world when she was released by the captors that had held her hostage for six and a half years. A man that knew her through the horrific captivity at the hands of the FARC was Luis Eladio Perez. He too was taken hostage and spent seven agonizing years not knowing if he would come out if it alive. But he did, and his recently released book Siete Años Secuestrado por las FARC recounts his time at the hand of his captors.

Written by Dario Arizmendi the book is hard to put down yet some parts almost too painful to read. However, there are lighter moments, where Mr. Perez is able to find ways of coping, like hearing his family's broadcast messages of love and support over the small portable radio he was allowed to keep. The broadcasts not only gave him hope but kept him from despairing at times when he could not see living through another day.

I spoke with Mr. Eladio Perez who was in Miami during a phone interview and he expressed that despite the great joy of being free he cannot fully manifest his happiness in light of his fellow countrymen who remain hostage. Also spoke of Ingrid Betancourt and although he's not seen her since her release a bond has been created between them as a result of sharing days, months and years in captivity. This bond, said Mr. Perez goes beyond a friendship and becomes a sort of kinship.

In the face of so much loss and hardships I asked Mr. Perez what he gained: "Tolerance and humility" was his quick answer.

Speaking in public does not have to be a traumatic experience - Author Lorraine Howell shares her tips

2008-08-19T02:09:26Z

By Lorraine Howell

www.mediaskillstraining.com

Fear of public speaking is the number one phobia on the planet!!! The first step in overcoming the fear or shyness is to recognize that it's a normal reaction. In fact, humans are wired for that kind of physical response when we find ourselves in new situations. It's the adrenaline that kicks in and gives us those butterflies. Then we experience the "fight or flight" response! Most of us label that reaction as stage fright, nervousness, or shyness. We have the same physical response to excitement.

So when I work with people, the first thing we talk about is making peace with that feeling. At the first sign of butterflies, I suggest people start saying "thank you!" That feeling is an important signal that something significant is going on. So appreciate the feeling, don't make that feeling the problem. It's not going to go away, so learn to see it as a good thing.

The next step is to be prepared for a presentation. It's a sign of respect for your audience and it's a good way to build confidence when you put time and thought into your speech. Find out who is in your audience and what they care about. This is where you consider cultural differences in language and customs.

If you offend people in your audience, you lose any opportunity you have to persuade them or move them to a particular point of view. Have a clear purpose for the presentation. What's your point? Successful speakers will make their points relevant to each audience so that people will feel that their time and attention was well spent. And practice your speech in advance, in front of another audience whenever possible. Or videotape yourself so you can see what others will be seeing.

If you are using visuals like PowerPoint, my advice is "less is more!" Don't load up the screen with a lot of text. And don't read the slides verbatim. For everything you want to put up on a slide ask "is this necessary?" or "does my audience need to see all of this to understand what I'm communicating?"

In terms of dress, be professional and dress in accordance with the image or impression you want to make. People will be making judgments on everything about you and if you wardrobe is distracting or inappropriate; they won't be listening to anything you say!!!

Network with Lorraine Howell author of Give Your Elevator Speech a Lift! and founder of Media Skills Training. E-mail: lorraine@mediaskillstraining.com or visit her website at www.mediaskillstraining.com for more information.

FIFTY-ONE WAYS TO WEB SUCCESS

2008-06-30T23:40:41Z

Entrepreneur and author Monica S. Flores founder of 10K Webdesign, and www.successfulwoman.com, which supports success-oriented women, just launched her new book Fifty-One Ways to Build your Community of Clients Online. This step-by-step guide is a must-have for every entrepreneur who is in the process of developing or enhancing her website.

Monica begins with a simple statement: "Our global information age means that your website is not optional. It is expected." From there, she covers everything from purchasing the domain name, costing out web developers to content and functionality.

Monica's tips and checklists are a great way to help enhance our presence and optimize the ten second window we have to make a visitor want to stay, learn more, and most important come back. Check out an excerpt of Monica's book CLIC HERE.

Libros: Esperamos ansiosas "Amanecer"

2008-06-26T00:51:35Z

Si eres una fan de la intrepida escritora Stephenie Meyer Santillana lanza la cuarta, y última, entrega de la saga "Crepúsculo" (Twilight). El lanzamiento mundial de "Amanecer" (Breaking Dawn) será el 8 de octubre.

La bella saga de amor de ha sido traducida a más de 20 idiomas. Los primeros tres libros son "Crepúsculo", "Luna nueva" y "Eclipse". El 31 de mayo en la Feria del Libro de Madrid, se presentó la tan esperada cubierta de Amanecer (Breaking Dawn). Este segundo encuentro de fans de Stephenie Meyer, contó con la presencia de más de 500 fervientes seguidores de Bella, Edward, Jacob y compañía.

Entrevista con Antonio Orlando Rodriguez

2008-05-22T00:38:06Z

Entrevista por Paula Otero

Mi tía Aída solía decir que el buen perfume viene en frasco pequeño (Se refería a su menuda estatura de 1 metro y 20) de ser cierta esa teoría Espiridona Cenda fue la botella de perfume mas fina y aromática del mundo. A escasos 66 centímetros esta diminuta dama se lanzó a la fama a principios del siglo 20. En lo personal siempre me fascino su historia pues fue una mujer adelantada a su tiempo que también supo sobrellevar un impedimento físico sin catalogarse núnca como una curiosidad humana. He aquí mi entrevista con el autor Antonio Orlando Rodriguez.

¿De donde provino la inspiración para escribir Chiquita?

Me enamore del personaje, no hubo en realidad otro mensaje. El punto de partida era la atracción de doble índole. Chiquita era pequeña, bien formada, con una cara bien expresiva. Me atrae su personalidad y lo que se sabe de su proyección en la vida. Es una mujer que tuvo que ser intrépida, voluntariosa, temperamental, apasionada e inteligente. Me imagine qué senda tomó tu vida ya que no había material para un biografía. Yo soy autor de ficciones, me nutrí de lo que se sabe del personaje y ese fue el fue punto de partida. Chiquita el personaje literario es una mezcla de la vida real y del personaje basado en la vida de chiquita.

Chiquita era una mujer fuerte

Hay cosas que uno puede deducir de sus actos, una mujer del siglo 19 de 34 años se casa de joven con un chico de 19 y no le importa el que dirán. Lleva la rienda de su vida, es una pequeña empresaria.

¿Si Chiquita viviera en la modernidad a que mujer de hoy semejaría?

Chiquita reencarnaría, en una mujer empeñada que desea ser reconocida por su talento más por su imagen. Se compararía con una latina triufadora.

Quizá no se hubiera dedicado al espectáculo quizá pudo haber ido a una universidad, tenía un cociente de inteligencia alto. Pudo haber sido una líder de grupo minoritario, sus metas sociales se hubieran ampliado. Logró exhibirse en los espacios mas decorosos. Chiquita era un fenómeno . Trate de acentuar las características de proyectarla con dignidad, para contrastarla con otros personajes que la rodearon. Tuvo a su favor entrar a Estados Unidos durante el tiempo de la independencia de cuba o sea llego al lugar oportuno en el momento oportuno. Debido a la guerra de Cuba contra España, había una gran simpatía por la independencia de Cuba.

Se dice que Chiquita es una especie de metáfora

Para mi lo más importante es el personaje y sus aventuras, no tanto los subtextos sino lo que esta en la superficie. Ha habido personas que han querido ver una metáfora. No era mi intención ni es un ejemplo para convertir a Chiquita un símbolo de su época que hace rico a un libro. Cada persona se proyecta en el libro.

¿Puedes catalogar a Chiquita de feminista?

Es una mujer que se adelanta al feminismo. No existía conciencia del feminismo en aquella época por sus reinvidicaciones pero hay actitudes del personaje, esa seguridad anuncia a una mujer de hoy. Un ejemplo contemporaneo esta en Sarah Bernhardt o Emma Goldman .

¿Te consideras feminista?

¡No! Ni feminista ni machista. Veo la relación desde un plano de igualdad.

¿Además de Chiquita qué otro personaje del libro se gano tu cariño?

Mi personaje favorito además de Chiquita es Rústica, la doncella de Chiquita quien era el polo opuesto de Chiquita y a la vez su complemento. Era una especie de extensión física de Chiquita.

¿Planes para otro libro?

Si, con un héroe masculino. Me gusta mucho el pasado, el cambio del siglo 19 al siglo 20. Los descubrimientos sociales en los inicios del siglo veinte en la Habana, Cuba.

¿Qué escritores admiras?

J.D. Salinger, Dostoyevsky, Rulfo, Kafka, Manuel Mujica Láinez, Maria Luisa Bombal, Cortázar, Fernando Vallejo.

¿Qué opinas sobre el crecimiento del mundo miltimedios y cuales son tus blogs favoritos?

Es un fenómeno de expansión y me encanta que ideas sean compartidas, son canales de expresión que hace cinco años no existian. ¿Qué pasará en diez años?

Me gustan los blogs sobre literatura, cine. El blog Generación Y en www.desdecuba.com lo escribe una joven en Cuba.

Hot reads from Las Comadres

2008-05-13T04:03:48Z

Las Comadres want us to curl up with a book and have kicked off a book club to make sure we do. The effort is a partnership with Borders and books have already been selected. I won't get to these right away as I'm about to begin reading Chiquita by Antonio Orlando Rodriguez which I hope to see on the list for next year.

June -- A Handbook to Luck by Cristina Garcia (Vintage)
July -- The King's Gold by Yxta Maya Murray (HarperCollins)
August -- Mexican Enough by Stephanie Elizondo Griest (Washington Square Press)
September -- More Than This by Margo Candela (Fireside)
October -- The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz (Riverhead)
November -- The Gifted Gabaldon Sisters by Lorraine Lopez (Grand Central)
December -- And Their Dogs Came With Them by Helena Maria Viramontes (Washington Square Press)

Book Review: It's all in the Frijoles

2008-04-20T00:02:46Z

When I was a little my father taught me a nursery rhyme called Naranja Dulce, I’d forgotten the words except for the first rhyme and was touched to find it in Yolanda Nava’s book It’s all in the Frijoles which I am now reading. Yolanda also reminded me of the children’s song Pin Pon which was taught to us in kindergarten as a way of reminding us to wash our hands and not fuss when our hair is detangled hence the rhyme: Pin Pon es un muñeco vestido de cartón se lava las manitas con agua y con jabón, se desenreda el pelo con peine de marfil y aunque se de tirones no llora ni hace asi (simulate wiping away tears).

The book is a touching collection of old sayings (refranes), poems by such greats as Pablo Neruda and anecdotes by various outstanding Latino figures. It’s a quick way to reconnect with ones culture. I’m keeping it on my bedside so I can read a bit before I close my eyes for some inspiration and nostalgia.