Sunday, February 07, 2010

"Coach the Coach/Tutor" Workshop or Training

Are you ready to be a great Coach or Tutor?

Learn how to market and sell yourself on a limited budget, how to connect with different types of people, how to set up a personalized program including assessments, goals, quizzes, tests and referrals, and most importantly how to talk to people in a way that motivates them to work hard and achieve success.

3V Communications is presenting "Coach the Coach" training in Toronto, either in a fun weekend workshop or private, one-to-one coaching.
Ideal for new or inexperienced Life Coaches, Communication Coaches, Presentation Coaches, Business Coaches, Real Estate agents, ESL Tutors, Academic Tutors, and many other coaches, entrepreneurs, consultants and independent contractors.

Possible dates for weekend workshops are Feb 27 & 28 and/or March 27 & 28 2010. Price and location TBA.
If interested, please contact Ric Phillips:
Direct Line: 416.429.7935
Email: ric @ CommunicationCoach (.) ca
http://www.CommunicationCoach.ca

Please let me know what type of training you are interested in, preferred date (if maybe attending workshop) and what your industry is.
Thank you!

Sunday, January 31, 2010

3 Audio Courses - Life Coach, Sales and Speeches.

Hello,
Here is a banner to CCF - Certified Coaches Federation. They have 3 audio programs that you may be interested in. Click the pic to see more info on audio courses in Life Coaching, Sales Skills and Public Speaking/Speeches. Thank you.





Saturday, January 09, 2010

Confidently Asking for a Raise in Salary

Asking for a raise can be very uncomfortable, especially if you are a bit shy, new to the company or unsure of your value/worth. Let me give you some hints that have helped me along my career path, and even now during self-employment.

1 - know the industry standards. You have to know what a typical person in that role makes, so that you understand the value of the job. What is the fair market value?

2 - ask for more than you think you deserve. In other words, be confident in your negotiations and valuations.

3 - critically understand why you deserve a raise, or a high starting salary/wage. Think hard about what kind of great worker you are or will be, and convince yourself first that you are worth what you are asking for. Be prepared to verbalize it all, your soft skills and hard skills, with concrete, easy to understand (and remember) examples.

4 - When justifying your newly asked-for raise, do not explain why you need the money. Instead explain from the company's point of view all the benefits you have brought them, or how you have made life easier/more profitable for them. This is a simple rule of persuasion and negotiation - make it about THEM, not YOU. Also keep in mind the formula E + P = P. Efficiency + Productivity = Profitability. So therefore you must make it clear to the person who is considering hiring you (as an employee or as a consultant/contractor) or who has already hired you (i.e. your manager) how you have made the company money by being efficient and productive. This is a simple formula to remember that you should keep in the back of your head when answering interview questions.

I remember an ex-girlfriend of mine who was so efficient and productive at her company that they threw money at her to keep her, giving her the first raise in less than 3 months. When she had to quit they tried to throw more money at her to stay. When she really had to leave, the company had to hire 3 people to replace her! Talk about making yourself indispensable!

I can also tell you a story about my first office job. I found out the industry standard, and when it came time to answering the question of how much money I wanted, I 'overshot' confidently. (I had a good interview though as I was well prepared).
The manager said she couldn't start me off with that much, but gave me the highest starting salary allowed by the company, which was just a little less than what I had asked for. I was confident in my answer, but did not demand it, plus I backed it up with presumably good interview answers.

A couple months later the company hired a new girl for a similar position (customer service & collections) who was fully bilingual in French, which I was not. This is well known to be a competitive advantage. Do you know what? They started her off 3 grand a year LESS than me! Why? Because when the question came to her "what kind of salary do you expect?" she answered "well I'm just a new graduate, so whatever you can start me with is fine with me. I'm just happy to be working full-time." That may not be a direct quote but you get the idea. The company will save money if you let them!

Now, as a self-employed coach & trainer, I ask for what I feel my time is worth, and 99% of the time get it without argument. I know what I'm worth, what my material is worth, what the results of coaching/training is worth to the individual or company, etc. I confidently quote people a price and they accept - but I back it up too!

Anyway enough money-talk for now. The point is you must know your worth, be able to ask for it or more, and be able to justify it both verbally and with your actions.

Now go get your money!

Good luck in 2010!

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Hello wonderful readers,

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

It is funny that this greeting is almost becoming extinct here in Toronto, as some people are concerned with offending others who do not celebrate Christmas. Instead we use phrases like "Happy Holidays" and "Seasons Greetings". There is nothing wrong with these replacements, of course, but I would like to mention that the spirit behind the words is more important than the actual choice of words strung together. In this regard, the traditional phrase of "Merry Christmas" shouldn't offend anyone - ideally.

I wish you all the best in 2010. 3V Communications continues to grow, and with that you can expect to see changes in our newsletters, ebooks, new products, coaching programs, assessments, and workshops. Please stay tuned for notices of such upgrades.

I would also like to point out that I continue to actively write in 3 blogs. You can always find interesting articles and tips at:

http://speakenglishbetter.blogspot.com

http://confidencelifecoach.blogspot.com

http://www.communication-coach.blogspot.com

As always, if you have an idea of a topic you would like me to discuss in my articles, please just send me an email with your request. Please indicate that you want me to share it on the blog/newsletter, so that I know it is not a private request.

I feel like 2010 is going to be a great year. I hope I am right!

My sincerest thanks and appreciation.

Peace be with you and yours,

Coach Ric

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Christmas/Holiday Party Humour

Company Memo

FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director

TO: All Employees

DATE: November 18

RE: Gala Christmas Party

I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take place on December 23rd, starting at noon in the private function room at Calhoun's. There will be a cash bar and plenty of drinks! We'll have a small band playing traditional carols... feel free to sing along. And don't be surprised if our CEO shows up dressed as Santa Claus! A Christmas tree will be lit at 1:00 PM. Exchanges of gifts among employees can be done at that time; however, no gift should be over $10.00 to make the giving of gifts easy for everyone's pockets. This gathering is only for employees!

Our CEO will make a special announcement at that time!

Merry Christmas to you and your family,

Patty


Company Memo

FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director

TO: All Employees

DATE: November 19

RE: Gala Holiday Party

In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish employees. We recognize that Hanukkah is an important holiday, which often coincides with Christmas, though unfortunately not this year. However, from now on, we're calling it our "Holiday Party." The same policy applies to any other employees who are not Christians and to those still celebrating Reconciliation Day. There will be no Christmas tree and no Christmas carols will be sung. We will have other types of music for your enjoyment.

Happy now?

Happy Holidays to you and your family,

Patty



Company Memo

FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director

TO: All Employees

DATE: November 20

RE: Holiday Party

Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous requesting a non-drinking table, you didn't sign your name. I'm happy to accommodate this request, but if I put a sign on a table that reads, "AA Only", you wouldn't be anonymous anymore. How am I supposed to handle this?

Somebody?

And sorry, but forget about the gift exchange, no gifts are allowed since the union members feel that $10.00 is too much money and the executives believe $10.00 is a little chintzy.

REMEMBER: NO GIFTS EXCHANGE WILL BE ALLOWED.



Company Memo

FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director

To: All Employees

DATE: November 21

RE: Generic Holiday Party

What a diverse group we are! I had no idea that December 20th begins the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which forbids eating and drinking during daylight hours. There goes the party! Seriously, we can appreciate how a luncheon at this time of year does not accommodate our Muslim employees' beliefs. Perhaps the Grill House can hold off on serving your meal until the end of the party or else package everything for you to take it home in little foil doggy baggy. Will that work?

Meanwhile, I've arranged for members of Weight Watchers to sit farthest from the dessert buffet, and pregnant women will get the table closest to the restrooms.

Gays are allowed to sit with each other. Lesbians do not have to sit with gay men. Each group will have their own table.

Yes, there will be a flower arrangement for the gay men's table.

To the person asking permission to cross dress, the Grill House asks that no cross-dressing be allowed, apparently because of concerns about confusion in the restrooms. Sorry.

We will have booster seats for short people.

Low-fat food will be available for those on a diet.

I am sorry to report that we cannot control the amount of salt used in the food. The Grill House suggests that people with high blood pressure taste a bite first.

There will be fresh "low sugar" fruits as dessert for diabetics, but the restaurant cannot supply "no sugar" desserts. Sorry!

Did I miss anything?!?!?

Patty



Company Memo

FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director

TO: All F*%^ing Employees

DATE: November 22

RE: The F*%^ing Holiday Party

I've had it with you vegetarian pricks!!! We're going to keep this party at the Grill House whether you like it or not, so you can sit quietly at the table furthest from the "grill of death," as you so quaintly put it, and you'll get your f*%^ing salad bar, including organic tomatoes. But you know, tomatoes have feelings, too. They scream when you slice them. I've heard them scream. I'm hearing them scream right NOW!

The rest of you f*%^ing weirdos can kiss my *ss. I hope you all have a rotten holiday!

Drive drunk and die,

The B*tch from H*ll!!!



Company Memo

FROM: Joan Bishop, Acting Human Resources Director

DATE: November 23

RE: Patty Lewis and Holiday Party

I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Patty Lewis a speedy recovery and I'll continue to forward your cards to her.

In the meantime, management has decided to cancel our Holiday Party and give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd off with full pay.

Happy Holidays!

Joan

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Want a Raise? Look Better!

Interesting article today from Forbes. Discusses that as you gain weight or just not take care of yourself in general, your salary goes down too. This article specifically notes white women are subject to this type of discrimination.

What can you do?

1 - attitude is everything. Be positive and energetic.

2 -Dress for success. Make sure you know which clothes highlight your body, and which colours and patterns to wear/not wear. If you don't know, find an image consultant or trusted fashionable friend.

3 - Walk tall. Straighten up your posture, even when sitting.

4 - Talk tall. Don't yell but speak with authority and in a loud clear voice.

5 - Smile. Smile smile smile! With that in mind, visit the dentist regularly.

6 - Read this article. Now.

Enjoy!


http://ca.finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance/article/forbes/1361/think-looks-dont-matter-think-again

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Quick Interpersonal Communication Advice

Here is some advice that I often give to clients and friends (and to myself!), at different times. I hope you find them useful.

See people eye to eye.
Hear people with more than your ears.
Talk to people heart to heart.
Feel someone's real message using empathy.
Listen To words and FOR meaning.
Deal with problems face to face, not back to back.
Do not fight to be right. It is not a win/lose competition.
Conflict is not necessarily a bad thing.
Body language is not an exact science, but a cluster of cues is often right.
Just because you CAN, doesn't mean you SHOULD...

Enough for now.

Thank you!

Saturday, November 14, 2009

What Those Words on Yearly Performance Reviews REALLY Mean

(This is the latest 3V Communications Newsletter, that just came out today!)

Hi folks,

It’s been a while since my last newsletter. I apologize for my tardiness. I have been quite busy with coaching, a presentation on PowerPoint repair, and setting up employee training courses at companies for immigrants who have English as a second language. In addition, I am moving in a couple of weeks. Busy busy!

Today I want to share with you a joke that originated as an email-based forward. You know those annoying forwarded messages that you get daily that crowd your inbox? You are bothered to receive them yet still curious to open some of them, if not all. The problem is, every once in a while, there is a good one. And that is what probably keeps us from asking people NOT to forward stuff to us. That, or the fact that we are sometimes guilty of the same offence!

Without further ado, I present to you a list that was a forwarded email. I do not know who the original author is, but did notice that they use British English spelling.

My thanks to my client Tatiana, who kindly provided this list to me. (I actually requested that she forward it to me – how is that for a change?)

What Those Words on Yearly Performance Reviews REALLY Mean:

1. Outgoing Personality: Always going out of the office
2. Great Presentation Skills: Able to B.S.
3. Good Communication Skills: Spends lots of time on phone
4. Work is First Priority: Too ugly to get a date
5. Active Socially: Drinks a lot
6. Independent Worker: Nobody knows what s/he does
7. Quick Thinking: Offers plausible excuses
8. Careful Thinker: Won’t make a decision
9. Uses Logic on Difficult Jobs: Gets someone else to do it
10. Expresses Themselves Well: Speaks English
11. Meticulous Attention to Detail: A nit-picker
12. Has Leadership Qualities: Is tall or has a louder voice
13. Exceptionally Good Judgement: Lucky
14. Keen Sense of Humour: Knows a lot of dirty jokes
15. Career Minded: Back stabber
16. Loyal: Cannot get a job anywhere else
17. Plans for Promotion/Advancement: Buys drinks for all the boys
18. Of Great Value to the Organisation: Gets to work on time
19. Relaxed Attitude: Sleeps at desk

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Become an ESL Teacher - Study Online

AU Coupon Code: 940660

Thursday, November 05, 2009

If you don't know why we wear Poppies...

Hello,

These days you will see many people in Canada and the UK wearing a red 'poppy' flower over their heart, on their left lapel (not right please!). It is a symbol that represents showing remembrance of our fallen soldiers, from any war. We wear the poppy up until November 11th, which is our Remembrance Day (Veteran's Day in the US).
To learn more about the history of this symbol and to read the poem 'In Flanders Fields', please see my other blog
http://SpeakEnglishBetter.blogspot.com.

Thanks, and I hope you wear a poppy just as I do.