Blog Entries tagged 'Good to know'

Increasing your General Knowledge makes you a better Speaker

claudia.raab@raabconsulting.com — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0100

If you want to become a better speaker you certainly need to concentrate on improving your communication skill. However, increasing your general knowledge will help you to achieve your goal too.

A great way to do that is to find out more about the history and origin of words you use. Not only could that become an interesting anchor point for one of your speeches, it certainly gives you a cutting edge in any private or professional conversation when you can occassionally let your knowle [...]

Getting your wording right will take you to the top!

claudia.raab@raabconsulting.com — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Alfa Romeo - isn't that the incarnation of speed, elegance, power and perfection?

We all know that a great name can make all the difference. Alfa Romeo is a perfect example for it. Although 'alpha' is the first letter of the alphabet in Italian, the famous Italian carmaker didn't name his company after it. The name is actually the acronym for Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili, meaning "an unnamed automobile factory in Lombardy". Can there be anyting more boring? Hardly!

I [...]

Become a better Speech Writer by increasing your General Knowledge

claudia.raab@raabconsulting.com — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0100

I'm an avid advocator for increasing your General Knowledge. Keep up with the news - whether you listen to the radio while driving in the car, watch television or read the newspapers.

Sometimes little funny facts will come in handy when you have to write a speech and are desperately trying to find a great beginning for a talk. Take this for example: Have you ever wondered why a technical defect on a computer is called a "bug in a computer"?

Here's why: The word 'bug' in a [...]

Listening Effectively: It's your Secret to Success

claudia.raab@raabconsulting.com — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Being a great Public Speaker is not only about speaking. Every great presenter and skilfull communicator is also a great and skilfull listener. They clearly understand their audience and have an exact idea what they are interested in, how they communicate and tailor their presentation accordingly.

Reasearch shows: Most of us aren't good listeners. For example, when we are in our office or on the phone with a client, we usually listen at roughly 25 % of our listening capacity. We interru [...]

Good communication and strong coffee

claudia.raab@raabconsulting.com — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Charles Lindbergh, the famous American aviator, author, inventor and explorer (1902 - 1974), may be much more known than his wife Anne Morrow Lindberg (1906 - 2001) who was a keen aviator too and also gained a reputation as a successful writer. Her thoughts about communication couldn't have been worded better:

Good communication is as stimulating as strong coffee, and just as hard to sleep after. Anne Morrow Lindbergh

From little known to world renowned

claudia.raab@raabconsulting.com — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0100

"On Saturday, I was a surgeon in South Africa, very little known. On Monday, I was world renowned."

Dr. Christiaan Barnard Forty one years ago today, surgeons in Cape Town, South Africa, led by Dr. Christiaan Barnard performed the first human heart transplant. Dr. Barnard's surgery was a breakthrough in the medical world, providing new hope for many desperate patients and inspiring thousands of surgeons worldwide. It took the South African committment and courage, strenght t [...]

Dr. Seuss and your vocabulary

claudia.raab@raabconsulting.com — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Did you know that of all the words Dr. Seuss made up in his storybooks, only one has stuck in the English vocabulary: "Grinch"!

By the way, when was the last time you read one of his hilarious books? Our tip: Check them out again! They great for adults, too. Good fun guaranteed!