Communication Clinic: 99 Proven Cures for the Most Common Business Mistakes

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• AcknowledgmentsIntroductionPART I | BUSINESS WRITING IN A DIGITAL WORLD1. “I Didn’t Know That!” The Essentials ofGood Business Writing.2. Getting Started: Five Ways to Overcome Writer’s Block. 3. Imperfect Writing for Perfect Results.4. Looks Count: Make Your Writings Visually Appealing 5. These Bullets Won’t Kill Your Writing. 6. Simple Words Are Not for Simple People. 7. Do Not Use Contractions(Don’t Worry, I Didn’t Mean It!)8. “But I Didn’t Mean It That Way!”How to Eliminate a Harsh Tone in Your Emails 9. Eliminate Those Extra Words10. Email Rules: Don’t Drive Your Readers to Distraction!. 11. What’s in an Email Address? A Lot!12. Grab Your Reader’s Attention: Effective Useof Email Subject Lines.13. In the Beginning . . . Salutations Set the Tonefor Emails and Letters.14. Saying Goodbye: Suggestions for Closing Your Emails 15. Reasons You Make Mistakes in Email,and Proofreading Solutions. 16. How Do I Become a Better Writer?Let Me Count the Ways .17. “It’s What You Wrote!” How Facebook, Twitter,LinkedIn, and Others Can Kill Your Career.18. Improve Your Writing—and Reputation—Through Blogging.19. Texting for Business? It Is Still Writing!.20. Don’t Write That! The Top 10 Grammar Gripes(and Other Errors). PART II | PRESENTATION SKILLS:TALK YOUR WAY TO THE TOP21. Presentation Panic—Take These Stepsto Avoid Running off the Stage!. 22. More Ways to Overcome Stage Fright.23. Don’t Ramble: Use the Speech Organizer24. It Would Have Been a Great Speech—for a Different Audience 25. Openings and Closings Matter: Start with Strength,End with Impact 26. Story Time: Use Tales to Engage with Your Audience27. Write the Presentation the Right Way 28. Polishing Your Delivery: Pay Attention to the Details .29. Don’t Put Your Audience to Sleep: Speak with Authority. 30. Eliminate Filler Words: Um, You Know, Okay. 31. Don’t Let a Microphone Distract from Your Presentation. 32. Are You Letting These Speaking QuirksDerail Your Presentation? .33. Did You Hear the One About . . . ? Guidelines for Humor. 34. “He’s Still Talking!” The Secrets to Managing TimeWhen Presenting. 35. Tips to Encourage Questions from Your Audience.36. Answer Questions Like a Pro.37. Show-and-Tell: Suggestions for Using Slides Successfully. 38. I’m Speaking on a Panel: What Do I Do?.39. Polish Your Presentations a Little More.40. Continue to Improve: Use the Post-PresentationChecklist to Evaluate. PART III | TALK ISN’T CHEAP:ASSERTIVE COMMUNICATION AND CONFLICT41. Are You Too Nice? Learn the “Three Facesof Communication”.42. How Assertive Are You? Take a Self-Assessment.43. Should I Believe You? Avoid Sending Mixed Messages. .44. Eliminate the Negativity—No Harsh, Aggressive Tones.45. Avoid the Use of the Word But, but 46. Do You Have a Problem with “No Problem”?47. Listen Up! You Can’t Talk and Pay Attentionat the Same Time.48. Silence Isn’t Always Golden: Voice Your Opinionat Meetings49. What's My Line? What to Say in Awkward Situations50. Two Communication Secrets to Get What You Want51. How to Manage “Know-It-Alls” Without Insult .52. “Hold That Thought!” and Other Ways toHandle Interruptions. 53. Fightin’ Words: Questions to Avoid Asking(or Answering) at Work. 54. “How Can I Say This?” Ways to Deliver Difficult News .55. No Pouting: Polite Ways to Handle Criticism . 56. Offended by a Comment? Try These Simplebut Powerful Responses. 57. Stop Complaining: Learn to Confront Others Politely58. Someone Else’s Bad Behavior Is No Excusefor Your Own!59. Work with a Bully? Tips for Asserting Yourself. 60. Drama Screens: Handling Conflict Online61. Staying Festive: Ways to Avoid Conflictat the Holidays PART IV | IT’S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY:CAREER ADVANCEMENT AND JOB SEARCH62. Your Career Is What You Make It—So Make It Something! 63. Build Your Career, One Day at a Time64. Seven Tips for Young Women Just Starting Their Careers65. Many People Are Giving Me Career Suggestions.What Do I Do? 66. Don’t Put Yourself Down—Speak Wellof Yourself Instead.67. Build Your Network Both Online and Off68. Are You Letting Networking OpportunitiesPass You By?69. How to “Keep in Touch” Professionallyand Successfully70. Don’t Whine About Your Job. Do Something!71. How Do I Conduct a Job Search?Suggestions for Success72. Perk Up Your Résumé and Cover Letter73. Avoid Blunders: Interviewing Tips for Everyone 74. How Do You Master Interviewing?Practice, Practice, Practice75. Dress to Impress—Not to Fool the Employer76. Avoid Job-Search Gaffes on Social Media 77. Lights, Camera, Interview! Tips for Interviewingon Skype.78. You Got the Interview—Now Here’s Whatto Do the Night Before79. Nice Offer . . . But I Wasn’t Looking for a New Job 80. When to Let Your Employer Know You Are Leaving.PART V | THE FINISHING TOUCHES:YOUR ACTIONS AND APPEARANCE MAKE A DIFFERENCE81. Do You Want to Be Noticed? The Power of Presence.82. Do You Project Confidence When Seated? 83. Greetings: The Power of a Simple “Hello”.84. Introductions: Frustrations Galore!85. Not for Men Only! The Etiquette of the Handshake86. Cubicle Conversations: Keep Chat Professionalin the Office87. Effective International Communication:You Say “Potato,” and I Say 88. Ways to Engage with People—for PeopleWho Don’t Like to Engage!89. The “Halo Effect”—When Being Nice Has Benefits90. “But It’s Playing My Song”: Smart Phone Usefor Business91. The Etiquette of Connecting Professionally on LinkedIn92. We Can’t All Be Steve Jobs: Dressing Well Reaps Results93. Top 10 Business Clothing Mistakes94. Don’t Take Your Neighbor’s Bread, and OtherDining Suggestions95. Be a Gracious Guest: 10 Ways to Avoid Dining Blunders96. Tips for Ordering Wine at a Business Dinner97. In a Restaurant, to Introduce or Not?Tips for a Tricky Etiquette Situation 98. Your Mother Was Right: The Importanceof Expressing Thanks99. Etiquette for Hallways, Sidewalks, and Other WalkwaysConclusionIndex