Compelling
Communications, Inc.

Monthly Marketing and Customer Services Ideas
from June Van Klaveren, Compelling Communications, Inc. -- March, 2004

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Stage Fright Strategies

Occasionally I'm asked about overcoming stage fright, a condition that affects even the most seasoned speakers. Actually, stage fright takes root in the "fight or flight" phenomenon of ancient times. Stage fright may come and go, but it usually does not disappear permanently. According to surveys, the number one fear is of public speaking. If that applies to you, try out some of the ideas here.

Concentrate on your own abilities
Imagine yourself visiting with friends.
Think about your purpose in being there - help the audience.
Prepare well.
Absolutely memorize your opening statement so you can recite it on autopilot if you have to.
Practice, practice, practice.
Be in the room at least an hour early if possible to check everything. You can also schmooze with participants arriving early.
Concentrate on searching for current and immediate things that are happening at the event that you can mention during your talk (especially in the opening).
Visit with people as they enter the room.
Yawn to relax your throat.
If your legs are trembling, lean on a table, sit down, or shift your legs.
Take a quick walk.
Take quick drinks of water. Don't drink alcohol or coffee or tea with caffeine.
Hide notes around the stage area so you know you have a backup if you happen to draw a blank.
Do isometrics that tighten and release muscles.
Use eye contact.
Look in the mirror. Check for unzipped zippers, etc.!
Look at the friendliest faces in the audience.

Remember nervousness doesn't show as much as it feels.

Just for Grins

WackyUses.com
At this site, you'll find uses for virtually anything you can think of!

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For more information or to order your copy of The Edge Up by June Van Klaveren, click here. Many companies report that they are using each chapter as the basis for customer service training.

Book Review

Good to Great by James C. Collins

After completing Built to Last, Jim Collins was nagged by the lingering question that he had been pondering since before Built to Last: are there any mediocre companies that became great? Once he had established his delimiters, he set out to collect data. Jim and his research team spent over five years and studied every company that made the Fortune 500 from 1965 until now-over 1400 companies-and found only eleven companies had truly gone from mediocre to being a long-term star. Then, they looked at why. Here's where it gets really interesting.

From studying these organizations, Collins and crew came up with some really mind-stretching conclusions. One of the most interesting: every good-to-great company has a "Level 5" leader during the transitional years. However, a "Level 5" leader is unlike strong leaders of our imaginings. All Level 5 leaders have a mix of personal humility and professional will. Fanatically driven to produce results, they are ambitious, first and foremost, for the company-not for themselves. Ultimately, they do whatever it takes to make the company great. A few of the other most useful findings include something called The Hedgehog Concept, which advocates breaking out of mediocrity with a single terrific product or service; and Technology Accelerators, which encourages a fundamentally diverse attitude and approach to technology.

Simply put: this book is going to be talked about for years-it is so solid in its findings, but written so superbly that you will practically learn just by holding it in your hand. But don't stop there: I guarantee that your copy will be as marked up with notes as mine.

<map name="boxmap-p8"> <area coords="-30,-36,9970,9964" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/compellingcom-20" > </map> <img src="http://rcm-images.amazon.com/images/G/01/rcm/120x240.gif" width="120" height="240" border="0" usemap="#boxmap-p8" alt="Shop at Amazon.com">

In This Issue

Humor

Case Study

Case Study

Challenge: Art's Pest Control wanted a more eye-catching Yellow Page ad to increase calls to their pest control copany.

Solution: We redesigned the ad using an attractive headline and graphic. Compare the before and after below.

Click photos to enlarge
If no enlargement appears, click here for alternate newsletter.

If you wish to no longer receive The Edge Up newsletter, simply reply to this message with the word “Cancel” in the subject line. If you know of others who would like to receive The Edge Up newsletter, please forward this copy so they can subscribe. If you change your email address, please let us know! ©2003 June Van Klaveren. "The Edge Up” newsletter is published by Compelling Communications. As publisher, we disclaim any liability for the use of any information contained herein.


Compelling Communications, Inc.	Monthly Marketing and Customer Services Ideas from June Van Klaveren, Compelling Communications, Inc. -- March, 2004 You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to it. If you choose not to receive this free monthly newsletter, simple send an to that effect. Online link to this newsletter
To receive this eletter every month, click here.	Stage Fright Strategies Occasionally I'm asked about overcoming stage fright, a condition that affects even the most seasoned speakers. Actually, stage fright takes root in the "fight or flight" phenomenon of ancient times. Stage fright may come and go, but it usually does not disappear permanently. According to surveys, the number one fear is of public speaking. If that applies to you, try out some of the ideas here. Concentrate on your own abilities Imagine yourself visiting with friends. Think about your purpose in being there - help the audience. Prepare well. Absolutely memorize your opening statement so you can recite it on autopilot if you have to. Practice, practice, practice. Be in the room at least an hour early if possible to check everything. You can also schmooze with participants arriving early. Concentrate on searching for current and immediate things that are happening at the event that you can mention during your talk (especially in the opening). Visit with people as they enter the room. Yawn to relax your throat. If your legs are trembling, lean on a table, sit down, or shift your legs. Take a quick walk. Take quick drinks of water. Don't drink alcohol or coffee or tea with caffeine. Hide notes around the stage area so you know you have a backup if you happen to draw a blank. Do isometrics that tighten and release muscles. Use eye contact. Look in the mirror. Check for unzipped zippers, etc.! Look at the friendliest faces in the audience. Remember nervousness doesn't show as much as it feels. Just for Grins WackyUses.com At this site, you'll find uses for virtually anything you can think of! Get your copy of The Edge Up TODAY! For more information or to order your copy of The Edge Up by June Van Klaveren, click here. Many companies report that they are using each chapter as the basis for customer service training.		Book Review Good to Great by James C. Collins After completing Built to Last, Jim Collins was nagged by the lingering question that he had been pondering since before Built to Last: are there any mediocre companies that became great? Once he had established his delimiters, he set out to collect data. Jim and his research team spent over five years and studied every company that made the Fortune 500 from 1965 until now-over 1400 companies-and found only eleven companies had truly gone from mediocre to being a long-term star. Then, they looked at why. Here's where it gets really interesting. From studying these organizations, Collins and crew came up with some really mind-stretching conclusions. One of the most interesting: every good-to-great company has a "Level 5" leader during the transitional years. However, a "Level 5" leader is unlike strong leaders of our imaginings. All Level 5 leaders have a mix of personal humility and professional will. Fanatically driven to produce results, they are ambitious, first and foremost, for the company-not for themselves. Ultimately, they do whatever it takes to make the company great. A few of the other most useful findings include something called The Hedgehog Concept, which advocates breaking out of mediocrity with a single terrific product or service; and Technology Accelerators, which encourages a fundamentally diverse attitude and approach to technology. Simply put: this book is going to be talked about for years-it is so solid in its findings, but written so superbly that you will practically learn just by holding it in your hand. But don't stop there: I guarantee that your copy will be as marked up with notes as mine. <map name="boxmap-p8"> <area coords="-30,-36,9970,9964" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/compellingcom-20" > </map> <img src="http://rcm-images.amazon.com/images/G/01/rcm/120x240.gif" width="120" height="240" border="0" usemap="#boxmap-p8" alt="Shop at Amazon.com">
In This Issue Humor Case Study
	Case Study Challenge: Art's Pest Control wanted a more eye-catching Yellow Page ad to increase calls to their pest control copany. Solution: We redesigned the ad using an attractive headline and graphic. Compare the before and after below.
		Click photos to enlarge If no enlargement appears, click here for alternate newsletter.
	Contact us at 800-779-0067 or If you wish to no longer receive The Edge Up newsletter, simply reply to this message with the word “Cancel” in the subject line. If you know of others who would like to receive The Edge Up newsletter, please forward this copy so they can subscribe. If you change your email address, please let us know! ©2003 June Van Klaveren. "The Edge Up” newsletter is published by Compelling Communications. As publisher, we disclaim any liability for the use of any information contained herein.