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Attend to hidden Stories

You just never know where stories are, nor when and how they may emerge – either by chance or design. Being attentive makes all the difference.

During our recent cruise, we were wonderfully entertained by Paul Burton, a pianist and singer with a deep knowledge of and appreciation for Cole Porter, the Gershwins and Irving Berlin.

Late one evening, drawn by the sounds of a piano and muted conversation, we stumbled upon him by chance. After that, we sought him out each night, for more and more information, tales and insight into music, composers, their lives and work.

A quirky, mischievous delivery style added to the rich mixture of fact, story and musical interpretation that he shared each evening. Gradually, segments of his own story were revealed: that his musical career evolved despite tensions between desire and circumstance. It was fostered and flourished through chance encounters with mentors and advocates. Universal themes of vulnerability, exposure, acknowledgement, loss, anticipation and success touched the common ground between performer and audience.

It was interesting to observe how his audience increased in size and attention. They even established a culture of attendance. At this time and in this bar-lounge side conversations were hushed and discrete. People breaking the code were frowned upon by those who knew what was expected. Some people moved their conversations to other places.

It was an unexpected, but useful experience of story, attention and engagement; and certainly one to share with you.

Must perceptions become the reality?

Yes, it can be difficult to connect with a new acquaintance due to natural differences in tonal qualities and delivery styles.

Consider the example of a person who consistently adopts a cynical delivery style. It can become awkward to cut through the cynicism. Silence follows. And conversation dies.

What about the use of condescending, commanding or critical vocal tones? Once again, barriers arise and easy interaction turns into a heavy burden of silence.

There is a way through if you remember that you are a contributor to the conversation.

You cannot change your communication partner’s choices and style. You are responsible for the impact that you make and the responses that you deliver.

Here are three actions you can take to succeed:

You can change your responses to your thoughts and the rise and range of feelings that you may experience. This is where you are in control. Recognise what is happening. Identify the physical, intellectual and emotional responses you are experiencing. Take time to consider, select and deliver your response.

Pay attention to your voice when you speak. Be willing to adapt and alter its predispositions. Be capable of adjusting how you say what you want to say.

Know what your purpose is in having this conversation. Focus on the outcomes that are required. By working at a higher level you will be able to fulfil your purpose.

TED insights in 6 minutes

I admire the skills of TED speakers who deliver their content in 6 minutes or less.

What they are able to do is focus on the core of their purpose, stick to essentials, hone their attention and sustain sharp relevance in their message.

It is a useful discipline to develop particularly if you are called upon to speak often and at a moments notice.

Here is one of many examples that illustrates the practise of focused, attentive speaking.

As you watch and listen:

• notice what drives your responsiveness to the presentation
• make a note of your thoughts as they emerge
• collect similar data on your emotional responses to the content and the speaker
• name the emotions and track the emotive journey you experience
• collate what you have learnt and adapt it to your style

Here is the link.

Virtual Accent Adjustment – 12 week series

• Work in the privacy of your own home, before or after hours
• Make an audible and lasting difference to how you sound and the way you come across when speaking to colleagues and clients
• Be confident and clear each time you speak
• Know how to adjust your style to the context in which you are speaking
• Know how to recover your clarity quickly and easily if you stumble or are asked to repeat yourself

Key Program Features
With current, relevant material at its core, this 12-week program includes:

• confidential weekly email feedback on your individual work-in-progress
• practice strategies that take your learning style into account
• customised exercises that are relevant to you
• weekly email support
• pre- and post- program assessments

Voice Master Classes – February and April 2012

A Master Class is made up of a group of professionals devoting 2 hours to a specific-purpose workshop with a topic specialist. Master Classes are valuable platforms for developing unique, specific skills in a confidential, relaxed environment. At the Voice & Word Studio in Carnegie, Sandra Baigel runs small group Master Classes of up to 6 people at a time.

In February and April 2012, Master Classes will focus on Voice, its auditory impact and reach, as an influential tool in conversation and communication. This Master Class series is particularly relevant to leaders, managers and technical specialists who use their voices extensively at work.

Session 1: February 27, 6.00pm for 6.15-8.30pm Topic: ‘Voice Placement’

Discover how to improve your vocal quality by honouring your natural pitch range and adjusting the placement of your voice in your mouth.

Session 2, April 30, 6.00pm for 6.15-8.30pm Topic: ‘Voice Projection’

Note: If you unsure of your pitch range and your voice placement technique, I recommend that you attend both Master Classes as a series.

Discover how to gain attention, hold focus and influence people to action when you fill a room with the sound and movement of your voice.

Virtual ‘Voice in Story’ – 12 week program

As an entrepreneur, a business owner or a franchise manager you must make an impact with your staff, your clients and your prospects.

This fully customised, confidential, one-to-one program is available across Australia and internationally.

Download this summary, email me any questions plus a selection of your preferred starting dates and times and let’s get started right away.

1.     Terms and Conditions relating to Services and Products

Voice & Word’s services and products are customised to suit each client’s needs and may be delivered in a variety of forms.  We will deliver to you the services and/or products as described in the Program Overview at the confirmed location and commencing on the agreed Commencement Date when you submit your pre-payment and/or sign acceptance of the Program.

This Agreement will continue until we have completed the Services.  If a specific timeframe is nominated it will appear in the Program Overview.   

2.     Payment of Our Fees

You agree to pay us the Fee as detailed and on schedule. For Virtual Products and Services, the Fee is given on the relevant Product Page for immediate payment. In other Services, find the Fee in the Schedule for our Services where payment is made within 14 (fourteen) days of receipt of an invoice from us.

3. Intellectual Property Rights

We retain title to and ownership of all intellectual property rights including all copyright and trademarks in relation to our products and services.  You agree that any work, items, materials or information of any sort produced or developed by us or under our direction, whether in conjunction with you or not, remains our property and that you cannot use our intellectual property rights unless a separate licensing agreement has been signed by the parties, and then only to the extent provided for in the signed Licence Agreement.

6.     Protecting Your Confidential Information

All of your business and personal information, including that of your staff, is strictly confidential.  We promise that we and our staff will not disclose any of your information to anyone without your written approval, except where we must disclose it by law or where the information is already publicly available.  We will continue to protect your confidential information even after we finish working with you.

7.     Nature of Our Relationship

Our relationship with you is that of independent contractor.  Neither party has or can represent that we have any power, right or authority to act on the other’s behalf or enter into a contract for the other.  Our relationship is not that of partners, employer and employee, master and servant or principal and agent.

Given the nature of our relationship, you agree to allow us to carry out the Services in such a manner and with such resources and using such techniques as we determine, provided that we consult with you in relation to your particular needs and comply with the terms of this Agreement.

8.     What we can and cannot be held responsible for

We promise to always act in your best interests and in doing so we give advice, information, directions, systems and processes to you in good faith.  While we will try to ensure the best outcome for you in everything we do, we cannot be held responsible for your ultimate success.  We give no warranties or guarantees as to the ultimate financial success or benefit that will be enjoyed by you as a result of our Services.

If however, the law provides that you can make a claim against us for any damage caused to you by our actions or omissions, then we will only be liable to pay damages in an amount not exceeding the Fee payable to us for our Services.

9.     Resolving Problems

We ask that if there is a problem with our Services, you bring this to our attention within 7 days of our service.  You agree with us that if there is a problem, we will try to resolve it between ourselves.  If the problem cannot be resolved by negotiation, the matter will be referred to mediation before a mediator approved by the Law Institute of Victoria and both parties will participate in the mediation process in good faith.  Failing mediation, the matter will then be submitted to arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Act 1984 (Vic).  During the arbitration, we may both be represented by a lawyer.  We each agree to bear our own legal costs.

Litigation is expensive and can cause a lot of bitterness and it is not something we see as compatible with Voice & Word’s values.  You agree with us that litigation in our relationship will only be used as a last resort.

 10.  General

The laws of the State of Victoria and applicable laws of Australia will apply to this Agreement.

Neither party can transfer their rights under this Agreement to a third party without the written consent of the other. This agreement may be varied only in writing signed by both parties.

If any part of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, that part will be severed from this Agreement.  This will not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of the Agreement.

Hello to you from Sandra!

You will shortly receive an email containing your payment confirmation and relevant material.

I trust the information is useful to you and that, by applying it, you achieve the changes you desire.

Please remember, I am only an email message away from you. Do drop me a line to let me know how you are doing. And, of course, I am available to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you again for your purchase.

‘Why should I bother with my voice?’ People can hear me; well… they don’t tell me they can’t!’

Yes, the comment you’ve just read comes up more often than you would believe.  It simply indicates that the speaker has no awareness of how they come across to others.

If you missed December’s Edge, listen to this to hear what I said about voice placement.  If you have time, you can also enjoy a good laugh at how I sound when my vocal placement is missing.

Seriously, when placement is distorted, the pitch of the voice (where it sits and how it travels across the vocal range), the vocal tone (the emotive response to the sound of the speaker’s voice) and the effective impact of The ACE Factor (inherent authority, credibility and  engagement) are reduced.

My response to ‘Why bother?’ is:  ‘Because it is critical to your capacity to influence no matter who you are.  Can you afford to ignore your vocal impact any longer?’

Get your voice mastery strategy underway in February 2012.  Here are the details.

Find Themes – Generate Conversations – Make Changes

Use past releases of ‘Take Note’ to stimulate ideas and discussions

January 2012

Take note: Writers and Speakers have much in common

Take note: Assumptions and technology

Take note: Assumptions and attention

December 2011

Take Note: Listen – build rapport and respect

Mindful Voice Placement promotes Healthy Voices

Voice Placement Matters

Those of you who have worked directly with me know that an important marker of a full, clear voice is that, as it is formed, it is placed centrally in the mouth.

From this location it is shaped into sounds, words and sentences.  The result is clear, vibrant voice and speech.

But, many reasons (including geography, habit and lack of confidence) prompt people to hold their voices back.  The voice is thus released into the rear of the mouth.

As a result, the voice may sound trapped and confined to the throat, or contained in the nasal passages and forced out through the nose.

It is important to know that this practice can cause damage to the mechanism itself.  It certainly puts strain on the muscles used to support the mechanism; strain that may not be evident for years.

Start the year off well with effective, mindful voice placement techniques.  Register for the February MasterClass here.

Vocal strain, throat pain and changes to pitch and vocal qualities arise when the speaker is required to project their voice, speak for longer periods of time in their day, or use their voice constantly at work.

Have you heard what happens to my voice when it is poorly placed?

Technical college and university lecturers, professional and public speakers, school teachers, gym instructors and contact centre staff are at particular risk.

Learn how to place and project your voice in large and small spaces at work.  Download this registration form and book early.

Voices at Work

It’s awkward but true.

Across business, industry and the professions, people take for granted their voices and spoken word expression.

How does your voice and the words you use, speak for you?

Get your answer via free feedback on your voice and its impact on the ear.

Welcome to Voice & Word where you can ask questions about your voice, develop your speech clarity and increase confidence in your spoken words by managing your accent:

• Explore how to harness the full, natural power of your voice
• Find and apply apt, vibrant words that give energy and life to your message
• Manage accent with clarity and confidence
• Demonstrate your spoken word capacity as a leader, entrepreneur, manager and technical specialist
• Discover how your voice can establish you as authoritative, credible and engaging when you interact at work
• Learn how to speak clearly, confidently and with courage at work and in life
• Examine how you can use your voice and spoken word practices in tune with your natural style

Yes, you can secure your professional success with a voice and word partnership.

Get free feedback on your voice and its impact right now!

You’re invited to contact me, Sandra Baigel, directly for a confidential chat.

Together, we can discuss your voice and what you want to achieve through it.  Listen to this.  Then call me on my mobile, leave a voicemail message.

My details are in the sidebar and on the contact page. You can also send me an email.

I look forward to hearing from you!

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A well-developed, natural voice is an essential resource for leaders, entrepreneurs, managers and technical specialists.

Each one of these professionals must draw on appropriate, compelling vocal and verbal strategies at a moment’s notice.

Strategic leadership voice coaching and senior executive voice and spoken word programs are confidential, fully customised to specific requirements and delivered  one-to-one, off-site and in a relaxed environment.

Each customised program includes a thorough examination of the current vocal/verbal impact as manifested in The Voice Wheel ™  and tested against ‘The ACE Factor’.  Submit an audio snapshot to receive insights on  your current Voice Wheel Analysis and inspect your ‘ACE Factor’ now.

Working with Leaders

Speak like a leader

Leaders must be able to swiftly adapt their style and blend appropriate voice and language behaviours into each aspect of their communication and presentation.

Successful leaders demonstrate the capacity to communicate with a wide range of listeners.

As they speak with authority, they advance their credibility and use skills in engagement to take their audience with them.

Every customised program for leaders includes a thorough examination of their vocal/verbal impact as manifested in The Voice Wheel ™  and tested against ‘The ACE Factor’.  Submit an audio snapshot to receive insights on  your current Voice Wheel Analysis and inspect your ‘ACE Factor’ now.

Potential and emerging leaders’ voice carries within them the untapped advantage of what I’ve identified as ‘The ACE Factor’.   For each leader, this is different.   Submit to me an audio snapshot and receive a current picture of your unique ACE Factor.

The impact and lasting impression of your leadership depends on how you use your voice (its pitch, range, tone and expression) combined with engaging delivery strategies, relevant content and appealing people-skills.

As a leader, your full vocal presence is central to gaining buy-in and commitment.  When you understand the impact of your vocal presence, you advance as a leader in your organisation and industry.

Entrepreneurs

As an entrepreneur, you are constantly in the spotlight.

You must speak with authority, conviction and empathy at a moment’s notice.

You must demonstrate knowledge, experience, leadership and passion each time you speak.

In a customised coaching program, integrate elements of innovation and leadership with your focused business strategy so that you clearly articulate your vision.

During your program, work one-to-one with me, Sandra Baigel, either via video/audio link or at the Voice & Word Studio in Melbourne, Australia.

Be confident. You will focus on expressing your professional purpose in total confidentiality.

Are you seeking a clear, direct strategic statement for you and your executive team?    If so, take advantage of short, sharp studio sessions for you and your executive team.   Download this or request more details.

Managers

Many managers arrive at their positions without specialist professional development of effective communication skills and presentation skills.

As a manager, you are constantly under pressure.

Each day brings fresh demands.

Learning on the run is neither efficient nor effective.

Are you able to apply full voice dexterity and clear, vivid language when you:

• Deliver briefings to your team
• Conduct meetings that achieve their purpose
• Provide feedback that achieves lasting behaviour changes
• Are managing difficult situations and people

On a moment to moment basis, are you able to communicate and speak with authority, credibility and a sense of engagement?

Unique Requirements

Technical Specialists face specific, unique challenges.

You must be able to make the complex simple, the invisible visible, the previously unheard of understandable.

Bringing discovery, innovation and experimentation into a tangible,visible world is a essential skill that will advance your standing and your career.  Submit to me an audio snapshot and receive a current picture of your unique ACE Factor.

Dexterity in your voice and vivid, captivating language will serve you well.  You can turn yourself into an invaluable contributor at work, in your organisation and across your industry.

To organise a confidential conversation:

In Australia call 0416 043 732. If you are overseas, invite me to connect with you on skype by sending an email with your details to sandra@voice-word.com.au. Additional contact details are in the sidebar and here.

I look forward to speaking with you.