New Management

The Speech Improvement Company Inc., has announced today the promotion of Ethan F. Becker to President, and Kristen Curran-Faller to COO (Chief Operating Officer). Dr. Dennis Becker will remain on as the firm’s CEO and Dr. Paula Borkum Becker will remain as the firm’s CFO.

“For 45 years, Paula and I have been holding the reigns for all the operating functions of the firm. We will continue to coach and remain infuential in the firms decisions as we hand over the day to day operations to the next generation,” said Dr. Dennis Becker. Dr. Paula Borkum Becker added “Kristen has been with the firm for 18 years and heavily involved in the daily operations, from engaging with clients to back end office to billing and other company needs. Ethan has really expanded the thinking of the firm, bringing in new technologies and clients from all corners of the world. I’m excited about the engery and expertise they will bring for the next 45 years.”

Ethan, 38, holds an undergraduate degree in Communication, a graduate MBA with double focus in International Business Communication and Leadership. He is currently enrolled in a PhD program in The Psychology of Business Communication. He has been a senior coach and trainer with TSIC since 2001. Prior to joining TSIC he held positions as Project Director and Team Leader for Media One Hundred. Ethan has also held positions as a motivational trade show speaker for major corporations. In addition, he began his career as a corporate video producer, and music video producer.

Kristen holds an undergraduate degree in Speech Communication, and a graduate degree in Training and Development. Before assuming her role as senior trainer and coach, she worked in advertising and marketing, and served as Director of The Customer Service Training Center. During her 18 years of service to TSIC, she has initiated many policies and pioneered many programs, including the worlds’s first, and TSIC patented, Virtual Reality Therapy regime. She has strong integral knowledge of the inner workings that keep the firm strong and thriving.

“We are all excited about the transition to these two highly qualified and dedicated professionals. It represents the foundation for growth and the clear continuation of the firm in its mission to help all people strengthen their oral communication skills. Kristen and Ethan hold the respect of everyone on the team and we support the move 100%,” said Monica Murphy, a Senior Coaching Partner with TSIC since 1990.

More about Ethan’s background may be found at http://speechimprovement.com/ethan
More about Kristen may be found at http://speechimprovement.com/kristen

Speech and the City

Announcing a unique event in Boston…

The Women’s Connecting, Learning, and Empowering Forum.

As the job market grows even more competitive, learning how to communicate effectively and present a professional image in the best way possible is crucial. Learn how to strengthen what makes you unique and market yourself and your personal image to get that dream job! The Speech Improvement Company of Boston invites you to join us in this unique “First” sponsored by Boston University to celebrate and redefine how women communicate in the new millennium. This event will be a dynamic opportunity for women to network, learn, and socialize, while strengthening their professional and interpersonal communication skills.

This amazing event will offer a consortium of speakers, interactive workshops, demonstrations, and one-on-one personal coaching experiences with leading industry professionals.

Hosted by the College of Communication Student Assembly and Women and Finance, this exciting event will take place at Boston University, The College of Communication, 640 Commonwealth Avenue, on Saturday April 4, 2009 from 11AM-4 PM. We are pleased to provide a pool of experts to help you communicate for success! Workshops and meetings will help you leverage your communication strengths in the challenging job market to enhance your personal image and style.

Here are just a few of the innovative and energizing workshops and speakers we have lined up:

“Communicating with Confidence in a Difficult Job Market”
“The Power of Your Professional & Personal Style/Image”
“Mastering the Interview”
“Finding work through Social Media & Personal Branding”
“Effective Presentation & Speaking Tools to Keep You One Step Ahead”
Please RSVP and pre-register for this event by going to our dedicated page and receive a discount ticket for $5.

Drop ins are most welcome on the day of the event and you may purchase your
tickets at the door for $10. All proceeds will go to Heading Home in Cambridge, MA. Check out our exciting spring lineup of communication programs designed specifically for women at Speech and the City Executive Women’s Certificate Program!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

Please contact me directly at 617.739.3330 or email me at

Lau Lapides, Executive Speech Coach & Program Coordinator

lau@speechimprovement.com if you have any questions or innovative ideas!

1614 Beacon Street, Brookline (Boston), MA 02446 (617) 739-3330 1-800-LETS RAP fax (617) 232-9430

www.speechimprovement.com • email: info@speechimprovement.com

Kuala Lumpar Journal – Part 6

Today, I made another note about how similar the world really is. I was working with a Muslim manager, a woman, fully covered. And as she began to open up, I realized that I could have been in any corporate organization back in the states. The culture and implementation of communication is different, but the problems and core solutions remain consistent as always.

Also, tonight, I’m being introduced to royalty. You gotta love this job! Oh, and I learned that Bill Clinton will be coming to the hotel and staying 2 floors above me. It’s no secret, the secret service stand out like a sour thumb and have been here all week.

Kuala Lumpur Journal – Part 3

I finally made it to the hotel. It’s great to be back, but I miss home already.

It does make a difference that the hotel staff is familiar with me. They had my Guitar waiting for me upon arrival. They keep it for me here. Now, I’ll go downstairs to the 5-star restaurant, and deliver the ingredients to my friend who is the head chef.

Which ingredients you might ask? Well, Chocolate Chip cookies of course! They make them for me here during my stay. It’s amazing what a little “Effective Communication” will get you!

Kuala Lumpur Journal – Part 2

I’ve finally landed in KL. My bags made it through. I flew on Singapore Airlines, which is a great airline. Now that I’m on the ground, I’m over heated. I keep my Red Sox hat on in hopes of meeting up with some familiar faces along my journey. Now that I’m in town, I’ll start tagging friends and clients with my local phone number to let people know I’ve arrived. I have another 45 minute drive to the hotel, where I’ll decompress.

Singapore Airlines

Kuala Lumpur Journal – Part 1

Ethan Becker is on his way to Malaysia to work with SuriaKLCC. He will be sending regular updates on his trip in a series we titled: “Kuala Lumpur Journal”.

Ethan Becker, Senior Coach/Trainer

Four flights, 1 entire season of 24 and 36 hours later, Ethan landed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Ethan is working with Executives to help them strengthen their managerial communicaiton skills. This is follow up work with the team that has shown incredible improvement over the years.

The weather is hot, and humid. Boston of course, is much colder. Back home it’s snow and shoveling while here it’s rain and warmth.

I find it amazing how similar people are around the world. When I travel, I meet and profile people along the way. I’ve met people from countries and cultures all over the world. It’s a real lesson to get to work with so many cultures and see how human beings are similar and different.

The teachings of Aristotle regarding communication cross culture barioers. I’ve yet to find a culture where the communication fundementals don’t apply. They are not “American” teachings, they are tools and techniques that can help human beings communicate. What is unique is the implementation of tools and technques. That can vary by culture. But concepts like having strong relationships in business reamain a constant.

Malaysia is similar and different from home. I often joke that it’s a lot like Natick Ma. In the city, you find many high end brands and an Americanized city, as most cities are similar. Once you leave the city, that is when it becomes unique.