8 Mar What Google can learn from Communication Coaches

A recent New York Times Magazine article (Group Study by Charles Duhigg 2/25/16) discussed the Google Project Aristotle, a painstaking, in-depth study of what differentiates high functioning team meetings from stagnant, ineffective ones.

With all due respect (more…)

5 Mar Virtual Reality for the fear of public speaking

What started in 1997, as an in-house tool only for coaches to use Virtual Reality with clients is now closer than you think for the masses!  Our interactive virtual reality experience is the first of it’s kind and will be available this spring!  It’s not simply a panorama image with static people, but interactive people.  The pro-version will allow a coach to jack-into the matrix if you will and control the avatars to create a more lifelike experience!  To learn more click here!

The video here is from WGBH in Boston.

1 Mar Dr. Dennis Becker on the history of coaching

25 Feb Is it positive to be negative at work?

Do you have to deal with an abusive colleague or boss? Someone who’s sarcasm is just a bit too much? Listen to Ethan Becker and Laurie Schloff discuss the issue.

18 Feb Why do they say “Look”?

Have you noticed how many times a political candidate or commentator will say the word “look”?  Why do they say that?

Well, let’s zoom the picture back a little and think about this.  Linguists and psychologists have introduced us what they refer to as  the ‘representational systems’.  They tell us that people are prone to express their feelings, attitudes, opinions and more through the use of one of three ‘representational systems’.   (more…)

16 Feb Ethan Becker on the Emily Rooney Show

Ethan F. Becker was a guest on the Emily Rooney Show to discuss how candidates communicate

Click here to listen!

8 Feb What is Speech Coaching all about?

Ethan F. Becker and Laurie Schloff discuss the what it is like to be a speech coach and provide guidance for those looking to join the career.

Talking about Politics at Work

Ethan F. Becker and Laurie Schloff discuss the issue of talking about politics at work.  What are the considerations surrounding the issue?  Why does it matter?  What should you do about it?

7 Feb HOW TV CAUSES THE FEAR OF SPEAKING by Dr. Dennis Becker

1 Feb Dr. Ethan F. Becker discussing a culture of communication

Dr. Ethan F. Becker Senior Speech Coach and Co-Author of the international best selling book “Mastering Communication At Work, How to Lead, Manage, and Influence”  Discusses the creating of a culture of communication as the number one priority of every CEO.

8 Jan Ethan F. Becker on MTV – how to improve conversations

When MTV was looking to help a college student strengthen his conversation skills, they called The Speech Improvement Company Inc. for help.

10 Sep Hello world!

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

8 Apr THE SPEECH IMPROVEMENT COMPANY CELEBRATES ITS GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY

Oldest Speech Coaching Company in the U.S. Reaches 50 Years in Business

Brookline, MA – April 8, 2014 – The Speech Improvement Company (TSIC), the oldest speech coaching organization in the country, today announced it is celebrating 50 years in business. This family owned second-generation speech coaching company has trained over one million people globally, including some of the biggest names in business, politics and entertainment. Current clients include Allstate, Bain Capital, Bank of America, Boston Scientific, Burlington Coat Factory, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Fidelity, IBM, IDC, Jon Platt of Warner/Chappell Music, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Oxfam America, Staples, and TJX Companies. (more…)

20 Sep He She talk – Laurie Schloff on WBZ with Tom and Suzanne

TSIC’s Senior Coach,  Laurie Schloff, was on television when her best selling book He-She talk came out.  She discusses relationships between men and women as they relate to communication.

Better Speech Day 1989 Faneuil Hall Boston

In 1989, The Speech Improvement Company Inc., in partnership with W.I.L.D., and Fanueil Hall (Quincy Market Place)  in Boston hosted Better Speech Day.

The winner of the speech competition was Freestyle Rap artist T.I.C.

10 Jul 5 Reasons to Say Goodbye to Shy

By Laurie Schloff, Senior Coaching Partner

There’s nothing wrong with introspection – some of the time. Most of us fall somewhere on the shyness spectrum, ranging from folks who are quiet by choice (or because they’re afraid of expressing themselves) to people who are reflective and choose to use their words sparingly. Wherever you fit on the shyness spectrum, you will probably benefit from learning outgoing behaviors and practicing a more forthcoming communication style. Here are five reasons to say goodbye to shy:

1. More opportunities. People who are shy tend to be less successful professionally than their more gregarious counterparts. There’s a strong association between possessing good communication skills (that is, expressing ideas clearly, showing support and concern for others, coming across well in interviews) and upward mobility. In these tough economic times, it’s even more critical to have an edge on getting (or keeping) a job offer or the chance for a promotion. And, for freelancers, better communication skills can keep those assignments coming your way.

2. You’ll feel better. People who have positive interpersonal relationships at work and outside of work are healthier and enjoy a better quality of life. The more you deepen your connection to others, through talking and nonverbal communication, the more you’ll have a sense of well being. You don’t necessarily have to maintain an active social life with lots of partying, if that’s not your preference – but several key relationships will be good for you, in the long run, even if developing those connections cause you stress in the short term.

3. Feelings of mastery. Learning skills for overcoming shyness and being a good conversationalist adds to the toolbox that you can use anywhere, anytime. These tools include skills in initiating conversations, continuing conversations, ending conversations, networking, contributing to a conversation, and showing an interest in others. You can pull out these tools, as you require them, to be a better manager, employee, or friend. Once you’ve mastered these social skills, you can use them, and reuse them, in different ways throughout your life.

4. You deserve to be noticed. The speaking wheel gets the grease, and the wallflower stands alone. Just because you’re a quieter person, why should you be denied the goodies that some of the more talkative people get? Leave shyness behind, and people will be more interested in talking to you, they’ll seek you out for business networking, and you’ll be noticed in terms of attracting friends and potentially a mate. And that’s just the beginning!

5. You’ll be better appreciated. Shyness too frequently is misinterpreted as arrogance or snobbishness. Having a friendly and open facial expression, including smiling, is the most important ingredient in being seen as approachable and likeable. Everyone, whether shy or not, wants to be liked. Take a shot at it. Sometimes, all it takes is changing your countenance to change people’s response to you – and to open the door to meaningful connections.

It may require effort to leave your shyness behind, but the rewards are instantaneous. If you walk down the street and smile, 9 times out of ten, you’ll receive a smile in return. This signals that you’re on your way to becoming a friendly and approachable person – and it’s as easy as taking that first step and putting a smile on your face.