You can only be heard in a meeting if you speak up. Here are some ways to practice speaking up before you go to a meeting. They will also prepare you to talk if you are called upon when you least expect it (especially in a group setting).

• When you are alone, talk out loud. For example, read the road signs when you’re driving or do a monologue about what you see around you.

• Call your cell phone once a day and leave your opinion on a business situation.

• Be sure to have coffee or lunch once or twice a week with a colleague to stretch your speaking muscles. (This is also good networking).

• Before you go into a meeting warm up with voice exercises.

• Join a Toastmasters Club.

Doing good work and making a positive impact to an organizational success is only recognized if you are heard.

Offices today are trending toward open spaces with many folks occupying them. Because of flexible office hours they are rarely filled. Sometimes, though, there will be occasions where everyone is in the office.

So, be careful of odors that can be offensive like ones that may emanate from smoke, cologne, hair spray and gels, body and food.

To make sure you are not the one causing the smells, one hour before a meeting:

• Do not smoke
• Stay away from dining places in a small, closed environment
• Do not pick up or eat food in your car
• Always wash your hands before a meeting. It helps get rid of odors.
• Carry breath mints

How many times has a comment stemming from a sense of humor provided a pause in a serious discussion or at least eased the tension in a room? The key thing is being smart about using humor by relating it to the situation. We see where a sense of humor has often been used to break the tension in today’s heated political environment. “Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing.” William James

Two television shows focus on small business. The program on MSNBC focuses on helping a selected small business. The other show is ABCs Shark Tank. This show refers to the “pitch” which is a few crisp words on what the business owner is all about and why his/her business is worth investing in.

It is has been proven over and over again that if you have a good pitch you can sell almost anything. In fact, a perfect personal introduction should be treated like a pitch. The key to good personal pitch is building in enough flexibility so that it can be tailored to any audience to obtain the impact and results desired.

In a recent event I was asked about the trend regarding dresses. Are they replacing the suit as the go to uniform for business women? Should women be rushing out and replacing suits with dresses?
Actually, it depends on the wearer. Some women find dresses easier to wear because they are one piece. Others find dresses difficult to accessorize with the right hose and shoes. However, a dress for some women is much easier to find than an appropriate pair of pants. My recommendation is to wear what you feel most comfortable in while showing your best self.

In the US, if men wear loafers with shorts socks should not be worn. It’s a major fashion faux pas made worse if the socks creep downward or are in a color other than a neutral tan that matches the shoes. Why does it matter? It does not look smart or elegant. Plus, if you are older it definitely will date you.

There were interviews after the recent US Ryder Cup defeat where the players were asked questions about their mistakes. In some cases, it appeared to be overkill.

When we make mistakes it is important to review why they happened to hopefully prevent the same errors from occurring again. However, it should not be a blood sport. Being civil is important. Being intrusive and rude will not change the past. It only makes it harder to move on. Losing is not as important as learning from it and then moving forward. Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes. – Oscar Wilde

Often, we have items in our wardrobe we will never wear or only wear once. And the next time we do put it on, we see it is out of style!

Do not purchase clothing if this is what tempts you:

1. Stay away from the latest style; wait until next year to purchase if you still like it and it is still around.

2. Do not buy it just because it was great bargain (for example, 90% off).

3. The item is too small but you know you will lose weight soon and be able to wear it.

4. You are not sure if you will ever wear it but you really like it.

5. It needs more than two alterations (more than a hem on the pants and waist alterations).

6. You don’t have an occasion to wear it yet (for example, formal wear) but you go to an event once every five years where it will work perfectly.

7. Buying shoes that look good but hurt your feet.

We all have money wasters in our closet. If you remember these tips you will have less of them.

In today’s economic situation where the dollar needs to go a long way, purchasing quality items for your wardrobe without breaking the bank can be challenging. At the same time you need to be efficient and ensure the pieces you add support the personal brand you want to create.

Here are some tips to help you get the most for your money while continuing to create a good wardrobe:

1. Shop in your closet; look at pieces that can be worn differently to create a new look.

2. Shop during the big sales. For example, buy in the middle of this season for next year. Classic clothes never go out of style and retailers are making room for new items. That makes it a good time to shop.

3. Shop with a plan and purpose.

4. Buy only what is on your list.

5. Buy an item that you can wear with at least three others already in your closet.

6. Shop at outlets.

Remember these tips when you’re considering refreshing your wardrobe. They will help stretch your dollars while enhancing a smart wardrobe.

A number of years ago I had a meeting with a Senior Vice-President of a large company. He arranged for me to meet his VP who I would be coaching. The VP was a Guatemalan. In his culture, personal space is nose to nose unlike in the US where one arm’s length is the accepted norm. I did not step back from him because I knew this. The fact that I understood his background was important to him and I ended up working for his group over a period of ten years before he retired.

Here are some tips about personal space:

• In the US, one arm’s length is the norm and the only time you touch someone is during the handshake.

• In Spain, people tend to stand much closer together. They also touch each other more frequently than do their US counterparts. Trying to create personal space is viewed as shyness or rudeness.

• On the other hand, Australians require extra personal space—at minimum of an arm’s length or more is typical.