Lori's Biz Talk posts

Culture Differences at Work

I'm doing some research on cultural differences, particularly how communication styles of coworkers from different ethnic/cultural backgrounds can be very different.

Do you have experience working in a "low-touch" workplace or culture such as Japan or China? Or in a "high-touch" workplace or culture such as the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, or Italy?

If so, please drop me a line. Thanks!

Purchase/rent a projector for PPT?

For my workshops, I'll need equipment that can project a PowerPoint presentation onto a screen or wall. Any suggestions on what to buy? Can I rent one? Can I borrow one for the day?

Discussion about pricing

I'm looking for advice about pricing my service and wonder if this is an appropriate forum ... ? I know that on some lists, and within some organizations, discussions of rate-setting are absolute no-nos.

Your responses welcomed. Thanks.

CEUs?

It has been suggested to me that I offer CEUs to the participants in my workshops. Does anyone know how to go about this? Who to contact?

Thanks!

Lori

Recommendations for Life Coach Training

I'm researching life coach training programs and would like to get testimonials and recommendations.

If you have completed a life coach training program, what organization did you work with? Were you satisfied with the training? Would you recommend it? If not, what program would you recommend instead?

Thanks in advance!

Lori

WANTED: Private consulting space (Capitol Hill/Madison)

Does anyone have a small space that I could book for consulting sessions? This might be a separate, seldom-used room in a larger office that is used by consultants, counselors, advisors, recruiters, healthcare providers, and so on.

It should have two chairs and a desk or table. The sessions generally last an hour and could be scheduled at a time that is convenient for you.

In return: I'm currently offering my services for free, but as I begin to charge clients, I'd be able to pay you a small amount for the use of the space.

Would like to locate a suitable space in the Capitol Hill/Madison area early in May.

Let me know if you have or know of a venue. Thank you!

Lori

Seeking input from recruiters

Hello all recruiters! I've started a training company that focuses on communication skills - currently and more specifically, how to ace a job interview with professional, confident communication.

I've started meeting with clients but want to know what recruiters look for, and what they believe employers are looking for, in the job interview. What's more important - perfect grammar or eye contact? Firm handshake or a general air of confidence?

Note that I'm focused more on the nonverbal aspects of how people present themselves. I want to help them finetune the messaging that isn't coming out of their mouth or outlined on their resume.

All feedback is much appreciated! I can talk up your company as an added bonus.

Lori

Coaches/Consultants and receiving payment

For all coaches and business consultants (who provide a service, not a product), I have two questions:

• Do you request that payment be made upfront? Does the client pay you before recieving any services or advice?

• When you were first getting started, what type of payment did you accept? Cash, check, credit card, or ... ?

Thanks in advance.

Lori - i2i Communication Training

FREE Workshop - Interpersonal Communication

I'm gearing up for my first workshop, "i2i: Mastering Face-to-Face Communication in a Digital World". This 3-hour workshop will explore verbal (content) and nonverbal communication (process), focusing on the 90% of messaging that is expressed through body language.

You can expect lots of group discussion and pair exercises. No quietly sitting in a chair listening to a lecture! We'll wrap up with a pop quiz, take-home assignments for those who would like them, and feedback forms.

The time will be fun, engaging, and energizing. You're sure to learn more about all the ways that you are, outside conscious awaressness, communicating your internal processes.

Benefits: Heightened awareness of individual communication styles, greater understanding of all the people that you communicate with from friends, spouses, coworkers, and teenagers to complete strangers.

Cost: FREE

If you are interested in registering, drop me a line at i2iCommunication@aol.com. Be sure to include the days and times that you are available.

Lori

Seattle/UW District: Seeking Rental House

Hello everyone!

I'm looking for a house to rent in the UW District. Here are the specs.

Ideal rental: 3-bedroom house 1.5 or 2 bathrooms Washer/dryer Fenced back yard Off-street parking

Monthly rent: $2000 max.

Tenants: Lori: 48 years old, writer/editor, trainer. Homeowner (I have a condo in Portland). Sterling credit record. Single with no kids. Do not smoke or drink.

J: 28 years old, independent book editor. Single with no kids. Do not smoke or drink.

D: 60 years old, writer, retired educator. Do not smoke or drink.

Pets: I have two purebred Basenjis. Both are retired showdogs with impeccable manners. The male, a three-time national champ, is 10 years old, the female is 4, and I had a Basenji back in the '90s. Both are fixed, housetrained, and very loving. They tend to sleep all day while I'm at work, and I make sure that they are taken outside 3 times/day. They are not destructive, do not dig or chew, and the breed is known as "the barkless dog" because Basenjis do not bark!

D has a 10-year old cat.

My current lease expires on April 30, so I would like to secure a place in early to mid April.

If you have any leads, please e-mail me here or at ZenGrrrl@aol.com. Thanks!

Lori

Housing needed!

I hope it's okay to post this announcement here ... it's in the interest of helping out a fellow human being during tough times.

A very good friend of mine is in need of housing from April 1 through June 1. She will not be able to stay at the house she's currently in, doesn't have a car, and doesn't have a job. She is hoping to eventually live in the U-District for access to bus routes. She is of babyboomer age, well educated (PhD), conscientious, communicative, and has a quiet, elder cat.

If anyone has a space in or near the U-District that they could let her use (rent-free) temporarily, please drop me a line.

Thanks.

Lori

WANTED: Small Workshop Space

I'm gearing up for my first workshop and need to find an appropriate space. Do you have an unused meeting room that would hold 6-10 people? That you wouldn't mind letting me and a small group use for a few hours?

I know that I can book rooms at the libraries but would prefer a less public venue. Something like a small conference room in a business, counseling, or wellness center would be perfect.

The first workshop is a "practice" one. It will allow me to finetune the content and will be free for the participants. I'd need chairs for 6-10 guinea pigs, er, people, and a whiteboard would be great. The workshop would least 2-3 hours.

In return: You could participate in the workshop! Open to other suggestions as well.

I'm in Kirkland, so a location in Kirkland or Bellevue would be ideal.

Thanks!

Lori

Help me name my business!

I want to offer interpersonal communications coaching services. Here’s what I would and would not offer:

My services would NOT be: • Formal psychotherapy • Formal life coaching • Public speaking consulting • Business communications coaching • Training on how to better use your voice • Training on how to write more effectively

My services WOULD be: Individual, one-on-one coaching sessions geared toward learning better interpersonal skills, uncovering the events and patterns that have become communication blocks, breaking through those blocks, finding new tools and techniques for dealing with general communication challenges, modeling effective communication, and instilling in the client a strong sense of confidence and inspiration.

With whom would the clients put their skills to use? • Your spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, partner • Your ex • Your kids • Your parents • Co-workers • Your boss/manager • Salespeople • Business vendors • Relatives (family gatherings) • Strangers • Bullies • Groups/public speaking • Job interviews • Employees • Teachers/students • Your date • Your housemate • Your doctor • Clergy • Yourself!

What my services will help the client feel: Clear, Articulate, Persuasive, Honest Straightforward, Eloquent, Smooth, Powerful Confident, Dynamic, Agile, Ease Poised, Authentic, Fluid/fluent, Empowered Sophisticated, Charismatic, Direct, Congruent Masterful, Definitive, Excellence, Brilliant Balance, Genius, Precise, “in the zone”

A few images and metaphors that I’m toying with. • Direct: Something sharp and clean, that cuts right through the fluff/junk and gets directly to the source • Flow: How water flows, easily and fluidly, when all blocks have been removed • Aikido: martial arts; discipline and training of the mind/body to stand firm in the face of an adversary’s attack

My background: I have a bachelor’s degree (English), Practitioner Certification in NLP, and will soon be receiving my Master Practitioner Certification. I have trained with Michael Grinder, Lindagail Campbell, and Michael Arndt, and I also have over 10 years of direct work in the fields of NLP and general self-help by way of book editing. My NLP knowledge has been augmented with decades of study in a variety of subjects: Eastern philosophy (especially Zen and Buddhism), hemispheric dominance, Myers-Briggs typology, Enneagram, neurology/neuroscience, cognitive psychology, linguistics, and quantum physics.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

Lori Stephens, communications guru in training (Seattle)

Hello! I'm eager to connect with other Bizniks, especially women in the counseling/coaching fields, for "how to roll up your sleeves and get started" advice.