Tag: Business Communication

  • Top Outbound Call Center Software

    In today’s business landscape, where competition is intense, companies invest heavily in Competitive Intelligence to gain an edge over their rivals. To succeed, businesses need to leverage every aspect of their operations, including communication. Achieving a seamless communication network requires effort, but it is a crucial factor in determining a company’s success.

    As a business, bringing in, the potency of outbound call center services becomes necessary. It is where business agents make outbound calls to potential customers. However, choosing the best service provider can be a confusing task. To simplify your search, we have compiled a list of the top 10 outbound call center software that can enhance your business’s performance.

    RingCentral Contact Center
    Five9
    ZenDesk
    Aircall
    Vonage
    Avaya
    Zoho Desk
    Hubspot
    Cloudtalk
    Dialpad

    RingCentral Contact Center

    Website Ringcentral.com
    Ranking 3.9 out of 5
    Best For All Businesses

    Best Outbound Call Center Software
    RingCentral Contact Center – Best Outbound Call Center Software

    RingCentral Contact Center is a cloud-based call center service that offers a wide range of features, including automatic call distribution, call recording, and real-time reporting. The service also offers integrations with popular business applications such as Salesforce and Zendesk. Apart from it, you may get auto-dialer, agent scripts, etc. Before you consider it for your business, here are the pros and cons to look for:

    Pros:

    • Automatic call recording for training purposes
    • Real-time data analysis available
    • Video meetings
    • CRM integrations
    • Advanced call handling features like barge, whisper, etc.

    Cons:

    • Customer support has been questionable
    • Call quality suffers from noise
    • Call blocks and drops have been reported

    Pricing:

    Contact the sales team for a quotation. Taking plans for a higher number of users will come with a discount.

    Five9

    Website Five9.com
    Ranking 4 out of 5
    Best For Small to Medium Businesses

    Best Outbound Call Center Software
    Five9 – Best Outbound Call Center Software

    Five9 offers excellent easy-to-communicate solutions to businesses through its outbound call services. Some of the features of their outbound calling solutions include ACD, agent scripting, dialer preview, call monitoring, multichannel, queue callback, chat, speech recognition, etc. Here are the pros and cons to consider before going for Five9:

    Pros:

    • On-screen caller data available
    • CRM integration
    • Their voice quality has been good
    • Use of Practical AI to enhance productivity
    • Intelligent routing

    Cons:

    • No free trial involved
    • Call drop has been reported
    • Their price might not be affordable for some

    Pricing:

    Contact the sales team of Five9 for a quotation.

    ZenDesk

    Website Zendesk.com
    Ranking 4.3 out of 5
    Best For Medium to Large Businesses

    Zendesk is one of the renowned names in the field of outbound calling. Using their services, you can easily make sales through phones, conduct research, provide phone support for your premium customers, or reach out to existing customers for renewals. Their outbound calling features include SSO, hot desk, IVR, call recording, click-to-call, omnichannel integration, mute and call forwarding, data analysis, etc. Here are the pros and cons to consider:

    Pros:

    • No setup fee involved
    • Less customer waiting time
    • Simple and fast customer follow-up
    • Simple interface, good mobility, and ease of access
    • Reasonably priced
    • Provides numerous useful business features

    Cons:

    • Can be a bit complex to learn
    • Phone lagging has been reported
    • Call transfer could be troublesome

    Pricing:

    Here are the pricing packages offered by Zendesk.

    Plan Price
    Suite Team $49 agent/month
    Suite Growth $79 agent/month
    Suite Professional $99 agent/month

    Aircall

    Website Aircall.io
    Ranking 4.3 out of 5
    Best For Medium to Large Businesses

    Best Outbound Call Center Software
    Aircall – Best Outbound Call Center Software

    Aircall is best for companies looking to enhance the sales team’s productivity. Their software provides smooth integration with CRMs and helpdesk, which can be a bit troublesome for many. Above it, you may get several useful features like IVR, conference calls, call notes, call automation, call monitoring, etc. Their calls, however, be limited to US and Canada. Here are the pros and cons to look for:

    Pros:

    • Free trial is available
    • Call clarity has been hailed by many
    • Provides an excellent mobile app
    • Integration with HubSpot
    • Public number for customers and contacts
    • Call routing and IVR
    • Upfront pricing

    Cons:

    • There could be some setup fees
    • Dashboard could be a bit clunk
    • Their chrome extension is buggy
    • Customer service has been reported as poor

    Pricing:

    Plan Price
    Essential $30 user/month
    Professional $50 user/month

    Vonage

    Website Vonage.com
    Ranking 4.3 out of 5
    Best For All Types of Businesses

    Best Outbound Call Center Software
    Vonage – Best Outbound Call Center Software

    Vonage has been an excellent outbound call service provider that offers powerful features to enhance customer experience. The best thing about Vonage is that it is customizable and you can scale your business according to your needs. Although integration is not a problem with Vonage, you might face troubles with Salesforce. Here are the relevant pros and cons:

    Pros:

    • Provides excellent features like IVR, ACD, click-to-call, recordings, routing, etc.
    • Excellent phone app
    • Voice quality is great
    • Softphone and click-to-dial options work great
    • Useful add-ons available
    • Good admin console
    • User interface is excellent and easy for both admins and users

    Cons:

    • A delay in audio has been reported by some
    • Occasional call drops and disconnections
    • Poor customer service
    • No free trial provided

    Pricing:

    Domestic Calling International Calling
    Make a call to a landline number $0.0043 per minute Make a call $0.0138 per minute
    Make a call to a mobile number $0.0043 per minute
    Receive a call $0.0043 per minute Receive a call $0.0048 per minute

    10 Best Automated Answering Systems in 2023
    Automation Software Market Size is expected to reach $76.4Bn by 2030. It helps to streamline customer service. Here’s the list of 10 Best Automated Answering Systems in 2023

    Avaya

    Website Avaya.com
    Ranking 4.1 out of 5
    Best For All Types of Businesses

    Best Outbound Call Center Software
    Avaya – Best Outbound Call Center Software

    Founded in the year 2020, Avaya has claimed its spot in the top cloud calling companies and is a global provider of business communications solutions.  Their system allows businesses to make and receive calls, as well as send and receive voicemail, all through the cloud. This means that businesses can access their phone system from any location, as long as they have an internet connection. Here are the pros and cons to look for:

    Pros:

    • Provides call automation
    • Allows database sharing through the cloud
    • Good workforce management for big companies
    • Their data precision has been hailed by many
    • Affordable pricing

    Cons:

    • Call recording quality is questionable
    • No self-service
    • Might be slow at times

    Pricing:

    Plan Pricing
    Digital $48 user/month
    Voice $83 user/month
    All Media $125 user/month

    Zoho Desk

    Website Zoho.com/desk
    Ranking 4.4 out of 5
    Best For All Types of Businesses

    Best Outbound Call Center Software
    Zoho Desk – Best Outbound Call Center Software

    Zoho Desk is a customer service software that provides businesses with a wide range of services to help them manage their customer interactions and support operations. Some of the key services offered by Zoho Desk include ticketing, chat and email support, knowledge management, integration, automation, mobile app, reporting, analysis, etc. Here are the pros and cons if you want to consider Zoho Desk for outbound call center services:

    Pros:

    • Features like call logging recording, holding, muting, etc.
    • Provides integration
    • Call queue management
    • Better team collaboration
    • Excellent dashboard that is easy to understand and use
    • Better ticket management

    Cons:

    • Might create issues if workflow increases
    • Workflow sees interruption
    • Data privacy has been a concern here
    • No automation setup
    How To Use Zoho Desk?

    Pricing:

    Plan Pricing
    Team Up to 10 users $100 /month, billed annually
    Office Up to 30 users $300 /month, billed annually
    Corporate Up to 100 users $1000 /month, billed annually

    Hubspot

    Website Hubspot.com
    Ranking 4.5 out of 5
    Best For Medium to Large Businesses

    Best Outbound Call Center Software
    Hubspot – Best Outbound Call Center Software

    HubSpot is a comprehensive marketing, sales, and service platform that helps businesses grow and streamline their operations. HubSpot’s key services include marketing automation, service and support, reporting and analytics, integrations, conversation routing, etc. Here are the pros and cons to consider:

    Pros:

    • Provides useful features like live chat, automation, video messaging, email health reporting, etc.
    • Good all-in-one software
    • Excellent UI
    • Centralized contact management is there
    • Data reliability
    • Good voice quality

    Cons:

    • Might be a bit expensive
    • Annual contracts even if you cancel early
    • Poor customer support has been reported

    Pricing:

    Plan Pricing
    Starter $45/month
    Professional $360/month
    Enterprise $1200/month

    Cloudtalk

    Website Cloudtalk.io
    Ranking 4.2 out of 5
    Best For Medium to Large Businesses

    Best Outbound Call Center Software
    Cloudtalk – Best Outbound Call Center Software

    In 2020, this company was awarded one of the best call center tools. Cloudtalk can provide you with numbers for more than 140+ countries if you have global customers. Apart from it, there are features like virtual phone numbers, auto-attendants, call recording, SMS, integrations, mobile app, etc., that make it an excellent company. Here are the pros and cons to look for:

    Pros:

    • Free trial is provided
    • Virtual phone numbers for over 140 countries
    • Call recording
    • Call tagging
    • Better integration with over 2500+ software
    • Comparatively cheaper than its competitors.

    Cons:

    • No MMS available
    • 1 to 1 video meeting is not allowed
    • Basic plan doesn’t have SMS
    • Limited audio conferencing

    Pricing:

    Outbound calling is included in the custom plan.

    Dialpad

    Website Dialpad.com
    Ranking 4.4 out of 5
    Best For Medium to Large Businesses

    Best Outbound Call Center Software
    Dialpad – Best Outbound Call Center Software

    Dialpad is an outbound cloud calling company that provides businesses with a range of phone and communication services. They offer a variety of features such as call routing, call recording, and analytics to help businesses improve their customer interactions. Dialpad also offers a mobile app for employees to make and receive calls on the go, and integrations with popular productivity tools like Salesforce and G Suite.

    Pros:

    • Offers AI scripts for common questions
    • Features like smart dialer, call history, sentiment analysis, in-queue call-back, etc.
    • Provides internal MVP communication
    • Clear sound quality

    Cons:

    • Poor phone activation and deactivation
    • Desktop integration could be troublesome for a few
    • It might fail to filter spam calls
    • No free trial

    Pricing:

    Request a quotation from their website.

    Conclusion

    Outbound call centers are essential for businesses because they allow companies to proactively reach out to their customers and potential customers. This can be a powerful way to generate new leads, build relationships, and increase sales. Outbound call centers can also help businesses gather valuable information about their target market, which can be used to improve products and services. Before choosing an outbound call center company, you must always make a list of your requirements. If you need a free trial, you may go for Aircall or Cloudtalk; if you need a company with trust and experience, go for ZenDesk, Hubspot, RingCentral, or Avaya; if finance is your concern, get quotations from different companies and see which one suites you best.

    FAQs

    What is an Outbound Call Center?

    Outbound call centers tend to make more calls than they receive. Their main focus is reaching out to customers, making sales, and publicizing the company.

    What are the main features of an Outbound Call Center service?

    The main features of an Outbound Call Center service include call routing, call recording, auto attendants, conversation routing, automatic call distribution, agent scripting, dialer preview, call monitoring, multichannel, queue callback, chat, speech recognition, and others.

    Is there a free trial provided by any Outbound Call Center service?

    Aircall and Cloudtalk are providers of Outbound Call Center Software that offer free trials for prospective clients to ensure a perfect fit for their business needs.

    What are the top Outbound Call Center Services?

    Below is the list of best Outbound Call Center Services:

    • RingCentral Contact Center
    • Five9
    • Zendesk
    • Aircall
    • Vonage
    • Avaya
    • Zoho Desk
    • Hubspot
    • Cloudtalk
    • Dialpad

  • How to Start Conversation With Stranger? | 6 Ways to Start Conversation With Strangers

    The conversation is our primary way of expressing our ideas, opinions, goals, and feelings to those we come into contact with. It is also the primary means of beginning and establishing friendships and relationships. Starting a conversation with someone you have never met before can be stressful and difficult unless you have the right mindset. Starting a conversation with a stranger gives you a whole new experience. It can change your perspective. To start a conversation with a stranger just gather enthusiasm, positivity, and energy. The key to holding a long conversation is F O R D.

    F- Family

    O- Occupation

    R- Recreation

    D- Dreams

    It is an empowering mindset to be able to create a conversation with potentially anyone. The ability to communicate in an informal and friendly manner is essential for every aspect of a person’s business, social, and personal life.

    The problem arises when comfort and confidence are replaced by anxiety and fear. In this article, we will talk about some tips on how you can start conversing with a stranger. So. let’s get started.

    Body Language
    Risk vs Rejection
    Ask Ritual Questions
    Know What to Say by Listening
    Take the Help of Free Information
    Disclose Free Information

    Body Language

    One of our most important communication skills does not come from the tongue, but also from our body. Research has shown that over half of face to face conversation is nonverbal. ‘Body languages’ often communicate our feelings and attitudes before we speak. We are judged quickly by the first signals we give off and if the first impressions are not open and friendly it will be difficult to maintain a good conversation. The following technique will be very much helpful.

    Body language + Tone of voice + Words = Total Communication

    With practice and greater awareness of body language, you will be able to encourage others to approach you and feel comfortable. When you meet a stranger at a party the easiest way to start the conversation is to introduce yourself.

    Risk vs Rejection

    It takes a certain amount of risk to begin a conversation with a stranger. Most shy people don’t start conversations because they fear being rejected. This prevents them from reaching out to others. One thing that keeps in mind is that risk-taking and rejection are part of life. The advantage of being the first to say hello is that it allows you to guide the direction of the conversation, and gives the other person the impression that you are confident, friendly, and open. The more you practice starting a conversation, the better responses you will get. But all the people are not alike. You may be rejected sometimes, use it as a lesson and adjust your approach for next time. If you are rejected don’t automatically assume it’s your fault.

    Ask Ritual Questions

    Ritual questions are easy to answer requests for information. Ritual questions can be used to overcome someone you don’t know and wish to speak to. The easiest way to start a conversation with a stranger is to notice something interesting about the person you wish to speak with. Second, you notice something that the person is carrying. Thirdly you start a conversation is to making a comment or asking a question based on the situation. It is best to focus on positive things rather than complaining about the negative. Ritual questions are good for breaking the fear and starting a conversation. Exchanging ritual information also follows you to prepare to introduce yourself to the other person.

    There are two types of ritual questions one is closed-ended which asks for a yes, no or short answer and another one is open-minded which asks for a more detailed answer.

    Some examples of close-ended ritual questions are listed below:

    • Do you live around here?
    • Do you like food?
    • What time is it?
    • Are you going to the park?
    • When did you get here?
    • Where are you from?
    • Are you enjoying your stay here?
    • Is this your first visit here?

    Some examples of open-minded ritual questions are listed below:

    • How did you find your apartment?
    • In what ways do you think this country (city, college, etc.) has changed?
    • How did you get involved in that line of work?
    • Why did you decide to move there?
    • What brings you to our town?
    • What do you like to do on your days off?

    Know What to Say by Listening

    Know what to say next by listening carefully for keywords, facts, opinions, feelings, and most of all free information. Conversation problems include poor listening, memory, and concentration skills. People speak slowly and with lengthy pauses between thoughts. Asking relevant follow-up questions based on what the other person has said shows you are listening. Close-ended questions help to clarify facts and details. Open-ended questions encourage the speaker to elaborate and suggest that you are interested in the topic.

    A good listener is actively involved in the conversation and can often relate to what the speaker is going to say next. This involvement shows concern and interest, and will usually reinforce facts and details. Conversations are more fun when you get actively involved. By participating, you will improve your listening skills. You link your prior knowledge and experience.

    Take the Help of Free Information

    By taking advantage of free information, you can guide the direction of the conversation. Ask open-minded questions that refer to the free information. Free information is communicated by a person’s clothing, physical features, body language, personal behaviour, and activities, as well as by words. Listen carefully to topics that may wish to avoid discussing.

    Disclose Free Information

    Self-disclosure lets others get to know you on your terms. The information you share with the people you meet determines how they get to know you. Once you take a look at what is being revealed, the details are not secrets that must be kept. After people exchange greetings they usually exchange some basic personal facts. Another self-disclosure provides a background of experiences and information. Revealing personal opinions and preferences on different subjects. In this case, you can reveal your attitudes, values, and concerns. Reveal your goals, struggles and all your skills.

    Conclusion

    Conversing with a stranger may seem intimidating but it is a necessity. It helps you in networking and creating professional relationships for your job or business. Communication is the key to everything, it is the only way that we channel our ideas and thoughts to others. So while conversing with a stranger the above tips will definitely be a help.

    FAQs

    How to start a conversation with someone you don’t know?

    To start a conversation with a stranger, you need to:

    • Introduce yourself.
    • Start with the basics.
    • Be aware of your body language.
    • Disclose free information.
    • Make eye contact.

    What are Communication Skills?

    Communication skills are the activities that make your performance ultimately a good one. Communication skills are very important in every human being’s life it is used in both, your personal life and your professional life.

    How to communicate effectively with your clients?

    Here are the effective ways to communicate with clients:

    • Be a Good Listener.
    • Be Professional.
    • Talk Positively.
    • Bridge The Communication Gap.
    • Speak With Confidence.
    • Do Your Research.
    • Use Their Talk.
    • Right Body Language.
    • Respect Your Client.
    • Wait For a Response.
    • Note How You End The Conversation.
  • A Complete Guide to Become a Successful Techpreneur

    An entrepreneur is an individual who recognizes an opportunity, converts it into a product or service, determines receipts and profit, and produces a successful business with it. Now, the world is ruled by technology, and a new form of entrepreneurs has shown their ability to the world, they are known as techpreneurs.

    A techpreneur starts with nothing but a concept. They challenge ongoing practices and systems and think of doing things creatively. They design a product or solution that uses the heft and capability of technology to improve the way something was traditionally done. They succeeded admirably. To be a techpreneur, certain skills are needed.

    In this article, we will talk about the tips to be a successful technopreneur. So, let’s get right into the business.

    Why Techpreneur Is the New Breed of Entrepreneurship?
    Basic Techpreneural Skills
    Tips to Become a Successful Techpreneur

    Why Techpreneur Is the New Breed of Entrepreneurship?

    Technopreneurship is a new class of entrepreneurship. It involves the development together of people who are driven, creative, tech-savvy, passionate, and has a desire for calculated risk. Unlike entrepreneurship– the success of Technopreneurship connects to how well the team functions together.
    Technopreneurship is a costly exercise. It is not usually simple, and they have to endure, direct, and motivate their team, seek people with the funds, pitch their idea, and make them join organizations. It is here that their past work experience and network become beneficial.

    Basic Techpreneural Skills

    In addition to the entrepreneurial skills to be a successful technopreneur, some additional skills are required.

    Full Tech Stack Knowledge

    The tech stack is all the technologies utilized to deliver your commodity. While this can vary moderately based on the requirements of the startup, it usually means everything from a strong understanding of how the internet runs, to server technologies, scale factors, website knowledge, analytics, and code container administration — to name the primary points. Techpreneurs add exceptional value to the startup by assisting choose the beginning tech stack to be used to stand up the products.

    Web Development

    Each startup is going to require a web port of some kind. Whether the startup is going to launch e-commerce solutions, mobile applications, or some hardware-based output — being able to manage the website is a crucial job.
    Startups tend to pay an immense amount of time on content, branding, and presentation of their sites. Technopreneurs can take this main project, and handle it while saving money and allowing other members to focus on their duties (thereby improving efficiency for the whole team).

    Industry-Specific Technologies

    Each tech startup has its novel technologies that they are going to be using. Depending upon the trade, there tends to be some specific tech that needs to be known so the product is produced in a way that consumers can use the final product. The best technopreneur for a startup will know the industry-specific technologies that the goods will have to work with and help make crucial decisions on the front end of product development.

    Tips to Become a Successful Techpreneur

    Interestingly though, successful techpreneurs across the business do share some characteristics and some best methods. Of those, some of the tips that are considered necessary to become a successful technopreneur are mentioned below.

    Persistence

    Techpreneur requires to be persistent. Every great idea will have simple beginnings, but it is only possible by unwaveringly seeking an idea and fleshing it out regularly that can one hope to actuate and convert it into a finished product. No matter how tough this route may appear, one needs to stay true to it. Having a positive attitude irrespective of the situation eases harvesting tools to take on the challenges.

    Tech Savvy

    Good techpreneurs need to have a broad technical grasp of their product and the underlying technology included. Even though it is usually the subject matter experts who will be developing the technology for the product, it will be your thought and understanding that will finally guide them.

    Intuitive

    A techpreneur should trust their intuition. To be successful, a techpreneur should be able to intuitively imagine and harvest unseen opportunities in such situations where the rest of the world only sees obstacles. Look beyond the obstacles and try to decipher what can be used for your business.

    Belief

    Firmly believe in your product. Be very clear about what unmet need you are striving to address. And be ready to step into uncharted areas to bring your product to life and make it grow. Having a risk-taking mindset assists techpreneurs well.

    Communication

    It is essential for a techpreneur to clearly and precisely communicate the intended value proposals to all stakeholders – the target clients, the investors, and the employees. Good communication saves time, effort, and money. Not only must one regularly communicate with people looking to invest and vet your concept, but also with your team looking to grasp at the more specific aspects of your product and achieve your vision.

    Resilience with Flexibility

    Experiencing failures is a part of entrepreneurship. There are so many inherent uncertainties that some setbacks are usually unavoidable. It is important is to learn from such experiences and take all measures not to replicate them. Overwhelmingly difficult situations do arise, and in such circumstances, it will be necessary to keep patience and self-control.

    The Right Team

    The team is fundamental to the success of the idea. Companies and corporations fall untimely losses by having unwise recruitment and team-building strategies. A techpreneur must invariably centre on building a team of experienced and hard-working people having complementary skills. The team members should have faith in the vision and capabilities of the techpreneur and should be willing to work for the greater good.

    Quality

    A successful techpreneur needs to guarantee that the products and services are of good quality. Also, they must be better than their competitors. Identify that consumers buy a product when they see value in it, which is only possible when the product offers more than what they pay for it.

    Conclusion

    Becoming a techpreneur demands constant dedication and hard work.
    Despite the qualities and abilities, what many ambitious techpreneurs hardly realize is that becoming a techpreneur is not an end in itself. It is the beginning of an experience and a journey to savour and relish.

    FAQs

    Who is a techpreneur?

    A techpreneur is an entrepreneur who starts and manages their own technology business.

    What are the skills needed to become a technopreneur?

    • Persistence
    • Tech Savvy
    • Intuitive
    • Belief
    • Communication
    • Resilience with Flexibility
    • Quality
    • The Right team

    Who is the No.1 entrepreneur in India?

    Mukhesh Ambani is said to be the No.1 entrepreneur in India.

  • Most Important Business Etiquettes for a Successful Career

    Business Etiquette is important for a professional as it creates mutual respect at the workplace and builds better work relations. While good communication skills and intellect can land you a job, etiquette and manner would help you build stronger professional relationships. For growth in any field, you must be well behaved along with the required technical skills. Businesses are based on trust so maintaining a healthy relationship with colleagues and potential business partners is very important.

    Always Shake Hands
    Use Professional Language
    Avoid Interrupting
    Staying Away From Gossips, Eavesdropping
    Always Be Kind
    Dress Formally

    Always Shake Hands

    Handshakes are highly significant in the business profession. A strong and confident handshake is a symbol of interest and is evident in future possibilities. Handshakes improve the interaction between the individuals and creates mutual respect. You must always take care of the amount of time you hold someone’s hand and professional sphere you must no longer hold it for more than 3 seconds or else it creates a sense of awkwardness.

    Putting the other hand above while shaking hands is an act of dominance law. Thus, one can also get a bit of an idea of the intentions of the individual by the way they shake hands with you. Therefore, a handshake is an important aspect of businesses etiquettes.

    Use Professional Language

    Language is considered as the most important aspect both in personal and professional life. It helps a person to build good work relations and perform well in a team. Inappropriate language in the workplace can cause damage to your company/personal reputation, Undermine your argument and also be fired from your job. In the business world using professional language can project you as a confident, well-mannered and intelligent person. It is very important to effectively communicate to achieve the goals. Using words like thank you, please or greetings like good morning, good evening whenever necessary makes you friendly and helps you in adjusting to your office work environment quickly and easily.

    Also in case of any problem or doubt, you should try asking for help instead of figuring out everything on your own. A person who never hesitates to ask for help. are considered to be smart and are likely to succeed since they are modest and ready to learn from others.

    Avoid Interrupting

    No person likes to be interrupted while they are delivering their speech, putting up a presentation or just presenting their idea. You must always remember never to interrupt someone until they’ve finished talking. Any modifications, enhancements icons or opinions you want to give, wait and give them at the end of the speech. Even if you think you’re interrupting for a good reason – to ask a relevant question, offer your solution to a problem, or show that you understand, it’s rude and it almost always negatively affects the interaction. Interrupting tells the person speaking that you don’t care what they have to say. If you strongly agree or disagree with any point or subject you should try to keep it with yourself and hold it inside your mouth no matter how much you feel like giving it off at the same moment. This is also evidence law that you have self-control and are not driven by strong emotions in business etiquette.

    Avoid Interrupting

    Staying Away From Gossips, Eavesdropping

    Always avoid indulging in gossip in the office. This creates a shady environment and an unreliable personality of yours in the eyes of your colleagues. Gossip in the office results in less productivity, wasting time and hinders teamwork. Even if you get to know any kind of secret talk or rumour, It is advised to keep it to yourself and never pass it on further. Gossip fuels hatred and ends up in situations where you have to take sides. Getting into gossiping will also lead you to unwanted problems which can put you in danger and may cost your job too. To build a trustworthy image you have to become a trustworthy person at work. Always try to keep your private and professional life separate.  

    Always Be Kind

    Business Relations is all about making acquaintances and that is only possible if you are kind enough to your potential business partners groups, bosses or any other colleagues. It is always advised to introduce each other at the first meeting. This is necessary to have work relations and increase contacts. Unless any two individuals already know each other, this step can be ignored. No person should be avoided in the workplace since anyone can help you in any possible way. Therefore, try to be as friendly as possible. Talk to people to make yourself visible in the workplace. Be an assertive yet never arrogant person. To be able to fit into the office environment quickly follow these simple etiquettes. It will take time to learn all of it but to ensure a safe, growing workplace it is advised to adapt to the surroundings system as soon as you could.

    Dress Formally

    Dressing professionally helps you create a positive environment, it shows how much you are invested in the role and it is also considered as the professional image of your organization to others. Even if you are not dressed professionally make sure you look well-groomed. Dressing well in a professional environment boots your confidence and commands respect. Always try to be modest in your professional attire and also ensure that you are comfortable with what you are wearing.

    Dress Formally

    Conclusion

    Business Etiquettes are the most important secret to a successful career. They make an everlasting impression of you to the other which creates mutual respect. Effective Communication is considered the best strategy to express your views at the workplace and helps you in teamwork. Good business etiquette is a valuable skill-set that will make you stand out from others, helps you succeed at work and help you land that dream job.

  • Top 8 Cloud Telephony Service Providers in India

    The Internet has been a big blessing for everyone. It has made everything easy and reachable. Apart from this, it has made us dependent on it. We simply cannot imagine a day without it.

    One great thing that the internet has gifted us is calls, both voice, and video. You are missing someone, need to connect with your business partner, video calls are here.

    Cloud telephony, is something that has brought us closer and made our lives easier. This has been of great help for businesses. It enables you to move your businesses’ phone services to the cloud.

    There are many cloud telephony service providers in India to help you with your business. These include- Skycalls, Exotel, WebXion, MyOperator, etc.

    What is Cloud Telephony?
    Benefits of Cloud Telephony in a Business
    Best Cloud Telephony Service Providers in India

    1. Skycalls
    2. Pulse
    3. MyOperator
    4. Exotel
    5. CloudConnect
    6. CallHippo
    7. Servetel
    8. Ozonetel

    What is Cloud Telephony?

    In simple words, it is a phone system that works with the help of an internet connection. This helps to make and take internet-oriented calls from smartphones or desktops. This technology has replaced the conventional systems of PBX, EPBAX with the cloud.

    Every call that a business receives gets routed through the cloud servers. This enables the features of IVR (Interactive Voice Response) and calls recordings without any extra equipment. Thus, saves the businesses from any added investment.

    Cloud telephony is the communications hosted by a third party. This party is a service provider that is outside the organizations using them. Here the communications happen with the help of the public internet.

    Hence, cloud telephony makes the businesses’ communication process easier and more efficient.

    How does Cloud Telephony work?

    Benefits of Cloud Telephony in a Business

    Cloud telephony shifts an organization’s phone system to the cloud. The use of the internet makes the communication process more efficient and wider. Here are certain benefits of using cloud telephony in a business:

    Improved Access and Control:

    Moving phone systems to cloud telephony provides improved control and access to data. One can access the business information anytime and anywhere when it’s on the cloud. Your data stays with you all the time so, there is a lesser risk of loss.

    Always Updated

    With cloud telephony, you do not have to worry about your business communication getting outdated. The technology keeps your business’s communication updated all the time. In this way, you don’t have to make any manual adjustments in your process. This saves time and improves efficiency.

    Cost-Effective

    Nowadays many cloud telephony service providers are available. This saves you from making any extra investment on hardware or telephone lines. You can opt for simple monthly plans that are less costly than the traditional process. Thus, cloud telephony makes the business communication system cost-effective.

    Best Cloud Telephony Service Providers in India

    Cloud telephony has made business communications easier than before. Modern businesses today like to rely on technology than traditional methods. Here are some of the top cloud telephony service providers in India:

    Skycalls

    SkyCalls - Best Cloud Telephony Service Providers in India
    SkyCalls – Best Cloud Telephony Service Providers in India

    Skycalls offers EPBX telephone solutions based on the cloud. One can move their business communications to the cloud within an hour with this. This enables remote work and is cost-effective. Skycalls also ensure more productivity and a better experience for the customers.

    It offers many services. For example- IVR, Bulk message solutions, missed call service, toll-free numbers, call centre solutions, etc.

    Pulse

    Pulse - Best Cloud Telephony Service Providers in India
    Pulse – Best Cloud Telephony Service Providers in India

    Pulse is one of India’s leading cloud telephony service providers. This offers a new promising business communication, powered by cloud IVR. It makes the communication model simple and strong. It ensures great quality and a more guarded process without any huge investment.

    It offers call conferencing, call monitoring, call management, IVR voicemail, and dashboard accessibility.

    MyOperator

    MyOperator - Best Cloud Telephony Service Providers in India
    MyOperator – Best Cloud Telephony Service Providers in India

    The cloud telephony service provider was founded in 2013 in Delhi. This enables automated call handling based on the cloud. This makes business-customer communication more advanced and secure.

    MyOperator offers many features. These include call tracking, call reports, call recording, IVR solutions, and more.

    Exotel

    Exotel - Best Cloud Telephony Service Providers in India
    Exotel – Best Cloud Telephony Service Providers in India

    Exotel is another popular cloud telephony service provider in India. It was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Bengaluru. It offers cloud-based communications to Indian and Southeast Asian startups and enterprises. Its services enable the companies to keep up with the latest technology and deal with real-world problems.

    Exotel offers services like number masking, automated calls, IVR solutions, and more.

    CloudConnect

    CloudConnect- Best Cloud Telephony Service Providers in India
    CloudConnect- Best Cloud Telephony Service Providers in India

    The cloud telephony service provider was founded in the year 2018. It has its headquarter in Delhi. It helps to make the business communication process more efficient. This in turn contributes to sales empowerment.

    CloudConnect comes with many features. These include call monitoring, conference dial-in, guest management, IVR, instant messaging, and more.

    CallHippo

    CallHippo- Best Cloud Telephony Service Providers in India
    CallHippo- Best Cloud Telephony Service Providers in India

    CallHippo is a popular Indian VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) based on the cloud. It was founded in the year 2013. This uses cloud computing to offer internet-based telephony networks for companies. It contributes to better sales and increased productivity. The best thing about CallHippo is that it is easy to use and cost-effective.

    It analyzes calls through recordings, employee productivity, and customer acquisition cost. Its features include contact management, recording, third-party integrations, reporting and statistics, and more.

    Servetel

    Servetel - Best Cloud Telephony Service Providers in India
    Servetel – Best Cloud Telephony Service Providers in India

    Servetel, an Indian cloud-based telephonic solution was founded in 2017. It is another popular and easy-to-use cloud telephony service provider. It offers innovative, convenient, and money-saving cloud solutions to the business communications model.

    Servetel Communications Private Limited offers various solutions. These include IVR, virtual number, toll-free number, bulk messaging, and more.


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    Ozonetel

    Ozonetel - Best Cloud Telephony Service Providers in India
    Ozonetel – Best Cloud Telephony Service Providers in India

    Ozonetel was founded in the year 2007 by a great team of technologists. Its cloud-based telephony solutions support various agents around the world. It was one of the earliest platforms to provide cloud telephony services. It has all the tools that ensure agent productivity and improved customer experience.

    Ozonetel comes with many modern solutions. These include auto-dialers, dashboards with live call monitoring, AI-enabled omnichannel solutions, complete call centre solutions, and more.

    Conclusion

    Whether big or small, every company needs a strong and efficient communication model. Hiring people to handle phone calls 24/7 can be difficult. So, indulging in cloud telephony services is important for any business. This not only makes the process cost-efficient but also increases productivity and reliability.

    Now more businesses are looking for Interactive Voice Providers for their communications. In India, we have many cloud telephony service providers like Exotel, Pulse, and more. Thus, these help businesses with automated and updated communication solutions.

    FAQs

    What is Cloud Telephony services?

    Cloud telephony is a phone system that runs over an internet connection.

    How does Cloud Telephony work?

    Cloud telephony works through a Voice Over Internet Protocol. The communication devices are hosted over the service provider’s premises and are made accessible to the customers through the cloud.

    Which are the best cloud telephony services in India?

    Top Cloud Telephony service providers in India are:

    • Skycalls
    • Pulse
    • MyOperator
    • Exotel
    • CloudConnect
    • CallHippo
    • Servetel
    • Ozonetel
  • Best Indian Messaging Apps You Can Switch To | WhatsApp Alternatives

    The growth of messaging apps has been faster than ever. Messaging apps make people stay connected no matter wherever you are. Indian Government has decided to go on their mission “vocal for local”. The announcement by WhatsApp stating the change in its data sharing policy with Facebook has annoyed the messaging app service’s users worldwide. This new policy makes it mandatory for all WhatsApp users to accept the new privacy policy that enables the sharing of user data with its parent company Facebook. The new policy came into effect from February 8, and social media was filled with continuous news. Though, whatsapp announced afterwards that all communications on WhatsApp will still be end-to-end encrypted. From Jan 1 to Jan 6, there was a sudden 79% increase in Signal app downloads can be seen, according to a TOI report. We cannot deny that over the years, the continuous usage of WhatsApp has made us dependent on it. Other Indian messaging apps will keep your data and information safe. Here some of the best made in India messaging apps as WhatsApp alternatives.

    List of Best Indian Messaging Apps

    1. Indian Messenger App
    2. Hike Sticker Chat
    3. JioChat
    4. Troop Messenger
    5. Namaste Bharat
    6. ShareChat
    7. Sandes

    FAQs

    List of Best Indian Messaging Apps

    Here are some of the best messaging apps that are made in India. These can be used as an alternatives to WhatsApp with varied features.

    Indian Messenger App

    Indian Messenger app Logo | Best Indian messaging apps
    Indian Messenger app Logo | Best Indian messaging apps

    It is developed by Loopytime private limited. It is one of the most popular chat apps in India. Indian Messenger app has done its marketing on the “vocal for local” campaign and is used by over 130k users across the country. Its features include text messaging, calling, story, chat requests, and a global search like Facebook or Instagram. It also competes with Twitter and Facebook having an interesting feature that allows users to share a message with an unlimited number of people. Indian Messenger supports images, videos, voice messages, and different file formats for seamless interaction.

    Indian Messenger App – Best Indian Messaging App

    Hike Sticker Chat

    Hike Messenger Logo | Best Indian messaging apps
    Hike Messenger Logo | Best Indian messaging apps

    Hike Messenger, also called Hike Sticker Chat, is an Indian freeware, cross-platform instant messaging (IM), Voice over IP (VoIP) application. Hike was one of the oldest Indian messaging apps. It was built with the motto “building a new social future”. It was once the sixth-largest mobile messaging application in the world. The hike could work offline through SMS and has multi-platform support.  Hike decided to go from a single super app strategy to a multiple app approach so that it can focus more on the core messaging capabilities. Hike Messenger was not an ad-driven application, neither does it sell the user data to third-party applications for revenue. Hike also introduced artificial intelligence (AI) powered HikeMoji that existed within the Hike Sticker Chat app.


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    JioChat

    JioChat Logo | Best Indian messaging apps
    JioChat Logo | Best Indian messaging apps

    JioChat is an instant messaging application with voice and video calling capability. When Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp are the two important choices for instant messaging, other chat apps such as Reliance’s JioChat made a mark due to their awesome features. One of the key features in JioChat is peer-to-peer (P2P) money transfer within the app. The feature allows JioChat users to transfer money directly to other users through chats.

    JioChat features that are not available on WhatsApp:

    • Stories: JioChat comes with a unique feature called Stories. The section contains short videos from various genres, including news, food, entertainment, and more from sites like PinkVilla, Hindi Rush, and more.
    • Channels: JioChat gets a dedicated ‘Channels’ tab where you can follow popular brands, companies, and news publications to know the latest trends, news, and promotional offers.
    • Jio Care: JioCare channel lets you view your account related information, IUC charges, and the latest Jio cashback and recharge offers. You can also troubleshoot your network problem using the bot.
    • Voice Assistant: JioChat doesn’t feature its Voice Assistant yet. Instead, it integrates Google’s voice search for you to search for contact names using voice. It can be useful for people who don’t want to waste time scrolling the contact list.
    • Theming Options: WhatsApp only lets you select chat background and switch between light and dark themes. In comparison, JioChat lets you change theme colors as well as font colors besides chat backgrounds, similar to what you might’ve seen in WhatsApp mods.
    • Delay Messages: There’s a unique feature called “Delay Sending Message” in JioChat settings. Using it, you can delay the delivery of your message by up to 3 seconds.
    • Moods (As Status): WhatsApp lets you add a short bio as well as post video and photo status updates. Now, while JioChat lacks the latter, it does let you set your mood as your status. You can choose between different moods such as happy, busy, tired, angry, and so on to let others know how you are feeling right now.
    • Group Limit: JioChat lets you create groups for conversations with as many as 500 people at a time. In contrast, WhatsApp allows only 256 people in a group.

    Troop Messenger

    Troop Messenger Logo | Best Indian messaging apps
    Troop Messenger Logo | Best Indian messaging apps

    Troop Messenger is one of the most premium quality Indian messaging apps. It is very much suitable for office communication. Troop Messenger is a user-friendly office chat app compact with contemporary features addressing your business needs and necessities.

    It provided with these features group calling, join now, remote screen sharing and controlling, instant messaging, video call and voice call, groups, wallpapers, help tile, settings, audio messaging, dashboard, orange member, profile, splashboard, burnout, live location tracking, emoji layout, sharing, read receipts, edit, respond later, flagging, search, search filters, unread messages, mute conversations, favorite users, message history, live-chat support, data record, storage, enhanced group profile, admin dashboard- groups, group controls, airtime groups, contacts management, integrations, and browser pop-out.


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    Namaste Bharat

    Namaste Bharat Logo | Best Indian messaging apps
    Namaste Bharat Logo | Best Indian messaging apps

    Namaste Bharat is one of the most-searched Indian messaging apps. Namaste Bharat has features such as messaging, group messaging, audio and video calls, audio and video conferencing, collaboration, group messaging, setting up scheduled meetings, etc. Namaste Bharat has end-to-end encryption. All messages, photos, videos, voice messages, documents, status updates, and calls are end-to-end encrypted. There is no need to turn on settings or set up special secret chats to secure your messages. This top chatting app in India offers data synchronization across multiple devices to ensure that the user does not lose all their chats. Moreover, this Indian messaging app has exclusive features for businesses.

    ShareChat

    ShareChat Logo | Best Indian messaging apps
    ShareChat Logo | Best Indian messaging apps

    ShareChat is one of the fastest-growing Indian messaging apps. ShareChat has over 160 million monthly active users across 15 languages. The company’s application offers features that include private messaging, tagging, and a personal messaging feature, enabling users to share videos, jokes, songs, and other language-based social content with other unknown users. ShareChat, made in India app has become one of the most popular chat apps in India because of its multimedia-rich interface and design. ShareChat is a Facebook-style Indian messaging app which allows user to share videos, written posts, audio, etc. The reason for ShareChat’s popularity with its users is the local language access.

    ShareChat has update three new features that include private messaging, tagging, and a personal messaging feature that allows users to connect with other unknown users.


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    Sandes

    Sandes Messaging App Logo - Best Indian messaging apps
    Sandes Messaging App Logo – Best Indian messaging apps

    Sandes is a app made by National Informatics Center (NIC), Government of India. It is an update of Government Instant Messaging Services (GIMS). GIMS was limited to government employees only but Sandes is can be used by anyone. It has a lot of features that whatsapp offers. It also provides end to end encryption like whatsapp.

    Sandes can be downloaded from GIMS website. Sign in only requires your mobile number or email-id and a OTP verification. Sandes does not necessarily require your mobile number unlike Whatsapp. Also it has verified accounts of government officials.

    About Sandes Messaging App – Best Indian messaging apps

    FAQs

    Which are the best Indian messaging app?

    Some of the best Indian messaging app are:

    • Indian Messenger App
    • JioChat
    • Troop Messenger
    • Namaste Bharat
    • ShareChat
    • Sandes

    Which is the safest messaging app in India?

    Some of the safest messaging app in India are:

    • Signal
    • Wire
    • Threema
    • Telegram
    • Whatsapp
    • Element
    • Wickr me
    • Tox
    • Viber
    • Cover me
  • How to become a Business Analyst in 2021 (Complete Guide)

    Any form of business requires a multidimensional approach. It requires coordination between them as well. With the ever increasing globalisation and mechanisation, it is highly important to avoid gaps and discrepancies as far as businesses are concerned.

    This also means that there should be a connection between the IT related nuances and the business related realities. No aspects will work as independent entities any more.

    A Business Analyst is a person who bridges this gap. They are capable of effectively planning and predicting the behaviour of a business model through well informed technical tools that fit the firm.

    Data analytics is considered one of the most important arms of industry 4.0 and its scope in the future is predictable. If you are a science person who loves to be in the corporate world, then business analysis which comes under data analytics is the right choice for you. This emerging high potential job has a few prerequisites and a few steps before becoming one yourself. This article guides you through the details on how to become a Business Analyst in 2021.

    Who is a Business Analyst?
    Skills needed for a Business Analyst
    How to Become a Business Analyst
    Online Certification Courses for Business Analyst
    FAQ

    Who is a Business Analyst?

    Business Analysts are those who engage with large contents of data to derive patterns of occurrences. Their scrutiny will help improve the quality and efficiency of the business firm. They will help in understanding places where there is a performance gap and will suggest a better option to mitigate them.

    They focus on functions and processes of an organisation. As mentioned earlier, they serve as the mediators between technology and commerce. Through data analysis, business analysts become capable of simplifying complicated tasks into simpler ones by giving data driven recommendations.

    They strategically plan things for the company to reduce the chances of failure as much as possible. It requires a deep understanding about both market scenarios and information technology. The four main types of planning that business analysts do are :

    • Strategic planning – Depending on the needs of the company
    • Process design – Planning the flow of procedures
    • Business model analysis – To propose different market approaches and business strategies
    • Systems analysis – Based on the technical requirements

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    Skills needed for a Business Analyst

    Scientific temperament

    You are going to deal with big data and technology which are highly scientific. It demands you to be curious about new things, especially scientific ones. Only if you are able to understand the science of functioning can you identify the problems and recommend a feasible solution.

    Critical Thinking

    It can also be read as analytical thinking. As a business analyst, you serve as a link between information / data and business. In order to derive connections and solutions, one should be able to critically analyse the data available.

    It is because no observations will be implicit and the data analyst in fact has to decipher the problems and solutions from the data. Hence, a business analysts should be capable of critical thinking

    Organisational Skills

    It is important to properly classify the data available to get the best out of it. Although this is mechanically done, it is important to keep track of the data organisation.

    Carelessly organised data can give distorted results which will further affect the analysis. So be sure to develop a habit of organising things right from your own bedroom. Let that be a part of your lifestyle.

    Communication Skills

    Business Analysis is not a job done by a single person. It is not humanly possible also. Hence, many business analysts in a firm come together to discuss and collate their observations to reach a fruitful conclusion.

    To facilitate this, it is very important to have good communication skills. It is not only to put across your observations and inferences but also to absorb the most valuable information from others as well.

    Documentation Skills

    Keeping track of things is one of the most important parts of a Business Analyst’s job. They are to document the variations in the functions and processes of the firm so as to provide appropriate recommendations. Apart from that, such documentation is required for deriving a particular information from a different point of time.


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    How to Become a Business Analyst

    Considering the amount of technicalities behind the work that a business analyst needs to do, it is always better to train yourself professionally. However, the option to self learn is always open. Today you have a lot of courses on the same.

    Undergraduation

    If you are going for an undergraduate degree, go for a Bachelor in Business Administration in fields that you like. Some colleges offer courses in business analytics. But be mindful that it is different from business analysis. However, the fields are related and will definitely help you in your studies.

    During this time, learn more about computer programming as much as you can. Analysing case studies of different kinds will also help you in being a better candidate.

    Higher Education

    You can either go for an MBA which specialises in Business Analytics or allied subjects. Such a programme will really help you in further dwelling into the intricacies of the wide subject and will make you a pro. A postgraduate certificate will definitely aid you in getting good positions.

    Another thing you can do is that many international firms offer specialisation certificates that are widely approved. You can try undergoing their courses and earn your certificates. Some of these certificates are

    • IIBA Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA)
    • IQBBA Certified Foundation Level Business Analyst (CFLBA)
    • IIBA Certification of Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA)
    • PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PBA)
    • IIBA Agile Analysis Certification (AAC)
    • IIBA Certified Business Analyst Professional (CBAP)
    • IREB Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE)

    These courses will help you in getting a senior Business Analyst position.

    Online Certification Courses for Business Analyst

    • The Complete Business Analysis Fundamentals Course + CERT by Udemy
    • Business Analysis and Project Management by Coursera
    • Introduction to Business Analysis Using Spreadsheets by Coursera
    • Excel to MySQL: Analytic Techniques for Business Specialisation by Coursera
    • Business Analysis and Fundamentals by Udemy
    • Business Analyst : Project Management Techniques and Tools by Udemy
    • Business Analysis Modelling Skills and Techniques by Udemy
    • Business and Data Analytic Skills by Edx
    • Business Analysis: Developing Requirements by Udemy

    FAQ

    What is the main role of a business analyst?

    Business Analyst bridge the gap between IT and business using data analytics to data-driven deliver reports to executives.

    What qualifications do I need to be a business analyst?

    You require an Undergraduate degree in computer science, business information systems, computing and systems development, and business management.

    How much does a a Business Analyst in India make?

    The average salary for Business Analyst in India is ₹7,00,000 per year.

  • How To Become Good Public Speaker

    Public speaking is the process or act of performing a speech to a live audience. Public speaking is commonly understood as formal, face to face, speaking of a single person to a group of listeners. The opportunity to travel is greater for public speakers than in many jobs. Good speaking skills are important in other areas of life. Being a good public speaker can enhance your reputation, boost your self-confidence. The truth is that you might have the best products or services, years of experience, or an outstanding business idea, but if you do not communicate this to your target audiences, you are limiting your effectiveness.

    The art of public speaking holds many practical benefits that go far beyond delivering a project presentation or holding a successful meeting. Through preparation and practice, you can overcome your nervousness and perform exceptionally well. This article will explain how.

    ‘Nothing in life is more important than the ability to communicate effectively’ – Gerald R. Ford

    7Cs of Communication
    7Cs of Communication

    Importance of Public Speaking

    Developing your communication skills and learning to speak in public have the following advantages:

    • Opens up new opportunities for career advancement
    • Positions you as an authority
    • Makes you a desirable guest at local, regional, and national conferences, seminars, and public speaking events
    • Establishes greater credibility and helps your clients loyalty
    • Sets you apart from your competition
    • Attracts the right customers to your business
    • Prepares you for spontaneous speaking challenges
    • Presents technical or business information effectively
    • Allows you to effectively market your business or promote your products to larger audiences
    • Improves internal communication
    • Helps you to easily assume leadership and train others
    • Increases employees productivity

    Other personal benefits of public speaking include:

    • Increased self-confidence
    • Improved communication skills
    • Increased organizational skills
    • Greater social influence
    • Enhanced ability to listen
    • Greater possibility of meeting new people
    • Lesser anxiety and fear when speaking in front of others
    • Greater control over emotions and body language

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    Three parts of Persuasion by Aristotle

    The first rules of a public speech were elaborated over 2000 years ago by the Greek philosopher and teacher of Alexander the Great  – Aristotle

    Three Basic Parts of Persuasion:

    • Ethos( credibility or the speaker)
    • Logos (the logic behind any conclusions drawn by a speaker)
    • Pathos ( emotional appeal or ability to create a connection between the speaker and his audience)

    Vital Step before the Speech Preparation

    To make your speech both interesting and memorable for the listeners, it is important to consider three key elements:

    • The audience – WHO is the speech written for?
    • The purpose – WHAT is the main objective of the speech?
    • The direction of the speech – HOW will the speech be presented?

    Plan Appropriately

    First, make sure that you plan your communication appropriately. Use tools like the Rhetorical Triangle, Monroe’s Motivated Sequence, and the 7Cs of Communication to think about how you’ll structure what you’re going to say. Rehearsing is a part of the planning process. You decide how you will present the information and then practice running through the entire speech as many times as necessary to get the feeling that you want. Planning gives you time to ask questions of the person or organization inviting you to speak. Find out what they expect as well as the likes and dislikes of the group. When you rehearse your presentation, ask a trusted friend or colleague to watch you.

    Monroe's Motivated Sequence
    Monroe’s Motivated Sequence

    Engage With Your Audience

    When we speak publicly is develop a relationship with our audience. A relationship is based on trust, respect, information, and interaction. Utilize activities that promote audience engagement. Make your points into an audience debate. Small group activities will not only keep your audience awake but they’ll get excited about their ‘part’. Recent studies show that the first lapse of attention happens about halfway through that first minute.

    Creating desire in the audience and then showing how your ideas fill that desire moves people to adopt your perspective. This is the heart of the story.

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    Attention to Body Language

    ‘If you want to find the truth, do not listen to the words coming to you. Rather see the body language of the speaker. It speaks the facts not audible.’ – Bhavesh Chhatbar

    Body language is an essential part of public speaking success. Your non-verbal hint will impact the way your message is received, how engaged your audience is, and what they think of you as an individual.

    Power pose

    In 2011, US social psychologists Amy Cuddy, Dana Carney, and Andy Yap proposed that holding a ‘powerful pose’ resulted in people feeling more powerful.

    • Stand straight with your shoulders back and feet shoulder-width apart.
    • Imagine your shoulders opening up from one another so that they rest centrally.
    • Place your hands on either side of your body so that you can easily make hand gestures when you need to.
    • Face the audience as much as possible. If you’re in a large room, tilt your whole body towards different parts of the audience so everyone feels included.

    Accomplished speakers are aware of this and often use the power of pause to:

    • Raise the impact of a remark
    • Bridge ideas
    • Underline the last thing that was said
    • Create anticipation for the next remark
    • Instill more humor and passion into the presentation
    • Give time for the listeners to absorb the information
    • Leave the room for reflection after questions

    ‘People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care!’ — John C. Maxwell

    Eye contact

    Making eye contact with your audience builds a connection between you and them and they feel more valued by you. This makes the audience more likely to respect and listen to you because they feel important.

    Hand gestures

    When used correctly, hand and arm gestures can help enhance your message and make you seem more confident and relaxed. Hand gestures are one of the clearest non-verbal ways by which we communicate confident body language or nervous body language – and your audience will react more positively to the former.

    Movement

    Moving around the stage is a great way of showing your audience you are confident in what you’re saying and including everyone in the conversation. Move during the transitions between points, knowing exactly where you want to go. During the transitions between movements, take your time to pause and look into your audience’s eyes.

    ‘ The success of your presentation will be judged not by the knowledge you send but by what the listener receives.’ – Lilly Walters

    Expressions

    People depend on facial expressions to interpret motives and emotions so an audience will respond better to you if you are expressive. Mimic is still important because public speakers who want to convince have to be authentic. And that includes lively facial expressions. With a smile or even a laugh, it is easier to build a bridge with other people. Keep looking at all faces be attentive. Return a smile.

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    Let’s start with a question, how do you rate your communication skills? And doyou know in between good communication and bad communication lies several jobsthat you could have bagged and had you paid a little attention to the somethingas basic as the way you talk? The point is that one of the bes…

    Voice

    Vocal expression is physical and so your body language has an effect on your voice and can enhance or detract from the message of your speech. When you speak more slowly, your voice has more power and authority. Your listeners have an opportunity to absorb and reflect on what you’re saying. Energy is essential for good speaking and voice projection.

    7 – 38 – 55 Rule’. That is: our words convey 7% of the meaning, our tone 38%, and our body language makes up 55% of what the audience will remember.

    Improve at these Points

    • Research & Grammar
    • Questions and answers & Humor
    • Instruction sets & Improvisational skills
    • Openings and closings & Negotiation
    • Etiquette & Listening skills

    Ways to Transform the Public Speaking Fear into Excitement

    • Deep breathing
    • Shifting focus outwards
    • Visualizing
    • Focussing on facts, not fears
    • Building your speech on clarity, not complexity
  • Guide to Improve Listening Skills

    Listening is an indispensable part of the communication process. Listening skill aids in establishing an effective link between the management and the employees. Listening skills also influence consumers and other businesses. So, it becomes necessary for every person to have good listening skills in business as well as in daily life. To develop good listening skills and become a good listener, one should know the qualities of the same.

    A good listener is someone who hears carefully, attentively, and sympathetically for giving support and understanding to the speaker.

    Why is listening important in  Business Organisation?

    Listening is an important part of business communication as it lets you acquire facts that may help in making decisions that benefit your business. Listening helps in:

    Gaining Information

    Listening gives additional insights; for example, listening to a job applicant helps to discover his attitude towards the profession and information not detailed in his resume. This information can help us decide the suitability of the applicant in the organization.

    Conflict Resolution

    Workplace conflicts and unhappy customers create an inefficient work atmosphere. Good listening can turn this situation into an opportunity for growth.

    Productivity

    Effective listening affects the productivity of the organization. By listening to the employees, the manager can solve the problems that increase the efficiency of employees.

    Creating Powerful Working Relationships

    In establishing effective working relationships between different parts of the organization, listening plays a key role. The working relationships include employee groups, between management and staff, and suppliers or vendors.

    Types of Listeners 

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    Ways/tips to be a good listener

    Be Interested

    Pay attention and be interested. People think that listening means being quiet until it is their turn to speak, but it is not. Listen with all your senses, and give thoughtful attention(non-judgemental, open-minded, and respectful) to another person.

    Listening is receiving

    Through listening, we gain trust and receive the vulnerability of another person. Be a blank canvas for another person by letting the speaker share ideas, thoughts, feelings, and whatever else is going in his mind. Let the person know that you are interested by nodding head or smile.

    Maintain eye contact

    A good listener makes eye contact while having a conversation with the speaker. Adjust yourself to the person talking by noticing the degree of eye contact they are making with you throughout the conversation. In this way, people feel understood.

    Avoid Interrupting the speaker

    Provide enough space for the speaker to let it all out without any interruptions. Interrupting the speaker to agree or disagree causes the speaker to lose track of what they are saying. After the speaker stops speaking, you can give your opinions.

    Acknowledge And Empathize

    Good listening does not mean complete silence. When the time comes to speak, restate to the person what you heard them say. Use a responsive tone rather than being reactive. Empathetic connection towards the speaker helps in forming a good relationship.

    Ask Questions

    Asking questions frequently is one of the best ways to show that you are engrossed in listening. Use open-ended questions that demand more than a yes or no response.

    Do not give unasked advice

    You may have a lot of good ideas and pieces of advice for the person speaking to us about their problems. Offering solutions may hurt people’s feelings.

    Think Before Responding

    When you speak, let your words be a reflection of your careful listening.

    Use Positive Body Language

    A good listener always leans forward and expresses interest in what is being spoken. By smiling or showing concern, they let the speaker know that they are being heard. Correct body language makes you a good listener.

    Make an offering

    After acknowledging and empathizing, you have the option of offering more help to the person. You can ask them if they need any help or feedback from you. This shows that you care for them, and they will be comfortable talking to you.

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    What Makes People Poor Listeners?

    Many barriers can hinder productive listening. These barriers include disturbances, incapability to prioritize information, jumping to conclusions, and tendency to assume. The most common barriers to communication are under-

    Barriers to Active Listening

    Low Concentration

    Low concentration can result from various psychological or physical factors such as visual distractions, lack of interest, stress, or discomfort. Both the listener and speaker should be aware of these hindrances so that there is no barrier to communication.

    Lack of Prioritization

    Focusing too much attention on least important information can lead to a lack of prioritization. Listeners should be able to pick the important points while listening.

    Poor Judgement

    Overlooking aspects of the communication and making judgments before all of the information is presented is the cause for poor judgment.

    Focusing on Style, Not Substance

    Distracting elements in a speech can divert information away from the most crucial information in the communication. To avoid such obstructions, listeners should be informed of biases and focus on the substance rather than the style of the speaker’s voice.

    After knowing what hinders the communication, both listener and speaker should try not to do the aforesaid things.

    Improving Communication Skills And Social Skills For Success
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    Benefits of Being a Good Listener

    You will Be More Focused

    Good listening requires the listener to pay attention to what others are saying. This quality to focus is a great tool in every situation, as focusing helps in knowing things/information in a better way.

    In Building Strong Relationships

    When you are a good listener, you connect with others effortlessly by showing you are trustworthy, honest, and supportive.

    You will Process Information Better

    When you are not focused on a specific outcome out of the conversation, you will be present-  which allows you to focus on the current situation instead of wandering anywhere else. This helps in getting the important information you need.