Thursday, May 16, 2002

Kathryn J. Volin, President
Communications Concepts International, Inc.
2626 East 82nd Street
Suite 228 The Atrium
Minneapolis, MN 55425

Dear Kathryn,

By attending the Effective Communications Program on May 9 and 10, 2002, I was able to dramatically improve the effectiveness of my communication by understanding the value of organizing my thoughts, implementing factors and honing my listening skills.

You may be wondering why I thought the program was so valuable...

One reason the program was valuable was that it helped me relax my posture and facial expressions.  I have forever received feedback that I had a rigid communication style that I couldn't seem to break.  It wasn't until I saw myself on camera that I realized why my rigid perception was so glaring- because I was glaring!  It's amazing what a little smile (unlike a big, toothy grin) will do for an otherwise unaccommodating look.

Another reason the program was valuable is it cured me (or at least made me aware) of my gift of gab.  I could speak about a subject with passion for hours until my audience's collective heads were on the verge of bursting.  To say I beat around the bush would be insensitive, but accurate; to say I was verbose- a little closer to home.  The Focal Point Factor® provided me with a systems approach for organizing my thoughts, thus helping me get to the point!

And yet another reason the program was valuable is that it helped me learn the absolute, most critical piece in communicating: pausing and breathing.  Who would ever have thought that such a simple task could so dramatically improve a person's communications effectiveness?  And to think, breathing from the diaphragm instead of the chest- brilliant!

These are just some of the reasons I thought the program was valuable.

By understanding the value of organizing my thoughts, implementing factors and honing my listening skills, the Effective Communications Program greatly enhanced my ability to communicate which is such a critical part of my business and daily life.  (Thank you!)

Best Regards,

Jim Hall