Fri, 25 May 2012 00:08:46 -0800WeeblySat, 12 Nov 2011 13:17:14 -0800http://www.pickandspeak.com/1/post/2011/11/telephone-english.htmlPutting a Caller On Hold
1. Explain why
2. Ask permission
3.Tell the caller how long they will be on hold
4. Thank the caller for holding

"Ms. Johnson, can you please hold while I get your file?"
"Thank you. I will be back in a moment." 
"Thank you for holding Ms. Smith.  I will be able to help you now..."

Transferring a Call
1. Always ask for the caller's name. Don't be afraid to ask the caller to repeat it. 
2. Always check first with the person you are transferring the call too.
4. Ask permission
5. Thank the caller for holding

"I'm sorry could I have your name again?" "Can you please hold a moment Mr. Smith?" "Thank you for holding. I'll put you through to Ms. Johnson now." 
]]>Tue, 02 Aug 2011 07:37:26 -0800http://www.pickandspeak.com/1/post/2011/08/how-to-write-a-speech.htmlThe speechwriting process involves several steps:

Know Your Audience by getting as much detailed information about your audience as posible, such as, demographics, context, and audience expectations. 

Use stories and examples to make it real and interesting for your audience.

Research and gather information by using the internet, books, magazines, newspapers.

Make an outline.

Write an initial draft.

Review and edit.

Practice,  practice, practice.
]]>Wed, 16 Mar 2011 03:10:16 -0800http://www.pickandspeak.com/1/post/2011/03/idioms-about-the-body.htmlMy students often ask me. "What is an idiom?" The dictionary defines an idiom as an expression whose meanings cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words
that make it up

"People use idioms to make their language richer and more colorful and to
convey subtle shades of meaning or intention. Idioms are used often to replace a
literal word or expression, and many times the idiom better describes the full
nuance of meaning. Idioms and idiomatic expressions can be more precise than the
literal words, often using fewer words but saying more. For example, the
expression it runs in the family is shorter and more succinct than saying
that a physical or personality trait 'is fairly common throughout one's extended
family and over a number of generations.'"
(Gail Brenner, Webster's New World American Idioms Handbook.
Webster's New World, 2003)

Here are a few of my favorite idioms about the body. See if you can match the body part to the idiom.
1. feet
2. neck
3. hand
4. tongue
5. arm and a leg

A. Just before getting married, Tom got cold_________________.
B. Apartments in Madrid cost an _____________and a _________.
C. Working on the weekends is such a pain in the ______________.
D. Could you lend me a __________? I'm really busy.
E. The answer is on the tip of my _______________.

Answers:
A. 1
B. 5
C. 2
D. 3
E. 4

Match the idiom to the definition.
1. Be annoying
2. Help someone
3. Become scared
4. Can almost remember
5.  Be expensive

Answers:
1. pain in the neck
2. lend a hand
3. get cold feet
4. on the tip of my tongue
5. cost an arm and a leg ]]>Mon, 14 Feb 2011 12:51:52 -0800http://www.pickandspeak.com/1/post/2011/02/tips-for-videoconferences.htmlMore and more companies are using the videoconference to hold meetings with people thousands of miles away and they are not only for senior staff.

Here is some basic information on videoconferencing.

1. Have you ever seen a television news presenter with a striped shirt?
Videoconferencing uses the same visual patterns that television uses. Avoid wearing very dark colors, black, very bright-yellow, red, plaids or stripes. Light gray, beige, or blue are the best.

2. Prevent the natural light coming through the windows, this produces glare or backlight on the screen. It is best to close the blinds or curtains and use the artificial light in the office.

3. The image of you, or your team, must be in the center. Avoid too wide an angle to prevent distractions.

4. Even though the person you're going to talk to isn't in the same room, you must act as if he/she were there in the room with you. Speak naturally, with a soft tone, and don't raise your voice. Look at the camera directly, keep distractions away such as papers or pens. And avoid all the little tics like touching your face, playing with your hair, moving hands and leaning back in your chair.

5. No matter how good the technology, a videoconference will never have the quality of a physical meeting. Always speak slowly, especially if you have a few seconds delay between picture and audio. It is advisable to wait a few seconds between answers or comments.

6. The microphone should be on the table and in front of people who are speaking. For this reason you must avoid creating any noise-such as rustling of papers, dropping the pen on the table, or drumming your fingers.

Remember these few simple tips and your next videoconference will be a piece of cake.
]]>Fri, 11 Feb 2011 06:26:51 -0800http://www.pickandspeak.com/1/post/2011/02/elevator-pitch.htmlWhat is an "Elevator Pitch?"
 
An "Elevator Pitch" is a concise, carefully planned, and well-practiced description about your company. The name "Elevator Pitch" reflects the idea that it should be possible to deliver the summary in the time span of an elevator ride, or approximately thirty seconds to two minutes.

How to build a successful "Elevator Pitch":

1.  Describe your business using non jargon words
Nonjargon means not to use vocabulary specific to your industry. It needs to be simple so that everybody can understand it.

2.  Focus on your customers
Describe specifically what you do for your clients.
“Our clients hire us because we . . .”
“Our clients invest in us because we . . .”
“Our clients turn to us because we. . . .”
and then describe the specific service or product you provide for them.

3. Focus on Overcoming Challenges Your Clients Are Facing
Give one, highly specific issue or problem with which you helped a single customer.

4. Focus on a Happy Customer Ending
Make sure your story has a happy ending for the customer.
The successful solving of a customer issue or problem gives you instant credibility.

Here is an example of an elevator pitch:

We are specialists in Human Resources and systems. Our clients hire us because we improve their processes which makes the information more accurate. For example, one of our customers overpaid their employees. We showed them how to use their processes in order to detect this before paying out the payroll. That change will save our client 150,000 euros during the next year.

Now it's your turn.






]]>Fri, 10 Sep 2010 11:27:18 -0800http://www.pickandspeak.com/1/post/2010/09/say-tell-talk-and-speak.htmlToday I have been organizing my English teaching materials and I came across (phrasal verb) some notes on say, tell, talk and speak.

Say- takes no object pronoun and we say things.

He said (that) he would go.
In this blog, I'm saying various things about these verbs.

Tell-takes an object pronoun and we tell people things.

He told me to shut the door.
I told him that I was hungry.

The difference between "talk" and "speak" is small, and gramatically there is NO difference. Basically, that means you cannot make a mistake (except with languages). Talking is usually informal. Speaking is more formal.

The president spoke to the people.
The employees were all talking before the boss began to speak.
Can I talk to you?     (This is an informal situation. We are friends).
Can I speak to you?  (It is likely that this is formal, or perhaps I am angry).
He speaks two languages NOT He talks two languages.
 ]]>Wed, 08 Sep 2010 06:32:58 -0800http://www.pickandspeak.com/1/post/2010/09/common-errors-made-by-spanish-speakers.htmlNow that the summer is ending and the air is starting to feel like fall and we all need to get back into the swing of things, which means, to get back into a normal routine. I've put up a little review of some common errors that I hear in my classes.

**Remember when you are talking about your vacation or asking someone about their vacation it is singular.

Example: I hope you had nice vacations.  (incorrect)
                  I hope you had a nice vacation. (correct)

Spanish (incorrect)                                                English (correct)  
Vacations                                                                    Vacation 
To depend of                                                              To depend on
Must to                                                                       Must
I am agreed                                                                 I agree
In this moment                                                          At the moment
To make a presentation                                           To do/give a presentation
The rest of the people                                               Everybody else
Near to..                                                                      Near/Close to
Every people/All people                                           Everybody
People is..                                                                    People are..
I have 21 years                                                          I am 21 years old
Listen me                                                                    Listen to me
To take a drink or meal                                            To have a drink/meal
To lose time                                                                To waste time
10% of discount                                                         10% discount
This night                                                                    Last night
According with                                                           According to
To work in something                                               To work on something
On May                                                                       In May
To be responsible of                                                  To be responsible for
It's the same                                                               It doesn't matter
To explain you                                                           To explain to you]]>Tue, 11 May 2010 13:31:53 -0800http://www.pickandspeak.com/1/post/2010/05/uk-or-usa.htmlToday one of my students asked me about the expression "full of beans." He had been listening to a program on the radio given by a British speaker and he wanted to be sure that the meaning was "energetic or in high spirits."  Now remember that I'm American and the expression
"full of beans" has a completely different meaning. For us it means "talking nonsense."   Here are some examples:

She is full of beans tonight and doesn’t want to stop talking. (UK)

Don't pay any attention to Bill. He's full of beans. (USA)

Imagine for a minute that a Spanish speaker, who learned British English, has a meeting with some Americans and the Spanish speaker says. "John is full of beans today."  This could be a very embarrassing situation for everybody.

Remember that British English and American English do have differences and to be careful when using idioms and expressions.  
]]>Mon, 26 Apr 2010 10:20:00 -0800http://www.pickandspeak.com/1/post/2010/04/common-mistakes-in-email-writing.htmlHere are some common mistakes that people make when writing emails. See if you can choose the correct sentence. Answers at the bottom.

1. a. Please send me your comments until Friday at the latest.
    b. Please send me your comments by Friday at the latest.

2. a. I would be grateful if you could send me more information.
    b. I will be grateful if you could send me more information.

3. a. Please find attach my report, as promised in Friday's meeting.
    b. Please find attached my report, as promised in Friday's meeting.

4. a. I hope we can to meet up soon.
    b. I hope we can meet up soon.

5. a. It will be better for me if we meet on Tuesday  rather than Monday.
    b. It will be more better for me if we meet on Tuesday rather than Monday.

6. a. I look forward to meet you next week.
    b. I look forward to meeting you next week.

7. a. I am really appreciate your kindness during my stay in London.
    b. I really appreciate  your kindness during my stay in London.

8. a. At the meeting we will discuss the following points.
    b. At the meeting we will discuss the follow points.

9. a. I look forward to receiving this information so soon as possible.
    b. I look forward to receiving this information as soon as possible.

Good luck!
Answers
1.b
2.a
3.b
4.b
5.a
6.b
7.b
8.a
9.b.
]]>Sat, 03 Apr 2010 14:12:12 -0800http://www.pickandspeak.com/1/post/2010/04/tips-for-writing-speeches.htmlThe key to effective speech writing is to KNOW your audience. Once you know who your audience is you can begin to make an outline. The first step is to turn off your computer and start to brainstorm. Write down on a piece of paper:

Who:  Write down as much as possible about the people who will be attending the speech.

What: Write down the title and using your notes from the who and what you have been asked to speak about, will give you ideas on how to specifically meet and serve the interests of your audience.

How: There are two important questions here:
How long the speech will be?

How will the speech be told?
Will it be a persuasive speech?
Will it be a humours speech?
Will it be a speech with photographs?
Will I use power point? 
Again, it's important to keep your audience in mind.

When: The date, time, day, and season will have an impact on your audience. If possible a mid-morning or afternoon timeslot is ideal. Attention spans are not at their best when people are hungry or tired.

Where: It's best to arrive early and make sure eveything is in working order. Even the most rehearsed speeches can fail because of insufficient thought in the where.
Where will I be in relation to the audience?
Will they see me easily?
Will they hear me easily?
Do I need a microphone?
Is there a place to put my notes if I’m using some?
Are there power points if I want to use any electronic devices?
Do I have to provide everything I want to use (e.g.: computer, screen…)?

Now it's time to put it all together. Remember this is an outline. Write down your answers and let them be your guide.

Good luck and happy writing! 
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