About Her Blog
“Everything we do sends a message. Casual conversation, body language and emails. It all communicates something and it all matters. Yet, crafting and delivering the right messages can be tricky. Spill the Truth is an upfront, energetic blog where you’ll learn how to use words, gestures and tone to communicate with confidence… even in the most difficult situations.”

Each month’s blog includes tips on a wide range of communication-related topics, including email, presentations, one-on-one conversations, as well as social media.

Guest Blog Post: Kill Email, Save No One
CEO Tierry Breton may be the first brave soul to ban the use of internal email, but he won’t be the last. And sadly, he won’t solve anything. Within 18 months his 75,000 member staff will stop sending one another email and instead rely on instant messaging and chat-style services similar to Facebook (read more).

There is no doubt that technology has done wonders for the field of communications. It has brought us increased messaging speed and an insatiable appetite for content. But, what it hasn’t done is reinvent the wheel. At the core, humans still have only two ways to communicate: speaking and writing.

Leaders like Breton are prone to seek technology solutions for communication problems. They want to free employees from inbox bulge and find a way to streamline business decisions. But, the problem with email isn’t technology; it’s the writer.

Top netiquette mishaps include:

• Hiding the point beneath endless paragraphs of background information
• Using a dull, non-actionable subject like “MDT Brochure Supplement”
• Berating readers with a thinly veiled, snaggletooth tone

Intentions are good, but since email robs users of what experts agree are the most important elements of effective communication—tone and nonverbal expression—everyone is at a disadvantage. Unfortunately, these persuaders, which are so vital for influencing change and building relationships, are not only lost through instant messaging, they’re even less valued.

So, with more than 107 trillion emails going out this year, let’s wish Mr. Breton luck. But for those of you stuck battling the inbox dilemma, find a little hope with Hush Files.

www.truperceptionspillthetruth.blogspot.com

I was always taught that parents love their children the same…they don’t have favorites. I’m guessing the same should apply for clients…BUT…I have a couple favorites. John Mickman, President/CEO of Mickman Brothers, is one of them. I’ve had the pleasure of working directly with John the past 7 years on his Christmas wreath program materials as well as print pieces for other aspects of his business. From the testimonial below I think Voila! Media Group might be on John’s list of favorites too.

 

Thanks John for the great things you had to say about the service we provide to you, it’s our pleasure.

Tobie

Testimonial from John Mickman, President/CEO, Mickman Brothers, Ham Lake, Minnesota:

Shelly,

Now that we are near the end of ‘the season’ for our seasonal businesses, I believe a quick note regarding the positive effect you and your team have had in marketing our businesses this year is overdue.

I’ve always been impressed with how quickly and comprehensively you and your staff have picked up on ‘the feel’ that I wish to convey to our customers and clients in each of our marketing campaigns. In over 35 years of doing business, I can testify that this is a rare proficiency. And then, you take the core message I wish to deliver, and voila! – you add so much life and vibrancy to the message(s).

In both print materials and in our online presence, your staff always comes through with a unique, professional message that customers/clients in each of our market segments expect to see from a professional company. There is no question that our business has grown annually to a significant degree since we began working together over 7 years ago.

The work that Voila! does for us is not only effective, but in each case we find a high level of value for each precious dollar spent. In these economic times, this is extremely important for our company.

Keep up the good work. Please!

John S. Mickman, President

MICKMAN BROTHERS, INC.

About Her Blog
“Everything we do sends a message. Casual conversation, body language and emails. It all communicates something and it all matters. Yet, crafting and delivering the right messages can be tricky. Spill the Truth is an upfront, energetic blog where you’ll learn how to use words, gestures and tone to communicate with confidence… even in the most difficult situations.”

Each month’s blog includes tips on a wide range of communication-related topics, including email, presentations, one-on-one conversations, as well as social media.

www.truperceptionspillthetruth.blogspot.com

Guest Blog Post: 4 Ways to Ensure a Call Back
Live telephone conversations aren’t dead yet, and the key to receiving that crucial call back is leaving a great voice mail message. To be safe, before you dial, make sure you have enough time for the call and assume the person is going to answer. But when you hear the beep, be prepared:

1. Choose your words carefully: Saying the name of the person you are calling is a great way to draw them in. People like hearing their name, so begin the message by saying, “hello Mark…” and then close out the call by saying it again, “Talk to you soon. Thanks, Mark.”
2. Be concise: Avoid rambling by taking the time to jot down at least two points you want to make during your message. Rehearse before you call and you’ll never have to end with an apology about how long and drawn out your message is.
3. Make your number count: It might be a great message, but no one wants to listen to it three times in order to accurately take down your number. Try physically writing out your number as you recite it or imagine yourself dialing the numbers you speak. This helps ensure you’re offering the number slowly enough.
4. Do it on the sly: If you’re in a rush and don’t want to get caught up in a lengthy conversation or you need to deliver a precise message without entertaining questions, there is hope. SLYDIAL. Here’s how it works:
   • Dial 267-SLYDIAL (267-759-3425) from any landline or mobile phone.
   • At the voice prompt, enter the U.S. mobile phone number of the person you want to reach (sorry, but landline won’t work).
   • You will be directly connected to their voicemail.
   • Leave a message, sit back and relax.

Baseline Your Health is a site that Voila! Media Group helped the Shad Ireland Foundation build that is for individuals with Diabetes, on Dialysis or with CKD.

When you register with the site, you are able to track exercises, food calorie intake, and key indicator levels to help increase quality of life while working to treat the illness.

Besides tracking your goals to increase the quality of life, there are also other aspects to the site. Users are able to print out a report of dietary intake that they are able to bring into the nutritionist. There are educational videos and content that can help patients understand and deal with the disease that they are facing. Also there are exercise programs, from basic to advanced for both patients and individuals wishing to donate a kidney who want to prepare their body.

To learn more visit Baseline Your Health.org

Voila! has a fabulous team. Each of the staff have really taken the time to get to know me and my business and creating a relationship that is needed to trust each other and what the business is looking for.

Voila! is a business you can really count on. They are cutting edge with being amazingly timely. I’d recommend them any day, call me and I’ll let you know how I really feel.”

See some of the work we’ve done for Lori’s: