Flyer!

Dear all,


An American rapper DMX is coming in Kosovo so I made a flyer about him. I hope you will like it and I am open to critics and advices.


Click the link to see the photo http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/847/flyerso.jpg/




Yours,
Edona

Communication Skills

Basic communication skills to help you communicate more effectively at work and in your personal life are listed below.

1. Body Language

Have you ever had a conversation with someone who couldn't speak your language? It is possible!

Body language can account for 55% of how we communicate. So if you have something important or sensitive to say, meet the other person face to face if possible. You can check their body language, to see how they are reacting to your message.

You also need to be conscious of your own body language, as Perception is Greater Than Reality.

You may be slumped in a chair because you are tired after a long day. The other person might pick that up as a lack of interest in what they have to say.

Eye contact, facial expressions, posture, gestures, dress etc. will have an impact on how your message is received.

2. Tone of Voice

Your tone of voice accounts for 37% of how you communicate in a typical work environment. Focus on the following four aspects to improve this important basic communication skill:

Pitch. A lower pitch can sound more authoritative and knowledgeable; many politicians and people in the public arena actively work to lower their voice pitch.

Volume. If you are naturally quiet spoken, you may benefit from raising the volume. A quiet voice can be mistaken for a lack of confidence and timidity in certain situations. Similarly, if you normally speak at a high volume, reducing it may make you sound less aggressive to some people.

If you find yourself in conversation with someone who is shouting, raise your voice to match theirs and gradually reduce it - they will follow.

Inflection. Put emphasis on certain words when you speak, to convey passion, enthusiasm and add meaning to what you are saying.

Pace. Take care that you pace what you are saying to allow the message to sink in. Avoid racing through the message or speaking so slowly that the other person loses interest.

3. Words

Although in a complex communication setting, words may only account for 8% of how you get your message across, you can still make a better impact with the words you use. Here are some tips:

Speak in metaphors. Connect better with others by helping them to visualise what you are saying. For example, instead of:

"The task is going to be difficult, but it will be worth it when it's done." say:

"We have a difficult mountain to climb but the view from the top will be great!"

Write using short, simple sentences (less than 20 words)to help understanding. Instead of:

"I would be extremely grateful if you would return the product at your earliest convenience.." say:

"Can you please return the product as soon as possible?"

Ask questions that are positive and specific. Your brain is like a Google Search Box; the better the questions, the better the response. So instead of:

"How can we reduce costs?" say:

What steps can we take to make even greater cost savings?"

4. Empathy

So what is empathy? This is a basic communication skill which involves putting yourself in another person's shoes. You recognise the feelings and the situation that the other person finds themselves in. It doesn't mean that you agree with them, it means that you understandwhere they are coming from.

Empathy involves being trustworthy, confidential and non-judgemental. You can develop empathy with someone if you share common values and experiences.

It is not sympathy, where you may end up supporting a negative frame of mind and making the situation worse. It is also not apathy, where you show no interest in the situation or the feelings of the other person.

5. Active Listening

This involves reflecting back the feelings and the situation that you believe the other person is experiencing, to check that you have understood them correctly.

It is closely linked to empathy (above). It is a basic communication skill that can be developed with practice, and is very useful in an emotionally charged situation.

It allows the other person to vent, and as you are not adding your point of view at this stage, you avoid the danger of "saying the wrong thing" and making the other person even more upset.




References


http://www.practical-management-skills.com/basic-communication-skills.html

How To Read Body Language

If you want to improve the way you communicate with others, learning how to read body language will give you the edge. The importance of body language, eye contact and other non verbal communication signals has been well researched.

Two key points to remember:

1. View the whole picture, not just one aspect of body language, if you want to read it accurately.

2. Be aware of the body language signals that you send to others. For example, you might be standing with your arms folded across your chest just because it feels comfortable. The person you are talking to might think you are angry with them!

Here are some of the signals you might send and receive; the whole picture has to be taken into consideration for more accuracy.

Body Language Signals

1. Defensive Body Language

If you want to know how to read body language when you are talking to someone, be aware of all the signals they are sending. If they have their arms folded AND this is coupled with: a head thats pointing slightly downwards, a tight-lipped mouth and their body not turned to face you, be worried!

2. Mixed Signals

Arms or legs crossed can also be a sign of nervousness. The man in the sketch on the left is sending mixed signals; crossed arms indicating that he is nervous, masked by a smiling face intended to show confidence.

The man in the sketch on the right is in the open, competitive position (hands behind head) but at the same time is keeping his legs crossed, indicating that he might be on the defence.

3. Hand to Face Signals

Although in each of these poses, the hand is on the face, they are all sending different body language signals. The position of the hand on the face, together with facial gestures, builds a picture. Can you spot which poses signify boredom, interest, questioning and making a decision?

  

4. Negative Body Language

In the pose below, the man is rubbing his eye and has raised eyebrows. He is looking down and away from the person he is talking to. His tight lipped smile adds to the picture of negativity or possible deceit.

5. Open Body Language

In contrast, the man in the sketch below shows open body language. The turned up palms of his hands and spread fingers may signify submission.

6. Mirroring

In the sketch below, the two people on the outside are mirroring each other's body language. That is a sure sign of interest and empathy. If you watch people in public places such as restaurants and coffee shops, you will soon know how to read body language that displays the mirroring technique. You can see this very clearly. When one person shifts position, the other follows.

Take another look at the photo at the top of this page. See the mirroring of the two people on the outside, and the fact that the woman in the centre is leaning towards the man on her right, showing a clear sign of interest. Her facial expressions also back this up.

If you want to come across as approachable, friendly and trustworthy, your body language should reflect:

• Good eye contact
• Open posture
• Smile
• Upright stance
• Clean and tidy dress
• Careful grooming - hair, nails etc.

When you want to develop rapport with someone, see if matching their body language signals makes a difference and helps you connect at a deeper level.




References


http://www.practical-management-skills.com/how-to-read-body-language.html

Non-verbal Communication

 What is non-verbal communication?

Definition  “nonverbal communication involves those nonverbal stimuli in a communication setting that are generated by both the source [speaker] and his or her use of the environment and that have potential message value for the source or receiver [listener].   Basically it is sending and receiving messages in a variety of ways without the use of verbal codes (words).  It is both intentional and unintentional.  Most speakers / listeners are not conscious of this.   It includes — but is not limited to:
• touch
• glance
• eye contact (gaze)
• volume
• vocal nuance
• proximity
• gestures
• facial expression ? pause (silence)
• intonation
• dress
• posture
• smell
• word choice and syntax
• sounds (paralanguage)
Broadly speaking, there are two basic categories of non-verbal language:         nonverbal messages produced by the body;         nonverbal messages produced by the broad setting (time, space, silence)

Why is non-verbal communication important?

Basically, it is one of the key aspects of communication (and especially important in a high-context culture).  It has multiple functions:  
• Used to repeat the verbal message (e.g. point in a direction while stating directions.
• Often used to accent a verbal message. (e.g. verbal tone indicates the actual meaning of the specific words).
• Often complement the verbal message but also may contradict.  E.g.: a nod reinforces a positive message (among Americans); a “wink” may contradict a stated positive message.
• Regulate interactions (non-verbal cues covey when the other person should speak or not speak).
• May substitute for the verbal message (especially if it is blocked by noise, interruption, etc) — i.e. gestures (finger to lips to indicate need for quiet), facial expressions (i.e. a nod instead of a yes).
Note the implications of the proverb: “Actions speak louder than words.”  In essence, this underscores the importance of non-verbal communication.  Non-verbal communication is especially significant in intercultural situations. Probably non-verbal differences account for typical difficulties in communicating.

Cultural Differences in Non-verbal Communication 

1. General Appearance and Dress

All cultures are concerned for how they look and make judgements based on looks and dress.  Americans, for instance, appear almost obsessed with dress and personal attractiveness.  Consider differing cultural standards on what is attractive in dress and on what constitutes modesty. Note ways dress is used as a sign of status?

2. Body Movement

We send information on attitude toward person (facing or leaning towards another), emotional statue (tapping fingers, jiggling coins), and desire to control the environment (moving towards or away from a person). More than 700,000 possible motions we can make — so impossible to categorize them all!  But just need to be aware the body movement and position is a key ingredient in sending messages.  

3. Posture

Consider the following actions and note cultural differences:
• Bowing (not done, criticized, or affected in US; shows rank in Japan)
• Slouching (rude in most Northern European areas)
• Hands in pocket (disrespectful in Turkey)
• Sitting with legs crossed (offensive in Ghana, Turkey)
• Showing soles of feet. (Offensive in Thailand, Saudi Arabia)
• Even in US, there is a gender difference on acceptable posture?

4. Gestures

Impossible to catalog them all.  But need to recognize: 1) incredible possibility and variety and 2) that an acceptable in one’s own culture may be offensive in another.  In addition, amount of gesturing varies from culture to culture.  Some cultures are animated; other restrained.  Restrained cultures often feel animated cultures lack manners and overall restraint.  Animated cultures often feel restrained cultures lack emotion or interest. Even simple things like using hands to point and count differ. Pointing : US with index finger; Germany with little finger; Japanese with entire hand (in fact most Asians consider pointing with index finger to be rude) Counting:  Thumb = 1 in Germany, 5 in Japan, middle finger for 1 in Indonesia.   

5. Facial Expressions

While some say that facial expressions are identical, meaning attached to them differs.  Majority opinion is that these do have similar meanings world-wide with respect to smiling, crying, or showing anger, sorrow, or disgust.  However, the intensity varies from culture to culture.  Note the following:
• Many Asian cultures suppress facial expression as much as possible.
• Many Mediterranean (Latino / Arabic) cultures exaggerate grief or sadness while most American men hide grief or sorrow.
• Some see “animated” expressions as a sign of a lack of control.
• Too much smiling is viewed in as a sign of shallowness.
• Women smile more than men.
 

6. Eye Contact and Gaze

In USA, eye contact indicates: degree of attention or interest, influences attitude change or persuasion, regulates interaction, communicates emotion, defines power and status, and has a central role in managing impressions of others.
• Western cultures — see direct eye to eye contact as positive (advise children to look a person in the eyes).  But within USA, African-Americans use more eye contact when talking and less when listening with reverse true for Anglo Americans.  This is a possible cause for some sense of unease between races in US.  A prolonged gaze is often seen as a sign of sexual interest.
• Arabic cultures make prolonged eye-contact. — believe it shows interest and helps them understand truthfulness of the other person.  (A person who doesn’t reciprocate is seen as untrustworthy)
• Japan, Africa, Latin American, Caribbean — avoid eye contact to show respect.
 

7. Touch

Question: Why do we touch, where do we touch, and what meanings do we assign when someone else touches us?
Illustration: An African-American male goes into a convenience store recently taken over by new Korean immigrants.  He gives a $20 bill for his purchase to Mrs Cho who is cashier and waits for his change.  He is upset when his change is put down on the counter in front of him.What is the problem?  Traditional Korean (and many other Asian countries) don’t touch strangers., especially between members of the opposite sex.   But the African-American sees this as another example of discrimination (not touching him because he is black).
Basic answer:  Touch is culturally determined!  But each culture has a clear concept of what parts of the body one may not touch.  Basic message of touch is to affect or control  — protect, support, disapprove (i.e. hug, kiss, hit, kick). 
• USA — handshake is common (even for strangers), hugs, kisses for those of opposite gender or of family (usually) on an increasingly  more intimate basis. Note differences between African-Americans and Anglos in USA.  Most African Americans touch on greeting but are annoyed if touched on the head (good boy, good girl overtones).
• Islamic and Hindu:  typically don’t touch with the left hand.  To do so is a social insult.  Left hand is for toilet functions.  Mannerly in India to break your bread only with your right hand (sometimes difficult for non-Indians)
•  Islamic cultures generally don’t approve of any touching between genders (even hand shakes).  But consider such touching (including hand holding, hugs) between same-sex to be appropriate.
• Many Asians don’t touch the head (Head houses the soul and a touch puts it in jeopardy).
Basic patterns: Cultures (English , German, Scandinavian, Chinese, Japanese) with high emotional restraint concepts have little public touch; those which encourage emotion (Latino, Middle-East, Jewish) accept frequent touches.   

8. Smell

• USA — fear of offensive natural smells (billion dollar industry to mask objectionable odors with what is perceived to be pleasant ) — again connected with “attractiveness” concept.
• Many other cultures consider natural body odors as normal (Arabic).
• Asian cultures (Filipino, Malay, Indonesian, Thai, Indian) stress frequent bathing — and often criticize USA of not bathing often enough!
 

  9. Paralanguage

• vocal characterizers (laugh, cry, yell, moan, whine, belch, yawn).  These send different messages in different cultures (Japan — giggling indicates embarrassment; India – belch indicates satisfaction)
• vocal qualifiers (volume, pitch, rhythm, tempo, and tone).  Loudness indicates strength in Arabic cultures and softness indicates weakness; indicates confidence and authority to the Germans,; indicates impoliteness to the Thais; indicates loss of control to the Japanese. (Generally, one learns not to “shout” in Asia for nearly any reason!).  Gender based as well: women tend to speak higher and more softly than men.
• vocal segregates (un-huh, shh, uh, ooh, mmmh, humm, eh, mah, lah).  Segregates indicate formality, acceptance, assent, uncertainty.

References

http://www.andrews.edu/~tidwell/bsad560/NonVerbal.html

Verbal communication

The basis of communication is the interaction between people.  Verbal communication is one way for people to communicate face-to-face.  Some of the key components of verbal communication are sound, words, speaking, and language. At birth, most people have vocal cords, which produce sounds.  As a child grows it learns how to form these sounds into words.  Some words may be imitative of natural sounds, but others may come from expressions of emotion, such as laughter or crying.  Words alone have no meaning.  Only people can put meaning into words.  As meaning is assigned to words, language develops, which leads to the development of speaking. Verbal communication refers to the use of sounds and language to relay a message. It serves as a vehicle for expressing desires, ideas and concepts and is vital to the processes of learning and teaching. In combination with nonverbal forms of communication, verbal communication acts as the primary tool for expression between two or more people.

Types

Interpersonal communication and public speaking are the two basic types of verbal communication. Whereas public speaking involves one or more people delivering a message to a group, interpersonal communication generally refers to a two-way exchange that involves both talking and listening.
Signs and symbols are the major signals that make up verbal communication. Words act as symbols, and signs are secondary products of the underlying message and include things like tone of voice, blushing and facial expressions.

Purpose

Verbal communication has many purposes, but its main function is relaying a message to one or more recipients. It encompasses everything from simple one-syllable sounds to complex discussions and relies on both language and emotion to produce the desired effect. Verbal communication can be used to inform, inquire, argue and discuss topics of all kinds. It is vital to teaching and learning, as well as forming bonds and building relationships with other people.
Although all species communicate, language itself is a purely human phenomenon that allows for more precision than the communication methods of other beings.

Challenges

A variety of challenges may arise when using verbal communication to express oneself. Misunderstandings can arise because of poor word choice, differing perspectives and faulty communication techniques, and subjective opinions regarding acceptable language may result in breakdowns in communication.
Language barriers are a major cause of confusion when attempting to communicate verbally. According to the University of Louisville, differences in language influenced by geographic location, education and social status can create barriers even among those who speak the same language.

Prevention/Solution

Although difficulties with verbal communication can't be completely avoided, it is possible to increase your chances of communicating successfully. Consider the message you wish to communicate before speaking and communicate with respect for the recipient's point of view Pay attention to what you say and how you say it. Speak clearly and enunciate your words and be conscious nonverbal aspects such as eye contact, posture and facial expressions.

As a conclusion everyone has a unique style of communicating and perceiving messages. Although verbal communication is a primary means of expression, nonverbal actions such as body language can greatly affect the way a message is perceived.

References

http://cobweb2.louisville.edu/faculty/regbruce/bruce//mgmtwebs/commun_f98/Verbal.htm

http://www.livestrong.com/article/150573-what-is-verbal-communication/

Communication

Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast distances in time and space. Communication requires that the communicating parties share an area of communicative commonality. The communication process is complete once the receiver has understood the message of the sender.

Communication is defined as:

        1.      The act of transmitting

        2.            A giving or exchanging of information, signals, or messages as by talk, gestures, or writing

        3.           The information, signals, or message

        4.           Close, sympathetic relationship

        5.          A means of communicating; specif., a system for sending and receiving messages, as by telephone, telegraph, radio, etc.

        6.          A system as of routes for moving troops and material

        7.         A passage or way for getting from one place to another

        8.         The art of expressing ideas, esp. in speech and writing

        9.         The science of transmitting information, esp. in symbols

Communication cycle

The first major model for communication came in 1949 by Claude Shannon and Warren Weaver for Bell Laboratories. The original model was designed to mirror the functioning of radio and telephone technologies. Their initial model consisted of three primary parts: sender, channel, and receiver. The sender was the part of a telephone a person spoke into, the channel was the telephone itself, and the receiver was the part of the phone where one could hear the other person. Shannon and Weaver also recognized that often there is static that interferes with one listening to a telephone conversation, which they deemed noise.

In a simple model, often referred to as the transmission model or standard view of communication, information or content (e.g. a message in natural language) is sent in some form (as spoken language) from an emitter/ sender/ encoder to a destination/ receiver/ decoder. This common conception of communication simply views communication as a means of sending and receiving information. The strengths of this model are simplicity, generality, and quantifiability. Social scientists Claude Shannon and Warren Weaver structured this model based on the following elements:

1.      An information source, which produces a message.

2.      A transmitter, which encodes the message into signals

3.      A channel, to which signals are adapted for transmission

4.      A receiver, which 'decodes' (reconstructs) the message from the signal.

5.      A destination, where the message arrives.

Shannon and Weaver argued that there were three levels of problems for communication within this theory

      1.      The technical problem: how accurately can the message be transmitted?

      2.      The semantic problem: how precisely is the meaning 'conveyed'?

      3.      The effectiveness problem: how effectively does the received meaning affect behavior?




      References

      
      - http://www.utwente.nl/cw/theorieenoverzicht/Theory%20clusters/Communication%20and%20Information%20Technology/Information_Theory.doc/
      
-  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communication

        - http://www.facebook.com/notes/communicology-communication-studies/communication-modelling/144631842241093?ref=nf

Introduction

Dear all,

I’ve been using blogs earlier, not so much but at least I have an idea what blogs are. During the blog creation I have not encountered such difficulties, because as I mentioned blogs are not something all new to me. Normally I learned some things that I have not used earlier through blogs. During the following classes I am sure I will be able to improve the way I am using blogs.

All the best,


Sincerely,


Edona