For many business owners, this week is one where they will sit back and relax assuming not much happens between Christmas and New Years Day. I am working today and will work through Wednesday, before taking off a few days for a much needed getaway.  I want to encourage you to take this week to reflect on 2011 because what you learn by analyzing your activities and results will help launch you into an amazing 2012.  I did this last week and I already know the following:

1. All of the sources of my business (and what percent each contributed to my bottom line.)

2. How many clients were served, and the percentage of growth.

3. What my #1 source of business was; and I have already thanked them profusely.

4. What percentage of my business came from Web Marketing and Social Media Marketing.

5. Who I need to follow up with in 2012 (the list of prospects that did not close business  in 2011.)

6. Roughly how much money I made (December’s not over yet, but I do know it’s my biggest month of the year!)

Armed with this information, I am able to go into January feeling very prepared, and not like I have to get a game plan for 2012. My game plan is perpetual because I plan the business out in advance and re-evaluate along the way during the month.

If you need any help with business planning for 2012 or even analyzing your results from 2011, please contact me and I would be happy to discuss how I, or one of my colleagues, might be able to help you achieve the success you deserve in 2012.

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Joining Toastmasters was one of the best business decisions I made. It helped me to become a better communicator and learn the things I never bothered to learn in school about public speaking. I also met some great folks, and that is simply priceless.

Here is the problem, however. I am now ruined because I can’t listen to most people speak. These are people who are supposed to be professional communicators, but I now realize that nearly every fifth word is a verbal pause (“ahh”, “umm”, “you know” or the like.)  If you take note, you will hear that many professionals struggle with their words and let you know it by the consistent verbal pauses they use.

• Newscasters.
• Politicians (ok, I really want to say The President).
• Preachers
• Instructors
• Other speakers
• People giving “elevator pitches”

It’s ALL AROUND US! And until I joined Toastmasters, I never even realized it.

The worse of them all is when I catch myself doing the same thing because I know it’s simply annoying. Sadly, we work schedule has recently taken me away from my local Toastmasters group and I have caught myself on occasion with a dreadful verbal pause or two. It makes me thankful for what I have learned and desirous to get back to the group.

I would encourage every professional to visit a local Toastmasters club. It’s free to visit and can only benefit you. Mastering the art of oral communications will give you more opportunities, but will help you conquer one of the biggest fears that plagues mankind. That fear is glossophobia, or the fear of public speaking.

I no longer fear public speaking; I fear using a verbal pause while speaking or having car trouble on the way to a speaking engagement.

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