Tuesday, February 17, 2015

4 Ways to Improve Communication at Work by: Vivian Ciampi

Vivian Ciampi offers these 4 tactical tips to help professionals at every level become a more effective communicator and, in doing so, gain better control of their career trajectory:
  1. Become the Universal Translator. The most valued and successful person in any business is the one that can translate facts, figures, and concepts into actionable ideas that will not only make sense and resonate with their direct network, but also with any and all constituents those ideas will be presented to. This includes superiors, subordinates, peers, customers, prospects, business partners and vendors. The Universal Translator does the following: steps out of their comfort zone or discipline; let’s go of any insider department lingo or technical terms and focuses on the audience at hand; suggests specific ways others can move forward with the information relative to what is important to them; and presents the vision, plan or theory in a way that is clear, crisp, confident and above all, ACTIONABLE.  This person is so successful because of their ability to translate complex or technical concepts into strategic steps that will impact the bottom line.  If others can understand, relate to and rally around what you are presenting, it is sure to yield winning results.


  2. Meet before you meet. There’s few things more painful and embarrassing than getting completely derailed in a meeting. Many have seen it—someone showing up with well-prepared and rehearsed slides only to get completely pummeled with questions from every discipline in the room before they even get beyond the intro page. Instead of moving forward with their agenda, they are sent ten paces back and five paces to the side, only to leave the meeting with more work, lost credibility, a confused and frustrated audience and, above all, no progress on the agenda at hand. If you've ever experienced this personally or seen it happen to another, you know it is hard to recover. The best way to counter this is the following: determine who your key constituents are relative to your topic ahead of time; set up one-on-one meetings with all of them at least a few days in advance of the big meeting; socialize the topic with each of the constituents individually; and make sure you understand their perspective and answer any questions or concerns that they have ahead of time. By taking these steps, you will undoubtedly gain valuable information that will not only help you refine your presentation, but also be poised and prepared to actually present in the real meeting. Socializing the idea ahead of time may feel like extra work, but the benefits far outweigh the additional time—and the very real risks of not doing so. This strategy will facilitate your ability to effectively cover a lot of ground and actually garner decisions in the meeting without playing catch-up or spending valuable time trying to get everyone on the same page. Effective communication, speed and alignment are a few of the key advantages here.

  3. Stop, ask and listen! Today’s fast-paced workplace has most of us running at record speed, often in circles like we’re on a hamster wheel. We are putting out fires and have more in our email inbox than our outbox each and every day. The resulting pressure of this overload causes us to rush through conversations so we can cross it off our proverbial “to do list” and move on to the next triage task. Unfortunately, plowing through important conversations will never yield a productive outcome, but often produces more work and headaches. The best way to approach key conversations that need a little extra finesse or persuasion, particularly in the midst of a time-pressed schedule, are the following: stop and take a breath so you don’t rush into your agenda in the first five minutes of the conversation; ask open ended questions, such as “What’s going on in your department?” or “How has this system helped you?” Once the person you’re engaged with has the opportunity to respond, make 200% sure you are actively listening—not just hearing them—and that you give them ample time to convey their thoughts without your interjection, direction or interruption. The majority of the time, you will gain key insights from these conversations and will be able to craft a more informed response—one that better resonates with the person(s) you’re speaking with. Even if you already know the answer or have a brilliant retort, slowing down and letting others speak first, in full, allows them to “empty their cup” which puts them in a better position to have it filled back up with what you have to say in response. When you do finally have the chance to speak, keep in mind people only have the capacity to absorb so much. If we provide an overload of verbose detail, you risk overflowing the listener’s “cup” and may ultimately lose the real essence of what you are trying to convey. Stay focused on who your audience is and what they care about to ensure that your dialogue and key points are streamlined and succinct. This tactic also helps build more productive, trusting professional relationships. The most successful people in any company aren't necessarily the smartest, but rather those who take the time to listen and learn from others because they truly value what they have to say. Adhering to this strategy will not only make you a much more effective communicator, but it will also garner tremendous goodwill throughout the organization as you start to hone a discipline of talking less and listening more.


  4. Converse with clarity. People today are inundated with data, work under tight time-frames, and talk in acronyms. Some technical people and other professionals tend to use a lot of insider jargon and industry terminology when they communicate, making it difficult for anyone outside their immediate network to understand. Also, incompetent people tend to rush through important details hoping no one else will ask questions or notice their in-aptitude, and you certainly don’t want to be perceived in this light. Such conversation crushers can leave others feeling intimidated, out of the loop and unable to effectively contribute. Rather than contributing poorly to the conversation or sitting on the sidelines as the dialogue ensues, a better approach is to pick the right setting and ask clarifying questions to ensure messaging remains on point and resultant activities on track. If you’re not sure where to start, the basic who, what, where, when, why and how is a sensible approach. For example, “Why are we doing this?”; “How will that work?” or “Where will this help the organization?” are some examples. The win-win with this strategy is that it fosters clear dialogue, makes people accountable to answer direct questions and often uncovers problems that need to be addressed but would have been overlooked had this approach not been utilized.


About the Expert 
Vivian M. Ciampi is a Principal at Professional Coaching, LLC, a business navigational coaching firm that helps universities, small to mid-size businesses and large organizations accelerate the growth and success of their top talent.  She specializes in helping professionals become better communicators in order to achieve greater success in their careers and balance in their lives.  She is also a coach and facilitator in the Executive Education department at the Harvard Business School.  Ciampi has been providing leadership/strategic coaching and workshops to professionals for over ten years.  Prior to starting her own business, she spent over two decades leading teams and managing businesses at JP Morgan Chase, formerly Chase Manhattan Bank and Travelers Property Casualty. Ciampi is a Professional Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation; holds a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance and Marketing from the University of Connecticut, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Fairfield University.  Learn more online at www.CoachingTheProfessional.com.  

Monday, September 1, 2014

Will You Be Attending the A Family of My Own Fertility and Adoption Conference in Orlando Florida?

Did I mention that I will have a table at A Family of My Own Conference? If you would like a personal consultation regarding information on Surrogacy please e-mail me at SurroMatchFL@aol.com and we can set some time aside while I am in Orlando. I look forward to seeing you there!

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Monday, August 25, 2014

American Society of Reproductive Medicine Upcoming Meetings~ Plan Ahead!

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I am attending the ASRM conference in Hawaii in October however I know of a lot of people who are not attending this year because it is a costly trip! Below is a list of the upcoming ASRM meetings that you can plan to attend in the states! It's good to start budgeting early especially if you want to exhibit!

ASRM 2015
Description: 71st Annual Meeting of the ASRM
Dates: October 17-21, 2015 
Place: Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
For More Information: ASRM, Tel: 205-978-5000, Fax: 205-978-5018, Email:asrm@asrm.org

ASRM 2016
Description: 72nd Annual Meeting of the ASRM
Dates: October 16-20, 2016
Place: Salt Lake City, UT, USA
For More Information: ASRM, Tel: 205-978-5000, Fax: 205-978-5018, Email:asrm@asrm.org

ASRM 2017
Description: 73rd Annual Meeting of the ASRM
Dates: October 28-November 1, 2017
Place: San Antonio, TX, USA
For More Information: ASRM, Tel: 205-978-5000, Fax: 205-978-5018, Email: asrm@asrm.org

ASRM 2018
Description: 74th Annual Meeting of the ASRM
Dates: October 6-10, 2018
Place: Denver, CO, USA
For More Information: ASRM, Tel: 205-978-5000, Fax: 205-978-5018, Email: asrm@asrm.org

ASRM 2019
Description: 75th Annual Meeting of the ASRM
Dates: October 12-16, 2019
Place: Philadelphia, PA, USA
For More Information: ASRM, Tel: 205-978-5000, Fax: 205-978-5018, Email: asrm@asrm.org

ASRM 2020
Description: 76th Annual Meeting of the ASRM
Dates: October 17-21, 2020
Place: Portland, OR, USA
For More Information: ASRM, Tel: 205-978-5000, Fax: 205-978-5018, Email: asrm@asrm.org

ASRM 2021
Description: 77th Annual Meeting of the ASRM
Dates: October 16-20, 2021
Place: Baltimore, MD, USA
For More Information: ASRM, Tel: 205-978-5000, Fax: 205-978-5018, Email: asrm@asrm.org

ASRM 2022
Description: 78th Annual Meeting of the ASRM
Dates: October 22-26, 2022
Place: Anaheim, CA USA
For More Information: ASRM, Tel: 205-978-5000, Fax: 205-978-5018, Email: asrm@asrm.org

ASRM 2023
Description: 79th Annual Meeting of the ASRM
Dates: October 14-18, 2023
Place: New Orleans, LA USA
For More Information: ASRM, Tel: 205-978-5000, Fax: 205-978-5018, Email: asrm@asrm.org

Monday, August 18, 2014

We Love Hearing Feedback From Our Clients! Thank You!

Please visit our website and read more of what our clients have to say about LaMothe Services and our work within the infertility community!

"We would highly recommend SharonSharon was knowledgeable and an invaluable in assisting in our business endeavors. She was very professional and willing to give sound advice. She is very knowledgeable about the third party reproduction industry and we are more than happy we asked for her assistance."
Eloise Drane
Family Acuity

"Sharon LaMothe is probably one of the most knowledgable fertility consultants in the United States. She is compassionate, hard working, brilliant, and lives for the success of her clients. I am proud to be able to call her a friend and I do not hesitate for a second to recommend her to anyone in need of her services."

Mike Berkley, L.Ac., FABORM
Founder and Director, The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness 

"I initially asked Sharon to help me with a few trouble spots that we were having at our agency and she came through for me more than once. She is a pleasure to work with and I finally got to meet her in person at a work related event and truly enjoyed visiting with her and getting to know her on a personal level. I will continue to request her assistance on several things and would recommend you do so as well."
Stacie Getgood
Prime Genetics

"Sharon cares about disseminating information for the benefit of those who are struggling with one of the most difficult life crises - namely infertility. She actively pursues the information that these couples need and generously shares it through her social media connections. She is a real pro - so much so that she is teaching others how to outreach effectively at the upcoming conference sponsored by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. This is a wholehearted endorsement of her work."

Sincerely, Helen Adrienne, LCSW, BCD



Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Let LaMothe Services Assist You With Our Social Networking Packages!

Social Networking is the fastest and easiest way to stay in touch with colleagues, co-workers,industry professionals,family,and friends. But learning how to navigate a site by yourself can be frustrating especially if you would rather be spending time doing other things. Networking in any form is a great way to keep your business in the forefront of everyone's mind and lead you to a better position in your industry.
 
Package #1 includes:
(one time set up fee)
Facebook~LinkedIN~Twitter~etc.
 
Setting up your social networking site with your e-mail and contact information
 
Posting your bio and other relevant information
 
Feed your blog to your networking site if possible
 
Showing you how to invite friends from your address book to your site
 
Teaching you how to navigate the site easily and quickly
 
Package #2 includes:
(paid monthly and can be combined with your blogging maintenance package)
 
Everything in Package #1 and
 
Maintenance of your social networking sites
 
Posting on your sites
 
Networking with other relevant groups on your site
 
Keeping you informed of events posted on your sites

At LaMothe Services our highest priority is satisfied customers. We are proud to serve you and work hard to earn your business. Call 727-458-8333 to schedule your free personal 40 minute consultation. There's no obligation, only opportunity.

Monday, August 4, 2014

LaMothe Services are designed and developed to support your growing business!

Our services are designed and developed to support your growing business. When you make an appointment for a free consultation, all information gathered is then formulated into a program specifically designed to resolve problem issues using LaMothe Services as your partner. We are willing to sign non-disclosure documents to make you feel comfortable in allowing us to assist you in managing and solving your most delicate business problems.

LaMothe Services specializes in Surrogacy and Egg Donation agencies and other Third Party Family Building Companies. We can also assist other businesses with customer service, organizational, social networking and marketing support issues. Call for your free 40 minute phone consultation.

Please note that LaMothe Services is also offering professional surrogacy consulting packages aimed to educate and inform those considering Surrogacy as a family building option. This service is a natural first step for those exploring all options that are within the realms of Third Party Family Building and the Reproductive Technology Industry.

Thursday, July 31, 2014

How can LaMothe Services help you and your business?

We make it our responsibility to know you and your business. LaMothe Services will work closely with you to ensure that the solutions we provide are tailored to meet your unique needs and challenges. We are committed to your success. Our job is to enter into collaborative relationships with you as our client and take on those assignments that provide dramatic increases in growth and profitability.
LaMothe Services will provide you with the resources to optimize every opportunity.
 
LaMothe Services also provides Coaching, Mentorship, Training, Seminars, Staff Education, and Public Speaking events in the area of Third Party Reproduction, namely Surrogacy and Egg Donation. Our background and expertise will provide your staff with the development and training resources and the results are that your employees will be more motivated, focused, organized and realize results! 
 
At LaMothe Services our highest priority is satisfied customers. We are proud to serve you and work hard to earn your business. Call 727-458-8333 to schedule your free personal 40 minute consultation. There's no obligation, only opportunity.
 

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

A Family of My Own is Coming to Orlando! Sunday September 7th!

I will be speaking with several others on the topic of third party family building...This is a not to be missed FREE event! 

A Family of My Own 2014

Let’s Talk about Making Parenthood Possible!

The Largest Family Building Event in Florida
Whether You’re Hoping for your First or Next
In One Day Discover Your Options

Sunday, September 7, 2014
9:00am – 3:00pm

The conference is returning to Orlando with an expanded schedule of the most up-to-date topics and must-know family building information. 
This FREE event will offer you an opportunity to meet many speakers, specialists and professionals in the fertility and adoption field and ask questions one-on-one.
More than 15 Educational Sessions to choose from throughout the day.  Attend as many or as few as you like!
Exhibit Hall – Attendee Specials - Giveaways!

Topics include:

What to Expect When You’re Not Expecting: Infertility Basics and Beyond
Common Infertility Concerns: Endometriosis, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Immune Disorders
Getting Fit for Fertility: How Nutrition and Health affect Men and Women’s Fertility
Modern Family Building with Third Party Reproduction: Sperm and Egg Donation, Surrogacy
Men’s Reproductive Health
The Latest, Successful Reproductive Surgery Options for Women and Men
Financing Fertility Treatments: Know Your Insurance/Prescription Plans, Other Finance Programs, Questions to Ask
Adoption Basics and Must Ask Questions: Starting Your Adoption Journey
Adoption Options: Domestic / Open / Closed / International / Transracial and Transcultural / Foster / Social Media
Openness in Adoption: A Candid Discussion with Adoptive Parent and Birthmom
Sunday, September 7, 2014
9:00am – 3:00pm 

Westin Lake Mary

2974 International Parkway
Lake Mary, FL 32746 (map)

Saturday, July 19, 2014

It's Not Too Late to Register for START ART 2014! August 6-9 in Las Vegas!

http://www.directrsvp.com/STARTART/ is the place to register! I have been attending for over 12 years and this is a great conference if you are a professional in the field of infertility or you are in the medical field and want to explore what's going on with Assisted Reproductive Technology. I hope to see you there!
Sharon