Wait to be seated until your party arrives

As a Chicago communications consultant I am always looking for examples (good and bad) of how businesses communicate their value proposition on a daily, operational basis. If you are committed to giving your customers a fabulous experience that standard needs to be apparent at every customer touch point.

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10 tips for successful branding

One of the most important aspects of my Chicago communications training practice is helping my clients know how to effectively build their brand – whether that is your personal brand or your organization’s brand. Your brand communicates to the world and your customers who you are, what you’re about, and who would want what you’ve got.

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Business Consulting: Vision engagement and why it matters

If your company or organization wants to embark upon or has recently undergone a significant change, it is vital that you know how to make your employees become your best ambassadors and not your worst enemies through the process. Chicago communication consultants will tell you that the success and effectiveness with which you navigate your employees through new waters is crucial to how the business or organization will fare after the changes are implemented.

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Connect with your audience before stepping on the stage

I recall with dread the many times I was positioned backstage or seated at a table close to the stage waiting for my name to be called to present. I could hear the introducer reading my bio and suddenly, “Ta Da!” – here she is Mari Pat Varga… I would bound onto the stage full of energy but I could instantly tell that my audience wasn’t quite there with me yet. They had already heard a bunch of other speakers and now me – someone they really didn’t know from Adam. Because of that, they spent the first few moments of my presentation checking me out. “Boy, she’s tall…” “I don’t recognize her name…who is she?” “I love that suit but not so crazy about the shoes…” “I hope she’ll be good…”

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