Yes, can you believe it? Isn't it great?! On Tuesday 30 August I started a regular slot on the Morning Glory show on WKRZ 91.3 with Suzanne Walker. Suzanne asked me to come on every Tuesday morning to talk about different aspects of Communication Skills. The interview will be broadcast every Tuesday 9-10am, and it will also be repeated on Fridays 10-11am and Sundays 2-3pm. So please check it out and let me have your feedback on what you want to hear on the show.

In our first interview Suzanne and I discussed the importance of communication in general. Communication is the heart of every organisation. Everything you do in the workplace results from communication. Therefore good reading, writing, speaking and listening skills are essential if tasks are going to be completed and goals achieved.

As you develop your career you will find various reasons why successful communication skills are important to you, for example:

• To secure an interview. You will need good communication skills to make sure your application letter is read and acted upon.
• To get the job. You will need to communicate well during your interview if you are to sell yourself and get the job you want.
• To do your job well. You will need to request information, discuss problems, give instructions, work in teams, interact with colleagues and clients. If you are to achieve co-operation and effective teamwork, good human relations skills are essential. Also, as the workplace is also becoming more global, there are many factors to consider if you are to communicate well in such a diverse environment.
• To advance in your career. Employers want staff who can think for themselves, use initiative and solve problems, staff who are interested in the long-term success of the company. If you are to be seen as a valued member of the organisation, it is important not just to be able to do your job well, but also to communicate your thoughts on how the processes and products or services can be improved.

In my first radio interview with Suzanne, we also talked about Intercultural Sensitivies, as well as the benefits you and your company can gain from effective communication. Here are those benefits again:

Stronger decision-making and problem-solving
Upturn in productivity
Convincing and compelling corporate materials
Clearer, more streamlined workflow
Enhanced professional image
Sound business relationships
Successful response ensured

REMEMBER: Today's workplace is constantly changing, so learning more about effective communication helps us all adapt to our changing environments.

Are you ever stuck for words at meetings and job interviews? In this article Alison Lester, an executive coach who's made a living out of improvising, tells you how to get on top of it. Alison is a good friend of mine, an excellent trainer and a very funny lady too. Learn more about how Alison can help you and your company.

Improvisation - doing or making something we have not prepared for owing to an unexpected situation - is a daily necessity. We handle surprises all the time - everything from a sudden storm to a death in the famly. Life is not predictable. You'd think you'd be good at it. And yet you are set in your ways.

That's why job interviews cause anxiety. Unanticipated responsibilities shock you. But in such a competitive world, you really can't afford to limit your chance of success by remaining rigid and rejecting change.

Reduce fear

Of course there may be rejection, even failure. Nothing will take away the possibility of disappointment, but there are ways to reduce the fear. There are ways to improve your flexibility, your imagination and your confidence, so that you worry less about life's surprises and compexities. You would come to look forward to them, as you have so much fun tackling them.

Have you ever watched the television show 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?' Practising the mental exercises that comic improvisers use to improve their skill can take you a long way toward employing more of your brain than usual, and in such an enjoyable way.

Take a look at a few situations where trusting your well-exercised brain can turn a difficult moment into a wonderful one. I've added a bit of humour to sweeten the effort, but the principle is the same. open yourself up to more of what is inside you and watch your effectiveness, and your enjoyment of yourself and your situation, increase.

If you want to learn more about how you can reduce fear and learn to improvise, read the rest of this article from Alison Lester.

Alison has a passion for language and communication. She enjoys the challenge of developing communication skills and creativity training for companies as diverse as CNBC Asia, McDonald's, IDC, DDB, IKEA, O2 and many more. She provides a range of services from one-on-one communication and presentation consulting for managers to team building, presentation, and confidence workshops for groups. Check out her website at www.ajlestercommunication.com

DJ Suzanne Walker was telling me recently that she loves the section of my website featuring the A-Z of Bloopers, Blunders, Common Errors and Clichés. As I haven't included any in Shirley Says recently, I'll make up for that today by including some here.

Herewith and Hereby
These are old-fashioned clichés that we should not use in the 21st Century. Let's face it, if it's not herewith, where the heck is it?

However
However - when the meaning is 'nevertheless' - can be used at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of a sentence. It's a good word to help you illustrate a contrast in thought. Note that commas are usually needed. For example

I rarely work on weekends. However, last weekend was an exception.
I rarely work on weekends. Last weekend, however, was an exception.
I rarely work on weekends. Last weekend was an exception, however.

When you use however to mean 'in whatever way' or 'to whatever extent', note that it is one word, not two:

However you advise her, she will do exactly as she pleases.

In order to
This is an old-fashioned wordy phrase that can easily be shortened by removing the first two words. Just say 'to'.

In the event that
These four words can easily be reduced to one word - If.

In view of the fact that
Six words that can easily be reduced to one - As, Since or Because.

-ise or -ize
Many words end in this suffix. Be consistent in your use.
-ise is British English. -ize is American English.

NB: There are some words that must end in -ise whichever spelling convention you follow. Here are just a few:

arise
comprise
compromise
disguise
surprise
supervise

Its/It's
It's is written with an apostrophe only when it is a contraction for It is. For example:
It's very funny when you see a little puppy chasing its tail.

Last but definitely not least, a message for Caroline and Ron in Sheffield - I just want to tell you that you are two of the best friends I could have. You were brilliant during my recent trip home, and I love you both loads.

Shirley