Charm School for Surveyors

Presented by: Dennis J. Mouland, PLS

UCLS Conference2014

Course Goals

• Discuss who we are vs. who others think or perceive us to be

• List some areas of concern

• Identify other resources for improving our “charm”

What do you mean, CHARM?

• People send their kids to a charm school to have them “polished” or “finished”. In this sense “charm” is defined as to influence the senses or mind of others by some quality or attraction.

• In a similar way, have you ever considered the impact various aspects of your behavior have on clients, employees, or supervisors??

Have you ever heard????• “People judge you by the way you speak…“• A radio ad run throughout the last 15 years for “Verbal

Advantage” training programs.• Is it true???• Is it fair?• Does it matter?

• “Dress for Success”• A book and training program for executives

on how to influence others simply by how you appear.

• Is it true???• Is it fair?

What Influences YOU?

• Look of an advertisement• Appearance of an office• Language of a person• Habits of a person• Vehicle appearance• Spelling errors

• Poor vocabulary• Cultural icons or habits• Flaunting exhibitions• Manners or lack thereof• Whining people• “Attitudes”• “Issues”• Hidden agendas

Oliver Herford(American Poet 1863-1935)

• “I don’t recall your name, but your manners are familiar”.

It does matter….

• The success of your business is very much tied to appearances of you, crews, office, and equipment.

• Impressions are made at every turn, every moment, whether you like it or not.

• If you can truly afford to lose some business, then go ahead and “be yourself”

Being a Phony??????

• Does this mean we should put on certain “airs” which are not really us?

• Or is it about making small but significant changes in our habits, operations, and appearance that might assist us in our business?

• People are judging you; do you really want them to get the wrong idea?

How do you react?? • When you see the messy office?• When you see sloppy dress and behavior?• When you observe uncouth behavior or foul language?• When someone lights up a smoke in your office?

• When you see a huge billboard advertising lawyers for hire?

• When equipment has a damaged and uncared for appearance?

• When a person’s cultural or religious actions invade your space?

Four Areas to Discuss

• Communication skills • Presentation of self• Presentation of business• Presentation of the profession

Communication Skills

• Public speaking (more than just speeches)• Vocabulary (modern phonics taking over?)• Spelling (a test of education and IQ?)• Grammar (becoming a lost art?)• Written formats of letters and memos• Technical reports (propheshunal er knot?)• Manuals and other instructions

Parts of a Speech

• Introduction– Use some short story, joke, lead-in to get their ATTENTION!

• Specific Purpose Statement– Tell them what you’re going to tell them

• Body– An organized set of points, leading to a logical

ending• Conclusion - Drive the nail home

Common Spelling/Grammar Errors

• Your vs. you’re• Sight vs. cite vs. site• To, two, and too• There, their, they’re• Receipt• Dependent• Straight, strait

• Where is the rule about ending a sentence with a preposition at?

• What it is?• Orientated vs. oriented• Scared vs. ascared• Watch current ads…..

An example of poor review

Eye halve a spelling chequerIt came with my pea seaIt plainly marques four my revueMiss steaks eye kin knot sea.

Eye strike a key and type a wordAnd weight four it two sayWeather eye am wrong oar writeIt shows me strait a weigh.

As soon as a mist ache is maidIt nose bee fore two longAnd eye can put the error riteIts rarely ever wrong.

Eye have run this poem threw itI am shore your pleased two noIt's letter perfect in it's weighMy chequer tolled me sew. 

Presentation of Your Self

• Dress• Grooming• Habits• Demeanor• Reactions to adversity or surprise• Priorities expressed by time and money• Schedule• Display of Work Ethic

Presentation of Business

• Advertisements • Outside of building• Main entrance• Signs• Front office• Desk space• Conference room• Sweat shop area

Presentation of the Profession

• Do you have a responsibility?• Who you are in your community says

much.• Participation in civic and charitable

groups.• Relations with other professions.

What Can We Do?

• Start Paying More Attention• Ask a neutral party to assess your office• Get involved in your community groups (CofC,

Lions, Kiwanis, Rotary, etc.)• Join Board for non-profit group• Join TOASTMASTERS• Identify needs and programs that will improve you• Make a commitment

“Sharpen Your Saw”(Stephen Covey’s 7th Habit)

• A commitment to the process of constantly improving yourself

• Being involved in your community as well as your profession

• Being a leader in charm, class, wisdom, tact and attitude.

Ever Consider What Potential You Have to….

• Add POWER to your technical expertise?

• Be a POSITIVE influence on all those that come in contact with you ?

• Become a LEADER in your profession, community, office, and home?

• You don’t have to be the boss to be a leader!

It Really is Worth It!!!!

• It takes courage and maturity to admit you have a need to improve

• Your profession, your business, and you yourself deserve to be the best you can be

• TAKE YOURSELF TO THE SURVEY CHARM SCHOOL

• Who are you? And who do you want to be?

Charm is about……..

• Professionalism• Intelligence• Wisdom• Class• Respect for self• But mostly……….It

is about caring about other people!

Do you REALLY care?

• Thank you for your attention and input on this subject-

We wish you the very best in all your endeavors!

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