10 Hurdles You May Face During Your Breastfeeding Journey

10 Hurdles You May Face During Your Breastfeeding Journey Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to enkoranvers your babys health and survival, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). But, globally, only 40 percent of infants under six months of age are exclusively breastfed and for a myriad of reasons, many of which have to do with breastfeeding complications.Of course, some women do not breastfeed by choice and others cannot breastfeed due to health complications that make it impossible or unsafe, but many other women start breastfeeding and dont continue because there are unanticipated hurdles along the journey.Breastfeeding exclusively for six months, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), can be invaluable for the health of both you and your child. Breast milk contains antibodies that protect infants from illnesses and child mortality, according to the WHO. Likewise, breastfed children perform better on intelligence tests later in life, a nd they have a reduced risk of developing obesity and font II diabetes. The act of breastfeeding can even prove beneficial for mothers by reducing their risk of breast and cervical cancer, type II diabetes and postpartum depression, as well. But, despite the common benefits for mothers and their babies, women have different experiences with breastfeeding.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 74 percent of new moms start out breastfeeding their babies but, by the six-month mark, only 14 percent are still nursing exclusively. Because a lot of women will face challenges along the way, here are 10 breastfeeding problems you might encounter at every stage, as well as some advice on how to handle them.Be prepared and make more informed decisions about your next steps.During the First Few Days PostPartum1. A Lack of Immediate Skin-to-Skin ContactIf you dont get to experience skin-to-skin contact or are not able to nurse immediately following birth (if you had a c-section or a complicated birth, for example), you may face more complications breastfeeding but that doesnt mean that you wont be able to do it. The study, Uninterrupted Skin-to-Skin Contact Immediately After Birth,shows that skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth increases breastfeeding rates and duration, according to Medscape.2. Breast PainAccording to the study, Duration of Breastfeeding After Early Initiation and Frequent Feeding, 44 percent of women are worried about pain during breastfeeding three days into the postpartum period.The reality is that you may experience severe breast engorgement the fullness and hardness of your breasts may not decrease by the end of a feeding your nipples may crack you maybleed you may get blisters and bruises and you may get blocked milk ducts, which can be painful and lead to inflamed breast tissue. These problems are common, and its important that you consult with your doctor about any indications of the aforementioned complication s so you can treat the symptoms and carry on breastfeeding as comfortably as possible.3. Breast InfectionsYou may develop infections like mastitis, which is characterized by a soreness or a lump in the breast with symptoms like nausea, vomiting and breast discharge. While you may develop unterstellung infections at any point during your breastfeeding journey, your body is extra vulnerable when youre first getting started out and learning how to feed your baby. This infection is common, with more than 200,000 cases in the U.S. each year. Treatments include self care (keeping up with personal hygiene and avoiding tight closing that could irritate your breasts), some over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medications, and antibiotics. 4. Latching ProblemsMore than half of women are worried about their babys latch within the first three days of breastfeeding, according to the aforementioned study. Another Pediatrics survey of 1,300 nursing women found that 54 percent of mothers cit ed difficulties with regards to latching as the reason that they actually stopped breastfeeding during the first month.Maybe your baby is too fussy or too sleepy, maybe your nipples are large or inverted, maybe your baby has a tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) or a cleft lip whatever the case, talk to your doctor about how to solve these common latching problems. They may recommend you try squeezing your breasts during suckling or that you try using a pump.During the First Few Weeks Postpartum5. Low Milk SupplyFor some women, it may take a little bit longer for their milk to come in. Babies can lose up to seven percent of their percent weight during this time if that number climbs to 10 percent, it may become a concern. Mothers are encouraged to nurse at least eight times per day for up to 30 minutes during this period, according to a study on nutrition during lactation.6. Low Milk IntakeAfter a few days, some signs that your baby is not ingesting enough milk include if your baby has fewe r than six wet diapers and four stools per day, dark yellow or red-specked urine, and dark stool (as opposed to yellow and loose stool), according to Healthy Children. Another strong sign may be that your baby isnt getting enough milk is inadequate weight gain. If your baby hasnt started gaining at least five to seven ounces per week since your milk came in, it may be cause for concern, according to Healthy Children.7. Sheer ExhaustionMaybe you feel like your baby is constantly nursing and that may be the case since your baby is going through their first growth spurt. Studies showthat, if you have a partner, their support is key. In fact, 74 percent of babies whose fathers attended an early intervention class on breastfeeding were breastfeeding, compared to just 41 percent of babies whose fathers didnt attend a class, according to the study, Fathers Experiences of Supporting Breastfeeding Challenges for Breastfeeding Promotion and Education.After a Few Months Postpartum8. Too Long or Too Short FeedsAccording to Healthy Children, if your babys nursing sessions are consistently briefer than about 10 minutes during the first few months of breastfeeding, they may not be getting enough milk. Likewise, if your baby consistently nurses for almost an hour, it may mean that your baby isnt getting enough milk due to ineffective suckling or low milk production. Talk with your doctor to make sure youre not dealing with an issue like clogged milk ducts or to see if theres something you can be doing to help your baby feed more efficiently.9. Feelings of DisconnectionThe six-month mark is the minimum age you can start introducing your baby to solid foods, according to AAP, though women are encouraged to breastfeed for at least a year. During this time, as your baby starts to wean off of nursing, you, like many women, may start to feel a sense of loss. Know that this is normal, and youre not alone in this feeling.The majority of new mothers in the United States also rejoin t he workforce (if theyve taken a maternity leave) before their baby is a year old, sometimes returning to work just six to eight weeks after giving birth. Women whose maternity leave is less than six weeks are four times as likely to stop nursing than women who dont return to work. And, potential despite lactation rooms for pumping at work and on-site childcare benefits, this period can cause feelings of disconnection and separation anxiety for new mothers. Reach out to new parent resource groups, lean on family and friends for support and talk to your doctors to discuss your options if your anxiety persists or develops into depression.After the First Year Postpartum10. ShameWhile breastfeeding in public space is now finally legal in all 50 states (following long-awaited legislation in Utah and Idaho), many nursing mothers are still suppressed and discouraged from breastfeeding especially as babies grow older. According to research from the C.S. Mott Childrens Hospital,six in 10 mot hersof children up to five years old say theyve been criticized about their parenting decisions. Of those women,39 percent said they were shamed for their choices in breastfeeding or bottle-feeding their children. To make matters worse, less than half of society thinks that women should even have the right to breastfeed in public.Women are often given unsolicited and, perhaps worse, inconsistent advice on how, where and for how long they should nurse their babies. The truth is that theres no one best way to do it, as all womens experiences are unique to them. Keep confident in your breastfeeding decisions and try to ignore all the white noise.--AnnaMarie Houlis is a multimedia journalist and an adventure aficionado with a keen cultural curiosity and an affinity for solo travel. Shes an editor by day and a travel blogger at HerReport.org by night.

Twitter Loves Taylor Swifts New Anti-Sexism Anthem Especially Because it Shades This Actor

Twitter Loves Taylor Swifts New Anti-Sexism Anthem Especially Because it Shades This Actor There are many things that make Taylor Swifts latest album, Lover, well, lovable. But one of the major wins of Swifts latest work is her song The Man, which takes on societys sexist double standards.The Man is the perfect, poppy means of catharsis for any woman whos frustrated with gender inequality especially in the professional world.In the lyrics, Swift muses that if she were a man, shed be the man. She sings that she would be painted as a hustler, a fearless leader and an alpha type, rather than domineering and calculated. She says if she were male, it would be ok that Im mad. And whats making her mad? Shes sick of running as fast as I can/ Wondering if Id get there quicker if I was a man.While women cant get enough of this portrait of the stereotypes they deal with on a day-to-day basis, they also love the bit of shade Swift is throwing in the song.The Man also takes on the double standa rds Swift has faced dating in the spotlight. She directly compares her experience dating while famous with Leonardo DiCaprios. DiCaprio has made (positive) headlines for dating a revolving door of women in their young 20s (hes 44), and taking them on luxurious, bikini-clad vacations. Meanwhile, Swift argues she was shamed for dating at all. She says if she were a man, theyd say I played the field before I found someone to commit to and that shed be just like Leo in Saint-Tropez.Of course, the groupies admired her willingness to use such a concrete example.TAYLOR SWIFT IS NOT HERE FOR DOUBLE STANDARDS IN THE MEDIA, Katie Kruse, a producer at Entertainment Tonight, tweeted about the song. WE STAN AN HONEST QUEEN WHO MAKES NOTHING BUT VALD POINTS.She really CAME for Leonardo DiCaprio. YES MAAM the double standard jumped out, another fan wrote on Twitter.The best part of this comment from Swift? Shes not saying DiCaprio cant live however he wants shes just pointing out its a privilege he gets to do so. Any woman whos seen a man refuse to take notes at a meeting because hes too busy can understand that sentiment.

Who is Talking About Resume Writing Course Description and Why You Should Be Concerned

Who is Talking About Resume Writing Course Description and Why You Should Be Concerned The Chronicles of Resume Writing Course Description Therefore dont be afraid to apply even if youre not sure your technical skills arent strong enough. Finding out how to present yourself is a vital facet of learning how to compose a resume that works. Its vital to have a present understanding of recruiting trends and be ready for a selection approach. Students will also be offered with opportunities to demonstrate knowledge, skill and competence to offer safe and efficient services to clients in a number of community living circumstances. The Dos and Donts of Resume Writing Course Description A great proposal kit includes hundreds of templates that youre able to use in any proposal, including all the topics mentioned previously. Project proposal is basically your entire application. Tell her why youre interested in the project he proposed. It is extremely important your project is reali stic, innovative, and will be beneficial for the community. Ruthless Resume Writing Course Description Strategies Exploited Youd better check and begin with an excellent internship experience. The absolute most important information ought to be your work experience. You are able to receive a simple site prepared to go within a couple of hours, and compose your very first blog post. College coursework help supplied by our specialist team can let you acquire the greatest outcomes. List the duties you had to do for any extracurricular pursuits. Professionals in technical fields may also list certificates along with licenses. You may take a look at the list of the previous years organisations. Award Upon Completion The student will be given a diploma upon finishing the subject. The Meaning of Resume Writing Course Description Bear in mind which you are not just choosing an employer for a single summer. So it has to be an accurate snapshot of exactly why youre the ideal pers on for the job youre applying for. Its vital that you tailor your resume to a work description. Discover ways to be successful and find the job that you desire Youll be surrounded by writing professionals throughout the plan of order placement, and when you opt to purchase essay and select an allocated writer, things will get even more exciting. Additionally, you will have a number of the info that you may use to answer several of the work interview questions as you will know where you learned or acquired the skills. Now, be certain to thoroughly proofread every page and ensure each page appears good, too, because mistakes here might make prospective clients assume your company practices are sloppy, too. In truth, it is mentoring organization which is going to be reviewing your application, not Google.

Which of These Is Not Suggested for Writing a Resume? - an in Depth Anaylsis on What Works and What Doesnt

Which of unterstellung Is leid Suggested for Writing a Resume? - an in Depth Anaylsis on What Works and What Doesnt You dont need to go big with a budget which may break the bank to find the interest of your audience. Are your views when it comes to money. Check to produce room for improvement. A Startling Fact about Which of These Is notlage Suggested for Writing a Resume ? Untitelblatted Being given the chance to provide a eulogy is a fantastic honor that indicates that theres great respect for you as an individual. If you wish to develop into an actuarial graduate, then odds are, you will need to face a fairly daunting actuarial phone interview. Angela claims that lunch is a chance to see whether the candidate is a great fit for the team on an interpersonal level. Understanding Which of These Is Not Suggested for Writing a Resume ? The committee is likely to present their approval on Tuesday. One of the easiest cover letter strategies is to deal with your letter to a p articular individual. There can even think about publishing in journals. If you underline a geschftliches miteinander name, be certain the others are underlined too. In case the work advertisement doesnt incorporate someones name, call the organization and ask to whom you should address your letter. Its wise not to ramble. Up in Arms About Which of These Is Not Suggested for Writing a Resume ?? The outcome is a a famously intricate play. You dont always have to tell a wealthy and compelling story. You may share info regarding your journey by being genuine and relatable. What You Dont Know About Which of These Is Not Suggested for Writing a Resume ? After all, many men and women read blogs not just in search of particular information, but in addition for lessons and mentorship on a person-to-person level. Customers have many difficulties. You may have to have someone initiate research and make a solution from scratch, (which may be cost prohibitive), or you are able to locate a partner that already has the solution you want. After you have the problem identified, you can occasionally rely on a known solution or a mixture of known solutions. You might need to tap in the knowledge youve acquired in solving similar or even non-similar issues or the knowledge which exists in your organization. Hence, its required to have knowledge of utilizing the computers and relevant tools. Which of These Is Not Suggested for Writing a Resume ? - Is it a Scam? Generally, it is a lousy idea to get too fancy. Further, it is a great idea to be aware of the culture of the organization youre courting. Needless to say, each individual is unique, and that means you may add your own flair or change accordingly to the individual youre honoring. Not every person could work as a coach of any specific team. So its helpful to demonstrate that process. My full end-to-end procedure, including Dropbox and a few different companies, took about 3 months. Because each work opportunity differs, the resume you use for each and every application ought to be slightly different. Because it is different, the restart you use for every application should be slightly different. The True Meaning of Which of These Is Not Suggested for Writing a Resume ? The basic resume sections is going to be the exact same. A couple of lines are sufficient. The vital skills section is the most important in the coach resume. Its simpler to compare and calibrate feedback when everyone employs the exact structure. When people look for a topic that you blog about, you have a better probability of being found by your intended audience. Before you start, remember an excellent understanding of appropriate spelling, punctuation and grammar may be a real boost to both your business writing and the true success of your small business. The point is to grab focus at the ideal keyword phrases to create maximum effect. Again, a bit of fantastic design can be delightful.

Team Building Your Way to Better Employee Engagement - Spark Hire

Team Building Your Way to Better Employee Engagement - Spark HireSpark Hire has been discussing employee engagement a lot recenlty. For one, its a very important factor in the success of your company. If you do not have engaged employees, then chances are they are less concerned with their productivity and the affect it has on the company. Furthermora, when companies are not engaged with employees it is difficult to know where improvements are needed or where recognition is due. Aside from this, employee engagement is also just a great way to create a better company culture.It has been said that happy employees are mora productive employees, and its likely that engaged employees are happier than their disengaged counterpartes. Plus, disengaged employees are more likely to slack off and waste your companys time and money. So how can a company work towards better employee engagement? For starters, you can work on creating a team and not just a group of coworkers.Team building is one of the best ways to start working towards great employee engagement. If your company, department or group of employees views themselves as more of a team, chances are they are going to be much more engaged with your company than if they viewed themselves just as coworkers. Its easy to think this just comes naturally since they spend so much time together in the office, but building a team- a real team that is connected and communicates with one another- usually doesnt happen over night. There are a few ways you can start working on team building in your company or department to be more engaged with your employees- and have them be more engaged with each other as well.Tis the SeasonIts no surprise we have entered the holiday season and Christmas is in full swing. It may seem as though Halloween was just yesterday, but the fact of the matter is the holidays are here Its a time of stress, fun, food and parties, but it can also be a great time to engage with your employees or with your te am. Think of some things your department or team can do together to celebrate the season. Perhaps you want to head a Secret Santa where each employee buys another a present with a maximum price set. Its a great way to get your employees together and to communicate in a way that doesnt really involve business.Having a department or office Christmas party is another great way to get your employees to come together outside the office. This is a standard for a lot of companies around the holidays, but if its not for your company perhaps you should think about throwing one. Its a great way for coworkers to see each other outside of the workplace setting and to relax together. Keep in mind though that its best to have your company party at a convenient time where most people will be able to attend. Be sure to announce the date and time well in advance so that everyone can try and fit it into their schedules.Office Softball Team Its winter time, so obviously not all companies across the co untry can take part in outdoor activities, but not all sports are outdoors. Having a company team that participates in some kind of sport each month or each year is a great way to get employees engaged. Theres no better way to build a team then to have them work together as a team in a sport. Talk to your employees and see if any of them would be interested in joining a league as a company team. Know a place that has a yearly or monthly dodge ball tournament? Anyone in for bowling? In fact, you dont even have to play a sport to get everyone to sign on as a team. Perhaps your employees would be more interested in joining a monthly trivia day at a bar that is close by.Communicate with your employees and see if any of them would be interested in participating in something like this. Its a great way to get the team together outside of the office in a fun setting. The best scenario would be something that meets monthly rather than weekly, since your employees may not want to commit to so mething that happens so often.Employee FeedbackA great way to show your employees that you are part of the team and that you want them to work as a team is to ask for their feedback. Give out a survey each month or each quarter, and ask them for some feedback on how things have been going. This is a great way for your department or company to communicate without putting anyone in particular on the spot. Perhaps someone has an issue with the way something is being handled or carried out but does not want to speak on it directly. Having a survey where your employees can anonymously voice their opinion is a great way to gain employee feedback and make improvements in your company. Its also a great way to show your team that you value their opinion and that you value their happiness or satisfaction in your company or department.You can also have a monthly or quarterly focus group where your team sits down together to discuss and brainstorm ways in which what they are doing can be done b etter. What needs to be done as a whole and what can each individual do to work towards that goal? This is a great way to get your team communicating in a very productive manner. Make sure someone has control of the conversation though so time is not simply wasted.behauptung are some great way to get started on building teamwork in your office, but they are not the only ways. There are many ways you can work on team building to increase employee engagement within your company. Get creative and think outside of the box. The best and most fun team building tactics are those that are unique and creative. Create something that is unique to your company and you will be on your way to a strong team and an engaged employee base.What does your company do to work on team building and employee engagement? If its nothing, do you wish they did more? Share with us in the comments section belowIMAGE Courtesy of Flickr by clam113

How to Make Talent Acquisition Manageable with a Busy HR Schedule

How to Make Talent Acquisition Manageable with a Busy HR ScheduleWe need to hire a new sales rep. Alice quit.As an HR professional, unexpected talent acquisitioncan completely derail your schedule for the next few months. The hiringprocess can be a daunting task to add to an already full HR plate.In fact, a 2016 survey by Officevibe reports it takes an average of 27 working days to make a new hire, which is at an all-time high. Avoid drowning in the hiring process. Instead, use this guide to weave talent acquisition effectively into your already overloaded schedule Practice Time Efficient StrategiesAssessing candidates is a top priority when you are an HR pro. You will find yourself in hot water if you cant quickly bewerberinterview candidates and decide if theyre right for the job. Decrease time spent reviewing candidates by practicing more time-efficient talent acquisition strategies.Use One-Way Video InterviewsEffectively operating a business means finding the right tools and usin g them properly. Cloud-based phone ordnungsprinzip provider FluentStream Technologies found this to be true when they struggled during the preliminary interview process. As a small and vivacious startup, FluentStream Technologies employees wear many hats on any given day. They were so busy they couldnt find time to commit to a traditional hiring process. As a result, they were wasting time and missing out on the best candidates. A top priority was discovering a faster way to vet candidates after they sifted through resumes. Their original process was to conduct a phone interview, but it wasnt effective and it didnt provide a deeper understanding of candidates.So, they began using a video interview platform to more efficiently analyze their candidate pool. One-way video interviews saved precious time during the preliminary elimination round and effectively moved candidates through the hiring process. Josh Ellis, former Director of Marketing and Customer Development at FluentStream Te chnologies said, Our first new video interview hire was a knockout super skilled, outgoing, and a good cultural fit with our company. FluentStream Technologies now regularly invites candidates to participate in one-way video interviews since theyve found so much success.One-way video interviews are convenient and create the right environment to make connections with the right people. Plus, you can review the recorded interviews again and again to make sure your original assessment was correct before moving them to the next step. Hold an Employee Referral Day Employee referrals are one of the best and most dependable sources for talent acquisition. In fact, a 2016 LinkedIn survey found that 32 percent of hiring professionals said employee referral programs are the top source for quality hires.When your current employees bring you potential candidates, it saves you the time you would have spent scouring the internet. It also has the added advantage of your employees already know your company culture. They know what it takes to be successful, so you can be confident that theyre referring the best candidates.Jump start your employee referral program by holding an employee referral day. All of your current employees can bring a friend whos interested in a new job to the office.At the end of the day, tell everyone about the jobs you currently have open and how to apply for them. Youll receive many quality applications without having to take much time out of your day.Reduce In-person Interviews Without Reducing Your ReachInterviewing candidates who dont currently live in your region can be an expensive and time consuming task. However, notlage considering these candidates reduces the expanse of your talent pool.Instead of wasting resources scheduling a time to bring a long distance candidate into the office, simply send them the link to your interview scheduling page. In a matter of minutes, they can find a time when youre both available to talk. Then, you can asses s their fit through a live video interview.Use videointerviews to enhance talentacquisition efforts.Click To TweetUse Technology to Your AdvantageHR professionals must use the most convenient tools to save the optimal amount of time during talent acquisition. Tools that allow you to work smarter, not harder, are indispensable. Go MobileA video interviewing mobile app is one tool that makes working on the go possible. And this is a trend thats not going away. According to a 2017 Global Human Capital Trends report, 56 percent of companies surveyed are redesigning their HR programs to leverage digital and mobile tools.And thats because these tools are saving HR professionals time. You can review candidates from anywhere at anytime. For instance, while youre waiting in line for your morning latte, you can login on your phone and screen several one-way video interviews.Because you can fit reviewing video interviews into your schedule more conveniently, the hiring process is accelerated. Decreasing your response time improves the candidate experience, securing top talent faster.Improve the Candidate Experience Many HR professionals overlook the fact that the better your candidate experience is, the quicker you can fill open positions. A 2016 Robert Half report found that 46 percent of job seekers say they lose interest in a role if they havent heard back from a company within one to two weeks. So if youre not using the best technology to communicate and engage with candidates, they will get bored and youll have to start over in your search.To avoid this hiring misstep, use simple but effective technology to reach out to candidates. Video messages are a great way to do this. You can send candidates youre interested in a short video that lets them know where they are in the hiring process and what to expect next. This makes their experience more personalized and shows them that you and the company are sincerely interested in them.Use Convenient Scheduling Tools Keepin g up with HR digital trends means staying on top of conveniences like intuitive scheduling tools. Avoid getting bogged down by back and forth emails. Scheduling tools support popular calendar applications like iCloud, Google, Outlook.com and more. No matter what calendar you and your hiring team prefer, a great scheduling tool can be used by everyone.Consider using an interview scheduling tool that gives you the ability to create a branded landing page to match your company brand. This saves you time during talent acquisition because you wont need to worry about matching signatures or logos.The best thing about scheduling platforms is the time they save with back and forth emails. Relying on emails to schedule interviews typically requires several correspondences before a time is decided on. If the candidate only checks their email once a day, youre extending your hiring process exponentially. Scheduling tools offer synchronized availability and save HR pros time.Click To TweetHit T wo HR Birds with One StoneTheres a lot of overlap in HR duties. When you find ways to accomplish multiple goals with one action it makes your life easier.Create Employee Ambassadors Great employees deserve recognition. And great employees attract other quality talent. By creating an employee ambassadors you can acknowledge your great employees and attract top talent.The easiest way to do that is through social media. Regularly share posts that feature your high performing employees. Use featured videos of employees on social media to develop a sense of employee recognition and create a positive employer brand. Film employees discussing the positive things they have to say about the company. Prospective candidates will be more interested in a company that is trusted by their staff.Having employees promote the company to talent in their network saves you time searching for top talent. They will be able to share these unique branded videos with their audience.This effectively grows you r company brand by using word-of-mouth advertising. This is a very efficient means of sourcing, as you position your company for optimized talent acquisition in the exact place job seekers are looking.In fact, the recent Career Arc study, The Future of Recruiting, found that 67 percent of job seekers say they believe their social and professional networks will be an even more useful job search resource in the next five years. Host an Elevator Pitch WorkshopSchedule an elevator pitch workshop. Allot a day to coach employees on creating an elevator pitch about their role at the organization. Encourage employees to dig into workplace culture and develop a better understanding of how they contribute to the overall business model. Record their pitch via video and share it on the company website and social media. This will reinforce employee engagement by helping them feel more connected to company culture and growth. Time is money in almost every scenario when you are an HR pro. Practici ng time efficient strategies, using technology to your advantage, and combining daily tasks will help to make the best use of time during your talent acquisition efforts.How do you manage to work effective talent acquisition into your busy HR schedule? Let us know

How to Get Your Point Across the Right Way

How to Get Your Point Across the Right WayHow to Get Your Point Across the Right WayWhen were trying to get a point across to someone else, we often think long and hard about what we want to say. That is the wrong way to go about it. Instead of focusing on what you want to say to get your point across, you should focus on communicating what you want the other person to hear. What Do I Want to Say? Whether you are giving instructions to an employee, ordering food at a drive-through, or writing a memo explaining the new dress code you want to be sure to get your point across. You want to say just the right thing, so the other person understands your point. Sometimes you practice what you are going to say. Often we write drafts of our memos and speeches to make sure we use the right words. All this is done to make sure we send the right message. Countless books and articles have been written that explain why sending the right message is so important they try to teach you how to send exactly the message you want to send. Their authors stress the importance of being concise, precise, and specific in choosing your words, regardless of whether you write them or speak them. They tell you that this is the best way to get your point across to your audience.???? Who Is My Audience? We all know how important our audience is in deciding what we are going to say and how we are going to say it. Explaining the value of a new phone system is different if you are speaking to the finance department than if you are addressing the telesales staff. The better you know your audience, the easier it is for you to tailor your message to them. The more your message is tailored to your audience, the more likely it is that you will get your point across. How Do I Reach Them? While the message you send is important, the message the receiver hears is even more important. If you know your audience, you usually have an idea of how they will interpret or filter what you say. You can use this to your advantage to make sure they receive the message you are trying to send. We all know, for instance, that if we are addressing a group of first-graders, we cant use big words because they wont get it. They wont understand our message. So we choose words they will understand. Rather than using big words that convey the message we want to send, we use words we think they will understand. That way they will hear our message and understand it. Dont try to explain technical concepts to accountants using technical terms. Dont use a financial analogy to get a point across to the Creative Department. If you want your service department to handle more calls per day, tell them that. Dont tell them they need to reduce the time interval between customer-interface opportunities. Manage This Issue To increase your chances of getting your point across, focus more on the receiver than on the sender. Tailor your message to your audience to improve their comprehension. Dont worry so much about what you want to say as you do about what you want them to hear and understand.