Devote Time to Improving Business Image, Corporate Communications Author Urges

Every time business owners and executives go out in public, they are promoting their businesses. Communications expert Ed Barks suggests they work hard to make sure they foster a positive image.
“Too many business leaders fall victim to the ‘open mouth, insert foot’ syndrome,” he said. “These professionals know their areas of expertise cold. But that’s not what first attracts the bee to the honey. A positive first impression spells the difference between attracting potential clients and repelling them.”
Barks, author of The Truth About Public Speaking: The Three Keys to Great Presentations and president of Barks Communications, issued his comments today, the first day of International Business Image Improvement Month.
“Public appearances range from formal events like delivering a speech or participating in a media interview,” he continued, “to informal opportunities that are far more prevalent. Think of all the professional development events, luncheons, and receptions that attend running a business. It is those informal situations where many executives tend to peel the luster from their business images.”
The communications trainer recommends investing time to understand how to paint a picture of your business by highlighting how you help clients. “The solution revolves around how you introduce yourself to others,” he said.
“When the inevitable question, ‘what do you do?’ arises,” he explained, “here’s how I begin my answer: ‘I’m a corporate communications advisor. What I do is help business executives deliver presentations with confidence, talk to reporters without their knees knocking, and win when they testify before Congress. I work primarily with Fortune 1000 executives and global public relations agencies and their clients.’
“I can go into more depth depending on the situation. But I want to be sure that my business image reflects what I do and what type of clients I prefer.”
Barks’ book, The Truth About Public Speaking, is targeted toward business leaders and other professionals. It unlocks the secrets of Barks’ easy to remember Three Keys to Great Presentations™. The book is available from the publisher, Ogmios Publishing, at www.TruthAboutPublicSpeaking.com, and at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, booksamillion.com, walmart.com, and at bookstores everywhere.
Ed Barks is a trainer, author, and speaker who teaches today’s leaders how to deliver dynamic, message-packed presentations and how to work with the media. He has served as President of Barks Communications since its inception in 1997, guiding more than 2700 business leaders, government officials, non-profit leaders, physicians, athletes, association executives, entertainers, and public relations staff toward a sharper message and enhanced communications skills.

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