More Better with Tracey and Faye

Are you implementing a significant process change? Talk to the direct managers. Do you need employees to adapt to a new org structure? Talk to the direct managers. Do you need to get a pulse on what’s happening in your organization? Talk to the direct managers. Direct managers are the secret sauce, or biggest detriment, to effective internal communications. If that surprises you, check this: A recent Gallup survey revealed that direct managers are the most trusted source for people, second only to their families!  Yes, direct managers are that important. In this episode Tracey and Faye discuss the pivotal role managers play in organizational communication. They explore how effective communication can significantly impact employee engagement and trust, especially during times of change. The conversation highlights the essential skills managers need to lead their teams effectively, the flaws in traditional communication models like the cascade, and the importance of supporting managers in their communication efforts to foster trust, productivity and engagement.

Communication struggles are real and they are shared! Research* reveals the main struggles we all experience communicating at work include:Communicating clearly so everyone understands meUnderstanding messages communicated by othersIdentifying the proper tone to useChoosing the right platform or tool for communicationYou are not alone in this! So what can you do about it? In their latest episode Tracey and Faye address each of these challenges and show how you can start overcoming them. It starts with knowing your audience, listening with their ears, understanding their needs and communicating to meet them. *Grammarly’s State of Business Communication, 2023

It’s chaos out there! That’s what Grammarly’s State of Business Communication research  confirms. There is more communication through more channels than ever before and the result is more losses: of time, opportunity, engagement, innovation, productivity and efficiency. Whew! So what can we do about it? Tracey and Faye firmly believe training people is the answer. With  greater skill and capability any professional can survive and thrive in this loud, relentless communication environment. More technology isn’t the answer. Training is! Listen in to find out more.

Tracey and Faye take on Apple! Listen in and learn why Tracey thinks Apple’s recent commercial promoting its AI tool for writing at work is terrible. Not just terrible, but terrible, terrible, terrible. If AI is intended to improve workplace communication and success, why is Apple highlighting why it’s bad?

In this episode, Tracey and Faye dive deep into the art of asking questions. Discover how asking the right questions can lead to clearer communication, greater understanding, and enhanced collaboration.  Whether you're asking or answering, knowing how to navigate these interactions allows you to deliver better results more quickly.  Highlights: How to ask specific, clarifying questions that yield actionable answers. The importance of creating safe environments for open dialogue. Asking questions is a good thing to do! How you can overcome fear and anxiety in communication. Real-life stories and insights on how questions shape workplace dynamics. Join us in unpacking the power of questions and learn how you can apply these skills in your professional and personal life. Like what you see and want to dive deeper into this or other topics with us? We’d love to help.  Talk to us about how we can elevate your team’s productivity, confidence and engagement through better communication. Too many workplace problems stem from poor communication. We can help you assess your situation, spot gaps, and create an action plan to keep you and your team moving forward with more success and less stress. #internalcommunications #internalcomms #morebetterwtf  #communicationworkshops #communicationtraining #businesscommunication #businesswriting #MoreBetter #CommunicationSkills #Communication #Podcast #questions #askingquestions

Do I start with the problem? Or should I start with the solution? Where’s the best place to put my supporting data?  In this episode, Tracey & Faye take a closer look at how the order you share information in your business communication IS your story. Join us as we discuss how the sequence in which you present information shapes your narrative and has a huge influence on what your audience will remember. We cover: The impact of the Serial Position Effect on how information is remembered. How to create a compelling narrative using a problem-solution framework. Common mistakes to avoid when organizing your content. The importance of transitions for maintaining audience engagement. Whether you're crafting a presentation or writing an email, this episode provides valuable insights to enhance your business writing. Tune in now to strengthen your storytelling abilities in business communication. Like what you see and want to dive deeper into this or other topics with us? We’d love to help.  Talk to us about how we can elevate your team’s productivity, confidence and engagement through better communication. Too many workplace problems stem from poor communication. We can help you assess your situation, spot gaps, and create an action plan to keep you and your team moving forward with more success and less stress. #internalcommunications #internalcomms #morebetterwtf  #communicationworkshops #communicationtraining #businesscommunication #businesswriting #MoreBetter #CommunicationSkills #Communication #Podcast #storytelling #choices #AI #differentiation #decisionsmatter

Your choices are the difference between success and indifference.  AI chatbots are changing the way people work, and it’s great. Except when it isn’t. In this episode Faye and Tracey discuss the critical role of choices in business communication, particularly in the context of using AI tools.  They emphasize that while AI can help in drafting and reviewing, the human element—understanding the audience, objectives, and maintaining a personal voice—is irreplaceable. The conversation explores the importance of differentiation in communication and the necessity of making informed choices to ensure your communications have a unique voice for your audience….not a generic AI voice that sounds like everyone else’s business communication. AI can get you started, but it can’t finish the job.  Like what you see and want to dive deeper into this or other topics with us? We’d love to help.  Talk to us about how we can elevate your team’s productivity, confidence and engagement through better communication. Too many workplace problems stem from poor communication. We can help you assess your situation, spot gaps, and create an action plan to keep you and your team moving forward with more success and less stress.#internalcommunications #internalcomms #morebetterwtf  #communicationworkshops #communicationtraining #businesscommunication #businesswriting #MoreBetter #CommunicationSkills #Communication #Podcast #storytelling #choices #AI #differentiation #decisionsmatter

Does trying to incorporate storytelling in your business communication leave you puzzled? Confused? Stressed?  In this episode we tackle the challenge many face: How to incorporate storytelling in your business communication when you're not a writer. In this episode, we share: Simple strategies to make storytelling accessible to everyone, regardless of writing background. How to use metaphors, personal stories, and the order of information effectively. The role of data in storytelling and how to interpret it for impactful communication. We're here to help demystify the storytelling process so you can engage your audience without feeling overwhelmed. Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave us a review as we support you in becoming a better communicator. Join the conversation!" 00:00 - Hello! 00:25 - Our perspective on storytelling in business 03:06 - Introducing 4 ways to incorporate storytelling 03:15 - Metaphors 08:09 - Personal Stories 13:53 - Order of Information 17:26 - Using Data 22:09 - Recap For YouTube:LISTEN TO/WATCH our latest episode here or Spotify, Apple, or anywhere you get your favourite podcasts. Be sure to like and subscribe to get notified of upcoming episodes! Like what you see and want to dive deeper into this or other topics with us? We’d love to help. 

"Make this email more complex," said no manager, ever. Business communication should be straightforward. It should be easy to understand. It should keep your audience’s attention. But so often we fail at that. And when we fail to communicate simply, we fail to achieve our objective. Good business writing doesn’t need to be complex, or wordy or filled with important sounding things. In this episode of More Better with Tracey and Faye we show you the 5 things you need to do to simplify your writing so your audience stays engaged and you meet your objective. LISTEN TO/WATCH our latest episode here or Spotify, Apple, or anywhere you get your favourite podcasts. Be sure to like and subscribe to get notified of upcoming episodes! Like what you see and want to dive deeper into this or other topics with us? We’d love to help. Building communication expertise increases engagement, confidence and productivity for you and your team. So many problems that arise in business and at work result from a lack of communication, miscommunication, misalignment of expectations or objectives. We can work with you to assess the situation and develop a plan that will help you and your team identify gaps, address needs and get on the path to a smoother, more successful operation.

🔥 Welcome to Episode 21 of "More Better with Tracey and Faye"! 🔥  Tired of agonizing and second-guessing yourself when communicating at work? Discover how professional communicators get to the heart of the matter by asking just three questions before starting any communication task. Listen to the latest episode of More Better with Tracey and Faye and learn their secret!  In this episode Tracey and Faye unveil a simple yet powerful way to plan and evaluate any kind of communication. Learn how ONLY THREE QUESTIONS can transform your approach!  Tune in to discover how to set a clear objective, understand your audience, and deliver messages that let you meet your objective. Whether it's an email or a complex strategy, these tips will elevate your communication game! Don't miss out! 🎧  Like, comment, and subscribe for more insightful discussions and real talk. 🎧✨  Like what you see and want to dive deeper into this or other topics with us? We’d love to help.  Many problems that arise in business and at work result from a lack of communication, miscommunication, misalignment of expectations or objectives. Tracey and Faye can work with you to assess the situation and develop a plan that will help you and your team identify gaps, address needs and get on the path to a smoother, more successful operation.  LISTEN TO/WATCH all our episodes here or Spotify, Apple, or anywhere you get your favourite podcasts. Be sure to like and subscribe to get notified of upcoming episodes! #internalcommunications #internalcomms #morebetterwtf #morebetterwtf #communicationworkshops #communicationtraining #businesscommunication #businesswriting #MoreBetter #CommunicationSkills  #Communication #Podcast

Can you spot the steak in all the sizzle? Is there any steak at all?  Welcome More Better with Tracey and Faye! 🎙️ In this episode, we explore the crazy differences between PERFORMATIVE and AUTHENTIC communication.  Performative communication is all about the sizzle, the glitz and the glam – flashy buzzwords, dramatic delivery, and a thirst for validation. But does it hold any real substance? We explore how social media amplifies this performative style, rewarding those who can create the most buzz with likes and shares, often at the expense of genuine connection. On the flip side, authentic communication is rooted in sincerity, empathy, and transparency. It's about building trust, fostering deep connections, and keeping it real, even when it's not glamorous. In this episode, we discuss: The defining traits of performative communication and how to spot them How social media has become a stage for the ultimate performative acts Real-life examples contrasting performative and authentic communication The key differences in motivation, sincerity, empathy, transparency, and relationship dynamics Practical tips for shifting from performative to authentic communication  Join us as we strip away the buzzwords and flash, and discover the power of authentic communication. Whether you're looking to improve your business communication or just want to navigate social media with a more critical eye, this episode has something for you. Tune in, and let's keep it real together! Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insightful discussions and real talk. 🎧✨  Watch the full episode where professional communicators Tracey Hirsch and Faye Furdyk help you understand the difference between performative and authentic communication and when to use them.  Like what you see and want to dive deeper into this or other topics with us? We’d love to help.  Many problems that arise in business and at work result from a lack of communication, miscommunication, misalignment of expectations or objectives. Tracey and Faye can work with you to assess the situation and develop a plan that will help you and your team identify gaps, address needs and get on the path to a smoother, more successful operation. 

Every communication plan needs key messages!  WHY? Because key messages form the backbone of your communication plan. HOW? Key Messages answer all the important questions your audience will have BEFORE they even ask them:  What’s happening?  Why is it happening?  When is it happening?  Who is impacted?  How will it be done? Imagine this:  You have an important process change you need your team to adopt. But when you talk about the reason for the change, the impact of the change and the timeline for the change, you have a different answer each time.  What happens: Your team is confused. Your team doesn’t trust what you tell them. Your team doesn’t take the actions you need for the process change to succeed.  Now imagine this: You take the time to think of the most important questions your team will have and you write out your answer to each question. So now, rather than make it up on the spot each time a question is asked, you can answer the most basic, most important questions consistently and confidently.  What happens: Your team isn’t confused. They will trust what you say. So they are much more likely to take the actions you need them to take for the process change to succeed.  Watch the full episode where professional communicators Tracey Hirsch and Faye Furdyk help you identify, craft and use key  messages.  Like what you see and want to dive deeper into this or other topics with us? We’d love to help.  Many problems that arise in business and at work result from a lack of communication, miscommunication, misalignment of expectations or objectives. Tracey and Faye can work with you to assess the situation and develop a plan that will help you and your team identify gaps, address needs and get on the path to a smoother, more successful operation.  LISTEN TO/WATCH all our episodes here or Spotify, Apple, or anywhere you get your favourite podcasts. Be sure to like and subscribe to get notified of upcoming episodes! #internalcommunications #internalcomms #morebetterwtf #morebetterwtf #communicationworkshops #communicationtraining #keymessages #businesscommunication #businesswriting #crafting, #repetition, #simplicity, #audience, #objectives, #perception, #training,

HAS YOUR WORK LIFE GONE FROM HAPPY LAND TO CRAPPY LAND? In this episode you will learn the 6 THINGS YOU CAN DO to more confidently tackle challenging situations at work and find resolution with the people who matter. Professional communicators Faye Furdyk and Tracey Hirsch have been on the giving and receiving end of those hard conversations and even scripted those conversations for others. They have opinions! Like what you see and want to dive deeper into this or other topics with us? We’d love to help.  Many problems that arise in business and at work result from a lack of communication, miscommunication, misalignment of expectations or objectives. Tracey and Faye can work with you to assess the situation and develop a plan that will help you and your team identify gaps, address needs and get on the path to a smoother, more successful operation.  LISTEN TO/WATCH all our episodes here or Spotify, Apple, or anywhere you get your favourite podcasts. Be sure to like and subscribe to get notified of upcoming episodes! #internalcommunications #internalcomms #morebetterwtf #communicationworkshops #communicationtraining #businesscommunication #hardconversations #workconflict #communicatinghardthings #empathy #channels #tactics #boundaries

Capturing the Corporate Voice in your own business writing is a lot simpler than you think!  It doesn’t change much from one organization to another, rather, it’s a shared way that businesses talk about themselves. It’s middle of the road, it doesn’t offend, it’s factual, optimistic, and predictable.  In this episode, communication pros Tracey Hirsch and Faye Furdyk discuss the role of the corporate voice in business writing and why it isn’t as difficult to capture as people may believe.  Like what you see and want to dive deeper into this or other topics with us? We’d love to help.  Many problems that arise in business and at work result from a lack of communication, miscommunication, misalignment of expectations or objectives. Tracey and Faye can work with you to assess the situation and develop a plan that will help you and your team identify gaps, address needs and get on the path to a smoother, more successful operation.  LISTEN TO/WATCH all our episodes here or Spotify, Apple, or anywhere you get your favourite podcasts. Be sure to like and subscribe to get notified of upcoming episodes! #internalcommunications #internalcomms #morebetterwtf #morebetterwtf #communicationworkshops #communicationtraining #corporatevoice #businesscommunication #businesswriting

You CAN get that yes on your proposal from your senior team! Join professional communicators Tracey Hirsch and Faye Furdyk and learn the three things executives care about most and the environment in which they work.  By understanding and incorporating both these things into your next report or proposal for senior executives, you’ll be setting yourself up for success.  Like what you see and want to dive deeper into this or other topics with us? We’d love to help.  Building communication expertise increases engagement, confidence and productivity for you and your team. So many problems that arise in business and at work result from a lack of communication, miscommunication, misalignment of expectations or objectives. We can work with you to assess the situation and develop a plan that will help you and your team identify gaps, address needs and get on the path to a smoother, more successful operation.  LISTEN/WATCH our latest episode here or Spotify, Apple, or anywhere you get your favourite podcasts. Be sure to like and subscribe to get notified of upcoming episodes!

If you want to create a presentation deck that keeps your audience engaged from start to finish, then this episode is for you. In it, professional communicators Tracey Hirsch and Faye Furdyk break down the four elements you need to maximize to create an impactful and memorable presentation STRUCTURE - within each slide and across the entire deck LANGUAGE - when to use text and how to maximize its impact DATA - how to select and display the data that supports your main message DESIGN - how to use design to draw in your audience and guide them through the information on each slide. Like what you see and want to dive deeper into these topics with us? We’d LOVE to help.  We believe anyone can gain confidence, reduce stress and increase productivity by becoming a more effective communicator. We show you how through simple and practical tips in a safe and fun environment. Even if you don’t think you write well, you can become a strong communicator. Really! We offer customized communications coaching, workshops and training, and consultation to help you and your teams feel more confident and less stressed when it comes to writing, presenting, and communicating at work. And heck, you’ll even have fun! #internalcommunications #internalcomms #writing #editing #morebetterwtf #presentations #creating presentations #delivering presentations #morebetter

Do you know how to ask for feedback on your work? How to manage the feedback you get? How to give feedback when it’s asked of you? For many of us, asking for, receiving and giving feedback is part of our jobs, but feedback can be hard to manage. Feedback needs to be helpful. It needs to be actionable. It needs to align with objectives. It needs to be about substance not style.  Communication pros Tracey Hirsch and Faye Furdyk take you through the ins and outs of asking, getting and giving feedback so you don’t get caught in an endless feedback loop. Take a listen and find out more.

What is the best tactic to use for communicating change? Is it a newsletter? Is it a team meeting? Is it a video chat or text chat? Is it a cross country tour? The answer is yes, or it could be no. Because there is no right answer. But there are quite frankly many wrong ones. And that's what we talk about in this episode of More Better: How to determine the right communication channel to reach those audiences who are impacted by the change and those leading the change. LISTEN/WATCH our latest episode. Be sure to like and subscribe to get notified of upcoming episodes! Like what you see and want to dive deeper into these topics with us? We’d LOVE to help.  We know anyone can gain confidence, reduce stress and increase productivity by becoming a more effective communicator. We show you how through simple and practical tips in a safe and fun environment. Even if you don’t think you write well, you can become a strong communicator. Really! We offer customized communications coaching, workshops and training, and consultation to help you and your teams feel more confident and less stressed when it comes to writing, presenting, and communicating at work. And heck, you’ll even have fun! #internalcommunications #internalcomms #changemanagement #channels #tactics #changecommunications #morebetterwtf

You CAN be a great communicator without being a great writer. Great communicators: 1) use empathy to understand the needs of their team  2) use an approach that makes sense to the people they’re engaging  3) commit to a process that meets people’s communication needs.  None of this requires great writing, only a desire to improve the communication in your business or on your team.

Email stress is a reality for many people. But you can reduce your email stress by writing better emails. It’s simpler than you think. If you send only necessary emails and write them with purpose your recipient won’t be frustrated or confused so you won’t get unnecessary emails in return. Everybody wins! Give us 30 minutes of your time and we’ll show you how to write better emails and reduce the back and forth of email hell.

All communication matters in business. There is no “Big C” communication more important than “Small C” communication. Learning that communication is less about writing and dense communication plans and more about Connection, Community, Compassion, Collaboration, and Clarity can help you raise your game and look for the small ways you can communicate to increase Connection, Clarity, Compassion…all the C words!

Hey HR pros Episode 8 and 9 of More Better with Tracey and Faye are for you! For those times you need a communication plan but you don't have access to a communications pro to help you out...these episodes give you a step by step approach to doing it yourself. Over episodes 8 and 9 Tracey and Faye take you through the seven elements every communication needs to have. Not in HR, all good! These steps apply to all communication plans, not just the ones for HR. Enjoy!

Hey HR pros Episode 8 and 9 of More Better with Tracey and Faye are for you! For those times you need a communication plan but you don't have access to a communications pro to help you out...these episodes give you a step by step approach to doing it yourself. Over episodes 8 and 9 Tracey and Faye take you through the seven elements every communication needs to have. Not in HR, all good! These steps apply to all communication plans, not just the ones for HR. Enjoy!

Tracey and Faye have been internal comms nerds their entire careers. Why choose internal comms when other communication careers are available? Listen and find out. It's more than you know!

Tired of struggling to make great presentation slides? We can help!  There is a simple, brilliant and logical way to create presentation slides with words that engage and inform. Because really, your presentation slides don’t have to suck! #betterpresentations #internalcomms #internalcommunications #podcast #morebetter #presentationskills #assertionevidence

You're excited to share technical information but the people you're sharing it with don't have a technical background...how do you do it? It's easier than you think. Watch this episode of More Better with Tracey and Faye for some easy and powerful tips.

Change is HARD and humans are TRICKY. Communicating during times of change has many unique challenges. Tracey and Faye break it all down - what to do, what not to do, and ways you can really shine when you must lead, and communicate, through change.

Time to think outside the box! Tracey and Faye are going supersonic! Buzzwords, so many buzzwords! Yet, they communicate almost nothing. Wondering if it's time to give up your buzzword habit? Take a listen and decide for yourself.

In this episode Tracey and Faye share 10 simple and practical tips to review and edit your writing. Easy to recognize, easy to use, these tips will help you starting today. It may get loud. It may get nerdy. Consider yourself warned!Follow, share, comment... let us know what you think! #communications #writing #editing #reviewing #communicationskills #writingskills #morebetter #morebetterwtf

In this episode Faye and Tracey talk about what makes writing good (is yours?) and an easy 3-step writing process for getting the results you want from your writing.Watch. Listen. Let us know what you think.