Kathy Schaeffer and Associates

Circumlocution and other things

KSA — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:06:57 +0000

The fact of the matter is, at the end of the day, there is low-hanging fruit to be picked, which can be seen from a 30,000 foot view.

We’ve all heard people use those phrases, sometimes even together. We say we’re too busy and don’t have time to get everything done and maybe those phrases are to blame. Using too many words and convoluted phrases is a huge waste of time. Just tell me what you mean.

I came across this list of frequently used phrases and the words that should be used instead.

Instead of this: Try this:

afford an opportunity	allow, let
as a means of	to
at this point in time	now
due to the fact that	because
during the period	during
has a requirement for	needs
in a timely manner	quickly, promptly
in accordance with	by, following, per, under
in advance of	before
in regard to	about, concerning, on
in the amount of	for
in the event that	if
in the near future	shortly, soon
no later than June 1	by June 1
pertaining to	about
provides guidance for	guides
under the provisions of	under
until such time as	until
with reference to	about
with the exception of	except

What are some other examples we can add to the list? Now is your time to vent.

By: Kim Pool

Sandra Guthman, Nikki Stein retiring from Polk Bros. Foundation

KSA — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:17:50 +0000

Polk Bros. Foundation CEO Sandra Guthman and Executive Director Nikki Will Stein will both retire at year’s end. [Read more]… [Read more]

Five Worst Things to do as a Presenter

KSA — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:03:21 +0000

1. Read directly from your PowerPoint slides.
Your PowerPoint slides should only have the main points you want your audience to remember. You can elaborate on each point as you go along, but not too much.

2. Be long-winded.
We’ve all been to presentations where the speaker went on and on. Stick to the key points. On the other extreme, don’t speed through your presentation. Give it the time it needs.

3. Don’t interact with your audience.
If you only speak at your audience it will be difficult to keep them engaged. Be sure to ask questions and create moments for your listeners to get involved.

4. Be boring.
Don’t be Ferris Bueller’s economics teacher. We only ever heard him take attendance, but even then we knew he was boring. Don’t create boring PowerPoint presentations, either. Use pictures.

5. Don’t practice.
Practice makes perfect. If you practice, you will be seen as more polished and listeners will see you as an expert.

-By Lisa Soard

Quinn finds unlikely allies in business community

KSA — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:39:12 +0000

Gov. Pat Quinn built his career on populism and consumer advocacy. But, in the middle of what might be his defining political moment, he finds himself in an unlikely alliance with major Illinois business groups in a battle against unions and advocates for the poor. [Read more]

… [Read more]

Illinois Chamber of Commerce Endorses Governor Quinn’s Pension Reform Proposal

KSA — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:12:05 +0000

“I’m going to say that I have been very favorably impressed with the Governor over the last several months, he has truly grown into the job and has demonstrated leadership, and accepted responsibility that he needs to be willing to embrace,” says Doug Whitley of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. [Watch here]… [Read more]

Chamber groups get behind Quinn’s pension-reform proposals

KSA — Thu, 10 May 2012 15:35:57 +0000

Illinois and Springfield Chamber of Commerce officials endorsed Gov. Pat Quinn’s ideas to restructure the state’s ailing pension systems on Wednesday, while expressing reservations about his idea to shift pension costs from the state to local school districts, community colleges and universities. [Read more]… [Read more]

Illinois Hospital Association on “Eye on Illinois”

KSA — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:58:30 +0000

IHA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs A.J. Wilhelmi speaks with Jim Anderson on “Eye on Illinois” about the need for workable alternatives to draconian Medicaid cuts. [ Listen Here]… [Read more]

Letter to the Editor: Arrests and Hiring

KSA — Mon, 07 May 2012 19:43:34 +0000

Lynn Todman, executive director of the Institute on Social Exclusion at the Adler School of Professional Psychology comments on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ruling in The New York Times. [Read more]… [Read more]

Daily Chronicle View: Medicaid fix affects entire community

KSA — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:38:38 +0000

There’s no doubt that Illinois’ Medicaid program needs to be reformed. It is one of the most generous systems in the country in terms of its eligibility requirements, and its costs have spiraled out of control. [Read more]… [Read more]

Illinois Hospital Association advocates smaller cuts in Medicaid

KSA — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:36:08 +0000

The Illinois Hospital Association favors a plan to cut the state’s troubled Medicaid program by trimming half the dollars that Gov. Pat Quinn has requested. [Read more]… [Read more]