Communication skills are key to our day to day dealings with people. With them, we can either pass the day chatting away about anything under the sun or end up getting into a scrap over a few minor misunderstandings. The primary use of communication, however, is to pass along a message in order to influence those around us to see things our way. This is actually not as evil or insidious as it sounds, since influencing people is something that we do with every word we utter. 

We cannot change the fact, however, that there are just some things we can say that can either offend or anger people. This is where an assertive touch to communication steps in.

What is assertive communication?
In a nutshell, communicating assertively allows a person to communicate his or her will, thoughts and requests in such an effective but inoffensive manner. The primary objective of such assertiveness is then to pass along a strong message directly and clearly while the receiver perceives the message in a positive light.

What benefits does it bring?
Some people clam up and maintain a placating and submissive style of communication in order not to get into conflict with other people. Others carelessly shoot their mouths off, saying whatever they want to say without concern about how the recipient accepts the message. These are the people who lack the communication skills to effectively get the message across to the other party.

Communicating assertively is the bridge between preventing conflict and saying what needs to be said. Words are spoken in such a manner that will provoke acceptance in the other party, not just blind obedience. Since the message was communicated with respect and strength, you can expect the other person to see things your way and accept that point of view openly and willingly.

How is it different from other types of communication?
Assertive communication is about blending respect with power together. You respect the recipient of the message, who will in turn respect the message you have to deliver. You also deliver the message in a powerful enough manner that the receiving party will be able to hear what you say clearly and effectively. This is the secret to communicating assertively, and will prove to be a reliable method of communication in the long run.

How do I learn to communicate assertively?
While a person can grasp the basics of the respect and power, it takes a lot of time and effort to be able to learn how to communicate assertively. The fine balance required is a difficult line to cross, and you could just end up looking fake and manipulative if you are unable to do apply that balance in a natural manner. As such, a skilled trainer in the art of assertiveness is your best bet to learning how to naturally communicate messages with both respect and power.
 

Remember that communicating assertively is an essential aspect of proper communication skills. Learn how to do so, and you will effectively influence those around you without necessarily having to subdue them with force.

Assertive Communication: Saying What You Need to Say is a post from: Top Communication Skills

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Assertive Communication in College is a post from: Top Communication Skills

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Assertiveness – Tips for being assertive & saying ‘No’ is a post from: Top Communication Skills

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Expert: Tracy Goodwin
Bio: Tracy Goodwin has a masters in corporate communication and 10 years experience in professional speaking.
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Be an Assertive Communicator : Propose Solutions in Assertive Communication is a post from: Top Communication Skills

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Overview: Assertive Communication in the Workplace is a post from: Top Communication Skills

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Filmmaker: MAKE | MEDIA

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Be an Assertive Communicator : Reactions to Assertive Communication is a post from: Top Communication Skills

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The current economic situation has created many businesses challenges. Dental practices will need to respond in various ways to encourage consumers to make dentistry a higher priority. Consumers will only delay longer without ongoing reminders. Additionally, current patients need a higher level of communication and stronger referral skills. 

While regular preventive dental visits can be delayed without a short-term downside, significant health problems and personal reasons will not wait for an economic recovery. When emergencies arise and toothaches occur, your dental office should have a public presence to keep your patient numbers on a growth trajectory. Dentists who offer high value services such as Invisalign braces, dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, and smile makeovers should make sure they are the ones these patients will know of when they start looking. Sedation dental marketing is also a way to move consumers who have put off dental treatment because of fear to get the care they need now.

Take these steps to keep your dental office profitable in 2009.

The Best Dental Marketing Plan has THREE Elements

> ONE: Be A Publicly, Proactive, Persistent Dental Practice

• Helps you grab the attention of patients and consumers who are not considering dentistry right now  
• One of the biggest areas of new dental patient development  
• Usually includes a traditional dentistry marketing element or format  
• People need to be made aware of your cosmetic and restorative expertise and services
• While public marketing is not cheap, done right, dentists can bring in new blood fast
• Waiting for referrals, or consumers to think about or searchers is risky in a downturn 

> TWO: Completely Cover Your Current Dental Patients Angle

• Patients want others to know about you if you do things well  
• This is hardly ever done well – it is often generic, impersonal, and infrequent  
• Referrals and smile makeover case acceptance result from effectively communicating value  
• Find more ways to connect with dental patients and more formats to ask for referrals
• Where you communicate now – add elements that say so meth ing new about you
• Referrals still make great patients, but the new landscape requires new methods
• Use dental technology to better inform patient of your services and expertise 

> THREE: Network Your Internet Connection: Dental Website

• The Web is where your patients, and consumers are, and will be looking for you  
• There are a thou sand ways to attract new dental care patients online: spread your wins  
• Internet evasion will shrink your community influence, referral power, expertise value
• Remember most of your competition is doing one thing, if any, and often haphazardly
• Keep adding to your online dental marketing repertoire, weaving in your highest value services 

Downturn Dental Marketing Conclusion

Assertive and persistent public and internal communication is essential for your dental practice to be viable today and long term. Dental marketing is not only a good thing it is the only thing that consistently gets consumers and patients enough information in the quantity, quality, and the right time of day for them to absorb it effectively. To achieve the success you want in 2009, get the marketing you need to reach your revenue goals. 

Commentary by Dick Chwalek, President Niche Dental

> Niche Dental coaching guides you to better, faster, and fit-your-needs solutions.

Dental Marketing and Communication Consultant

Dick Chwalek
http://www.articlesbase.com/marketing-tips-articles/keeping-your-dental-practice-profitable-in-2009-750225.html

Keeping Your Dental Practice Profitable in 2009 is a post from: Top Communication Skills

Expert: Tracy Goodwin
Bio: Tracy Goodwin has a masters in corporate communication and 10 years experience in professional speaking.
Filmmaker: MAKE | MEDIA

Duration : 0:2:4

Be an Assertive Communicator : Visualize Assertive Communication is a post from: Top Communication Skills

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Job acquisition has to be your priority. But, today there are two job marketplaces. One is the old-fashioned traditional marketplace of resumes, classified ads, website postings, agencies and recruiters, interviews and rejection letters.

The other is the hot fast-track job acquisition marketplace of career partners, contact banks, automated interviews, professional introductions, interactive dialogs, on-the-spot employment creation and savvy negotiations.

You see, the 21st Century job market has changed a lot. The old-fashioned ways of job acquisition mean that you could be looking for a job for months. Besides, expectations of both employers and job-seekers have moved in decidedly new directions. For example, employers expect job-seekers to know and understand corporate goals. They want prospects to demonstrate how they can contribute.

On the other hand, job opportunities are being created on the spot and the candidate can be part of the creation process. Above-average deals are the products of above average negotiations where “dollars” is only one part of the total package.

Most importantly, if you want to excel at job acquisition, if you want a superior job with more money, if you want to select your next job rather than settle for it, you must understand and embrace the dynamics of today’s job marketplace.

We call this new dynamic as The 10 Power Principles of Your Job Acquisition Success! Here they are:

1. Run your job search like an entrepreneurial business using basic marketing strategies.

2. Identify your specific strengths, capabilities and key transferable skills.

3. Develop a compelling communication and presentation plan to position you as a highly attractive job candidate.

4. Identify and recruit personal contacts and career partners.

5. Research and target organizations that match your interests and skills. Identify specific decision-makers to approach.

6. Utilize various methods to arrange non-interview meetings with targeted decision-makers.

7. Practice and perfect assertive face-to-face communication techniques.

8. Master powerful closing and negotiating techniques.

9. Follow through and follow up on each employer contact.

10. Repeat the process to acquire multiple job offers so you can select your next job rather than settle for it.

Put these amazing job acquisition principles to work for and you guarantee your next job . . . and you can do it in a matter of days!

So, read everything you can get your hands on that will help you master these 10 principles. The small investment in time that you put into learning and understanding these exciting job acquisition techniques will pay huge dividends in the job marketplace . . . and put you light years ahead of the competition!

PAUL BOWLEY
http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/the-10-power-principles-of-successful-job-acquisition-131089.html

The 10 Power Principles Of Successful Job Acquisition! is a post from: Top Communication Skills

Expert: Tracy Goodwin
Bio: Tracy Goodwin has a masters in corporate communication and 10 years experience in professional speaking.
Filmmaker: MAKE | MEDIA

Duration : 0:2:2

Be an Assertive Communicator : Assertive Communication Word Choices is a post from: Top Communication Skills

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