Talking Your Way to the Top: Business English That Works

By Gretchen S. Hirsch

What's the difference between ambiguous and ambivalent? When is it right to say he and I, and when is him and me correct? What's the most important part of a voice mail message? What's the one mistake that's guaranteed to make an audience fall asleep during your presentation?Whether you're the CEO of a conglomerate or an entry-level candidate preparing for an interview, how you speak has an effect on how you're perceived. Grammar gaffes, incorrect word choices, inappropriate language, and inarticulate expression can peg you as both uneducated and unsophisticated. If you're uncertain about how effectively you speak, business-communications expert Gretchen S. Hirsch has all the answers in this one comprehensive, amusing, and very useful book. Full of on-target tips and easy-to-navigate lists of frequently misused words, Talking Your Way to the Top is a quick, entertaining reference for any businessperson interested in becoming a more interesting and powerful speaker. It teaches you to recognize and avoid noxious nouns, vexing verbs, jarring jargon, wretched redundancies, and execrable euphemisms.Even better, Hirsch leads you every step of the way on the road to success. She gives you the words you need for job interviews; making contributions at company meetings; asking for more responsibility, promotions, and raises; giving speeches and making presentations; and chatting with your coworkers and potential clients at trade shows, cocktail parties, and company dinners.Whether you're a recent college graduate, a middle manager, or a seasoned professional, you'll find Talking Your Way to the Top to be warm, inviting, and sometimes downright amusing as it guides you through the perils and pleasures of the spoken word on your way up the corporate ladder.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1591024617
• ISBN13: 9781591024613
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Prometheus Books
• Length: 175 Pages
• Weight: 0.84 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.4" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Down to Earth Language

I have worked in the aerospace industry with the same company for over 22 years. I have had a variety of careers: engineer, proposal writer, IT operations, executive support, contract operations. No matter what job, the one thing that helped me to stand out from the crowd is that I write and speak (most of the time) in clear, proper English. Talking Your Way to the Top goes one step further. This very practical book teaches you how to communicate with precise, unfettered language. Get rid of the buzz words and the hot phrases. Get rid of the meaningless descriptions and nonsensical verbs. Figure out what you want to say, and then say it with simple, straight forward terms, not the made up, convoluted words that have become the unfortunate norm. Everyone can benefit from this guide, whether you are Chairman of the Board or a high school student. It is a great reference for the basic tools of English, and also provides expert advice for all manner of business communications including job interviews, presentations, and even asking for a promotion or raise. Talking Your Way to the Top is written in an easy, appealing style. The examples provided by Ms. Hirsch will make you laugh, and are even funnier because they are recognizable and true. You will see people you know in this book. If you do, give them a copy. I recommend this for anyone interested improving their communication skills.

From avoiding 'wretched verbs' to not choosing the wrong word

TALKING YOUR WAY TO THE TOP: BUSINESS ENGLISH THAT WORKS is for any involved in the business world, whether they be workers, managers, or CEOs. It provides the rudiments of English skills, from handling job interviews and company meetings to asking for more responsibilities and giving speeches. From avoiding 'wretched verbs' to not choosing the wrong word, real-world examples are specific and many a businessperson will readily recognize themselves in the examples.

For those who don't know and those who have forgotten

This is a simply wonderful book. Although the title may make it seem that it is only for those in business, this book is for high school and college students as well as for those who are ever going to write a thesis. It should be a primary source of interest to all teachers not only for those who teach English, but also for those who teach math, science, history, etc., who may be a little "shaky" on their own English knowledge. Moreover, this book is funny! The way Hirsch has written her examples will make you laugh or, at least, smile. As one who was a degree in English education, I can say that this is a book you should read. I wish I had had it when I was in college.