How To Find Certainty In Uncertain Times

Fine-tune your communication, sales, and branding skills. 

Written by Robyn T. Braley

‘Uncertain’ is the word that best describes the business forecast for fall 2025. The war in Ukraine, the fragile peace in Gaza, and the threat from Iran are at the forefront. Lurking in the background is the question of what China's intentions are towards Taiwan. 

If that wasn't enough, China is now building a coalition with Russia, India, North Korea, and other countries in an effort to undermine U.S. influence. 

Then, there is the big, beautiful word – at least in the minds of some – TARRIFFS. Will they be introduced in new sectors, increased, expanded, reduced, or abolished altogether? Will U.S. courts succeed in declaring Trump-inspired tariffs illegal? Will the cost for businesses and consumers be minimal or substantial?

With the mercurial temperament of U.S. President Donald Trump and his influence on world events, no one knows! With Donald, things can change dramatically from one day to the next.

Global confidence has been negatively impacted. It can sink to the depths of despair in the morning and soar to euphoric heights by the afternoon, all because of a single social media post from the White House.

All of these combine to dampen the effect on economic forecasts because nothing is certain. And, economic growth depends on predictability.

Control What We Can

The best advice I can offer in these uncertain times is to focus on what you can control. We can’t control most outside influences, but we can control how we respond to them.

Radically Improve Your Video Call Performances

Seriously? Do's and don'ts of Video Conferencing 

Written by Robyn T. Braley 

Video conferencing has been elevated to new levels of use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Online communication has become the only way to have real-time visual and audio conversations in many situations. It has made self-isolation only slightly more bearable.

For business, it has established remote work stations as a new reality. Team meetings, client meetings, training along with consultations with professionals like doctors or accountants are a new normal.   

Like it or not, when you are onscreen, you are on stage baby! My tips in this post will help you to be an even better version of you when on camera.

 

Following these tips will make you look better and sound better. They will heighten your online confidence which will make you feel better about the process.

It doesn't matter whether you use Zoom, Skype, Go-to-Meeting, Blue Jean, Google Meet or any other platform. This post will help improve how you present yourself and how others like family, friends or colleagues receive the message you are communicating no matter how casual the conversation! 

I also touch on online decorum. For example, rolling your eyes while the host is speaking will be noted by the others on the call. Why? Because they are probably bored too! They will be filling time looking at each image, and what is showing behind it, of everyone on the call including you.