Don't beat around the bush We all instinctively feel greater respect for people who speak to us frankly. In business - indeed in most walks of life - there isn't time to waste with endless niceties, waffle and small talk. But of course you won't achieve much if you simply try to bulldoze your way through meetings and conversations. There has to be a middle ground - a way of communicating that gets straight to the point and ensures you get the result you want, quickly - but without alienating anyone. You need to be candid, but courteous - you need to talk lean. Based on a highly successful business training programme, Talk Lean will show you how to be clear, focussed and effective, by saying what you really mean in a way that everyone will respond to. You will learn how to: Open meetings and conversations in a succinct, empathetic and effective way Listen more effectively to others and respond to them in ways which will get results Generate trust and confidence and put others in a positive, receptive frame of mind Achieve more tangible results and develop better relationships " Talk Lean is powerful and practical! If you want to regain control of your agenda, become a more effective leader and have greater impact in your business, Talk Lean is an excellent reference." --Tony Latham, Vice-President Finance, Unilever, North Asia "Identifies the traps we all fall into in dealing with others and provides unique insight in how to be more productive, open and straightforward - and hopefully to feel better too.

" --Andrew Shilston, Non-Executive Director, BP.