Total Anecdotal: A Unique and Fun Guide to Help You Become a Better Speaker and Writer

Being able to communicate clearly, either spoken or written, has never been more challenging than it is today. So many of the modern techniques - e-mailing, texting, blogging, twittering, etc. - have led to a very different style of communication than has historically been the case. The overriding goal of these techniques seems to be brevity which is often accomplished at the expense of spelling, good grammar, meaning and clarity. Moreover, there is often a confrontational tone, especially in blogs. It is worth spending a little time talking about how to get your message across clearly and in a manner that the listener or reader will enjoy. After all, if you don't master the mechanics of effective communication, the content of your message won't much matter!

Effective communication consists of two principal elements -- what you say and how you say it. Truly effective communication requires both - one can't stand without the other. This book is about helping you say what you want to say in a manner that your audience will both understand and enjoy.

The organization of the book is a catalog of a number of issues, categories, points - call them what you will - then offer several anecdotes relevant to the particular subject. So, if you are making a speech or preparing a written presentation, you can look through the list and see if there are anecdotes that will be useful in making your case. People listening to you or reading something you've written are more likely to remember the point you are trying to make if you illustrate it with an anecdote - preferably a humorous one. Hence, this little book.

CURRENT Retired Chairman of the Board - Taft Broadcasting Company, U. S. Shoe Corporation, Cincinnati Bell, Inc. and Convergys Corporation Personal Business Advisor to the late Arnold Palmer and Annika Sorenstam Commissioner Emeritus, Ladies Professional Golf Association BUSINESS and LEGAL Partner; law firm of Taft, Stettinius & Hollister BACKGROUND 1955 - 1967 Chairman & CEO, Taft Broadcasting and Great American Broadcasting Company December 1967 - June 1990 Of Counsel; Taft, Stettinius & Hollister June - December 1990 Commissioner, Ladies Professional Golf Association 1990 - 1995 Chairman of the Board, U. S. Shoe Corporation April 1993 - June 1995 Chairman of the Board - Cincinnati Bell Inc. April 1996 - December 1998 Chairman of the Board, Convergys Corporation January 1999 - May 2000 BOARDS OF DIRECTORS - CURRENTLY SERVING - Messer Construction Co. (non-public) - Ladies Professional Golf Association Commissioners Advisory Council BOARDS OF DIRECTORS - PREVIOUSLY SERVED - The Clement and Ann Buenger Foundation - Cincinnati Bell - Convergys Corporation - Eagle Picher Industries - Emery Industries - Ladies Professional Golf Association - Mead Corporation - Ohio National Financial Services - Philips Industries - The J. M. Smucker Company - Taft Broadcasting Company - U.S. Bank Corporation - U. S. Shoe

Mr. Richard K. Smucker has been the Executive Chairman of The J. M. Smucker Company since May 1, 2016. Mr. Smucker served as the Chief Executive Officer at The J. M. Smucker Company from August 2011 to May 1, 2016.