The latest audio book I’ve narrated is called The Long-Distance Leader: Rules for Remarkable Remote Leadership, one of many management books I’ve had the pleasure of narrating over the past few years. Here is the blurb:
As more organizations adopt a remote workforce, the challenges of leading at a distance become more urgent than ever. The cofounders of the Remote Leadership Institute, Kevin Eikenberry and Wayne Turmel, show leaders how to guide their teams by recalling the foundational principles of leadership. The authors’ “Three-O” model refocuses leaders to think about outcomes, others, and ourselves – elements of leadership that remain unchanged, whether employees are down the hall or halfway around the world. By pairing it with the Remote Leadership Model, which emphasizes using technology as a tool and not a distraction, leaders are now able to navigate the terrain of managing teams wherever they are. Filled with exercises that ensure projects stay on track, keep productivity and morale high, and build lasting relationships, this book is the go-to guide for leading, no matter where people work.
There were oodles of parallels that could be drawn between The Long-Distance Leader and voice talents who work with clients remotely.
TIP OF THE WEEK
Here is the “Golden Suggestion” for working with remote clients (this is straight from the book):
Communicate in the ways that work best for others rather than based on your personal preferences.
What is the practical application of that?
Set expectations early. Make sure you and the client have worked out the technical specs, performance direction, and Retake Policy BEFORE you start recording.
Use their preferred communication method. Clients like to use email, the phone, Whatsapp, Skype, Facetime, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn messaging, and others. Use whichever they like, whenever they like as long as it doesn’t interfere with family time or sleep.
Adjust your formality accordingly. Some clients are more formal than others based on personal preference and importantly, their country of origin. The best way to handle it is to reflect their way of speaking. If they are prim & proper, respond likewise. If they like to joke around, do the same.
NEWS AND NOTES
Wanna hear/see me on three brand new podcast episodes? Here you go!
Tuesday, May 15th @7PM EST: my next Abacus Entertainment seminar will be ‘Your Rate Sheet: Get Paid what you’re Worth’ has been postponed. We are making some exciting changes to our curriculum so this class will be taught next month along with some other goodies that I can’t share with you yet.
Wednesday, May 23rd @6:30PM EST: It’s the Abacus Entertainment Open Mic #VO Nite! I will be the guest instructor along with voice coach extraordinaire Bruce Kronenberg. This workout session will focus on eLearning narration. Click here to sign up.
Tuesday May 29th – Thursday May 31st: It’s APAC Week! I will be at Johnny Heller’s Splendiferous Audiobook Workshop, The pre-APAC Mixer, APAC, The Audies, and The Naudies. Will you be there?
November 9-11: MAVO is coming!
I will be one of the guest speakers and it’s going to be a blast. Be sure to get your tickets now while you still can. Learn more at MidatlanticVO.com!
HAPPY HAPPYS
Happy Hug Your Cat Day and Chocolate Chip Day!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
From my village to yours; this is Tom Dheere, The H is Silent, but I’m Not.
Tom Dheere is a 20+year veteran of the voice over industry who has narrated thousands of projects for hundreds clients in over a dozen countries. He is also a voiceover business and marketing consultant known as the Voice Over Strategist and is currently producing the comic book “Agent 1.22”.