The Idea Wheel If creating an outline is difficult, as our brains are not designed to think in this format, creating an Idea Wheel may be a helpful tool.

The purpose of the Idea Wheel:• Speed & efficiency • Distinguish major points from minor points • Organize thinking process into clear categories • Communicate information quickly & visually

An Idea Wheel begins with a main key concept or idea that the rest of the wheel revolves around. Begin with your key concept (idea) written in a circle, the hub of the wheel. Then begin to breakdown the broad concept by drawing and labeling spokes from the hub. For sub points draw and label spokes off the spokes.

The Communications Committee would like to recognize the following offices for 100% participation on all Communications Committee requests and for 100% readership of the first issue of The Communique.

THANK YOU - NEW ORLEANS & SAN ANTONIO for your commitment to Sealy and to the communications training initiative.

Communicating Clearly

The Idea Wheel

BusinessGrammar

In This Issue:

Recognition

TheCommunique

BusinessEtiquette

Recognition

Presented by:Sealy Communications Committee

Volume 1 Issue 2 - October 2013

Updates

Sealy would also like to recognize the following team members on their recent achievements:

Howell Jones - Forney - Elected Cigar Caucus President for the Dallas Rotary Club

Jennifer Lee - New Orleans - 2013 Women of the Year honoree by CityBusiness

Roger DeKay - Shreveport - Appointed to the Industrial Development Board by the Caddo Parish Commission

Scott Sealy, Jr. - Dallas - Accepted to the NAIOP Acquisition II Forum

Todd Marchesani - Dallas - 2014 Chairman Elect of the Young Professionals Forum of North Texas Commercial Association of Realtors and Real Estate Professionals

Updates

Business EtiquetteWhether you like it or not, people size you up in a very short time, actually only about 3-5 seconds. Your apparel, demeanor, and mannerisms are all factors in influencing what someone else thinks of you and whether you inspire them. Your image has the power to affect people emotionally and intellectually, projecting that you do or do not have the confidence and professional potential to be successful. As a helpful reminder we have included the Sealy dress code policy below for your reference.

“Business Professional” dress code is to be observed Monday thru Thursday: • Ladies: dresses and skirts (appropriate length and appropriate neckline), dress slacks, and dress shoes. • Gentlemen: dress shirts, dress slacks, and dress shoes. Suit and tie when appropriate.

“Business Casual” to be observed ONLY on Friday’s: • Jeans and cotton slacks are acceptable. Unacceptable items include: sweatpants, shorts, spandex (unless worn with a tunic length or longer top), no worn, faded, or ripped jeans. • Casual shirts and sweaters are acceptable. Unnacceptable items include: halter tops, casual graphic t-shirts, and strapless tops (unless worn under another blouse or jacket). • Casual dresses and skirts are acceptable. Unnacceptable items include: mini-skirts, strapless dresses (unless worn with a jacket) • Sandals and athletic shoes are acceptable. Rubber flip-flops are not acceptable.

A good rule to follow is, if you are not sure if something is acceptable, choose something else or ask your supervisor first.

Commas are used to divide or separate parts of a sentence in order to make the meaning clear and the sentence easier to read. They mark a brief pause in the sentence, usually at a point where you would naturally pause if you were speaking rather than writing. They may be used to separate individual words or phrases within the sentence. The top 5 rules of comma of usage are given below.

Rule 1 - To avoid confusion, use commas to separate words and word groups with a series of three or more. Example: My $4 million estate is to be split among my husband, daughter, son, and nephew. • Omitting the comma after son would indicate that the son and nephew would have to

split one third of the estate.

Rule 2 - Use a comma to separate two adjectives when the word and can be inserted between them. Examples: He is a strong, healthy man. We stayed at an expensive summer resort. • You would not say expensive and summer resort, so no comma.

Rule 3 - Use a comma when an -ly adjective is used with other adjectives. To test whether an -ly word is an adjective, see if it can be used alone with the noun. If it can, use the comma.Examples: Felix was a lonely, young boy. I get headaches in brightly lit rooms. • Brightly is not an adjective because it cannot be used alone with rooms; therefore, no comma is used between brightly and lit.

Rule 4 - Use commas surrounding words such as therefore and however when they are used as interrupters.Examples: I would, therefore, like a response. I would be happy, however, to volunteer for the Red Cross.

Rule 5 - Use commas before or surrounding the name or title of a person directly addressed.Examples: Will you, Alice, do that assignment for me? Yes, Doctor, I will. NOTE: Capitalize a title when directly addressing someone.

Business Grammar

Dave DraftDebi Valentine

Jennifer SamahaKayte Hollowell

DaveD@Sealynet.com • 214.239.5122DebiV@Sealynet.com • 318.698.3106JenniferS@Sealynet.com • 214.239.5121KayteH@Sealynet.com • 318.698.3112

Contact us

If you have questions or need additional information regarding any area covered during our communications training workshop series we are here to help you.

we are here to help you

Are you communicating clearly?People always assume the confusion happens on the other end of the communication--that what they themselves say is perfectly clear and that the other person just missed it somehow. A better gauge of our own clarity: Beware the blank stare.

If you need additional signs that you’re not getting through, consider these:• Lack of questions. (You call for questions at the end of a presentation, and there are none. Or, you bring up an idea in a meeting and you’re greeted with only polite smiles.)• Unexpected responses. (People respond irrationally to what you say, such as with anger, withdrawal, silence, or denial.)• Lack of coordination. (Things “fall between the cracks” in coordinating projects.)• Low morale. (People feel discouraged that they can never “get it right” when, in fact, projects are frequently delegated without essential elements for successful completion.)• Rework. (Projects have to be redone because the instructions weren’t clear the first time. Or, extra work was completed “just in case” to “cover all the bases” because somebody wasn’t sure what was needed.)

Everybody has to measure how clearly he or she communicates. The most basic question to ask: Do people “get it”? Do they understand the goal--the what, the why, and the how?

Fuzzy words result in fuzzy action or no action at all. Clear messages start with clear words that lead to clear action.

Communicating Clearly

Is there a subject you would like to see covered in The Communique?

Let us know! Communications@Sealynet.com

UpdatesKeep your eye on The Communique!

Future issues will include more information to keep you informed and connected with all things Sealy related. We will continue to include content focused on improving communication skills. In addition, we want to begin to highlight company successes and our employees’ professional accomplishments. If you are elected to a new position, receive an award or certification, or close a big deal...we want to let everyone know. Send a quick e-mail to Communications@Sealynet.com.