054: Effective Communication in the Workplace + How to Travel Without Breaking the Bank with Mary Nestor and Christopher Klesh

In this episode of Saving With Steve, host Steve Sexton is joined by international, award-winning speaker, consultant, trainer, coach, and author, Mary J. Nestor, and Chris Klesh, a Travel Guru, Corporate Wellness Expert, and leading expert on vacation ownership systems, knowing the best travel deals available and utilizing that knowledge for maximum customer benefit.

Silence isn’t always golden. In fact, staying silent during critical moments can result in missed opportunities, broken relationships, or disastrous decisions. We have all been there. The reality is, despite the digital revolution, we are connecting more but communicating less. 

My first guest, Mary J. Nestor, the author of SAY IT NOW! SAY IT RIGHT! How to Handle Tough or Tender Conversationsdiscusses three main principles of effective communication and provides tips to help us find our voice and speak up at those critical moments in a way that our message has impact and acceptance. 

She shares insight on when to speak up and when to be silent, what to say and how to approach difficult situations, effectively handling other people’s reactions (as well as your own), the importance of words, tone of voice, and body language, and how using our voice to communicate in healthy, constructive ways, we can empower ourselves and others, reduce stress, solve problems, and strengthen our relationships with co-workers, managers, customers, and anyone in our orbit.

It’s travel season… And, we all know that trying to plan a dream vacation can be rather daunting and way beyond our budget. But, how would you like to travel the world for pennies on the dollar? My second guest, Chris Klesh, is a retired corporate marketing executive turned Travel Guru, Coach, and expert speaker on corporate wellness and the benefits of travel and leisure.

He joins us today to share insider tips and tricks for traveling and going on the dream vacations you deserve without breaking the bank—sometimes as much as 90% off normal prices! Chris also talks about the benefits of travel and leisure, the key safety concerns for travel in the “new normal environment, the best resources for getting the most current information for travel deals, how travel will change in the next 12 months, and the top 3 tips for families to save the most money on their travel.

Mary J. Nestor is a communications expert, award-winning speaker, business consultant, coach, and author who works with corporations, executives, leaders, and managers who want to stop wasting time, money, talent, and opportunities.

She brings her message, SAY IT NOW! SAY IT RIGHT!, to large and small companies struggling with how to easily communicate the tough (and tender) messages in any situation.

Mary's presentations, keynotes, consulting, and writing are underscored by real-world experience. As a communications and management professional, and consultant to Fortune 500 companies and small businesses in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, she is well qualified to provide great value to your organization.

Early in her career, Mary talked her way into her first management position, unaware that the job required speaking and making presentations at Executive Committee meetings. 

Forced to face her worst fears, she signed up for the Dale Carnegie Course on Human Relations and Public Speaking. Mary finished the course, winning top honors, and found her voice and passion for speaking and training.

She is a certified John Maxwell Group speaker, trainer, and coach. While she serves clients and organizations worldwide, she also deeply values her family and local community.

When Mary is not writing, speaking, or leading seminars, she sings with the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus and the Cathedral Choir of St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Savannah. 

She runs an occasional 5K, bikes, or walks the trails on Skidaway Island, spends time on the beach on Hilton Head Island, and loves spending time with her family in Northern Virginia and Jacksonville, Florida.

Coach Chris Klesh is a retired corporate executive who loves to travel and stay at highly desirable vacation resorts with national renown for quality, service and amenities

He's a leading expert on vacation ownership systems, knowing the best travel deals available and utilizing that knowledge for maximum customer benefit.

"How can I spend more affordable time in the places I love?" became a consuming goal. Coach Chris devoured every bit of information from every source on travel. He asked travel experts every conceivable question about the profession.

What started as a hobby became his passion. He dedicated himself to knowing more, to talking with consumers every place he visited. He asked exactly what they wanted, other places they liked to visit, and why.

Coach Chris recognized the trends, the concerns and the reality. With all his research and personal experience within the system, he also saw opportunities. For instance, he can:

  • Double the number of weeks at a resort for the same price as one
  • Obtain upgrades to larger suites and ocean-view rooms
  • Provide the best deals on restaurants, golf and skiing, sporting events and show tickets to Broadway plays or Las Vegas superstar performances

Coach Chris is a 'cultural jock' with hobbies ranging from skiing, music, theater, tennis, golfing, boating, kayaking, mountain biking, traveling, and reading. In 2002, he transformed those hobbies into a fervent business, Lifetime Leisure Experiences.