Without a doubt, technical skills are important in our day-to-day operations. Advanced technologies and complex software propel our operations and keep our businesses afloat. Professionals spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on education and training on these technical skills annually. Yet, when it comes time to make a presentation on the capabilities or outcomes of these resources, we can't communicate!

Communication skills was one of the most sought after skills by managers, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Job Outlook 2010 survey . Furthermore, The Wall Street Journal/Harris Interactive survey reported that the top complaint among MBA recruiters is that candidates lack communication skills.

No matter your job title, communication skills are essential for communication with clients, customers, and co-workers. While communication skills sound rudimentary, they are fundamental to career success. Here are seven tips for improving your communication skills today.

1. Listen first. The best communication springs from a firm understanding of the issues, concerns, and needs of the audience.

2. Be Yourself. For some reason, when it's time to make a presentation, people become stiff, robotic, and boring. Be conversational and relaxed, and you reel in your audience.

3. Use powerful talk. Sugarcoating, umm's, maybe's, and ya know's won't get you the kind of attention you are seeking. Eliminate these speech "fillers" and be direct and confident.

4. Connect with the audience. Standing behind a podium and reading from a PowerPoint doesn't demand attention. Move around the room, use hand gestures, and acknowledge different people with your eye contact.

5. Don't hide behind technology. While it is convenient to use e-mail and the phone to communicate, meet in person whenever possible. During presentations, don't rely too heavily on Powerpoint.

6. Tell a story. All good stories have a beginning, a middle, and an end. When making a presentation, think about how you can weave in your main points with smooth transitions.

7. .Practice, practice, practice. We never said it would be easy. The more you present in front of people, the more comfortable you become.