Will Your Next Meeting Be A Waste Of Time?
Posted on April 20, 2008 - Filed Under Writing and Speaking | Leave a Comment
Prior to the meeting…
1 – Why
Why are you having the meeting?
Determine the purpose of your meeting and communicate that to everyone attending.
2 – What
What are you going to cover? Create a list of items to be discussed then send an email out to everyone attending the meeting asking them if there is anything else they feel needs to be discussed.
3 – Agenda
Create an agenda with all items to be discussed, times allotted for each item, schedule of times, and the person’s name in charge of reporting on that item.
For example (i.e. 8:00 -8:10 (10 min) Budget – Kenny
The Mathematics Of Persuasive Communication
Posted on April 19, 2008 - Filed Under Writing and Speaking | Leave a Comment
At first glance mathematics and persuasive communication – writing, and particularly public speaking - would seem to have little in common. After all, mathematics is an objective science, whilst speaking involves voice quality, inflection, eye contact, personality, body language, and other subjective components.
However, under the surface they are very similar.
Above anything else, the success of an oral presentation depends on the precision of its structure. Mathematics is all about precision. It is therefore not so odd to think that applying some of the concepts of mathematics to oral presentations could make them substantially more effective.
Read More..>>Five Public Speaking Tips
Posted on April 19, 2008 - Filed Under Writing and Speaking | Leave a Comment
Many people are apprehensive about even the thought of public speaking. It doesn’t have to be a source of anxiety, though. Public speaking is a skill to be learned. The more often a person practices these skills, the more comfortable he or she will become. The following public speaking tips will help you to be a more effective public speaker.
1. Consider Your Audience and Plan Your Presentation Accordingly
The first public speaking tip is to consider who your audience is and speak to that particular audience. Are you addressing a group of professionals, co-workers, or potential customers? Have you been asked to speak at a wedding or a family gathering?
Public Speaking Stage Fright Quiz
Posted on April 15, 2008 - Filed Under Writing and Speaking | Leave a Comment
A producer had arranged an informal audition for Judy Garland, to be held in the producer’s hotel suite. This was toward the end of the singer’s career. It was for an upcoming Broadway musical. Garland never showed up. Later, she was found huddled in the building’s freight elevator, where she had been for hours.
I wonder if she ever asked herself why she had such stage fright.
And what about you?
Do you imagine you would–
Trip and fall flat on your face on the way to the podium?
Stammer?
Stutter?
Be unable to swallow?
Read More..>>Speaking Before International Audiences - How To Identify The Needs Of International Audiences
Posted on April 12, 2008 - Filed Under Writing and Speaking | Leave a Comment
International audiences can be very intimidating. The less you have prior knowledge of them, the more nervous you might become about how to appear and present before them. But some preparation beforehand goes a long way towards acquiring necessary skills and gaining confidence to handle international audiences.
There are three basic steps to making sure that you get your core message across and affect your audience. The old advice “Know your listeners” works better if you split it into two parts, one about the listener’s needs and the second one about the manner in which they process information. This method will help you get beyond cultural stereotypes with its many shortcomings.
Read More..>>Seven Steps To A Successful And Spellbinding Speech
Posted on April 12, 2008 - Filed Under Writing and Speaking | Leave a Comment
You are not alone. “Public speaking anxiety” is common. Some experts estimate that four out of five people experience this. Even successful business leaders, politicians and actors are extremely anxious before a public presentation. Typically this results from insecurity and the fear of rejection.
Many have expressed these feelings in concrete ways:
Read More..>>English Word Stress - Does It Really Matter?
Posted on April 8, 2008 - Filed Under Writing and Speaking | Leave a Comment
Yes and No.
Yes, if you are a non-native speaker speaking to a native English speaker (classified as English speakers from the UK, Australia, New Zealand and North America).
No, if you are a non-native English speaker speaking to another non-native speaker (classified as… everybody else).
Let me explain.
English language teaching theory has traditionally been based on native English forms, more specifically British and American English varieties. In today’s international community however, where more than 1 billion non-native English speakers use English as a lingua franca, teaching theory is changing to focus on English as an International Language (EIL).
Read More..>>Shortcuts To Professional Public Presentations - Hints From Pits
Posted on April 8, 2008 - Filed Under Writing and Speaking | Leave a Comment
Most say there aren’t short cuts, but they are full of prunes. Some say you must be born with the gift of public speaking, baloney. Some may seem gifted more than others at first blush, but the gift was paid for one way or another. The bottom line, barring a legitimate phobia, just about anybody can wow an audience most of the time. It helps if you are actually at least a borderline expert of course, but even that is optional.
Read More..>>End Your Fear Of Public Speaking Today
Posted on April 6, 2008 - Filed Under Writing and Speaking | Leave a Comment
Fear of Public Speaking has been rated as the #1 fear in America and has been rated in the top ten fears in “The Book of Lists”. It’s even topped death in some surveys. It manifests itself in many situations, and for people from all walks of life. Fear of public speaking is only one of a group of anxiety related illnesses known as social phobia but it is probably the one that affects most people.
Read More..>>Improve Your Presentation Skills And Beat The Fear Of Public Speaking With The Right Support
Posted on April 4, 2008 - Filed Under Writing and Speaking | Leave a Comment
You might think that getting better at public speaking is all up to you. After all, you’re the one who needs to get up there and talk. In reality, however, if you don’t get assistance, it will be difficult to gain confidence in your public speaking abilities and hone your presentation skills.
Others can offer you a great deal of valuable guidance and support as a speaker. I always say, “Why do alone what you can do with more fun and less effort with others?” I believe this idea holds true for professional speaking.
Read More..>>