Power Presentations Tip 29: You are here

Power Presentations Tip 29

You are here

When you visit the shopping mall you might look at the map to find the location of a store that you want to visit. The map could be overwhelming and confusing, especially if you are looking at this map for the first time.

There is one thing for which you first search. When you find it you will feel a sense of relief. Your eyes will flit about the map until you find this starting point. You might feel some impatience and frustration if it takes you too long to find that spot.

And once you have found this thing - only then will you be ready and able to start processing the rest of the information.

That important starting point is the spot on the map that states "You are here."
The "You are here" spot tells them where to start and more importantly what information to temporarily ignore.

Before you can take your audience on a journey with your presentation they first need to know where you and they are on the map. That is very important when you are presenting a detailed report, a multifaceted plan or a complex idea.

How do you use the "You are here" technique?

Selling
In a sales presentation you might start with the client's expectations. Your research will tell you what those are. If you don't know the client's expectations you should not be presenting. Don't make the mistake that I've seen many sales presenters commit - they start by telling you about themselves, their company history, blah, blah, blah. Nobody cares until they know where they are on your map.

Proposing Change
When you are presenting a new way of doing things you could start with the status quo and point out the weaknesses or current complaints.You have that information if you did your research.

Reporting
When presenting a detailed financial report you could say "Look at line 10 in your reports to see where we stand. Then let's move to line 11 through 17 to see the component parts."
Get your audience to the "You are here" spot and do it quickly. You'll have a more productive journey.

George Torok

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Where do the best speakers go to get better?

If you are a good profesional speaker and you want to get way better - where do you go for help?

Attend the "Get Better Get Busier Boot Camp" hosted by two globe trotting professional speakers, Warren Evans and Kit Grant.

I was already a very good speaker. I had been told that by many clients and audience members. And I knew it. If fact I had been teaching and coaching presentation skills for years. And over the years I had attended many classes sessions with other presentation experts. (That's how you get good.)

So I was reluctant to spend my money on more presentation training for myself.

I finally invested in this "Get Better Get Busier Boot Camp" and I'm glad I did. I'm a much better speaker now than before attend the boot camp. I applied the lessons when speaking in Iran while on a hectic speaking schedule full of frequent changes.

Warren and Kit helped me visuallize and create a more effective structure for presentations. They pointed out the dangerous off-ramps lurking in my presentation and how to "close" them. Helped me add and sprinkle more humour throughout the presentation.

I gained from the instruction and direct coaching as well as from observing the other speakers and noting the guildance that they received on their presentations.

Click here to learn about the next "Get Better Get Busier Boot Camp".

NB: This is not an affliate link. I give this endorsement freely and without compensation.

I'm just a happy customer.

BTY: All the net proceeds of this program goes to Laura's Hope a chairity to help solve Huntington Disease.


George Torok
Very, very good Professional Speaker :)

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Power Presentations Tip 27: Close the Off Ramps

Power Presentations Tip 27:

Close the off ramps

If your presentation is a highway you want to keep your audience on the road with you. You don't want them to take an off ramp and exit from your presentation highway because they might miss your important message, or even worse - never return. Therefore you must close the off ramps.

Four common off ramps to be aware of and avoid
When any of these things happen while watching TV viewers change channels. When you do any of these things to your listeners they mentally take the off ramp.

Boring your listeners
What bores people? Not speaking to their interests, being vague, taking too long to get to the point and saying the same thing too many times. A little repetition is okay for impact. Too much repetition is boring.

Confusing your listeners
Speaking in jargon or techno-babble can confuse outsiders.Saying things that seem to conflict will confuse. Making your listeners wonder about your purpose or direction can confuse them. Telling stories or talking about details unrelated or unimportant can confuse your listeners.

Disputing your listeners' beliefs
This is an easy mistake to make if you don't question your own assumptions. When presenting facts - quote the source. Avoid using absolutes. Don't say "As everybody knows." Because some listeners might not know. Similarly, avoid "I'm sure we all agree." Don't quote common myths or popular beliefs as fact. When stating your own opinions say, "In my opinion..." "My research shows..." "It seems to me..." or similar qualifying phrases.

Offending your listeners
The easiest way to offend your listeners is by using offensive language. Perhaps you know not to cuss and swear like Howard Stern or George Carlin. You also need to be aware of other words that might offend your listeners. That will vary depending on the culture and industry of the group. For example, a speaker told me that his use of the word "nutcase" offended a group of mental health care professionals.

Another way to offend your audience is by insulting their intelligence, values or issues. For example - tell a lawyer joke to a group of lawyers. That's offensive to lawyers.

(I learned this concept about closing the off ramps from the Speaker Boot Camp that I attended with Kit Grant and Warren Evans.)

George Torok
Speech Coach for Executives

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For example or for instance?

For example or for instance? Choose well

Do you use examples in your presentations? It might work against you. Perhaps you should use an instance instead.

Confused? So was I until my good friend and scholar, John Robert Colombo explained the difference so clearly.

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An "instance" is an actual occurrence. An "example" is a hypothetical occurrence.

"In 1929 the stock market collapsed." That is an occurrence that actually happened. It can be discussed by historians and economists.

"Let's say the stock market collapses in 2011." This is an example of what may or might have happen. It can be imagined by commentators of all types, including historians and economists.

The distinction between instance and example is a minor one, but I find that preachers, teachers, moralists, bureaucrats, censors, politicians, etc., work in the field of "examples," whereas scientists and scholars work in the field of "instances."

In the field of public speaking and human motivation, we fear examples far more than instances. "Suppose this happens ... " is worse than "Guess what did happen."

I often think we would be a lot better off in everyday life if we ignored examples and dealt only with instances.

John Robert Colombo
Colombo & Company
Professional website www.colombo.ca Personal website www.colombo-plus.ca
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If you want to build a logical argument use instances. If you want to base your argument on emotions, use examples.

Now listen to your last or next presentation and check to see if you are using examples when instances might work better.

If you are delivering a technical presentation your credibility will be undermined if you only deal in examples.

I suspect that examples are not bad – but if your whole argument is based only on examples it might be a weak argument. Instances though based on the past ground your logic.

If you have a weak argument based on the facts, then use examples and hope nobody knows the difference between example and instance. (Of course that last sentance was an example.)

Thank you John Robert Colombo for explaining the difference.

George Torok
Executive Speech Coach
Presentation Skills Training


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Secrets of Power Presentations top ten for 2009

"Secrets of Power Presentations" by Peter Urs Bender made the Books for Business Top Ten List for 2009 - as reported in the Globe in Mail.

This book is a simple guide to more persuasive and effective business presentations. It is currently in limited supply. This book was first published in 1991 and has made the Books for Business Top Ten List many times.

Watch for the new revised issue out in 2010.

Read Secrets of Power Presentations online here.

George Torok is licensed by Peter Urs Bender to deliver programs on Power Presentations.

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Power Presentation Tips 27: Paint Word Pictures

Power Presentation Tips 27

Paint word pictures

A powerful way to create visuals within the minds of your audience is with picture words. The best presenters learn to master this technique because it is so effective.

Tear down this wall
See the imagery in this line from President Ronald Reagan's (Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall) speech at the Brandenburg Gate, West Berlin in 1987.

"From the Baltic, south, those barriers cut across Germany in a gash of barbed wire, concrete, dog runs and guard towers."


War of the Worlds
Visualize this scene from H.G, Wells' book, War of theWorlds:

"The end of the cylinder was being screwed out from within. Nearly two feet of shining screw projected. Somebody blundered against me, and I narrowly missed being pitched onto the top of the screw. I turned, and as I did so the screw must have come out, for the lid of the cylinder fell upon the gravel with a ringing concussion. I stuck my elbow into the person behind me, and turned my head towards the Thing again. For a moment that circular cavity seemed perfectly black. I had the sunset in my eyes."

What's Cooking?
Another place to find inspiration for visual language is in cookbooks. Can you see how to prepare this Almond Toffee recipe?

"Line the rectangular cookie sheet with tin foil and broken almonds. In large sauce pan melt butter, sugar, and water. Stir continuously, with a wooden spoon, until mixture reaches a caramel color, and pour gently over nuts and spread to cover. Let set, about 1 hour, and break into irregular pieces. Bite, chew slowy and savor the taste. Lick fingers when done."

Now review your presentation for opportunities to add more color and imagery. Transform your words into paint brushes to decorate the canvas of your listeners' minds.

George Torok

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Use the microphone when you present

Use the microphone:

• If there are more than 40 people in the room.


• If the speakers before you used the microphone.


• If it is a large room.


• If you are soft spoken.



• If the room has bad acoustics.



• If you have something important to say.



• If you want to play with your vocal nuances.
  

If any of the above is true - Use the microphone.

Your audience will hear you better.

Forget the macho “I don’t need a microphone” stuff.

Use the microphone.
Your audience will hear you better.
It is easier on your throat.
You can make better use of your vocal range.

Use the microphone.
It is your friend.

Naturally you will need to practice with a microphone to use it right. It is a tool and all tools require knowledge, skills and practice for best results.

George Torok

Presentation Skills Coaching

Presentation Skills Training

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Public Speaking for the Holidays: Beware

Like weddings and funerals, the holidays gather people together. Often people who don’t really want to be together. The holidays might collect family, friends, neighbors, colleagues and business associates.

These holiday gatherings often lead to unplanned speeches. The formula of unplanned speeches, unpolished public speakers, holiday cheer and mixed emotions can be embarrassing, explosive or just plain painful.

You are public speaking any time that you are speaking to more than one person. Read these tips for your holiday speeches.

If you suspect that you will be expected to speak then prepare your speech. If you are the host, the group leader, organizer or most colorful character – you will be expected to speak. Write a few key words or names on an index card.

The most likely speeches for the holidays include:

1. Welcome
2. Thank you
3. Cheers
4. Congratulations
5. Enjoy

Keep your presentation as short as possible. For example if you are giving a toast – it could be “We each have our own reasons to celebrate this holiday season. I thank you for celebrating together.”

Do not tell a joke. Most likely it will not be appropriate. If it might offend one person then it is inappropriate. Just remember that even the best comedians have bombed.

It’s best to schedule the speeches before the drinking starts. If you’ve started drinking keep your speech to one or a few words or decline.

Do not present your imitation of the boss, grandpa or Mary from accounting. Just imagine how you would feel if the next speaker did an imitation of your or your spouse.

No one came for the speeches. Keep it short. (I can’t say this enough.) Your goal is to have your speech quickly forgotten. People will forget your speech as long as you don’t embarrass or offend them.

Holidays are for celebration regardless of how tough the year was, how much you hate your cousin or how badly the turkey was burned. If you can’t bring yourself to say two positive words – then say one positive word. Then shut up and sit down.

Holiday speeches are not for kissing up to the boss, criticizing, bragging or being sarcastic.

Celebrate, be thankful then shut up so the rest can celebrate and be thankful too. They will celebrate the holidays and be thankful that you’re finished your speech.

George Torok

Executive Speaking Coach

Presentation Skills Training

PS: "Inspired by the 'Public Speaking and The Holidays' blog carnival. Check it out: http://www.definiscommunications.com/blog/public-speaking-and-the-holidays/"

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Power Presentations Tip 26: Schedule the Questions

Power Presentations Tip 26:

Schedule the Questions

Allow and encourage your audience to ask you questions.

Why?
They are more engaged and therefore will learn or buy more.
It will make your presentation feel more like a conversation.
They might have gaps in their understanding that prevent them from accepting your message.
It allows them to test and you to demonstrate your deeper understanding of the topic.

When should you accept questions?
There is no right time. You might take questions ad hoc throughout or only during scheduled question periods. You might have one or several question periods. It depends on the presentation topic, style and length. A long presentation should allow for several question periods. It also depends on the audience style, level of understanding and mindset.
The important thing is to tell the audience how and when you will take questions and then follow your stated rules.

Beware
You should never end on the question period. You should always end with your closing statement. You could take questions near the end of the presentation. Then you end the question period and close with your prepared close. That way you finish strong and as planned.
If you end on the question period you take the risk that the last question might be a negative or weak question. Have you ever seen a presenter end with questions and then shrug and say, "Well I guess that's all."Want a terrible way to end a presentation.

If you are using designated question periods then warn listeners that the question period is coming up. That way they can mentally prepare their questions and be ready.
Questions demonstrate interest and engagement. Be clear on how you will schedule questions.

George Torok
Presentation Skills Training
Presentation Skills Coaching


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PPS: Thanks for your comments and feedback.


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CAPS Convention 2009 Calgary

CAPS Convention 2009 in Calgary

If you are in the business of professional speaking then the event of the year is the annual convention of your national professional speakers' association.

As a Canadian speaker, I am an active member of the Canadian Assocation of Professional Speakers, (CAPS). I was there at the first CAPS convention in Toronto 14 years ago. I'm not sure of that date. Naturally I will attend the upcoming CAPS convention in Calgary this month.

Professional speakers include trainers, facilitators and keynote speakers. Many of our members also coach, consult and write. The common thread of CAPS is professional speaking. Many professional speakers are often referred to as motivational speakers. Although some speakers don't like that label the truth is that people need to feel motivated to listen, learn and act.

Attendance is open to non-members - but hurry it's this weekend in Calgary.

This is not the place to learn how to speak in public although presentation techniques are usually featured as one topic. The main reason to attend the CAPS convention is to learn more about improving your speaking business. You might be inspired by the keynote presentations, learn ideas from the workshops and especially pick up creative and effective ideas from the other speakers at this convention. As professional speakers we tend to share our best ideas openly.

Are you a professional speaker? Then in Canada this is the event for you.

See you at the CAPS convention.
See details about the CAPS convention here.

George Torok
Profesional Speaker
Canadian Business Speaker
Canadian Motivational Speaker
Past CAPS National Director


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Selling Your Ideas to Senior Management

Polish Up Your Public Speaking Skills in Advance!
By Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE

It's no secret—the higher up the corporate ladder you go, the more important your public speaking skills become.

If you have your sights set on increased responsibility and the job title and salary that go with them, you will need to position yourself ahead of the crowd—in advance. At all stages of your career you need to sell yourself, your ideas, your value, and your ability. To position yourself for promotion, learn what it takes to sell yourself and your ideas to senior management.

Perhaps you're already speaking up in team meetings and getting your ideas across effectively. If so, how do you feel about facing a room full of senior management or at least 5 around a board room table, all staring at you? What is different? Well, for one thing the stakes are higher. All business communications are important, but with senior management as your audience, you are in the hot seat. Who wouldn't be nervous?

Don't worry. You are human. This is a perfectly natural way to feel. Remember, they can't see how you feel, only how you look and act. You want them to focus on and consider your proposals, not your anxiety. And you'll look cool and collected when you follow these Frippicisms for dealing with senior management.

Seven Fripp Do's

1. Practice. A report to senior managers is not a conversation; however, it must sound conversational. Once you have your notes, practice by speaking out loud to an associate, or when you are driving to work, or on the treadmill. Make sure you are familiar with what you intend to say. It is not about being perfect. It is about being personable. (Remember, rehearsal is the work; performance is the relaxation.)

2. Open with your conclusions. Don't make your senior level audience wait to find out why you are there.

3. Describe the benefits if your recommendation is adopted. Make these benefits seem vivid and obtainable.

4. Describe the costs, but frame them in a positive manner. If possible, show how not following your recommendation will cost even more...

5. List your specific recommendations, and keep it on target. Wandering generalities will lose their interest. You must focus on the bottom line. Report on the deals, not the details.

6. Look everyone in the eye when you talk. You will be more persuasive and believable. (You can't do this if you are reading!)

7. Be brief. The fewer words you can use to get your message across, the better. Jerry Seinfeld says, "I spend an hour taking an eight-word sentence and making it five." That's because he knows it would be funnier. In your case, shorter is more memorable and repeatable.

Three Fripp Don'ts

1. Don't try to memorize the whole presentation. Memorize your opening, key points, and conclusion. Practice enough so you can "forget it." This helps retain your spontaneity.

2. Never, never read your lines—not from a script and not from PowerPoint® slides. Your audience will go to sleep.

3. Don't wave or hop. Don't let nervousness (or enthusiasm) make you too animated—but don't freeze. Don't distract from your own message with unnecessary movement.

Where to Start

1. What is the topic or subject you are reporting on? Be clear with yourself so you can be clear with your audience.

2. Why is your topic important enough to be on the busy agenda of senior level managers?

3. What questions will your audience be asking? Can you answer them early in your presentation?

Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE
Sales Presentation Trainer, Keynote Speaker, Executive Speech Coach - Patricia coaches clients on the three essential aspects of presentation: simplifying organization, mastering content, and perfecting delivery.

Click here to read Fripp's blog, THE Executive Speech Coach.
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Fripp always offers powerful advice on business presentations. I have learned much from her over the years and always enjoy watching her speak.

George Torok
Executive Speech Coach
Presentation Skills Training


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Power Presentations Tip 25: Hold Attention

Power Presentations Tip 25:

How do you hold attention?

The reality is that you don't hold attention for long. The best you can probably do is to capture the attention of your audience from time to time.

If you think that everyone is paying attention to everything you say - you are deluding yourself. When you present you are competing with everything else going on in each individual's brain. Everyone's brain operates much faster than you can speak which means that their brain gets bored and searches for something else to think about.

Not only are you competing with the super computing power of the human brain - people today have shorter attention spans than just a few years ago. That's due to the speed of technology, pace of life and barrage of incoming messages in many formats.

What can you do?
Include spaced changes during your presentation. The changes recapture the attention of your audience.

What kind of changes?

• Change your voice. Speak in a higher or deeper tone.
• Change the pace. Speak faster or slower.
• Change the cadence by varying your speaking rhythm.
• Change the sentence structure from statements to posing a question.
• Change your body position by shifting your stance or taking a couple steps.
• Change your body language by making a gesture with your hands.
• Change the focus of attention by using a visual prop.
• Change the speaker by engaging a listener to ask a question or make a comment.
• Change the state of your listeners by making them laugh, take notes or respond.
  

Sprinkle these changes like spice liberally throughout your presentation. It's the spice that will capture their attention again and again. State your important points right after a change.

George Torok

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PPS: Thanks for your comments and feedback.

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GS1Canada
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Forbes: To Lead, Tell a Story

To Lead, Tell A Story
By Christian D'Andrea and Adam Nemett
Forbes.com

Storytelling has always helped people deal with change. As civilizations ebb and flow, stories are the essential tools that help us calibrate our humanity, rally our spirit and thrive in crisis. They help us remember who we are and imagine what we can be.

Lucius Cincinnatus was a Roman leader who came to his nation's defense and then spurned a dictatorship and returned to his farm as soon as he had saved Rome. George Washington knew and loved Cincinnatus' story, and so did many of his countrymen. Having led the fledgling U.S. through storms that nearly tore the country apart, Washington returned to his own farm, possibly his greatest act of leadership. In so doing, he struck a profound blow for the republic, sending a clear message that the leaders of the new country could not be kings.

Washington was widely compared to Cincinnatus. He became the first president of the Society of the Cincinnati, an organization of Revolutionary War veterans who honored the comparison with Cincinnatus. America drew on the story of the Roman general as we draw on the story of George Washington. Stories are the fuel cells that store our shared resilience and ideals. We draw on those fuel cells in times of crisis.

Corporations need culture-shaping stories just as nations do, because stories can be much more than entertaining yarns. They can be engines driving real change at the highest organizational levels.

A recent Gallup Management Journal article, "Four Disciplines of Sustainable Growth," suggests that identifying and highlighting key moments in corporate history "creates the right heroes in your organization. If you want to understand the culture of Great Britain, look to its heroes, myths and legends. Each of these war stories, retold in countless history books and classrooms, captures the spirit of 'determination in adversity' that the British so prize in themselves. By studying your best performers, you will gather the raw material you need to tell the right stories and create the right heroes."

Read the rest of this article at Forbes.com...

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A few good examples of using stories. My experience shows that the best speakers are good story tellers.

If you want to dramatically improve your presentations - start telling more dramatic stories.

Everyone loves a good story. No one wants another lecture - just ask your kids.


George Torok
Executive Speech Coach
Presentation Skills Training


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Steve Jobs

This video on Forbes.com offers fundamental tips about effective presentations and uses Steve Jobs as the example of a good presentation.

It provides good tips and good examples.

http://video.forbes.com/fvn/meetings-09/present-like-steve-jobs?partner=embed

What does Jobs do well?

1. Eye contact
2. Open posture
3. Hand gestures

The commentator, Carmine Galle, author of The Presentation Secrets provides a colorful and helpful analysis of the presentation skills of Steve Jobs. Then for added contrast he points out the presentation faults of Stan Stigman, CEO of Cingular who followed Jobs on stage.

http://video.forbes.com/fvn/meetings-09/present-like-steve-jobs?partner=embed

An interesting video and good contrast to emphasise the points.


George Torok
Executive Speech Coaching
Presentation Skills Training


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Forbes: Must-Have Skills for IT Leaders

Must-Have Skills For IT Leaders
by Arun Manansingh
Forbes

Over the decades, there have been numerous books and articles written about the characteristics and skills that leaders should have to be effective in the workplace. Executives know that these management skills are universal and can be applied to any industry, including information technology.

Whether your title is CIO, CTO, vice president or IT manager, there are fundamental skills that allow you to manage effectively. It is just a matter of taking these concepts that make sense to you and incorporating them into your own style of management. Here are seven tips that will help you become a more effective IT leader.

Learn to communicate effectively. This is a skill that is often given secondary importance in an IT leader's career. To be effective you need to be able to communicate your decisions, processes and goals upward (with management), downward (with your staff) and side-to-side (with your peers).

Read the rest of article at Forbes.com
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Interesting to note that of the seven skills needed for IT leaders - the first one listed is Communication Skills. It's not suprising - yet why do so many intelligent people not invest enough in developing their communication skills.

Curiously, I'm meeting this week with a CIO who wants to fine tune his presentation skills. Clearly he gets it.


George Torok

Speech Coaching for Executives

Presentation Skills Training for Managers

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How to Radiate More Confidence than You Feel

Audio Class on feeling and looking more confident while presenting

Almost every speaker faces the challenge of how to appear to be better than you feel. The answer lies not in talent but in understanding and using the techniques of powerful presenters. This program will reveal the secrets of how to look and sound more confident.

In this program you will discover:

• Five confidence boosters to use before you speak
• Three techniques to guarantee a positive start to your presentation
• What to do when you feel the shakes, willies or flashes
• How to relax yourself and your audience sooner
• What do to when you mess up and why you shouldn't apologize
• How to conclude on a positive note - so they remember your confidence
• The Dirty-Dozen red flags of non-confidence you must avoid waving

Live Audio Class
When: Thursday October 22, 2009 - 3:00pm to 4:00pm EST (New York Time)

Call in to listen to this live telephone broadcast from the convenience of your home or office.

It's okay if you have a speaker phone and want others to listen in. No extra charge.

Here's an easy way for you to continue to improve your presentation skills. Listen to audio classes and get ongoing support for your skills development.

Plus there's more...

To read all the details and register click here.


George Torok
The Speech Coach for Executives

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What is the best way to rehearse my presentation?

Presentation Skills Question:
What is the best way to rehearse my presentation?

Presentation Skills Expert:

Two parts to this answer:

1. Rehearse your presentation on your feet at least three times as close to the manner in which you will deliver it as possible.

2. Although you might practise your presentation from start to finish - you should also practise it in modules. This helps train your brain to recover when you get lost or to cut something out to save time. And practise your opening and close more than the other parts so you can deliver these important parts strong.

George Torok

Presentation Skills Success

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8 Presentation Flaws that Steal Your Money

8 Presentation Flaws that Steal Your Money

Why should you care about your presentation skills? Because poor presentations cost you money. Want to close more deals? Improve your presentation skills.

There are no perfect presentations and no perfect presenters. That means that every presenter could be better – if they want to be. There are three types of presenters:

1. Bad and don’t know it
2. Bad and don’t care
3. Concerned and taking steps to improve

Effective presentations are the result of good presentation skills in action. Skills are improved by understanding the principles, practicing the techniques and getting constructive feedback from a skilled coach. Tiger Woods follows this formula to stay hot.

Have you ever wondered why some presentations are so painful to sit through and others can be delightful? Here are some of the presentation flaws that I’ve witnessed at recent industry conferences.

Read the rest of "8 Presentation Flaws that Steal Your Money"

Find more Presentation Skills Articles

George Torok
Toronto Presentation Skills Coaching
Toronto Business Speaker

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Some of these tips are good reminders. Some are ah-ah insights. Some offer creative ideas and simple short cuts to presentation greatness. All of these presentation tips will help you be a better presenter every day.
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Recent Presentation Tips on Twitter/PresentationsGo

Rehearse your favorite movie or TV lines to capture the passion – you’re fired – say hello to my little friend – I’ll be back – Adrian!

Put feeling into words that naturally lend themselves to emotion: family, Christmas, freedom, grandma, home, first prize, baby, vacation

Improve your public speaking skills by learning the principles, practising the techniques and getting constructive coaching.

Public speaking is the ability to speak well in public. Also our most commonly shared fear. Ergo it only takes small improvements to shine

Toastmasters is a non-profit association that teachs the fundametals of presentation skills. They helped me. www.Toastmasters.org

If you want to be a better presenter, read books on presentations skills, take a seminar, work with a coach and/or attend Toastmasters.

Ellen Finkelstein wrote a comprehsive analysis of Obama's health care speech http://tinyurl.com/lugq9h

If people like you they accept your errors. It makes you look human and imperfect like they are. Be likeable and imperfect like them.
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George Torok
Presentation Skills Coaching
Presentation Skills Training


Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.

Funny Audience

Sometimes it's you - sometimes it's the audience

I spoke to a group today that loved to laugh. Was I funny, engaging and entertaining? Yes. And the group loved to laugh. They laughed at lines that most other groups didn't. They smiled and encouraged me with their attention and active participation.

It would be easy for me to believe that I was hot. I was very good. The audience was terrific.

Sometimes you and your audience really click. That's heavenly. Bask in the glow when it happens. Don't let it inflate your ego because the next presentation might be tougher. Never think that you can wing it.

George Torok
Presentation Skills Training
Presentation Skills Coaching


Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.