Power Presentations Tip 22: What do you stand for?

Power Presentations Tip 22:

What do you stand for?

Maybe nothing - especially if you don't stand tall and strong during your presentation.

Some presenters have protested, "I don't want to stand during my presentation. It makes me feel uncomfortable."

You might feel more comfortable sitting while you speak but your presentation will be much less effective.

Not only should you stand when you speak - you should stand as tall and strong as you can.
Why?

When you stand more listeners can see you clearly. If they can see you they will be more inclined to listen. If you are capturing two of their senses then you have a better opportunity to engage their minds.

When your listeners can see you they will judge both the importance of your topic and the credibility of your words on how you stand. If you are slouching, leaning on a chair, or sitting on the table - your message will appear unimportant. They might be thinking, "If it wasn't important enough for the speaker to stand - then it can't be important enough to listen."

When you stand to speak your voice will naturally project better. You make it easier for people to hear you. If they didn't hear you, it was a wasted presentation.

When you stand while your audience sits you hold the physical position of authority. In many cultures the kings and queens sat upon thrones that were higher than everyone else. This positioning is still practiced today in court rooms where the judge is elevated above everyone else.This feeling of authority when we look up to someone seems to have stayed with us.

What if the person who spoke before you didn't stand? You should stand to present because you want to be your best every time you speak. Never lower your standards just because the other presentations were weak.

Stand to present. It's simple and effective.

George Torok

PS: Tell me how this tip helps you.
PPS: Thanks for your comments and feedback.


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No time left for you to speak

How to handle NO time left to speak
by Rita Risser

I was scheduled to speak last on a main stage panel where we were each supposed to talk for 10 minutes and then take Q&A for 30 minutes. The first two speakers spoke 10 minutes. The third speaker took 50 minutes, despite the fact that the meeting planner came in and told her to wrap it up. The meeting planner left and the speaker finally wrapped up at noon. She turned it over to me, telling me to go ahead and speak, going over lunch. I smiled, said I knew better than to compete with lunch and that I would be available to anyone who wanted to talk that afternoon, or by phone or email.

Results:
Audience laughed and clapped and ran out of the room.
Meeting planner couldn’t thank me enough for not talking.
Meeting planner changed the afternoon schedule and gave me 20 minutes to speak.
Several good contacts called and emailed afterwards.
Meeting planner asked me back the next year — and not the other speaker!
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The above anecdote from Rita Risser appeared in Speaker Net News.

It illustrates the important message that when it is your turn to speak you must stay within the timeline given to you and sometimes you will need to cut your presentation short - even to the point of not speaking at all.

Kudos to Rita Risser for demonstrating this so clearly.

George Torok

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

Video: What makes a superior presenter?

What makes a superior presenter?

Enjoy this video of George Torok, The speech coach for executives, discuss the key elements of becoming a superior presenter.





Don't try to wing it. Don't hope on talent alone to get you through. Build your skills by working with a presentation skills coach.


George Torok
A Superior Presenter
Presentation Skills Coaching


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

The Big Bad Word

Are You Guilty? The Unconscious Goof that Can Hurt Your Credibility
by Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE

Fifteen times in a thirteen-minute period. That's how often Steve Forbes, President and CEO of Forbes Inc. and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes magazine, did it during an otherwise brilliant presentation at the National Speakers Association convention in New York, August 2008.

President Obama did it twice while he was on The Tonight Show talking to Jay Leno.
My high-level corporate clients do it—including Presidents, Chief Financial Officers, and Sales Vice Presidents of America's greatest companies.

Celebrity speakers, best-selling authors, and top consultants do it before I work with them.
Each time they do, I reach over and give their hands a quick slap. When they ask, "How can I kick the habit? Nobody ever told me I did it so much." I tell them, "You must give your spouse and subordinates permission to tell you when it happens. First, notice when you do it. Second, recognize the negative impact. Third, replace this blunder with something more appropriate."

You may not have noticed this verbal affliction yet, but once you do, you'll have fun spotting examples everywhere. Some of your friends and associates are guilty. The blight has invaded television in the news and commercials, newspapers, magazines, and the Internet. It crosses all professions and levels of education. Recently, I counted dozens of examples at a four-day meeting with some of the most brilliant and successful professional speakers and consultants in the U.S. Even you may be doing it!

What is this Crime against Credibility?

It's a single, suddenly-popular buzzword that makes me feel like fingernails screeching on a blackboard every time I hear it. It's "stuff."

Even communication experts are guilty. I maintain that professional speakers, coaches, and consultants are paid for their lifetime knowledge, innovative ideas, leading-edge strategies, and, most important of all, their eloquence in putting their ideas across to their audiences. Yet, I overhear these communicators saying to each other, "The group loved my stuff" or "I gave them my best stuff."

At a dramatic time in our nation's history when precise and powerful communication is most needed, employees and sales teams, many who have English as a second or third language, are hearing this vague, imprecise language from their corporate leaders. Sales professionals in my sales presentation skills training are talking about their products and high-ticket technology in the same non-specific, low-value way.

Even worse than "stuff" is "and stuff." Some individuals don't seem to know that a period at the end of a sentence is a great way to stop. I've heard:
"This will decrease absenteeism and stuff..." and "We had a great conversation and stuff..."

In Shakespeare's time, "stuff" meant woven cloth—"such stuff as dreams are made on." It has come to mean "miscellaneous" and even acquired the negative connotation of junk, debris, or rubbish. Surely you don't want to clutter your speaking, leadership messages, and sales presentations with rubbish?

The worst thing about "stuff" is that it is not specific! As my associate David Palmer, PhD has programmed me to think, "Specificity builds credibility."

Each time one of my speaking clients says "stuff," I ask what exactly they mean to say. Some are amazed at how often they use the word, even people with graduate degrees. Yet, their education isn't obvious in their language because of that one useless and irritating word.

If you're asking yourself what difference it could make, I'll tell you. A huge one! You are hired because what you say sounds like it is worth paying for. Language that is fuzzy, clumsy, and unclear destroys your credibility and your claim to professionalism. You might as well be delivering your message in Valley-Girl speak, grinding your toe in the rug and murmuring, "Whatever—"

Your audience of one or a thousand deserves clear, forceful, and specific language. Toss out all that meaningless "stuff" and show them what a leader you are.


Patricia Fripp © 2009, www.fripp.com, pfripp@ix.netcom.com (415) 753-6556
Executive Speech Coach, Sales Presentation Skills Trainer, Award-Winning Keynote Speaker.
Patricia Fripp is an executive speech coach, sales presentation skills expert, and Hall of Fame keynote speaker.


Public Speaking & Presentation Skills
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Patricia Fripp527 Hugo Street — San Francisco — California 94122 US
800-634-3035 — Phone: 415-753-6556 Fax: 415-753-0914
Email: PFripp@Fripp.com http://www.fripp.com/

© 1995 - 2009 Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE - A Speaker For All Reasons - All Rights Reserved.
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Wonderful advice from Patricia Fripp.

George Torok
Speech Coaching for Executives



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Power Presentation Tips 21

Power Presentations Tips 21:

Ask rhetorical questions


Ask rhetorical questions during your presentation to better engage your audience. This technique is simple yet powerful. It works well in two circumstances - when delivering detailed information and when you want to persuade your listeners.

Rhetorical questions work on a few levels for you.

1. Asking a question grabs the attention of your audience. We are programmed to respond to questions. Even if we don't answer out loud our brain starts working on the answer.

2. Your listeners might already be thinking that question. If you ask and then answer the question that they have in their minds then two things work in your favor. Your presentation will feel more like a conversation to your listeners instead of a lecture. Plus, they will feel that you understand them because you know and answer their questions.

3. Posing a rhetorical question before you give important information builds anticipation for the information. Thus the information feels more welcome and appears more valuable to your listeners.

4. Asking a question makes your voice more interesting because you will naturally inflect your voice while asking the question. Contrast this with the typical monotone (boring) delivery of most statements.

5. Asking a rhetorical question is also a secret weapon for when you forget what comes next. Pose the question out loud to help get your brain back on track. The audience will think you did it for them. They don't need to know that you got lost.
For example: What comes next?

Some more examples:
What are the benefits of this service?
What is the schedule for implementation?
What have other customers said about this program?
How will we protect you from the risk?
Why is this important to our success?

Sprinkle rhetorical questions throughout your presentation to recapture your listeners' attention, sound more interesting and make it feel like a conversation.

George Torok
PS: tell me how this tip helps you.

PPS: Thanks for your comments and feedback.



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

Presentation Tips

Presentation Tips


Drink Water

Before you give a speech, deliver a sales presentation or make phone calls - drink one to two glasses of water. It lubricates your vocal chords, helps your voice and gives you needed fluids that you lose while speaking. Lukewarm water is best. Cool water is OK. Ice water is not good for your vocal chords. Avoid dairy products because they create phlegm in your throat.


Move away from the lectern

When you address an audience move away from the lectern (often called the podium). Let them see you as more than just a talking head. You will be both more powerful and more connected to your audience. If you must see your notes then stand beside the lectern - and don’t lean on it. Stand strong.


Emphasize your name

While introducing yourself to one person or a group, emphasize your name, so they hear it, feel the respect you have for your name and remember it. State, “My name is (short pause) George (short pause) Torok (smile).” Say it loud enough to be heard. Most importantly - say it much slower than you normally do and smile. Make your name memorable

If your name is unusual, difficult to remember or pronounce, say it extra slow and repeat it, ‘Torok’. Help them remember it by adding, it sounds like ‘tore – rock.’ You might add, It means ‘Turk’ in Hungarian. Or you can call me ‘nickname’. If you can have fun with your name people will like you. If you make them laugh with you, they will remember you.


Stand and wait for everyone’s attention

Giving your 30-second presentation at a networking meeting? Stand, stop playing with your chair and wait till you have everyone’s attention before you speak. It might take a second or two. Then when you speak it makes your information seem more valuable - and they will hear you.


Use action verbs

Telling people what you do? Use action verbs and words that paint pictures of results. Avoid nouns ending in ‘tion’. Don’t say, “We are in the telecommunication business.” Instead try, ‘We install and maintain phone systems for small and medium sized business.” We specialize in designing customerfriendly systems for busy offices with unique needs.’ Use the word ‘specialize’ - it means you are special.




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

Power Presentations tip 20: Stage Presence

Power Presentations Tip 20:

Stage Presence


What is it?
Stage presence is that invisible quality that attracts the rapt attention of your audience. A presenter with strong stage presence receives higher credibility and more respect from the listeners.


Who has it?
Stage presence is hard to define but you recognize it when you see it. You might recognize performers, actors and public speakers who seem to have it. Anthony Hopkins demonstrated it in Silence of the Lambs. Stage actors seem to develop it more than TV and movie actors. David Copperfield has it on TV and especially in his live performances. Madonna flaunts it in her shows.


How do you develop your stage presence?
I think that it is best not to pursue it directly. Instead build your stage presence as a byproduct of other elements. I also believe that there is not one formula for stage presence. Depending on the individual and circumstances you can achieve stage presence with a different set of elements than someone else.


What are the elements of stage presence?
Probably the most important element is that you appear to be in control - of yourself, your presentation and the room. The perception of being in control is made of up other elements: warm smile, purposeful and fluid movement and good posture. Notice that these are visual cues to your audience. Look like you are in control and your audience will believe that you are in control.

Your voice can contribute to your stage presence. You should be easy to be heard and understand. A slower speaking pace usually strengthens your stage presence. Silence in the form of well placed pauses builds presence. A conversational tone helps.

Thought-provoking words indicate your comfort with the topic and aids the perception of being in control.

Noticing the people and things in the room and using them to your advantage further builds your stage presence.


Stage Presence. The next time you see it make note of the techniques that contribute to it.


George Torok
PS: Tell me how this tip helps you.

PPS: Thanks for your comments and feedback.




Feedback

"I appreciate the simplicity and usefulness of these categories. It's a persuasive to informative continuum going from why to what to how. It makes it clearer what the primary objective of a particular speech needs to be without excluding the importance the informative element in a persuasive speech or vice versa."

Steve Kultala
Communication Training Consultants "Getting results every time you speak!"
www.powerfulpresenter.com


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Secrets of Power Presentations by Peter Urs Bender

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From stuttering to speaker’s podium

Here's an inspirational story about an individual overcoming a severe stuttering challenge.

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From stuttering to speaker’s podium

Reported in The Oakville Beaver

Author Charles Marcus of Oakville stuttered so much growing up, he could barely utter a few words — sometimes not speaking at all for long periods.

Today he is a motivational speaker and will stand up before the Shaarei-Beth El Congregation of Oakville to speak about — what else? — overcoming life’s obstacles.

Marcus will make his appearance at 2 p. m. on Sunday, April 19.

The Oakville resident grew up in Manchester, England. He was shy and self-conscious.
Now, as a bestselling author on success, Marcus is a motivational speaker and seminar leader who has travelled across Canada, the U. S., even Europe and Asia. Australia is next on his agenda.

Marcus has more than realized his dream — pondered in long periods of silence — of not only speaking fluently, but doing so in public.

Read the rest of this article at the Oakville Beaver.

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Visit the website for Charles Marcus

Charles Marcus is speaking at the Stimulate Your Business Summit

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Power Presentation Tips 19: Answer Three Questions

Power Presentation Tips 19

Answer three questions

Most presentations are intended to asnswer at least one of three questions.

Why?
What?
How?

Why
This is the most difficult type of presentation and the most important type for leadership and sales.
The purpose of the presentation is to make a change. The change might mean a new direction for the company, a new method or a new supplier.
As the presenter you need to address the "why" questions in the minds of your listeners.
Those questions might include:
Why should I care?
Why should I change?
Why should I trust you?
Your listeners might not see the need or want the change. They might not believe there is a problem. You need to be dramatic to catch their attention and convince them that they have a problem. The way to do this is with visual and emotional props and language.

What
Your audience knows they have a problem or need and you are offering a solution. A report is another type of "what" presentation.
The questions might be:
What choices do we have?
What are the features and benefits?
What happened?
This could be as simple as a waiter presenting a menu to diners.The people know they want to eat but have yet to decide on their selection. The waiter describes the choices and might even recommend favorites.
A certain amount of detail is required to differentiate the choices. The words and visuals should be precise, colorful and descriptive.

How
This type of presentation is most likely a training session. It could also be the briefing for a team about to execute a plan.
The questions might be:
How will this work?
How can we do that?
How can I improve results?
By definition lots of detail is required. This could be the most boring type of presentation or the most exciting depending on the combination of the mindset of your listeners and your presentation delivery.
You will have more success with this type of presentation by employing props, printed material and multimedia. Audience interaction is more important. Stimulate all the senses to clairify the details and make them stick.
Depending on the purpose of your presentation one question will tend to dominate the minds of your listeners. Of course, most presentations will include all three of these questions to some degree.

George Torok
Presentation Skills Coach

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Do you speak in code?

Do You Speak in Code?
By Kelley Robertson

A few weeks ago the company responsible for our lawn care sent a quotation for the upcoming season's work. One level of program included the following: Beneficial nematodes in the spring and fall. Beneficial nematodes? What the heck is that? So, I called the company and asked them to tell me about that treatment and found out that it was grub control.

My immediate thought was, "Then why not say that?"

However, it is interesting how often this occurs in the sales process. Too many people use terminology, jargon, or phrases that mean absolutely nothing to their prospect or customer. In some cases, people will ask for clarification but why put them in this position?

Industry jargon or terminology should only be used when dealing with someone who understands and is familiar with it. And in most cases, it should be avoided altogether. The best sales people know how to clearly present their ideas and get their message across in simple terms.

What does this mean for you? During your next sales call or face-to-face meeting, make sure you speak the language of your customer and that you don't speak in code.

Have a productive and profitable week!

Kelley Robertson
59 Seconds to Sales Success
Fearless Selling

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Cliches suck

Cliches Suck

They suck the life out of your presentation. They sap the energy from your words. They sink your message.


If you are using these phrases - stop now.

Raise the bar
Level the playing field
The whole nine yards
Paradigm shift
Think outside the box
Yada, yada, yada
Kill two birds with one stone
Been there done that


Here are three sites with more cliches that you should avoid like the plague.

Cliches from the Garden

Cliche Finder

Cliche Site


Using cliches in your presentation demonstrates lack of original thinking. They bore your audience to tears because they've heard it a million times before.

George Torok
Executive Speech Coach
Presentation Skills Training



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Power Presentations Tip 18: The Power of Three

Power Presentations Tip 18:

Harness the Power of Three


Three is the magic number for communicating.

When we hear a list of three things it resonates well in our brain. Like three legs of a stool there is synergistic strength in three of something.

• Bacon, lettuce and tomato
• Friends, Romans, countrymen
• On your mark, get set, go
  

There are three aspects to the number three that you can use in your presentations.

1. Digest information
To help people digest your information dice it into three groups. When you tell your listeners that there are three points they will not feel intimidated. And they can immediately create three "files" in their brain to store your information.

For example:
When you are explaining features of a product, group it into three categories.When you are outlining a plan or process, break it into three phases.When supporting a decision, give three reasons.

2. Remember information
To help people remember your key points give them three.
The easiest number to remember is one. That is why we tend to remember either the first or last name of a person we just met. The next easiest is three things. If you are introduced to a person with three names you will tend to remember the full three names better than just first and last name. It's hard to forget James Earl Jones.

3. Remember information better
To help people remember your key message, state it at least three times during your presentation.

The first time listeners hear your message it might be new and strange. By the third time they hear your message it starts to feel familiar. We remember best that which seems familiar. You can see this in action when you try to remember a name. You will probably repeat it to yourself a few times to burn it into your brain.

In giving presentations this is referred to as "the three tells". First you tell them what you are going to tell them. Then you tell them. Then you tell them what you told them.
Harness the power of three in your presentation. You'll present more like the Three Musketeers instead of the Three Stooges.

George Torok

PS: Tell me how this tip helps you.
PPS: Thanks for your comments and feedback.

----------------------------
Feedback
"I thought this was an excellent group of tips! As a teacher of public speaking, I've seen how students need 3 or 4 particular bits of information on how to get started so that they will look and feel confident AND be effective. Your tips on 'Open with Pizzazzz' hit the mark!"

Professor Evangeline Mourelatos, The American College of Greece, Deree College

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Online oppportunity for offline marketers

Communicating beats techonology everytime


There is a tremendous opportunity for business to market using webinars and teleseminars. In these uncertain times people crave insights, tips and perspective. Many buisness owners are already used to presenting themselves at networking meetings. So they might have developed their 30 second and 3 minute introductions. Offline marketers learn how to talk to people in person while many online experts hate talking to people.

Here is the advantage for offline marketers for using online marketing.

Many of the online marketing experts are terrible public speakers. For example, I just attemped to listen to a webinar that was peppered with "ums" "and ahs" and "you guys".

I couldn't stand it - so I stopped listening. It might have been the holy grail - but the experience was too painful.

The lesson in that is that even if you have the answers - your audience won't listen if you tick them off.

The second lesson is that, it is not about the technology. It is about using superior commuication skills.


George Torok
Executive Speech Coach
Presentation Skills Training




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Patrica Fripp is up to something good

Patricia Fripp is the most helpful speech coach that I ever worked with.
George Torok

This free teleseminar looks incredible.
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Patricia Fripp wants to help you!
No charge TeleSeminar Thursday, February 26, 10am PST

My colleagues at SpeakersMatch are allowing me to invite my friends andcontacts to their SpeakerMatch TeleSeminar Series...and there is NO CHARGE. "Taking Your Presentation to the Next Level: How to UP Your Value in a DOWN Economy," with Patricia Fripp

It is no secret...corporate travel budgets are down, associations are predicting less attendees, and convention committees are asking speakers to cut their fees. What can ambitious speakers do? They can UP their value in a DOWN economy!

Patricia Fripp (that's me) says, "We need to increase the effectiveness of our marketing and revisit the quality of our presentations." Being perceived as a dynamic, inspiring, and persuasive presenter is no longer a nice skill to have; it is a matter of business life and death!

This starts with your marketing and is magnified in your presentation. If you are a novice, intermediate, or even advanced business or professional presenter, you will benefit from this TeleSeminar. Patricia has a unique ability to demystify the process of what it takes to transform a good presentation into a GREAT one! With Patricia, you will learn some often over-looked marketing philosophies and hear Fripp's Good to Great: 10 Little-Known Techniques to Transform Your Speech...and a bonus!

Your registration link is:http://www.speakermatch.com/teleseminars/022609/register.asp

During this call, you'll discover how to:
- Revisit your marketing with fresh eyes
- Identify do's and don'ts that ensure a successful presentation
- Adapt two comedy techniques that add retention
- Open and close with more impact
- Avoid the unconscious goof that will hurt your credibility
- Improve listener buy-in for your point of view
- Be remembered and repeated
- Be persuasive, clear, and concise
- Make your stories memorable

BOTTOM LINE....Receive high caliber advice for a low investment

WHEN
Details About This Teleseminar
Date: Thursday, February 26, 2009 Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Central Standard Time (That is 10am PST, 11amMST, 1pm EST)
Cost: Complimentary
We will not be using a toll-free number. You will be responsible for the small long-distance charge if dialing out of your area code. This will appear on your phone bill.
Your registration link is:http://www.speakermatch.com/teleseminars/022609/register.asp

IN CASE YOU ARE CURIOUS SpeakerMatch is the only service of its kind when it comes to matchingspeakers and speaking opportunities. SpeakerMatch reaches emerging professional speakers, business leaders, technical gurus, educators, andother subject-matter experts who want to communicate what they know.There is no better service available for event organizers who need toreach this very diverse group of experts who speak.http://www.speakermatch.com/cmd.asp?af=934702

WANT TO HEAR FRIPP SPEAK?

In Person
http://www.fripp.com/hearfripp.html
Online
http://www.fripp.com/forplannervideoonline.html

Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAESales Presentation Trainer, Keynote Speaker, Executive Speech Coach
------------------------

George Torok
Presentation Skills Trainining
Toronto Speech Coach

Power Presentation Tips Archive

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Public Speaking Pro

Presentation Skills Success



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Effective Executive Speaking

Effective Executive Speaking

Effective Executive Speaking is the flagship program for the Canadian Management Centre (CMC) based in Toronto, Canada. CMC is an a affliate of the American Management Association, (AMA).

The two primary instructors for this program in Toronto for the past decade have been John Robert Colombo and George Torok. Both were mentored by Canada's presentation guru - Peter Urs Bender.

At one time Peter Urs Bender was the lead instructor in this program. He would start the day off by whipping the particpants into a frency. He would point out his personal challenges of being foreign born, from a family of accountants and blessed with dyslexia.

Despite these challenges, Peter became known as Canada's presentation guru and and a best selling author.

Effective Executive Speaking is a three day intensive program for senior executives who want to transform their presentation skills.

In the past this program has run as often as six times a year. In 2009 this program will only run two times. Register now.


George Torok

John Robert Colombo


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Nouns are for wimps

Nouns are for wimps

Wake up. Stop becoming awake. Your abuse of nouns could be killing your presentation. Lynda Goldman's comments about writing apply equally to speaking.

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Lynda Goldman's Communication Capsules

Is your writing bogged down with nouns?

Some writers become addicted to endlessly transform verbs into nouns. For example:

Instead of saying conclude, they say: Reach a conclusion.

This habit makes sentences longer and weaker, and slows the reader. Some people describe this kind of writing as really, really boring.
Inject vigorous verbs
Instead of wordy noun phrases, embrace vigorous verbs. Notice how efficient, clean and forceful these verbs sound, after their muddy noun phrases:

Conduct a discussion of = discuss
Create a reduction in = reduce
Give an analysis of = analyze
Give consideration to = consider
Take action on = act

So, to keep your readers engaged, kick the noun habit. Take action with vigorous verbs!
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Facing tight deadlines? An in-house writer who is overloaded?
Call Lynda Goldman right away:
Phone: (514) 336-4339Toll free: 1-877-462-4384

Words that sell your product or service.
Lynda@LyndaGoldmanInk.com

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

George W. Bush memorable lines

George W. Bush Quotes

George W. Bush will be remembered for many things. One of those might be his mangling of the english language.

Below are statements credited to Mr Bush:

'The vast majority of our imports come from outside the country.'

'If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure.'

'Republicans understand the importance of bondage between a mother and child.'

'No senior citizen should ever have to choose between prescription drugs and medicine

'I believe we are on an irreversible trend toward more freedom and democracy - but that could change.'

'One word sums up probably the responsibility of any Governor, and that one word is 'to be prepared'.

'Verbosity leads to unclear, inarticulate things.'

'I have made good judgments in the past. I have made good judgments in the future.'

'The future will be better tomorrow.'

'We're going to have the best educated American people in the world.'

'One of the great things about books is sometimes there are some fantastic pictures.' (during an education photo-op)

'Illegitimacy is something we should talk about in terms of not having it.'

'We are ready for any unforeseen event that may or may not occur.'

'It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it.'

'I stand by all the misstatements that I've made.'...George W. Bush to Sam Donaldson

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George Torok

Presentation Skills Training

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

I'm not really prepared to speak today

Um, so, I don’t know why I was asked to speak here today. Anyways, you know what I mean, like, ahhh, where was I? Oh yeah, well, as you can tell I’m not really prepared, but this is a great honor anyway. I hope that I don’t bore you to tears. Public speaking was never my strong point ahhh but I’m tickled to be asked to speak to you because ahhh...

So, where do we start? Hmm. Where was I? Oh yeah. Rats I should’ve prepared. Oh well, lets just like talk – kay?

What would you like me to talk about?
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Have you suffered through one of these presentations lately?


George Torok
Presentation Skills Training
Executive Speech Coaching


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

Caroline "You Know" Kennedy

Is Caroline "you know" Kennedy leadership material?



If leaders in general and political leaders in particular need to be powerful speakers, then Caroline Kennedy is not ready to lead.

Listen to this interview with Caroline Kennedy. I dare you to subject yourself to listening more than once. I appears that the US has found it's new tool of torture - listening to Caroline "you know" Kennedy speak for two minutes.

Listen to this interview and try counting the "you knows". Before you start, write down a number of "you knows" that you think would be acceptable for the average person to use in a two minutes. Then compare this with the actual.




How many "you knows" did you count. I got 30 - plus at least 5 ahs.

And what about that voice. It sounds tired and detached.

Do you even remember what she said? Her words are disjointed. What was her message? What is she passionate about? Would you follow this speaker?

Now there is a challenge for some speaking coach - "How to teach Caroline to speak like a Kennedy?"

Apparently Guantanomo is being closed and the US will not engage in any form of inhumane torture. Sorry Caroline - there goes that gig too.


George Torok
Speech Coach for Executives



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