Twist Clichés

You might have read an earlier post about the sin of using clichés when speaking. Don’t use clichés; it is boring and unimaginative. Repeating clichés portrays you like all the rest.

If you want to stand out, be different. You can still use clichés as a resource. But don’t repeat them the way you hear them. That is boring.

Instead - twist clichés to make them more interesting, surprising and memorable. Your audience will wake up when you twist a cliché into something more relevant, and they will remember and repeat your words.

Want some examples?

Better late than never - Better on time than late

Rome wasn’t built in a day - Home wasn’t built in a payday

Spinning your wheels - Winning your deals

Piece of cake – Price a steak

Slam dunk - Damn drunk

Sweetheart deal - Sweet tart steal

Take a bath - Stake a path

Street smarts – Sidewalk sense

Affairs of the heart – A fare of the cart

40 days and 40 nights – For the bays and for the sights


These are ideas. Use them, abuse them and amuse them.

George Torok
The Speech Coach for Executives

Bad News Lies

It is one thing to deliver bad news. It is another to lie while delivering it.

They will know that you are lying so they will wonder what else is not true.

When it is time to deliver bad news – deliver it as succinctly as you can. Leave out the editorializing.

For example, don’t say "This will hurt me more than you" while you are announcing layoffs. It doesn’t hurt you because you are not laid off. So stop lying to people.

They won’t believe you and most likely will hate you for lying more than for announcing the bad news.

When you need to deliver bad news, state it briefly and clearly. Then shut up. If there is an upside – state that too. Then shut up.

Learning Point:
Know when to shut up.

George Torok
The Speech Coach for Executives

Tell me a Story

Every time you speak your listeners are practically pleading with you to hear a story.

Your listeners prefer to hear your message conveyed in stories.

Why?

Because stories are engaging, instructive and memorable.

The better you can tell your stories the more successful a speaker you will be.

Learn how to create and tell your stories, thereby becoming a more compelling speaker.

Learn more about the next teleseminar - July 27, 2006.

Register for this teleseminar - How to Create and Tell Your Stories.

Limited number of lines.
Hurry before it is all booked up.

Be a better speaker when you are a better storyteller.

George Torok
Speech Coach for Executives

Executive Speaking Skills

What is the difference between a good executive speaker and an embarrassing executive speaker?

Clear purpose

Attention to detail

Appreciation for the skill of public speaking

Preparing for the speech


Embarrassing executive speakers don’t prepare. They believe that their presence or message is important enough to make up for their lack of preparation. Sometimes that might be true. But why take the chance? Why embarrass yourself? Why not prepare and develop better presentation skills?

George Torok
Speech Coach for Executives

Harvey MacKay on customer knowledge

Knowing something about your customer is just as important as knowing everything about your product.-Harvey MacKay
Bestselling author, CEO
Beware the Naked Man Who Offers You His Shirt

George Torok
The Speech Coach for Executives

Power Presentation Tip

Why are you speaking?
Be clear on why you are speaking.
Understand your purpose because that will help you be more successful.

Before you speak ask yourself this critical question:
"What do I want people to do, think or feel after I speak?"

Whenever you deliver a business presentation you want to influence what your listeners do, think or feel.

When you prepare to speak ask that question of yourself – and be honest. If you don’t know why you are speaking your presentation will fail. If you don’t know why you are speaking you should not speak.

Once you know why, you can design your presentation to meet that goal. If you know where you are going you are more likely to get there.

If you know your purpose it will be easier for you to cut the unnecessary tangents. You will be more focused and your presentation will be more successful.

Some possible results that you might expect from your listeners:

Do you want them to -

Buy your product
Invest in your project
Support the team
Give you the money
Feel good about your role
Donate to your cause
Work harder to reach the goal
Recruit more members
Change their perspective
Believe in the dream
Promote the cause

What do you want people to do, think or feel after you speak?

Speak on purpose and you will achieve your purpose.


George Torok
The Speech Coach for Executives