Superior Presentations 67: Don't Say Sorry

Don't say sorry.

It happens. You're speaking to a group and you stumble on a word or make a mistake. The temptation is to immediately blurt out "Sorry" or some variation of that word.

Don't say sorry when you make mistakes during your presentation. Instead, collect your thoughts as quickly as you can, restate the point correctly and move on.

There are three reasons why you shouldn't say sorry:

1. Often many of the people in your audience weren't listening closely and they missed the error. But when you say "sorry" you unnecessarily draw attention to the fact that you made a mistake.

2. When you say sorry your brain tends to fixate on the mistakes instead of your message. That might cause you to become anxious and feel more nervous about your presentation. Instead focus on your destination, not the bumps along the way.

3. The more times that your audience hears the word "sorry" the less they will feel confident about your credibility. This means that every time you say sorry you are working against yourself. Just imagine if the pilot of your plane announced every course correction with a "sorry". How might you feel about the pilot and the flight?

Here are some of the transition phrases that you might use:

• Let me correct that.
• What I really mean is...
• Correction...
• That didn't come out right.
• Let's try again.

Or you could simply pause, smile, and then start that last sentence again.

What if you didn't notice a factual error when you stated it but recalled it later? You could say, "I want to correct something that I misstated earlier."

Naturally there are exceptions to this rule. If you did or said something that could have offended the audience then you would issue a sincere apology.

My youngest daughter used to say "oopsies" when she made a mistake. It sounded cute. When you are the speaker you don't look or sound cute when you litter your presentation with "oopsies".

Your audience will ignore or pardon simple presentation errors. The key for you is to look and sound competent so you can deliver your intended message.


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Secrets of Power Presentations Book Review

Secrets of Power Presentations by Peter Urs Bender

This book first published in 1991 and I first read it around that time. Of all the books on presentation skills this book has contributed the most to shaping my public speaking skills.

I read this book when I was first exploring the world of public speaking. Many years later I met the author, Peter Urs Bender. He became my mentor as I entered the professional speaking business. We later co-authored a bestselling book together – Secrets of Power Marketing.

My original copy of this book is marked with Post-it notes and highlighter.

What are the best ideas from this book?

Your presentation is not only about the words you speak. It’s about the package that includes your words, delivery, body language, Audio Visual aids, and the environment.

When you’re green you grow. When you’re ripe you rot. This expression emphasizes the importance to be open to improvement; because you will never be the perfect presenter.

You can project more confidence than you feel. It’s only important how the audience sees you.

A good presentation should inform, entertain, touch emotions, and move to action.

Use shorter words and phrases to connect with your audience.

Summarize your speech notes on note cards. That way you will not read your speech but have the safety net of keyword notes.

Your speech is like a flight. The opening and close are like the take off and landing and hence critical to your success.

Details matter. As a presenter you are responsible for all the details – even if you think someone else should look after that. The audience will blame you for the things that go wrong.

What’s interesting about this book?

I enjoyed the simple and practical tips and lists.

The chapter on Environment is something that I have not seen in any other book on presentation skills. Chairs, windows and doors – oh my. I’ve found that these logistical tips about setting up the room made an incredible difference on the impact of my presentations.

The book is informative and surprisingly entertaining and inspiring - which was Bender's presentation style. It is sprinkled with motivational quotations plus Bender's own pithy insights.

There are so many helpful do’s and don’t's in this book that I imagine you will want to mark it up and even tear pages out so you have these gems readily accessible when you speak.

Check out Secrets of Power Presentations on Amazon.

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Communicate in the Language of Your Audience

Adjust your vocabulary to suit each particular group to which you present. If they are shareholders, bankers, or accountants and your topic is leveraged buyouts, you require a different vocabulary than if you are talking to marketing people or account executives on strategic selling.

Each audience has its own unique language, familiar expressions and sense of humour with which you must be comfortable or you will not gain credibility.

Be careful of semantics. The words you use will have different connotations in different contexts. The same expression can be specifically or vaguely defined. Some words are used in relative terms and others are absolute, such as large, small, wide, long, easy, difficult, liberal, conservative, ethnic, religious, expensive, cheap – it depends on how you use them.

Use meanings that are familiar to your audience. If necessary, explain your own definitions. For example, “politics” can refer to our system of government, in which there are political parties, or it can refer to the power dynamics between people or departments in a company. “Values” can refer to the company’s mission statement, or the particular beliefs of individuals.

In a sales presentation, there is a world of difference between mentioning that a product is “cheap” or saying it is “inexpensive” and “affordable”. Different professions and industrial sectors use different euphemisms.

For example, sales people are often titled “account executives”, “account managers”, “associates”, or “product representatives”, even “technical consultants” rather than simply “salespeople”.

Recruiters sometimes call themselves “executive search consultants”, “human resource consultants”, or “headhunters”. I recommend that you use jargon only with appropriate groups. You will never be criticized because you used words that everyone understood.

Make use of vivid, expressive words that paint pictures the audience can see. Abstract concepts like “recession”, “restructuring”, “corporate culture”, “revenue enhancement” and “free trade” are not as clear as “happy customers”,”job losses”, “plant closings”, and “profit after tax”. Examine your everyday speech and look for vague expressions that you can replace with more direct and explicit ones. Don’t go on talking about “rationalizing your departmental budget” when you really mean you are “cutting costs”!


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Select Better Words for Your Presentation

Use Shorter Words and Phrases
The most powerful words in our language tend to be short. For example: love, war, sex, food, hate, fun, money, power. If a sentence is so lengthy that you have to stop to take a breath, it will be too long to be understood. Break long sentences and phrases into shorter ones. What words can you eliminate to clean up your speech? Do they cloud or clarify the message you are trying to convey? Work on this in your daily business correspondence and it will automatically rub off in your speech.

Action Verbs
In most cases verbs are better than nouns and action verbs are far better than passive verbs. Good action verbs are: build, climb, call, start, fight, promote and sell. Use these verbs when you tell your audience what to do. Be sure to use action verbs in your call to action. Use less passive verbs like “is” and “have”. If you delivered a speech using only one word – that word would be an action verb.

“You” versus “I”

Remember your audience wants to hear about them – not about you. That means that the word they want to here more than any other is “you”. For that reason remove your use of “I” and “me”. You and yours is better than we and ours which in turn is better than I, me and mine. Run your speech through the “you-I” test. There should be more use of “you” than of “I” in your speech.


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Presentation Tip #52 - Open with a Success Story

Open Your Presentation With a Success StoryWhen you deliver a sales presentation, leadership speech or motivational talk - open with a success story.

Why?
It grabs attention.
It offers hope.It enhances your credibility.It's more memorable.

Success Grabs Attention
To capture attention at the beginning of your presentation deliver a success story. More people will listen because people prefer to hear from winners - not losers. Success creates positive attraction. If you start negative you will repel them.

Success Offers Hope
Start with success and you offer hope to your listeners. Hope is the universal drug. We all want it and can't get enough of it. Hope is a powerful emotion and motivator. If you are speaking to persuade then triggering hope will help move them.

Success Enhances Your Credibility
When you demonstrate success you will have more credibility. Give an example of your success - especially how you helped a client achieve success - and you appear as the expert. Success will increase your value. When you appear as an expert offering high value you will be perceived more as a helpful resource instead of an annoying sales person.

Success is More Memorable
Plant a success story in the minds of your listeners and they will tend to associate you with that story whenever they think about you. They might even repeat that story when they talk to others about you. Use that story early in your presentation and you can refer back to it when clarifying a point later in your presentation. The success story becomes a point of reference for shaping their opinions.
In my presentation skills seminars or sales presentations to prospects I have used the example of how I helped one client close a $10 million deal. Depending on the situation I might convey some of the detail and drama to effectively plant the success story in the listeners' minds.

Prepare Your Success Stories
List your success stories. Search your memory, colleagues' experiences and client testimonials for evidence of dramatic results. Then go back to those clients for more detail if necessary. Write out the best stories. Edit the story so is it easy to tell without detracting from the main message. Rehearse them so you can deliver them comfortably and convincingly.

Warning
Avoid opening with the company story about the founder's biography, corporate history and mission statements. That's usually boring. No one cares about your company until they know if you can help them.

Success Breeds Success
Lead with success stories because success is attractive and convincing.

George Torok
PS: Tell me how this tip helps you.
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PowerPoint Tips, Mistakes and Ideas from 2011

What are the best ideas that you can use to improve your PowerPoint Presentations?


What if Your PowerPoint Slides Make You a Liar?


The marketing director of a well known Internet company presented us with fascinating stats about Internet use and users.

I was captivated by the numbers and percentages until he reached the graph slide in his PowerPoint presentation.

One of my colleagues raised his hand to ask a question. The presenter innocently paused to take the question and was blindsided by what happened next.


Black Death Versus PowerPoint


It's estimated that the Bubonic Plague (Black Death) killed 20 to 50 million people in Europe between 1347 and 1351. It's attack was swift and merciless. People didn't know how to deal with this threat. They didn't understand nor appreciate personal hygene nor sewage removol. They were vomitting in the streets - and dieing horibily. Almost half of the European population was eliminated in four years.


How Many Words Can You Have on Your Slides?


This is a question that more presenters need to ask before they speak. How many words should you put on your PowerPoint slides? What is the maximum number of words?



Geoff Ramm Presenting With PowerPoint


I watched my good friend from the UK, Geoff Ramm present at a few conferences. We were fellow speakers on this speaking tour. Geoff is a marketing expert and specializes in Observational Marketing. That means he looks around and reports what he sees – especially what seems to be working.
In his presentations Geoff made the best use of PowerPoint that I’ve seen. Too many speakers use PowerPoint as a crutch or shield. You know those speakers who simply repeat the words on the slide or constantly check the slides so they are reminded of what to say next.
 
 
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Power Presentations Tip 51: Fact vs. Opinion

Facts vs Opinion

When you want to persuade you need to present both facts and opinions.

Both need to be there. Facts serve as the foundation and reference points. Opinion builds on the facts and leads them in the direction you wish to take them.

Be clear on the difference. Distinguish between them and use them wisely.

In a courtroom trial the lawyer will present a series of linked facts and then interpret those facts via expert opinion or his own opinion. The jury will reach a verdict based on their own opinions. But it all starts with proven facts. Unproven facts are simply opinions and not the foundation for a persuasive argument.

Facts

When presenting a persuasive message you need to include the relevant facts – but not all the facts. Too many facts will bore and confuse people.

Choose your facts carefully and present them clearly and confidently because your argument of opinion is based on the facts. If the facts are unproven or disbelieved your argument will fail.

The speaker mentioned that today was the birthday of Elvis (primary reference point fact). He then went on to add stats about the growth of Elvis impersonators since the death of Elvis (secondary reference point fact). He next compared the money earned by these impersonators versus the original (tertiary fact).

His conclusion was that it was more important for people to be an original instead of a copy (opinion).

It looked like a good use of fact-linking to support his opinion – except for one thing. One audience member pointed out that today’s date was August 16 – the anniversary of the death of Elvis; the birth date was January 8. The primary factual reference point of the speaker’s argument was wrong. Therefore the rest of his argument was suspect. If his facts are wrong or suspect his opinion is worth very little.

Get your facts straight.

Opinions

Facts by themselves often fail to persuade. It is opinion that persuades people because opinion adds relevance. To be effective build your opinion on facts. Your opinion will always appear more convincing when supported by proven fact.

The salesman repeated several times that the laptop was a good price. That was his opinion. He did not connect that to any facts. Because of this I didn’t believe him and stopped listening to everything else he said.

Some speakers mistakenly present opinion as fact. If you can’t prove it – don’t call it fact.

“In my experience” is an opinion. “Everybody knows” is not basis for a fact. Wikipedia is not a source of reliable facts.

I believe that more speakers need to distinguish their facts from their opinions and appreciate the dependant relationship between them.

When building your persuasive presentation research and clarify your facts then build your opinion on top of the facts.


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Why Are Presentation Skills Important?

Most people will agree that presentation skills are important. But ask them to explain “Why?” and they are stumped. These folks might mumble something unintelligible and proudly declare “Because – everybody knows that it is”.

I’ve been studying and teaching presentation skills for over a decade so I’ve had the opportunity to think about this question.

First, let’s clarify the statement “Presentation skills are important”. What we really mean is, “Effective presentation skills are important”. “Presentation skills” is not a black and white off/on switch. It is a rainbow of colors. Everybody has presentation skills. Some are better than others. The primary goal is for your presentation skills to be better than your competition, whoever and whatever that is. The secondary goal is for your presentations to get better with every presentation that you deliver.

So whenever you read “presentation skills are important” think “better presentations are critically important”.


Presentation Skills are Important to Individual Success

For many individuals the first important presentation they deliver might be to the selection committee. It might be labeled as a “job interview” but it’s really a presentation. Success rides on their presentation outshining the competition. The results are black and white but the skills are a rainbow of colors.

In most organizations day-to-day business entails teamwork. That means presenting to your team or on behalf of your team. Career growth necessitates presenting your ideas to others. And if you want to be promoted you need to train others to handle your old job. If you want to fast track your career – volunteer to work on projects and deliver more presentations.


Presentation Skills are Important to Business Success

Having the superior product is never enough to guarantee business success. Apple is acknowledged as offering leading edge technology and Steve Jobbs is often modeled as a superior presenter. If you are not the Apple of your industry just imagine how much better your presentations need to be.

Business leaders are often expected to present their message with confidence and clarity to staff, clients, partners, investors and sometimes the public. Millions of dollars can ride on these presentations.


Presentation Skills are Important to Stress Reduction

The financial cost of stress to organizations is huge. Work related stress can be demoralizing to staff, management and executives. Effective presentation skills reduce miscommunication, which is likely the biggest cause of work related stress. Better presentation skills also reduces the stress on presenters which means they will be more willing to present and more effective with their communication. The principles and techniques of presentations apply to other methods of communication. Become a better presenter and you will become a better communicator.


Presentation Skills are Important to Time Management

Many presentations take too long and thus waste time because the presenter was trying to fill the time period. Better presenters get their message across in less time because they respect time, focus on the message and use the most effective techniques to communicate. Better presenters can deliver their 30 minute presentation in 5 minutes or 90 seconds when needed. Better presenters also save time while preparing because they prepare their presentation more efficiently. They know where they are going and how to get there faster.


Presentation Skills are Important to Leadership

Winston Churchill was praised for his inspiring presentations that helped England fight back against Nazi Germany. Leadership in your community, association or organization demands effective presentation skills.

Every cause needs a leader. Every leader needs to be able to stand up and deliver a clear and inspiring message. The team and followers will often judge the leader and the cause on the presentation skills of that spokesperson.


Presentation skills are Important to Public Image & Opinion

It might seem unfair, but we will often judge you, your organization and your product on how you, your staff or executive delivered a presentation. We will tend to remember the extremes – really bad or really good. Remember that our perception is relative to how everyone else presented.


Better presentations don’t guarantee you success but they give you a better fighting chance of success. Almost everything you want to accomplish is a fight. Why not gain a powerful edge in your favor? Improve the presentation skills of you and your team.

For the reasons above you can see clearly why presentation skills are important to you and your success.


© George Torok is a presentation skills trainer, executive speech coach and keynote speaker. He helps business leaders deliver million dollar presentations. Tap into your free presentation skills tips at http://www.torok.com Arrange for presentation skills training or speech coaching at http://www.SpeachCoachforExecutives.com For media interviews call 905-335-1997


Why Are Presentation Skills Important?

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Keep Your Speech Interesting By Being Present Yourself

What happens when you keep your speech more interesting? Your audience will listen attentively to your words. People will think about your message. Your listeners are more likely to act on your call to action.

When those three things happen you know you delivered a successful presentation. So how can you keep your speech more interesting?

First you must realize that making your speech interesting is not something you do one time. You must keep injecting interesting moments throughout your presentation – much like adding spice to your cooking. If you want to make your meal more interesting you will include a variety of flavors and textures that stimulate the palate of your guests.

Delivering an effective speech is similar. You want to stimulate the minds of your listeners. So, what can you do to make your speech more interesting?

You can deliver more interesting and effective presentations by being present when you speak. What does that mean? Your audience must feel that you are there in the room with them – body, mind and soul. They must feel that you want to be there, that you are listening as well as talking and that you truly care about their best interests.

How can you demonstrate that?

Transform your speech into a conversation instead of a lecture. Think of how you might feel when the speaker is lecturing at you. That might feel rather cold. Lectures are often delivered by parents to children. Neither party enjoys them. They tend to be a one way communication. The listeners are usually made to feel small.

Use these techniques to be present when you present.

Ask questions of your audience and listen to their answers. Acknowledge and respect their opinions and perspectives especially when they differ from yours.

Encourage questions from your audience. Listen carefully to their queries and answer as best as you can. Look at the person asking the question and allow others to offer their comments.

Make eye contact with your audience while you are speaking. Don’t speak to a spot on the back wall, your slides or the floor. Look at your listeners and talk to them. Connect with people for a few seconds and then move your eyes to another person. Talk to every person in your audience one person at a time.

Be human. Admit a personal flaw, mistake or failing. Nothing says “I’m real” like sharing an embarrassing moment. Pretending to be perfect will offend your audience. Just don’t admit to all your flaws in one speech.

Laugh. Ha! Inject some humor into your presentation. Laugh when you make a mistake and laugh when something funny happens in the room. When you make a mistake be willing to allow people to laugh at you.

Be aware of what is happening in the room. When someone sneezes, say “Bless you.” When a cell phone rings, make a comment. If there is noise from outside, acknowledge that. If the mood seems to be dragging, either take a break or finish early.

Tell stories. Most people would prefer to listen to stories over lectures. Just ask your children. Include stories in your presentation that connect with your audience and illustrate your message.

You can keep your speech more interesting by demonstrating to your audience that you are fully present in the room.

© George Torok helps business presenters deliver million dollar presentations. Get your free Power Presentation Tips at http://www.SpeechCoachforExecutives.com Arrange for presentation skills training or coaching at http://www.Torok.com For media interviews call 905-335-1997


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Power Presentations Tip 49: Entertain Your Audience

Entertain Your Audience


After you create the content for your presentation, the next step is to sprinkle entertainment throughout.

Why? Because the entertainment grabs the attention of your audience and makes it easier for them to listen to and digest the morsels of content. The more dry and boring the content might seem to your audience – the more important it is for you to include the entertainment.

The perceptions of what is boring or entertaining are relative based on the interest and understanding of the audience for your message.

Notice that even sporting events use color commentary to keep it interesting for the audience.

An old rule of thumb stated that you needed to include entertainment about every seven minutes. That rule was written before Google, Twitter and iPhones. My guess is that today you might need to entertain at least every three minutes.

You don’t need to break into song or dance – unless you are very good at it and that form of entertainment fits with your message and audience.

Here are three simple and effective forms of entertainment that you can easily inject into your presentation.

• Tell a story


• Use a metaphor or analogy


• Play with words

Tell a Story

This might be the simplest and most powerful way to entertain. The story is our most enduring way of communicating from cave dwellers to texters.

Personal stories are the best because you know it and it distinguishes you from other speakers.


Use a Metaphor or Analogy

The simplest way that most of us learn is by relating new things to what we know already. How is this new thing like or unlike what we already know? We constantly think in metaphors so it’s natural for you to use metaphors that link your message to your audience. When you present new concepts you must rely on metaphors to make it easier for people to understand and remember your message.

Likening the World Wide Web to a spider web helps us visualize the linkages of the Internet.


Play with Words

This might take a little more thought and it’s worth it because your audience appreciates the cleverness of your presentation.

Rhyme your words – the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain.

Use alliteration – persuade people with Power Presentations

Use a pun – Biscuits and speeches are better when made with shortening. Matt Veinosky


You don’t need to be hilarious, amazing or worthy of an Oscar. The entertainment only needs to lighten the moment and support your message. Don’t entertain for the sake of entertainment only. Entertain to make your message more palatable and memorable.

Entertain people and you will be more like the puppeteer than the puppet.

George Torok

Author of Power Presentation Tips

The Speech Coach for Executives

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Superior Presentations: Wayne Terry Feedback

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Wrong introduction - but you still smile

I inwardly cringed as the introducer read the wrong introduction for my speech.

But I forced a beaming smile because I was the only one that knew it was the wrong introduction. He was still saying nice things about me and I recognized that few people listen to the introduction.

The audience and the introducer did not need to know about the error so I didn't mention it. Your audience doesn't need to hear what your inner voice is screaming.

After the introduction, I smiled as I approached the stage and opened my presentation.

The purpose of an introduction is to make the audience feel good about the speaker and topic. If they feel good they will forget what was said - especially if the speech was good.


George Torok


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Yadda, yadda, yadda and more annoying phrases

What annoying phrases from popular culture are speakers over-using in their presentations?
For example: I heard one speaker say "yadda, yadda, yadda" three times within 30 - minutes.

---------------------
I asked that question in a Linkedin Group and was overwhelmed with the responses. Here are a few annoying phrases and terms.
---------------------

Sandra Vogel, PhD • I am tired of hearing speakers say " Let me un pack this for you". This causes a mental shut down... .


Martijn Sjoorda • Ah... you pressed a button here! So, well, you know, it's like it's sorta, kinda, basically a bit like this. Note that the last sentence conveys no definite statement of fact or emotion whatsoever. If you listen actively, you'll hear that a lot of people simply fail to produce coherent, crisp sentences, even when they are "trained" public speakers. In my own language it would be the endemic use of "zeg maar" which has infested everyday speech. It's our equivalent of "like" or "sorta". Even seasoned public speakers (the prime minister comes to mind) use it.


James Hamilton • This is GREAT! I reference these over-used phrases in my keynote/seminars. A personal pet peeve of mine is: "SO, How many of you have ever....?' as an opener. It's okay to open with a question, but unless the energy in the room is already peaked, the audience usually does not want to raise their hands at the beginning of a presentation. Feel free to add the contrite: Synergize, monetize, bring to the table, reinvent the wheel, carve out a niche, core competencies, low hanging fruit, deliverables, action items, and...GAZILLIONS more. There is actually a "buzzword" game to play during executive meeitngs that lists many of these. It's FUN!


Mandi Stanley • Just yesterday, I heard a speaker say, "Well, at the end of the day..." three times within a 20 minute talk. It's quickly moving to the top of the overused cliches list.


Sue Birkam • Moving forward, going forward..what other direction would we go in? It is definitely overused not just in speeches but in everyday conversation.


Scott Barclay • I use 'bottom line' probably ten times within an hour, I am seeking help :)


http://www.blogger.com/groups?viewMemberFeed=&gid=37544&memberID=5851459&goback=%2Egmp_37544 • I agree with Mandy, "at the end of the day", at my end of the day I go to sleep, which is what happens when i hear those words ... Favourite MBA jargon, "add value".


Steven Weisman • For me, Yachting terms are the most annoying to me--"Headwinds and Tailwinds" They are elitest and mean nothing in the final analysis.


Kenny Zail • The fact of the matter is


John Loven • I have been pointing out to communications seminars that the word "toxic" has been drained of all specific meaning in just a few months. It now indicates any level of disapproval or undesirability for any (or no) reason. It is instructive to see the "draining" process happen so fast. It's a paradigm shift with a lot of impact for the stakeholders. I think. John


Maggi Smith-Dalton • Gritting my teeth as I say them: Going forward Back in the day On the same page skill sets like, you know, um (used almost every other word in the sentence!)


Mike Smithgall • I’m not as bothered by the new buzzwords/phrases because they come and go. What drives my crazy is "irregardless". I am also guilty of using the following "they may or may not...." well that doesn’t really narrow it down does it. It’s like saying it "may or may not rain..." although 100% correct it has not moved us any closer to valuable information.

I also not a big fan of anything that comes after a phrase such as "my granddaddy used to say..." It’s always some hokey, folk wisdom designed to cut through the clutter of today’s sophisticated jargon and get back to the basics. However, I guess if you are Zig Ziglar and your persona is based on being folksy it works.

OK, for the record I have used every one of these except irregardless. Maybe there is a speaker’s anonymous program I can join


Jodie Beach • I am laughing out loud! Everyone is right on with your replies . . . and I must confess, I am guilty of a few of these. Time to check myself and make improvements.


Mike Smithgall • Ooh I just remembered.. "At this point in time" that’s and oldie but a goody. Doesn’t that mean now? Its an attempt to make the mundane more elegant.

"At this point in time I’d like to suggest we all adjourn to Burger King" My other favorite is relatively new and I have seen it used by cable news anchors so of course it has to be correct... "efforting"

"We are efforting to get that video feed to you soon"....what? you mean working on or attempting or trying right.. is that even a word?

You know my granddaddy used to say "fixin to"...


Robb Braun • Just joined your group and am glad to be a part of. Comments have been great. I struggle when I hear things like "If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten" or " Insanity is..."...you get the point. I know they are wonderful quotes and have meaning, but to me they have lost their meaning because they've become so overused and cliche. I hope I'm not using any that others have grown tired of hearing.


What annoys you about the phrases and terms that speakers use?

Do you agree or disagree with the above?

Watch for more feedback from this survey.


George Torok

Presentation Skills Training

The Speech Coach For Executives


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

Comments & Questions from Audio Class: Confidence

How to Radiate More Confidence than you feel when speaking - feedback


If you listened to the live broadcast or the recording, this is the place to add your comments, suggestions and questions about this program and topic.


Comments
What ideas were helpful to you? How helpful did you find this program? How has this program made a difference for you?


Suggestions
What topics do you suggest for future audio classess or email tips.


Thank you for your feedback

George Torok
The Speech Coach for Executives
Author of Power Presentation Tips


PS: Watch for more free audio classes on presentation skills

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How not to start your speech: 10 Roads to Disaster

Preparing a speech can be like sculpting. You keep removing the excess clay until you have your work of art. If you want to start your presentation with a bang instead of a bust avoid these ten mistakes. These tips will show you how not to start your speech.


1. You like me, you really like me
Sally Fields did this when she accepted her academy award. Her gushing outburst was mocked because it seemed unprofessional. We all want to be liked but Sally pushed our puke button with her act. If they are giving you the award don’t insult them by pretending that you don’t deserve it.


2. Tell a joke
If you have an ancient book on public speaking that tells you to start with a joke – burn it and purge anything you read from your memory. That is a terrible way to start your speech. It’s difficult to tell a joke well in front of an audience. It usually fails – a bad way to start your speech. Don’t tell jokes.


3. How is everybody today?
You have probably seen the “motivational speaker” wannabe start his presentation with this question. Then he repeats the question only louder as if that means your first response was too weak. It looks, sounds and feels phony and it ticks people off – a very bad way to start your presentation.


4. I don’t know why I have been asked to speak
Imagine the thoughts that go through the minds of your audience when you start with this phrase. If you don’t know – why are you speaking? This is going to be a dreadful presentation. Why did I attend? How do I escape?


5. I’m really nervous
It’s okay to admit imperfection. But don’t tell your audience that you are a lousy presenter, this is your first time or that you are very nervous. That conveys lack of confidence. Often they can’t tell the state of your nerves so keep it to yourself. If you are a lousy presenter they will decide on their own soon enough. Don’t foretell your own presentation disaster.


6. I’m really not prepared
How would you feel when the speaker says this at the beginning of his speech? You might think about leaving the room, checking your email or tuning out at the least. As the presenter you want to build interest and anticipation when you start your presentation. You want your audience to perk up and think, “This could be good.”


7. I’m sorry
Don’t start your presentation with an apology. I’m sorry for starting late. I’m sorry that the coffee was cold. I’m sorry that the real speaker couldn’t be here. What a depressing way to start a speech.


8. I’m perfect you’re not
Your introduction said flattering things about you to build your credibility with the audience. But you must not start your presentation appearing to be perfect. You need to build rapport and one way to do that is by revealing a human flaw, admitting an embarrassing mistake or voicing your own dilemma.


9. Criticize
Maybe the introducer messed up your introduction. Perhaps the conference appeared badly organized. Maybe the venue screwed up the registration and the meal. The speaker before you might have chewed into your presentation time. Don’t criticize. If you do that, the audience will tune you out. If any of those things happened you must capture their attention by taking the higher road. Offer them hope. Show them your insights to a better way.


10. Kissing up
You are the most beautiful audience to which I have ever spoken to. Yuk! You can compliment your audience but make it appropriate, sincere and factual. False flattery stinks of snake oil.

Improve the start of your presentation by avoiding these 10 errors so you can start your speech in the right direction. You and your audience will be amazed at the difference.

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© George Torok delivers inspirational keynotes and practical seminars. He trains managers and sales professionals how to present million-dollar presentations. Arrange for George to work with your people by calling 800-304-1861.Register for your free presentation tips at http://www.torok.com/ For presentation skills training or individual speech coaching visit http://www.speechcoachforexecutives.com/.

How not to start your speech

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

The “One Thing” to be a Powerful Presenter: Pause

What is the one thing that you can do to make your presentation more powerful and effective?

Pause – more often and more dramatically.
The most difficult thing to do is often the one thing that separates the masters from the masses. That’s true of many pursuits. For example, the hardest thing in personal growth is to know oneself. Similarly the most difficult presentation skill is pausing – to stop talking and say nothing.
Just the thought of pausing is painful for those who love to speak. And the idea of science is threatening to those who think they should be speaking.

Presentation skills and personal growth are related. Both require incredible self-discipline and self-confidence. To know oneself you need to ask some difficult questions and tolerate the discomfort of uncertainty. To master the pause you must become comfortable with both silence and uncertainty.

"The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause." Mark Twain

Why is the mastery of silence such a powerful presentation tool?
Because most people cannot tolerate the vacuum of silence. When you are negotiating, the one who speaks less usually wins. The one who talks more tends to give away more information and more concessions. The lesson: once you've stated your position - shut up and listen.
Effective public speaking is less about making noise than it is about carefully crafted pauses positioned between thoughtful words.

“Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.” Plato

If you want your audience to listen better, pause in the right places. If you want your audience to hear your words better, pause more often. For example, pause just before you state something important. That builds anticipation. Pause right after you stated something important. That allows them to digest the point. And the two pauses punch up the words between.

"Most speakers are afraid of silence. Yet, it is so powerful."
Peter Urs Bender

When you are the speaker you should know that your listeners can either listen or think - but not do both well at the same time. When you want them to think - shut up. To convey more confidence pause more. Why? Because anyone who talks nonstop sounds nervous. It is as if they don't want anyone else to challenge them.

To demonstrate real control and self-confidence pause before you start your presentation. After you have been introduced, move to center stage, plant your feet then smile while looking at the audience for at least five seconds while saying nothing. It is only five seconds and it might feel like eons for you. But it will have a magical effect on the audience. They will stop fidgeting, focus on you and be waiting for the first word out of your mouth. While you might feel uncomfortable during those five seconds, the audience will be marveling at your self-confidence and composure.
"The notes I handle no better than many pianists. But the pauses between the notes--ah, that is where the art resides!"
Arthur Schnabel
Austrian composer & pianist (1882 - 1951)

Talk less. Pause dramatically and you will deliver more powerful presentations!



© George Torok delivers powerful presentations. He is the Speech Coach for Executives. He can help you convey your message with more power. When you do that, you get more of what you want from others. Register for your free Presentation tips at http://www.SpeechCoachforExecutives.com Arrange for Torok to speak to your team – visit http://www.Torok.com To arrange individual coaching call 905-335-1997


The One Thing to Be a Power Presenter

Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives
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10 Tips to Master Questions with Authority During Your Presentation

During your presentation your audience will often want to ask you questions. You must expect and encourage questions. This can be the tipping point in your presentation that moves them to think or do what you are proposing.

If this is so important to your success then you need to be well prepared for the questions and know how to handle the questions. It’s not only about knowing the answers. It’s more important how you handle the questions with authority.

Use these ten tips to handle the questions more effectively during your next presentation.

1. State the Rules
Tell your audience when you will take questions and how individuals will be recognized to speak. Point out the microphones they should use. State the rules that must be followed to ask questions. This might seem heavy handed but your audience wants to know the rules and it’s up to you to make and state them.

2. Prepare
List and practice answering all possible questions. Especially prepare yourself for the worst questions. Imagine how confident you will look when someone asks you that killer question - the question that is intended to skewer you to the wall. Instead you smile and calmly respond with a positive answer. Be prepared. Craft and rehearse the answers to these difficult questions before the presentation.

3. Maintain Control
Stay in control of the questioning periods. Formally recognize the questioner before they speak, and limit the number of questions. Allow only one person to speak at a time.

4. Include the Group
When listening to the question look at the questioner while moving away from that person so as to physically include the whole group in that discussion. Paraphrase the question for the group. State your answer to the group. Beware of answering only to the questioner.

5. Ask Your Question First
Kick start the question period with, "A question I am often asked is, …". Then answer your 'question'. This helps to prime the pump and encourages others to ask questions. Have a few of these rhetorical questions ready – just in case.

6. Admit That You Don’t Know
If you don't know the answer say, "I don't know the answer to that question but give me your card and I will get back to you." Beware! You can only do this once or twice. Any more and you will look unprepared.

7. Your Audience Might Know
If you can't answer a question but know that someone in the audience might know, ask, "I know there are experts in the audience, how would they answer this question?" Only do this if you know there are experts in your audience. There are often people in your audience who are eager to speak and demonstrate their knowledge. Let them.

8. Acknowledge the Dissenter
When you encounter the person who strongly disagrees with you and refuses to shut up, respond, "Thank you for your opinion, I know there are different schools of thought on this issue - I am telling you what has worked for me." Don’t argue. Validate the dissenter and move on.

9. Avoid Sincerity Traps
Avoid repeating, "Thank you that's a good question." after every question - the questions might not be good, and the audience will see through your insincerity.

10. Don’t End on a Question
Don’t end your presentation with the questions. You might have watched a speaker make this mistake. The questions petered off. The last question is often a weak or negative question and then the presenter finishes with “No more questions? I guess that’s all.”

Yuck, what a disgusting close. Instead always finish with a closing statement that will resonate with the audience and reinforce your message. End your presentation strong.
Bonus tip: Plant the question you most want to hear. Before the program begins, ask someone sitting near the back to 'pose' the question on your signal.

You will master the presentation questions if you are prepared, know your facts and use these techniques. Content and style will determine the success of your presentation.


© George Torok is the Speech Coach for Executives. He coaches executives and trains business teams to deliver million dollar presentations. For more free presentation tips visit http://www.speechcoachforexecutives.com/ To arrange a speech or training program visit http://www.torok.com/ For media interviews call 905-335-1997

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10 Tips to Master Questions with Authority During Your Presentation

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

Body Language - emotion, intensity, action

Body Language is a powerful visual stimulus for your audience -far more than any PowerPoint slide.

Body language can convey emotion, intensity, perpsective, humor, and action. Your gestures, hands, posture, facial expressions and body movement (or lack) screems volumes about your message

George Torok

Presentation Skills Training

Speech Coaching

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

Circuit Breaker

Is your presentation tripping the circuit breaker?


Your home might have circuit breakers to protect you. Older homes might have fuses for the same purpose. When you have too many electrical appliances drawing power the breaker trips or the fuse blows. It’s a pain to change the fuse or reset the breaker but you should be happy to know that they are doing their job. You were just saved from disaster.

When you speak, your audience also has circuit breakers or fuses protecting them from disaster. Those fuses and breakers protect them from wasting their time, resources and money.

What mistakes in your presentation would trip the circuit breakers in the minds of your audience and lose their attention?

AbsolutesThe speaker said, “Everybody who negotiates is a liar.” That tripped my circuit breaker. First, he was calling me a liar and second he was also calling my grandmother a liar. He said everybody.

You can avoid this disconnect by saying, “many”, “a report stated that x % “, or “my research shows”. Instead he said “everybody”.


Other mistakes:
Anyone who…
I know what you are thinking…
I know what you will say…


Assuming that you know
The speaker said, “Write down two running shoe brands and I bet I know what you picked,” He picked Nike and Addidas. Both are well known brands, however I wrote Asics and New Balance because I’m a runner. When he told me that I was wrong in my pick the breaker in my mind tripped and he lost me as a listener.



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

PS: Tell me how this tip helps you.

PPS: Thanks for your comments and feedback.

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