Project SuperHero video interview

Enjoy this 32 minute - on Project Superhero.

George Torok interviewed by host Prithiviraj Saminathan (Raj).

Raj is on a mission to interview 90 people with inspiring messages from around the world. A noble and helpful project especially during these challenging times.

Discover George's journey into professional speaking and learn about his secret pleasure.





Watch the rest of the Project SuperHero series at Raj's YouTube channel



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small talk (show #14) – George Torok (Superior Presentations)

Enjoy this 5 minute video interview about how to avoid the most common and annoying mistakes that business presenters commit.

Host Javed S. Khan of small talk features presentation specialist, George Torok.



George Torok

Host of Business in Motion

Business Speaker

Listen to Business in Motion audio PodCasts

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How to Become a Professional Speaker

I often get asked "How can I do what you do? How can I become a professional speaker?" It's not always in those words but the message is the same.

As you can imagine some are more committed than others. Some have made real investments of their time, effort and money. All three of those elements are critical.

Then there are the dreamers.

They say,

"I love to speak about 'x' and I put together a PowerPoint show. What's next?"

"I've been calling speakers' bureaus and they won't want to talk to me until I'm successful. If I was successful, I wouldn't need them. What's your secret?"

"I want to be a professional speaker and you've got to help me because I bought your book."

"I was let go by my company and I always loved to speak. My friend suggested that I become a professional speaker."

"I'm passionate about my message. I want to change the world. You've got to help me."


Dreaming is a good place to start. And you've got to move past that stage to planning, investing and doing.

All three actions need to be there to succeed.

When I only had the dream to become a professional speaker, I asked a friend who was a speaker what to do. His advice was:

• Don't quit your day job yet
• Join Toastmasters to get good at the craft
• Volunteer to speak as often as you can to any group - for the practice
• Focus on a specific area of expertise
• Become an aggressive marketer of your service

It took at least a few years to get from birth of the dream to full-time professional speaker. I did all the things my friend told me and more.

I appreciate my friend's help and others that I learned from along the way. Naturally I'm willing to assist others but I don't wish to waste my time with every dreamer that crosses my path.

One piece of advice from my mentor, Peter Urs Bender, was "Be nice to people, but be rude with your time."

So I wrote my advice to future professional speakers and published it on my website. Those who are serious will read it and benefit from the open and practical insights. Those who are dreamers won't read it - because they want a pill.

Here's the link to How to Become a Professional Speaker.

As you can see if you visit the link, there's lots of good information there. I invested my time and effort to write this information and publish it as a free resource. It doesn't answer every question you might have but it does cover much more than the basics. Also there are links to other useful resources and books.

It's curious that after sharing this link I have received angry messages from people who seem to believe that I owe them more - for free. As you can probably guess, those people will not make it in the professional speaking business.

If you want to become a professional speaker check this link.


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Presentation Success: What do You Want People to Feel?

Here's another criteria for presentation success.

How do you want listeners to feel during and after your presentation?

Why is that important?

Because "How they feel" will determine how they react to your message more than anything else.

If you want to influence people as a public speaker you need to understand how they might be feeling and how you might influence their feelings.

Before you speak research and consider how people might be feeling about your message. Then develop your presentation to alter their feeling in the direction that you want.

If you can do that - you have delivered a successful presentation.

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Presentation Success: What do you want people to think?

What do you want people in your audience to think during and especially after your presentation?

That is one measure of a successful presentation.

A successful presentation is not about being perfect - because that will probably never happen. Instead focus on your real goals.

Do you want to influence how people will think?

Then design and deliver your presentation to meet that goal.

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Impromptu Speaking

Don't wing it. Always be prepared to deliver an impromptu presentation.

Sometimes you might be asked to deliver comments or a presentation without advance notice. You might be tempted to think on your feet. I strongly suggest that you do not think on your feet. It is easy to get yourself into trouble. Instead always be prepared to speak on very short notice. Impromptu speaking is similar to regular presenting – in that both are based on skill development. The better you know and practice the techniques the more it looks like talent.

Here are some techniques to help you with impromptu speaking.

• Have some favourite stories ready to use at any time. 
• Rehearse them well so you can tell them easily. 
• Prepare some of your best stories for different time frames, eg a 45-second version and a three minute version.
• Quickly write three points on an index card – then talk about those points.
• Decide on the one thing that you want to get across – and deliver that message.
• Conduct your speech as an interview with yourself. 
• Ask rhetorical questions – then answer them.

Don’t think on your feet – instead be prepared


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Six Words to Summarize Your Presentation

Can you summarize your presentation in six words? If you know your message, you can state it in a few words. If you need 30 minutes to explain it, then you really don’t know it. What would you do if the decision maker said, “You have six words – go.”

Enjoy these six word presentation summaries:

Buy low, sell high, discover how

Stop wasting money on expensive advertising

Join us for weekly breakfast networking

Think about it before you speak

Never, never give up. Call us

Don’t drink and drive. Arrive alive

Find the right mate for you

You can fight cancer. Donate today

Success is simple but not easy

Problems are opportunities but often overlooked

Love your customers. Attract them back

Buying insurance sucks. Being without devastates

Seatbelts saves lives, maybe yours

Help those who can’t help themselves.

Relax. Enjoy. You are getting older.

Don’t stop questioning. We need you.

Imagine, say it in six words

Add your six word message below.

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DJ Skills Transferable to Other Business

Can DJ (disk jockey) skills be transferred to other business and careers?


This question caught my attention in a discussion group.


Here is my answer:
---------------
What an interesting question.

I was a DJ in the 70's playing records for dances. I now run my own business as a keynote speaker, presentation trainer and speech coach.

What transferred?

• Watching and listening to the audience
• Playing the music for the audience - not me 
• Noticing patterns of style
• Smiling even when you don't feel like it 
• Not panicking when things go wrong

--------------

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Wanted: Person with Poor Communication & Presentation Skills

Ha, Ha, Just Kidding!

Have you seen a job ad asking for poor or mediocre communication skills?

Probably not. Think about that. What does that suggest to you?

You've probably seen many job ads asking for good, advanced or superior communication skills.

Let's be clear. Skills of any type are developed. Skills are not natural. Interest might be natural. But skills needs to be developed through learning, practise and coaching.

If you want to be a better presenter you must develop your presentation skills. What have you done about that lately?

There are three necessary steps to developing any skill set:

• Learn the principles
• Practice the techniques
• Get expert guidance

The next time an interviewer asks you about your presentation skills, what will you say to demonstrate how you have addressed those three phases of skill development?

Communication and presentation skills are skills. You need to develop skills. You can't blindly claim ownership.

PS: By following this blog you will learn about the principles and tips that lead to effective techniques. You will still need to practice and get expert feedback from a coach, instructor or mentor.


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Warning: Trailer Trash Words and Phrases that Destroy Your Credibility

The words that you use tell your audience who you are, where you are from and what is your level of education. Based on those blatant messages, your audience decides on what label to slap on your face.
If your audience perceives that you are “beneath” them in education they tend to be less willing to see you as an expert.

There is nothing wrong with coming from the other side of the tracks. Oprah has pointed out often where she came from. But she also made it clear that she didn’t stay there. She improved her language skills…..

Watch out for these words and phrases that might slap you with inferior labels.

You Guys

This is pure trailer trash talk. The correct term is “you”. The word “you” is both singular and plural. We learned that in high school. The phrase “you guys” is just a touch above the gang phrase “youse guys”
Anyways

This word is dismissive. It suggests that you are dismissing what the other person just said or that you wasted their time with your previous message. Avoid it.

Internet
The word is “In – ter – net”. Three syllables with a clear T in the middle. It’s not “Inner-net”.

Create
The individual who claimed to be an expert on creative thinking kept pronouncing this word as “crate”. Just plain trash talk.

Freak You Out

The individual from the previous example also used this term. The only place that I’ve heard this term is on the TV show “Trailer Park Boys”. I’ve looked at that show a few times and I don’t want to advertise that fact. Neither should you.


If you speak or present to senior executives, they will likely be “language educated”. That means that they will listen to your words and judge you and your value on the words that you use. Their ears will be tuned to key words and phrases that enable them to quickly label you and your value.

The wrong words can turn your listeners into objectors immediately. If you want to connect with these high value decision makers then learn to speak their language.


George Torok

Executive Speech Coach

Presentation Skills Seminars

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

Tell me your strengths and weaknesses

What should you say, in a job interview, when asked to state your strength and weakness?

First, get your perspective right. You are there to sell yourself for the job. You are not there for confession or to be a clown.

Think about the perspective of the person interviewing you. They want to discover if you are the best person for this job. Every question they ask you is intended to help them decide. Therefore the perspective you take is to translate every question into “Why should we hire you for this job?”

Second, prepare. Do your homework before the interview. Look at each question and think about them. Then prepare a list of at least ten attributes for each question. Some things might even fit on both lists. If you can list more than ten, do it. This is the brain storming stage. Don’t judge yet.

Then ask five people who know and like you, “What do you see as my three key strengths?” and “What do you see as three weaknesses?” Remind them that only honest answers will help you. Some might need time to think about those questions, so give them the time. Don’t judge their replies and don’t defend. Thank them for their help. Tell them how this is helping you prepare for interviews.

Study the lists. If your friends are telling you things that you didn’t list it’s probably something you have overlooked.
For both questions pick the top three answers that are most relevant to the type of work or type of organization that you want. Remember your purpose.

For each write a short paragraph describing that attribute with an example. Then explain how that strength or weakness is a benefit for this job. Edit the paragraph to make it as short as possible and then rehearse saying it out loud.

When asked these questions in the interview, you could smile and start with, “I’m glad that you asked that question.” Pick the most relevant of your top three. Then deliver your prepared answer. Remember your purpose is to answer the real question which is, “Why should we hire you for this job?”


George Torok

Presentation Skills Training

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

Should you call out an individual by name?

Question about engaging your audience

I asked the group of MBA students for examples of ways to engage your audience. One student suggested selecting an individual, calling their name and directing a question to that person. He pointed out that this was a common technique used by professors in the university classroom.

“Roger, tell us the issues in this case study.”

An interesting example that I had forgotten, because I hadn’t been on the receiving end of a professor’s or teacher’s attention for decades.

Clearly this is one way of engaging your audience. In the classroom this is an accepted and necessary technique. Professors might attempt to engage their students through interest and inspiration. At some point they might provoke individuals to trigger critical thinking and hence group discussion. Inclusion might require directed engagement to pull in the reluctant or sleepy ones.

Students might not always enjoy this unwanted attention but it is almost always in their best interest. I believe that a good teacher will provoke their students to participate when needed.

In a business presentation you will almost never use this technique.

“Sophia, what do you think about this new marketing strategy?”

Why? Because, when delivering a business presentation you likely don’t want to provoke your audience. If you provoke them, you might provoke the group with your creative ideas. But you will not want to pick on an individual during a presentation. There are many other ways to engage your audience without attacking an individual.

You might not have intended it to be an attack but it could easily be perceived that way.

When presenting in a business environment you are likely attempting to persuade the audience to make a decision in your favor.

This example is looking at presentations. A business planning meeting among equals would have different rules.

When I facilitate a planning meeting, instead of calling out a person, I have asked, “Who haven’t we heard from yet?” I might even make eye contact with an individual, smile and wait for that person to speak.

This is another example of how effective presentation techniques can vary among different environments.


George Torok

Speech Coach for Executives

Presentation Skills Training



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What are active listening skills?

Active listening is a powerful communication skill.

I think that you might be looking for some techniques that enhance that skill. If we were talking I would clarify that with you. That's one example of a active listening technique.

Here are a few more techniques to active listening:

• Look directly at the person who is talking.
• Smile.
• Appear relaxed - not impatient.
• Nod your head occasionaly - to show understanding - not necessarily agreement.
• Repeat some key words.
• Ask a question about a point.

This is a question that I received.

Do you have more questions about presentation and communication skills? Ask me.


George Torok

The Speech Coach for Executives

Presentation Skills Training

Next Public Seminar




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Like, you know, awesome, not - video

Are you speaking with authority?






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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.

Absolutely: Are you feeling queasy yet?

Words drive thoughts. Thoughts drive emotions. Emotions drive decisions.

The use of the right words can move your listeners in the right direction and the use of the wrong words can move them in the wrong direction. Right, meaning in the direction that you want them to go and wrong meaning the opposite.

It’s not just the choice of words that lead to your success or failure but the abuse of words.

When you present you want your audience to remember the most important words that reinforce your message. You don’t want them to remember words that detract from your message.

The speaker was talking about coaching. So you would think that the words that the audience should remember the most would be about coaching – the process and the results.

Instead, the word that I remember most from this presentation was “absolutely”.

I heard it so many times that I started to feel sick when I heard it. Sometimes it was uttered three times within two minutes.

Absolutely, Absolutely, Absolutely.

The speaker was using the word, “Absolutely” instead of “yes”. I did not hear the speaker say “yes”. Curious, what was she hiding?

Superior speakers use shorter words and short sentences to get their message across. Absolutely is four syllables while yes is one syllable. Which do you think is the better word to use?

If you mean yes – say yes.

Job interviewers and police interrogators will tell you that the more words a person uses to answer a simple yes or no question – the least likely that the answer is true.

Did you complete your degree? Absolutely
Did you kill John Doe? Absolutely not.

Do you love me? Absolutely.
Did you have sex with that person? Absolutely not.

Did you mean yes or no?

If you mean no – say no.

Why would a speaker say absolutely when they mean yes?

Perhaps they think that “absolutely” sounds sexy, modern or intelligent. In each of those cases they are talking insincere.

Perhaps they are uncertain about their information or position. “Yes” would sound much more certain.

Perhaps they are mimicking a word that they just heard which suggests that they are not thinking about what they say or how it might affect their message.

Do you want your listeners to remember your key message or do you want them to remember an annoying word like absolutely?


George Torok


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

Presentation Crisis: How a Quote, Cartoon and Story Could Save Your Career

The Six Blind Men and the Elephant saved my job.

Props provide a powerful way of enhancing presentations. Verbal arguments aren't enough to convince people of your message. Try using visuals such as charts or cartoons, or physical props such as products or tools. Verbal props come in several forms: quotations from famous people, anecdotes, plays, poems or even questions.

The following is a true report of how I used my new-found communication skills and a combination of props to get me out of hot water with my company's auditors.

The auditors had submitted a report suggesting that I, as the chief supply manager, had exceeded my purchasing approval authority. I strongly disagreed and tried explaining to them the difference between our use of approval authority and implementation authority within the computer system. They did not buy my explanation - that is, until I had a chance to meet with them.

The meeting seemed to take forever. Tension clouded the room, because the auditors intended to remain firm on their "observation" and everyone knew my position.

Finally, it was my turn. I started: "I offer the quotation from George Bernard Shaw who said, 'In the right key you can say anything, in the wrong key, nothing.' So to help set the right key I ask you to look at this cartoon and parable that I am passing out."

There were some raised eyebrows at this point, but no one objected to my strange approach - yet.

After everyone had a copy of the handout I continued:

"This cartoon shows the parable of the six blind men and the elephant. The six blind men went to see the elephant, but being blind they had to examine the elephant with their hands. Each touched a different part of the elephant and noted their observation. For example, the first clutched the swaying trunk and said, 'The elephant must be a snake.' The next grabbed the tail and noted, 'The elephant is really like a rope.' Another fell against the side and exclaimed, 'Oh my, this elephant is like a wall.' Hugging the leg the next argued, 'The elephant is like a tree.' The fifth, while holding the tusk, stated, 'You are all wrong, I know it is like a spear.' And finally, the sixth felt the flapping ear and noted, 'This elephant is surely like a fan.'"

The nervous laughter dissipated the tension and now the people were more relaxed. Then I explained how the computer system we were using was very big and complicated, like an elephant, and that we had poor documentation. Therefore, it was unreasonable for any visitor to fully understand the workings in a two-week period (this was the duration of the auditors' visit). The heads nodded in agreement at this point. Then I showed a flowchart of our approval process - emphasizing that the "approval" they were focusing on was only "an approval to print".

The bottom line is they understood my point, and the audit report was changed. It is important to know that the facts were unchanged from my earlier discussions with them, but this time I packaged my sale and they bought it.

When was the last time you had a proposal or idea turned down? Could it have gone better if you had taken more care to sell it? To deliver a powerful message understand your audience, be clear on your purpose, plan your approach - and use props!

© George Torok delivers inspirational keynotes and practical seminars. He trains managers and sales presenters how to present to win. Find more free tips on presentation skills at http://www.SpeechCoachforExecutvies.com Arrange for George Torok to help you at http://www.Torok.com or call 800-304-1861

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Graduate With Skills, Not Just a Degree

The Wall Street Journal

By Heather R. Huhman

Not long ago, earning a college degree could almost guarantee you would land a great job much faster than those who were not college-educated. Today, however, it’s important to have relevant skills, not just a degree. In fact, a degree has started to become the minimum requirement to even be considered for many openings—meaning most of the people you will be competing with have a degree, too.

What are these sought-after skills? According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Job Outlook 2010 survey:

1. Communication Skills
2. Analytical Skills
3. Teamwork Skills
4. Technical Skills
5. Strong Work Ethic
   

“These are the skills that employers believe are important to on-the-job success,” says Marilyn Mackes, NACE executive director

Read the rest of this article at Wall Street Journal.
-----------------------
I notice reports like this regularily. It's no secret but it still makes the news for the Wall Street Journal - communications skills are critical to success.

Below is the comment that I added to this article...


As a communication skills expert who regularly coaches executives on communication skills in general and presentation skills in particular, I agree on the importance of communication skills for career success.

Here are tips on how to develop three types of communication skills.

Develop Your Writing
Blogging is an excellent way to get published as a writer. Students can also write for their school publications, association newsletter and community papers. The easiest way to get published is by writing letters to the editor. Another simple way is to submit an op ed piece.

Develop Your Speaking
Volunteer in leadership roles in your student organizations. Volunteer with charities. Volunteer to train others. Volunteer to speak at high schools, community events and fund raisers.

Develop Your Questioning and Listening
Volunteer to be a reporter for the school paper. Volunteer with the local community radio or TV station. Survey community or business leaders on an issue and write a report.

List all of those results on your resume. Academics do that, so why not students?


George Torok

Speech Coach for Executives

Presentation Skills Club on Facebook

Presentation Tips on Twitter





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Shoot the messenger

At one time they used to kill the messenger of bad news. Today, bad messengers kill their message.

The message might not be the problem. Sometimes it’s the messenger. Maybe more often than we care to admit. If you have a good message to deliver but it’s not getting across – then it’s time to examine the messenger.

If you have a good message then there’s little excuse for bad delivery. If you have a bad message then it’s even more important to focus on the messenger.

You have a choice. You could ignore the pain, shoot the messenger or improve the messenger.

You can only ignore the pain of bad message delivery for so long. Failed sales presentations and confused audiences will catch up with you and hurt worst than shooting the messenger.

Of course this option is meant to be metaphorical. Shooting the messenger might mean punishment, embarrassment or a demotion. It might even go as far as dismissal if the success of your job depends on your ability to deliver the company message.

The third option is to improve the messenger.

Now there’s a good idea. Improve the messenger by offering better presentation tools, knowledge and skill development. The message might change but once you improve the messenger you will always have a better messenger.


George Torok

Presentation Skills Training

Executive Speech Coaching


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Yadda, yadda yadda and other 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.

Here are a few replys from other speakers.


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

Sandra Vogel, PhD
International Trainer, facilitator and speaker with e-learning and bundled learning solutions.


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.

Martijn Sjoorda
Research Director, FreshOrange


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!

James Hamilton
Corporate Speaker, Author, Connections expert


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.

Mandi Stanley
Certified Speaking Professional at Mandi Stanley Speaker Services


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

Sue Birkam
Owner, Freedom Life Coaching, LLC


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

Mike Smithgall
Digital Media Sales Consultant at Jacksonville.com


I coach my clients to put the following lines into storage... —"Let's take it to the next level..." —"You may of heard of Harry Truman"...-(DUH!--the device of saying "you may have heard of" is very tired way of trying to engage people's minds) —"Let's drill down on that for a moment..." —"I just want to be clear..." —"My friends..." (sorry Mr. McCain) —"Here are some of the funny things kids have said to God..." (good grief--we all own computers) —"(tear in voice) I'm sorry, I always get emotional when I tell that story..." That's the very short list! There's a book in there for one of us...

Doug Lawrence
Public Speaking Coach, Speech Writer, and Presentation Advisor


I have 2 verbal peeves. The first is "to be perfectly honest". Is there an imperfect way to be honest? If there is someone please let me in on it. The other is "can I be honest with you?" My visceral response -- No, please continue to lie to me.

Olalah Njenga
Marketing Strategist


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