Presentation Tip: Deeper Voice

Presentation Tip: Deeper Voice

Speaking in a deeper voice always sounds more credible. Read this powerful tip from Jeff Mowatt, the Master of Influence with Ease.

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Speak lower than the previous person

This is such an easy technique to enhance credibility - it's almost embarrassing. During group discussions, people get emotional or excited about certain subjects. Their voices tend to rise in tone and speed accordingly. When it's you're turn to comment, reduce the tone and speed of your voice to be slighter lower than that of the previous speaker. In the midst of the group's excitement, your controlled delivery will sound like the voice of reason. You'll immediately be taken more seriously. The only trick then is to say something worthwhile!

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About award-winning speaker, Jeff Mowatt, BComm., CSP

Treat yourself to an entertaining, informative session with award winning speaker, Jeff Mowatt B.Comm, CSP. Jeff knows his stuff. he didn't just read the book - he wrote it! He's the author of the critically acclaimed book, Becoming a Service Icon in 90 Minutes a Month. Jeff's newest book, Influence with Ease will be released this fall. He heads his own training company and has produced four study training systems. His Influence with Ease column has been syndicated and featured in over 200 business publications. Jeff has exercised influence himself as a 25-year service industry veteran, black belt martial artist, and business owner.

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Jeff’s advice is good advice. You can use this technique in a meeting, on the phone or while delivering a presentation.

Think "James Earl Jones". James is known for his deep voice. He was the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars.

Another Tip
You can make your voice deeper by speaking s l o w e r.


George Torok
Executive Speech Coach
Presentation Skill Trainer

Cartoon, Quote and Parable to the Rescue

Saved By a Cartoon
The Six Blind Men and the Elephant

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 bind 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. Arrange for George to work with your people by calling 800-304-1861.

For more information and to receive free monthly tips on presentation skills visit http://www.torok.com/ or http://www.speechcoachforexecutives.com/


Executive Speech Coach
Presentation Skills Training
Public Speaking Tips

Think on your Feet

Think on your Feet

Do you wish that you could think on your feet? Have you considered that it might not be a good idea to think on your feet? My advice to you is that you should not think on your feet.

I repeat – you should NOT think on your feet.

You should speak on your feet – but you should not think on your feet. Why? Because people who attempt to think on their feet usually do not think – they simply speak on their feet without thinking.

Many people who attempt to think on their feet often embarrass themselves because they speak without thinking. Speakers who you believe to be thinking on their feet are simply finding familiar patterns and selecting from past experience or prepared statements. That’s the secret.

Please do not think on your feet. Instead, you should think before you speak on your feet.

How do you avoid thinking on your feet? Prepare. Consider all the possible questions and interruptions before you speak. If you think before you speak, when you stand up to speak all you need to do is select on your feet. Select from the possible outcomes that you previously considered and select from the responses that you rehearsed.

Most people are not good at thinking on their feet. But it is a lot easier to select (multiple choice) on your feet. If you have thought about possible questions and possible answers before you speak then it is simply a matter of selecting from the options that you already prepared.

The best speakers and negotiators plan for all the possible issues before they speak. Think and rehearse before you speak. Then when you stand up to speak you don’t need to think on your feet. You can speak and select on your feet.

Thinking before you get on your feet will result in far more successful presentations for you.

Think – rehearse – stand – then speak.

Do not think on your feet.


George Torok
Business Speaker
Speech Coach for Executives
Presentation Skills Trainer

Public Speaking World Champion

Public Speaking World Champion

Every year Toastmasters International holds its World Championship of Public Speaking. And unlike the World Series of US baseball this is truly a world series of public speaking. Toastmasters from around the world compete and for 2007 the winner of the World Championship of Public Speaking is from India.
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As reported in daigiworld.com

USA: Indian Student Crowned World Champion of Public Speaking
By Max Rasquinha - Houston Aug 20:

A handful of Indian Toastmasters watched with pride and honour a twenty-six year old M.I.T. scholarship Graduate from India being crowned as a World Champion of Public Speaking in the presence of more than 3000 Toastmaster delegates that gathered at Phoenix, Arizona for an Annual Toastmasters Convention at the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge Hotel.

There were total ten top finalists from the world over that displayed their talents on behalf of nearly 10,500 Toastmasters Clubs scattered in more than 90 countries. What a fantastic reward for Mother India to display the talent before the world leaders and prove ourselves as a nation moving well ahead in the world of progress.

India has about 90 Toastmasters Clubs so far, but in all probability this strength will multiply in the year ahead fostering all the possible opportunities for young men and women to prove themselves that they too can make a difference in the world of Communicators and Leaders.
India has all the ingredients to create at least another 500 new clubs in the years ahead. India can enhance all the good image in so many paths of progress. God bless Vikas Jhingra in all his future pursuits of life and may God bless India in every future opportunities that can bring a positive image all over the world.

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MIT NEWS
MIT engineering student seeks public speaking championship
Elizabeth Knox, News Office Correspondent August 15, 2007

An MIT doctoral student who devoted the past seven years to detailed research on offshore drilling will have just seven minutes to make his mark in the Toastmasters International World Championship of Public Speaking, starting today (Aug. 15) in Phoenix.

Vikas Jhingran, a Ph.D. candidate in mechanical and ocean engineering, is one of 10 candidates competing in the three-day public speaking contest.

Jhingran's seven-minute speech for the Toastmasters championship is titled "The Swami." Using humor and broad gesture, he narrates a story of how he found the answer to unlocking his full potential through a visit to a neighborhood wise man, who asked him the provocative question "Who are you?"

Jhingran has been involved with Toastmasters for four years, and he credits the nonprofit public speaking organization with improving his confidence and transforming how he presents his research.
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George Torok
Speech Coach for Executives
Presentation Skills Training
The Fear of Public Speaking
Tips for Toastmasters
Toastmasters International

PowerPoint Comedy

PowerPoint Comedy with Don McMillan

PowerPoint can be funny - especially the goofy things that many presenters do with PowerPoint.

If you have to deliver a business presentation soon and you are considering using PowerPoint then I suggest you review this short video featuring Don McMillan on YouTube.

How not to use PowerPoint.

Review it before your presentation! Then you will be able to laugh at this video instead of cringing.

This video is also a good learning tool on how to get your point across with humor. Note the lessons about using PowerPoint and note the teaching techniques.

For more help on using PowerPoint read the PowerPoint Sins.

enjoy

George Torok
Speech Coach for Executives

Presentation first thoughts

First thoughts on your presentation

Why you?
How can you get more done? By being a superior communicator. The secret of managing people is to master the art and science of communication. Superior communication skills are a combination of listening, negotiating and speaking.


Public Speaking, Presentation or Speech?
Deliver your message with impact. It is not just a speech or presentation. I use the words speech, public speaking and presentations interchangeably in this article. It is your message that is important. Your presentation is the vehicle for delivering your message and to create results. A successful presentation is one that moves people to action. You know it was a success if after you speak, they buy, work or follow. To do that requires skill. Devour this article to capture the essence of superior presentation skills.


First Rule of Great Presentations
A great presentation does not just happen. It is planned, rehearsed then delivered with flair. A good presenter is one who learns the skills of presentations - not one who hopes for talent to carry them. Public speaking is a skill not a talent. You can be a good presenter if you learn the skills for presentation success. You will be a great speaker if you learn from every presentation you deliver. Great presenters start as poor speakers – then they get better.


Learn from other Great Speech Makers
Who are the public speakers you admire? Ask yourself why you admire them. What techniques do they use in their speeches that you can use? What principles can you adapt to your presentations? It could be a great political leader, business executive or innovator. Whether it is a Churchill, Henry Ford or Einstein – ask yourself, “Why does their delivery work so well? How can I use that technique or principle in my speech?” Look for the skills they used and make them your own.


Give a great presentation!

George Torok
The Speech Coach for Executives
Presentation Skills Training
More Presentation Skills Tips

Impromptu Public Speaking

Impromptu Public Speaking
Do not think on your feet!
Sometimes you might be asked to give 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.

Know some favourite stories that you tell well and can use to illustrate more than one message as required.
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 questions – and answer them.


Don’t think on your feet – instead be prepared.

George Torok
Speech Coach for Executives
Presentation Skills Training
Motivational Keynote Speaker

Team Presentations

Team Presentations

Are you delivering a team presentation soon?

You and two or three of your colleagues stand up and present the company message.

First be clear on the overall message. Then decide how each person supports that message in their portion of the presentation without duplicating.

Each presenter must have a clear yet distinct piece of the puzzle that supports the overall message.

For example you are presenting your sales message to your prospect then and you have four presenters. One is the team leader, one is the customer contact manager, one is the production foreman, and one is the logistics expert.

There must be a reason why each presenter on your team is there. That reason must be evident to your listeners. Too many presenters will muddy your message.

Each presenter on the team should deliver a distinct message that contributes to the main presentation message. With different presenters it helps that each has a slightly different style and personality. Do not dress exactly the same – that only confuses your listeners. If you all look the same, how can we tell you apart?



Million Dollar Tip
Each team presenter could start his/her portion with the rhetorical question, “Why am I here?” Then answer the question. That will help your listeners understand why you are there. They will be silently asking that question and will be pleasantly surprised when you voice it and answer it for them.

Follow this advice and your team presentations will be more successful and more profitable.

George Torok
Speech Coach for Executives



“In the end, the numbers speak. You demonstrated to us how to cut a 60-minute rambling presentation, into a 12-minute clear, concise and focused presentation that helped us secure a $10 million project. My team now has the knowledge, skill and attitude to present professionally.George, “Thank You”. I appreciate your expertise, your professionalism and of course, your sense of humour which lead us through some grueling sessions.”

Sam Kohn, President
Exhibits International

Presentation: Why are you Speaking?

Most Important Presentation Question

Creating your presentation starts with you asking and answering this important question, “Why are you speaking?”

You need to answer this question before you create your presentation so you deliver the right message. If you don’t know why you are speaking – then shut up.

You should be able to verbalize the answer to this question in one short sentence. Perhaps you want the client to buy your premium service, your staff to work together like a team or your investors to contribute another million. Be clear on the answer to this question, then design your presentation to clearing answer it for your listeners.

For example a client of mine was preparing a presentation to a new prospect. We explored this question, “Why are you speaking?” They suggested that it was to show that they are capable to do the job. On further probing we realized that “capable” was not enough. What my client really wanted to get across to their prospect was that the prospect would be stupid not to buy from my client. We needed to create and deliver a presentation that positioned my client as hot and irresistible.

That realization changed the nature, words and tone of the presentation. Capable just doesn’t cut it when you want to leave the impression of hot and irresistible.

Ask yourself, “Why are you speaking?” And you will create and deliver more focused presentations.

George Torok
Speech Coach for Executives
Motivational Speaker