Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
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Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
Spice Up Your Presentation with Quotations
Add one or a few quotations to your presentation to make it more entertaining and insightful. Your quotation might spur your listeners to think or laugh. Sprinkle lightly like pepper. Use a quotation that emphasizes or clarifies your message.
Here are three sources you can search for quotations:
Quote a Famous Person
This is the most common method. Be sure to quote from a person who is well known and well liked by your audience. That ensures that the quotation lends more weight to your message.
Name the person who said it. Don’t pretend to be the source of that phrase and don’t make your audience guess. An appropriate quotation helps you tap into the credibility of the person who first spoke that piece of wisdom. Select the right quotation from Albert Einstein and it sounds as if he agrees with you.
Avoid repeating the overused quotes. It looks bad when speakers are using the same quotations. If most people have heard the quotation several times you appear unoriginal in your thinking.
Instead, search for a quotation that is not so well known.
“I went to the gym on the days that I felt like it and I went to the gym on the days that I didn’t feel like it.” Muhammad Ali
Quote a Client, Colleague or Industry Expert
Another source of valuable quotations could be your clients – especially if you are talking to your staff or company colleagues. You could use praise or complaints.
The company or association founder could be a source of colorful insights. But don’t just look to the leader for words of wisdom. With a little research you might uncover hidden gems from the janitor or the guy on the loading dock.
“We hurry to ship it out and it comes back on the next truck. Why not get it right the first time?” Truck Driver
The Twist
A third variation is to take a common phrase or quotation and twist it. This technique can add an engaging element of surprise and humor to what might have been a dull presentation
“He who laughs – lasts.”
Children will offer you useful twists as they rephrase the words they hear and describe the world as they see it.
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us some email." 4 year old girl
How to Deliver the Quotation with Drama
Pause just before you deliver the line and just after. While you are stating the quotation, shift your stance so you look slightly different and alter your voice a bit. Then resume your previous stance and voice to demonstrate that you are back to your own words. You don’t need to deliver a perfect impersonation of the person. Just make the little shifts. Those tiny changes will help the audience perceive you as the character you are quoting. It adds drama to your presentation and makes your message more memorable.
What if you can’t remember who said it or you’re not sure if you’ve got the words right? Then preface the line with, “As my grandmother used to say…” No one will get annoyed with your grandmother for altering the line.
The right quotation and appropriate source can inject spice into your presentation. It will help make your message more engaging, insightful and memorable.
“All we have to fear - is being boring.”
© George Torok helps business professionals deliver million dollar presentations. Find more free tips at http://www.SpeechCoachforExecutives.com Learn about upcoming seminars and audio classes at http://www.Presentation-Skills-Seminars.com To arrange for personal presentation coaching call 905-335-1997
Spice Up Your Presentation with Quotations
Quotations and Insights from George Torok
more Presentation Skills Articles
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
Here are three sources you can search for quotations:
Quote a Famous Person
This is the most common method. Be sure to quote from a person who is well known and well liked by your audience. That ensures that the quotation lends more weight to your message.
Name the person who said it. Don’t pretend to be the source of that phrase and don’t make your audience guess. An appropriate quotation helps you tap into the credibility of the person who first spoke that piece of wisdom. Select the right quotation from Albert Einstein and it sounds as if he agrees with you.
Avoid repeating the overused quotes. It looks bad when speakers are using the same quotations. If most people have heard the quotation several times you appear unoriginal in your thinking.
Instead, search for a quotation that is not so well known.
“I went to the gym on the days that I felt like it and I went to the gym on the days that I didn’t feel like it.” Muhammad Ali
Quote a Client, Colleague or Industry Expert
Another source of valuable quotations could be your clients – especially if you are talking to your staff or company colleagues. You could use praise or complaints.
The company or association founder could be a source of colorful insights. But don’t just look to the leader for words of wisdom. With a little research you might uncover hidden gems from the janitor or the guy on the loading dock.
“We hurry to ship it out and it comes back on the next truck. Why not get it right the first time?” Truck Driver
The Twist
A third variation is to take a common phrase or quotation and twist it. This technique can add an engaging element of surprise and humor to what might have been a dull presentation
“He who laughs – lasts.”
Children will offer you useful twists as they rephrase the words they hear and describe the world as they see it.
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us some email." 4 year old girl
How to Deliver the Quotation with Drama
Pause just before you deliver the line and just after. While you are stating the quotation, shift your stance so you look slightly different and alter your voice a bit. Then resume your previous stance and voice to demonstrate that you are back to your own words. You don’t need to deliver a perfect impersonation of the person. Just make the little shifts. Those tiny changes will help the audience perceive you as the character you are quoting. It adds drama to your presentation and makes your message more memorable.
What if you can’t remember who said it or you’re not sure if you’ve got the words right? Then preface the line with, “As my grandmother used to say…” No one will get annoyed with your grandmother for altering the line.
The right quotation and appropriate source can inject spice into your presentation. It will help make your message more engaging, insightful and memorable.
“All we have to fear - is being boring.”
© George Torok helps business professionals deliver million dollar presentations. Find more free tips at http://www.SpeechCoachforExecutives.com Learn about upcoming seminars and audio classes at http://www.Presentation-Skills-Seminars.com To arrange for personal presentation coaching call 905-335-1997
Spice Up Your Presentation with Quotations
Quotations and Insights from George Torok
more Presentation Skills Articles
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
Body Language of Animals Video
What are the animals talking about? Read their body language. Enjoy this funny video.
George Torok
Presentation Skills Seminars
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
George Torok
Presentation Skills Seminars
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
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.
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.
Too much information - not enough time
How to deliver your management report clearly by saying less
You have been asked to present a report to management. You have two hours worth of information but only 20 minutes to speak. What a dilemma! How do you get your message across? How will you decide what to leave out? And will management punish you for leaving something out?
5 to 10 Times Rule
What should you do? If you only have two hours of information then you should only speak for about 12 to 24 minutes. Why? Because if you have two hours of material - then most of it will be irrelevant or boring or both. Follow this rule - you should always have at least 5 to 10 times more information than you present.
If you worked on the project and researched the information, you might easily fall into the trap that everything is important and interesting. After all, you sweated over all the details. And more important to you - you want management to see you as doing a thorough job. You don't want to leave something out because that might make you look as if you don't know everything - or that you didn't do your homework.
Show Your Stuff Without Telling All
How do you appear to know all your 'stuff' without telling all your 'stuff'? How do you make the right impression on management? You might feel that the only way to appear open and honest is to tell everything you know. The reality is that if you tell everything you know - you are wasting their time and you are demonstrating that you can't judge what is important and what isn't. The message that you will convey is that you can't be trusted to think.
Like it or not you must leave some information out. You must decide on what is most relevant to management for this presentation. Learn to do that effectively and you will have more success with your management reports. You will get more support from management and you will be better perceived as management material.
Let's look at the "5 to 10 times" rule. If you know 5 to 10 times what you actually deliver - you will feel more confident while presenting because you will clearly know your stuff. You will give the group your best stuff. And when you get questions - especially the obscure ones - you will handle them skillfully and confidently. Management will see that there is real substance behind the presentation. That will make them feel more confident about your report and you. It does not matter how much information you present - if they don't believe you or feel confident about you. Senior management must believe in you. That is your real bottom line.
So how do you cut? First, decide on your most important message. What is it that you want your listeners to feel, say or do after your presentation? For example, are you asking management for approval, budget, or other resources? Do you want them to feel confident that you are handling things well - and they can leave you alone? Or are you warning them about a problem that they might need to act upon? Be clear about your key message?
Focus On Key Message
Before you start to prepare your presentation - write your key message on a piece of paper and keep that in front of you while preparing your presentation. If you can't do this, then you really don't understand the purpose of your presentation. And people who do things without understanding their true purpose are doomed to fail. Check every exhibit, phrase, and fact against that purpose. If something doesn't help you get your key message across, delete it.
If you sculpt your presentation well enough you might deliver that 20-minute presentation in 17 minutes. And guess what? No one will be unhappy that you did it in less time. In fact, take note of the approving nods and smiles around the room when you finish early.
Several Versions
Take this method one step further. Because you will deliver similar messages over your career, develop different time versions of each message. Be ready to deliver your key messages in a 20-minute, 5-minute and 90-second format. When you can do that you will deliver the right presentation at the right time and be more successful in getting what you want.
What can you do if you really want management to have all the information? Give them the detailed report. But keep your presentation short. The best thing you can do for your business presentations is to make them shorter. Management will reward you.
SC© George Torok is the Speech Coach for Executives. Register for your free presentation skills tips at www.Torok.com Arrange for presentation skills training for your sales team by calling 905-335-1997 Find more free presentation skills tips at www.SpeechCoachforExecutives.com Receive regular presentation tips at http://twitter.com/PresentationsGo
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
You have been asked to present a report to management. You have two hours worth of information but only 20 minutes to speak. What a dilemma! How do you get your message across? How will you decide what to leave out? And will management punish you for leaving something out?
5 to 10 Times Rule
What should you do? If you only have two hours of information then you should only speak for about 12 to 24 minutes. Why? Because if you have two hours of material - then most of it will be irrelevant or boring or both. Follow this rule - you should always have at least 5 to 10 times more information than you present.
If you worked on the project and researched the information, you might easily fall into the trap that everything is important and interesting. After all, you sweated over all the details. And more important to you - you want management to see you as doing a thorough job. You don't want to leave something out because that might make you look as if you don't know everything - or that you didn't do your homework.
Show Your Stuff Without Telling All
How do you appear to know all your 'stuff' without telling all your 'stuff'? How do you make the right impression on management? You might feel that the only way to appear open and honest is to tell everything you know. The reality is that if you tell everything you know - you are wasting their time and you are demonstrating that you can't judge what is important and what isn't. The message that you will convey is that you can't be trusted to think.
Like it or not you must leave some information out. You must decide on what is most relevant to management for this presentation. Learn to do that effectively and you will have more success with your management reports. You will get more support from management and you will be better perceived as management material.
Let's look at the "5 to 10 times" rule. If you know 5 to 10 times what you actually deliver - you will feel more confident while presenting because you will clearly know your stuff. You will give the group your best stuff. And when you get questions - especially the obscure ones - you will handle them skillfully and confidently. Management will see that there is real substance behind the presentation. That will make them feel more confident about your report and you. It does not matter how much information you present - if they don't believe you or feel confident about you. Senior management must believe in you. That is your real bottom line.
So how do you cut? First, decide on your most important message. What is it that you want your listeners to feel, say or do after your presentation? For example, are you asking management for approval, budget, or other resources? Do you want them to feel confident that you are handling things well - and they can leave you alone? Or are you warning them about a problem that they might need to act upon? Be clear about your key message?
Focus On Key Message
Before you start to prepare your presentation - write your key message on a piece of paper and keep that in front of you while preparing your presentation. If you can't do this, then you really don't understand the purpose of your presentation. And people who do things without understanding their true purpose are doomed to fail. Check every exhibit, phrase, and fact against that purpose. If something doesn't help you get your key message across, delete it.
If you sculpt your presentation well enough you might deliver that 20-minute presentation in 17 minutes. And guess what? No one will be unhappy that you did it in less time. In fact, take note of the approving nods and smiles around the room when you finish early.
Several Versions
Take this method one step further. Because you will deliver similar messages over your career, develop different time versions of each message. Be ready to deliver your key messages in a 20-minute, 5-minute and 90-second format. When you can do that you will deliver the right presentation at the right time and be more successful in getting what you want.
What can you do if you really want management to have all the information? Give them the detailed report. But keep your presentation short. The best thing you can do for your business presentations is to make them shorter. Management will reward you.
SC© George Torok is the Speech Coach for Executives. Register for your free presentation skills tips at www.Torok.com Arrange for presentation skills training for your sales team by calling 905-335-1997 Find more free presentation skills tips at www.SpeechCoachforExecutives.com Receive regular presentation tips at http://twitter.com/PresentationsGo
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
Sales & Marketing Executives versus 12-year-olds
Who delivered a better presentation and why?
Recently I listened to a group of senior sales and marketing executives speak at a networking meeting. I also served as a judge at a speech contest for 12-year-olds. These two unrelated events prompted me to compare the presentation skills of each group.
1. Guess who was more engaging, attention grabbing and memorable?
2. Guess who was boring, uninspiring and easily forgettable?
The answer to question one is – the 12-year-olds. They were good.
The answer to question two is – the sales & marketing executives. They needed improvement.
Why did 12-year-olds deliver better presentations than senior sales and marketing executives?
Competition
The 12-year olds were competing in a speech contest. Many of their parents were there. Money and prestige were on the line, so they were well rehearsed.
Focus
Each presenter had a focused message. Their presentation was designed to deliver that message. Some were deep and serious while others were light and whimsical. In all cases the message was clear and easy to summarize.
Relate
The presenters spoke to the interests of the audience. The topics ranged from “the influence of the media”, “tourism in third world countries”, “the family van”, “peculiarities of the English language”, and “homework”. Yet each speaker related the topic to the listener.
Stories
Each speaker told colorful stories. That sparked images in my mind. Many said things that were funny and made me laugh. Some statements challenged my opinion. I was impressed by the carefully selected words and phrasing. All were simple and understandable.
Passion
Each speaker conveyed passion for their message. Each radiated that they were happy to be speaking to us.
Bold
These speakers were bold. They stood before the audience, looked people in the eye, delivered their statements and performed.
What did the Sales & Marketing Executives (SME) do poorly?
Winging it
The SME seemed to be winging it – even though they were competing for attention, memorability and jobs. These SME were between jobs but seemed reluctant to compete and rehearse. Yet, clearly a lot of money was on the line. If their family had attended, would they have prepared better?
Vague
There was no focus or purpose evident. It almost seemed that they first were reciting their resume and then what they had for breakfast. Okay, I’m exaggerating the breakfast part – but it seemed as boring as porridge.
Pain
Each speaker seemed to be caught in their own self-centered world. Most didn’t relate to me or how they might fix my pain or that of my contacts. How could I help them if I didn’t know what they were offering? Stating “who you worked for” tells me little. They needed to speak of pain and solutions.
Blah
Facts, history and blah, blah, blah. Some related recent experiences but none that were worth remembering. Many used filler, self-sabotaging and jargon words. I was bored, confused and unimpressed.
Passion?
I didn’t feel it. The emotion that I felt was remorse. “Why am I here?”
Timid
You might think that Sales & Marketing Executives would be anything but humble. You might think that Sales & Marketing Executives would grasp the difference between benefits and features. I thought so too.
All of the SME sat while speaking, crunched in their chairs some with an arm draped over the back of the chair. It was as if this was a family picnic instead of a possible career defining meeting. I found it curious that none of the men wore a tie. Did they want to be taken seriously? Or was this just a social club?
Presentation Skills Contest Results
What’s the score? 12-year olds -1. Sales & Marketing Executives - 0.
Some of you might think that I’m too hard on the Sales & Marketing Executives. That I’m expecting too much from them. Maybe – but I bet that I’m not the only one.
© George Torok is the Speech Coach for Executives. He coaches business leaders to deliver deal-closing presentations. Find more free presentation tips at http://www.SpeechCoachforExecutives.com Find more tips and ideas for your presentations at http://www.facebook.com/PresentationSkillsClub To arrange for training for your team call 905-335-1997
http://www.speechcoachforexecutives.com/article_26.html
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
Recently I listened to a group of senior sales and marketing executives speak at a networking meeting. I also served as a judge at a speech contest for 12-year-olds. These two unrelated events prompted me to compare the presentation skills of each group.
1. Guess who was more engaging, attention grabbing and memorable?
2. Guess who was boring, uninspiring and easily forgettable?
The answer to question one is – the 12-year-olds. They were good.
The answer to question two is – the sales & marketing executives. They needed improvement.
Why did 12-year-olds deliver better presentations than senior sales and marketing executives?
Competition
The 12-year olds were competing in a speech contest. Many of their parents were there. Money and prestige were on the line, so they were well rehearsed.
Focus
Each presenter had a focused message. Their presentation was designed to deliver that message. Some were deep and serious while others were light and whimsical. In all cases the message was clear and easy to summarize.
Relate
The presenters spoke to the interests of the audience. The topics ranged from “the influence of the media”, “tourism in third world countries”, “the family van”, “peculiarities of the English language”, and “homework”. Yet each speaker related the topic to the listener.
Stories
Each speaker told colorful stories. That sparked images in my mind. Many said things that were funny and made me laugh. Some statements challenged my opinion. I was impressed by the carefully selected words and phrasing. All were simple and understandable.
Passion
Each speaker conveyed passion for their message. Each radiated that they were happy to be speaking to us.
Bold
These speakers were bold. They stood before the audience, looked people in the eye, delivered their statements and performed.
What did the Sales & Marketing Executives (SME) do poorly?
Winging it
The SME seemed to be winging it – even though they were competing for attention, memorability and jobs. These SME were between jobs but seemed reluctant to compete and rehearse. Yet, clearly a lot of money was on the line. If their family had attended, would they have prepared better?
Vague
There was no focus or purpose evident. It almost seemed that they first were reciting their resume and then what they had for breakfast. Okay, I’m exaggerating the breakfast part – but it seemed as boring as porridge.
Pain
Each speaker seemed to be caught in their own self-centered world. Most didn’t relate to me or how they might fix my pain or that of my contacts. How could I help them if I didn’t know what they were offering? Stating “who you worked for” tells me little. They needed to speak of pain and solutions.
Blah
Facts, history and blah, blah, blah. Some related recent experiences but none that were worth remembering. Many used filler, self-sabotaging and jargon words. I was bored, confused and unimpressed.
Passion?
I didn’t feel it. The emotion that I felt was remorse. “Why am I here?”
Timid
You might think that Sales & Marketing Executives would be anything but humble. You might think that Sales & Marketing Executives would grasp the difference between benefits and features. I thought so too.
All of the SME sat while speaking, crunched in their chairs some with an arm draped over the back of the chair. It was as if this was a family picnic instead of a possible career defining meeting. I found it curious that none of the men wore a tie. Did they want to be taken seriously? Or was this just a social club?
Presentation Skills Contest Results
What’s the score? 12-year olds -1. Sales & Marketing Executives - 0.
Some of you might think that I’m too hard on the Sales & Marketing Executives. That I’m expecting too much from them. Maybe – but I bet that I’m not the only one.
© George Torok is the Speech Coach for Executives. He coaches business leaders to deliver deal-closing presentations. Find more free presentation tips at http://www.SpeechCoachforExecutives.com Find more tips and ideas for your presentations at http://www.facebook.com/PresentationSkillsClub To arrange for training for your team call 905-335-1997
http://www.speechcoachforexecutives.com/article_26.html
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.
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.
Dealing with a Hostile Audience
The best example of taming a hostile audience is Marc Anthony’s eulogy for Julius Caesar after the murder of the emperor. Following is Marc Anthony’s speech from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.
ANTONY. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears! I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
He addresses the listeners as equals just as many US presidents start their speeches with “fellow Americans.” And he puts them at ease by offering only to bury Caesar not praise him.
The evil that men do lives after them,
The good is oft interred with their bones;
So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus
Hath told you Caesar was ambitious;
If it were so, it was a grievous fault,
And grievously hath Caesar answer'd it.
He starts to play with their minds by suggesting that it is easy to forget about the good deeds and only remember the bad. This plants some doubt in the minds of the listeners, maybe even some guilt for already forgetting of the good deeds. He reminds them that the greatest crime according to the murderer of Caesar was that he was ambitions. Then he points out that Caesar has paid the price for that crime.
Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest-
For Brutus is an honorable man;
So are they all, all honorable men-
He speaks well of the murderers. He casts no stones.
Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral.
He was my friend, faithful and just to me;
He talks about his friend. An emotional appeal.
But Brutus says he was ambitious,
And Brutus is an honorable man.
Notice how he repeats this refrain. It is effective because it anchors the crime of which Caesar was accused and executed for. And the message about Brutus being a honorable man starts to rub listeners as untrue.
He hath brought many captives home to Rome,
Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill.
Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?
When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept;
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff:
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious,
And Brutus is an honorable man.
You all did see that on the Lupercal
I thrice presented him a kingly crown,
Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition?
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious,
And sure he is an honorable man. Reminder of the good things that Caesar did while reminding them of the now weak crime of ambition.
I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke,
In fact he does. The use of the word, “but” in the next line is a clear indicator of disagreement.
But here I am to speak what I do know.
You all did love him once, not without cause;
What cause withholds you then to mourn for him?
O judgement, thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason. Bear with me;
My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar,
And I must pause till it come back to me.
An emotional tug at their guilt and the setup for a pause on his part to allow the listeners to think and speak amongst themselves.
FIRST CITIZEN. Methinks there is much reason in his sayings.
SECOND CITIZEN. If thou consider rightly of the matter, Caesar has had great wrong.
THIRD CITIZEN. Has he, masters? I fear there will a worse come in his place.
FOURTH CITIZEN. Mark'd ye his words? He would not take the crown; Therefore 'tis certain he was not ambitious.
FIRST CITIZEN. If it be found so, some will dear abide it.
SECOND CITIZEN. Poor soul, his eyes are red as fire with weeping.
THIRD CITIZEN. There's not a nobler man in Rome than Antony.
FOURTH CITIZEN. Now mark him, he begins again to speak.
It worked. The audience is now listening more intently to Marc Anthony and they are rethinking their original position about the validity of killing Caesar. Mark Anthony has turned the audience. And they are ready for his next push.
ANTONY. But yesterday the word of Caesar might
Have stood against the world. Now lies he there,
And none so poor to do him reverence.
O masters! If I were disposed to stir
Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage,
I should do Brutus wrong and Cassius wrong,
Who, you all know, are honorable men.
I will not do them wrong; I rather choose
To wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you,
Than I will wrong such honorable men.
But here's a parchment with the seal of Caesar;
I found it in his closet, 'tis his will.
Let but the commons hear this testament-
Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read-
And they would go and kiss dead Caesar's wounds
And dip their napkins in his sacred blood,
Yea, beg a hair of him for memory,
And, dying, mention it within their wills,
Bequeathing it as a rich legacy
Unto their issue.
FOURTH CITIZEN. We'll hear the will. Read it, Mark Antony.
ALL. The will, the will! We will hear Caesar's will.
ANTONY. Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it;
It is not meet you know how Caesar loved you.
You are not wood, you are not stones, but men;
And, being men, hearing the will of Caesar,
It will inflame you, it will make you mad.
'Tis good you know not that you are his heirs,
For if you should, O, what would come of it!
FOURTH CITIZEN. Read the will; we'll hear it, Antony.
You shall read us the will, Caesar's will.
ANTONY. Will you be patient? Will you stay awhile?
I have o'ershot myself to tell you of it.
I fear I wrong the honorable men
Whose daggers have stabb'd Caesar; I do fear it.
FOURTH CITIZEN. They were traitors. Honorable men! ALL. The will! The testament!
SECOND CITIZEN. They were villains, murtherers. The will!
Read the will!
ANTONY. You will compel me then to read the will?
Then make a ring about the corse of Caesar,
And let me show you him that made the will.
Shall I descend? And will you give me leave?
ALL. Come down.
SECOND CITIZEN. Descend.
He comes down from the pulpit.
THIRD CITIZEN. You shall have leave.
FOURTH CITIZEN. A ring, stand round.
FIRST CITIZEN. Stand from the hearse, stand from the body.
SECOND CITIZEN. Room for Antony, most noble Antony.
ANTONY. Nay, press not so upon me, stand far off.
ALL. Stand back; room, bear back!
ANTONY. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now.
You all do know this mantle. I remember
The first time ever Caesar put it on;
'Twas on a summer's evening, in his tent,
That day he overcame the Nervii.
Look, in this place ran Cassius' dagger through;
See what a rent the envious Casca made;
Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabb'd;
And as he pluck'd his cursed steel away,
Mark how the blood of Caesar follow'd it,
As rushing out of doors, to be resolved
If Brutus so unkindly knock'd, or no;
For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's angel.
Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him!
This was the most unkindest cut of all;
For when the noble Caesar saw him stab,
Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms,
Quite vanquish'd him. Then burst his mighty heart,
And, in his mantle muffling up his face,
Even at the base of Pompey's statue,
Which all the while ran blood, great Caesar fell.
O, what a fall was there, my countrymen!
Then I, and you, and all of us fell down,
Whilst bloody treason flourish'd over us.
O, now you weep, and I perceive you feel
The dint of pity. These are gracious drops.
Kind souls, what weep you when you but behold
Our Caesar's vesture wounded? Look you here,
Here is himself, marr'd, as you see, with traitors.
FIRST CITIZEN. O piteous spectacle!
SECOND CITIZEN. O noble Caesar!
THIRD CITIZEN. O woeful day!
FOURTH CITIZEN. O traitors villains!
FIRST CITIZEN. O most bloody sight!
SECOND CITIZEN. We will be revenged.
ALL. Revenge! About! Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill!
Slay! Let not a traitor live!
ANTONY. Stay, countrymen.
FIRST CITIZEN. Peace there! Hear the noble Antony.
SECOND CITIZEN. We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll die with him.
ANTONY. Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up
To such a sudden flood of mutiny.
They that have done this deed are honorable.
What private griefs they have, alas, I know not,
That made them do it. They are wise and honorable,
And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you.
I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts.
I am no orator, as Brutus is;
But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man,
That love my friend, and that they know full well
That gave me public leave to speak of him.
For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth,
Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech,
To stir men's blood. I only speak right on;
I tell you that which you yourselves do know;
Show you sweet Caesar's wounds, poor dumb mouths,
And bid them speak for me. But were I Brutus,
And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony
Would ruffle up your spirits and put a tongue
In every wound of Caesar that should move
The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny.
ALL. We'll mutiny.
FIRST CITIZEN. We'll burn the house of Brutus.
THIRD CITIZEN. Away, then! Come, seek the conspirators.
ANTONY. Yet hear me, countrymen; yet hear me speak.
ALL. Peace, ho! Hear Antony, most noble Antony!
ANTONY. Why, friends, you go to do you know not what.
Wherein hath Caesar thus deserved your loves?
Alas, you know not; I must tell you then.
You have forgot the will I told you of.
ALL. Most true, the will! Let's stay and hear the will.
ANTONY. Here is the will, and under Caesar's seal.
To every Roman citizen he gives,
To every several man, seventy-five drachmas.
SECOND CITIZEN. Most noble Caesar! We'll revenge his death.
THIRD CITIZEN. O royal Caesar!
ANTONY. Hear me with patience.
ALL. Peace, ho!
ANTONY. Moreover, he hath left you all his walks,
His private arbors, and new-planted orchards,
On this side Tiber; he hath left them you,
And to your heirs forever- common pleasures,
To walk abroad and recreate yourselves.
Here was a Caesar! When comes such another?
FIRST CITIZEN. Never, never. Come, away, away!
We'll burn his body in the holy place
And with the brands fire the traitors' houses.
Take up the body.
SECOND CITIZEN. Go fetch fire.
THIRD CITIZEN. Pluck down benches.
FOURTH CITIZEN. Pluck down forms, windows, anything.
Exeunt Citizens with the body.
ANTONY. Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot,
Take thou what course thou wilt.
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
ANTONY. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears! I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
He addresses the listeners as equals just as many US presidents start their speeches with “fellow Americans.” And he puts them at ease by offering only to bury Caesar not praise him.
The evil that men do lives after them,
The good is oft interred with their bones;
So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus
Hath told you Caesar was ambitious;
If it were so, it was a grievous fault,
And grievously hath Caesar answer'd it.
He starts to play with their minds by suggesting that it is easy to forget about the good deeds and only remember the bad. This plants some doubt in the minds of the listeners, maybe even some guilt for already forgetting of the good deeds. He reminds them that the greatest crime according to the murderer of Caesar was that he was ambitions. Then he points out that Caesar has paid the price for that crime.
Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest-
For Brutus is an honorable man;
So are they all, all honorable men-
He speaks well of the murderers. He casts no stones.
Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral.
He was my friend, faithful and just to me;
He talks about his friend. An emotional appeal.
But Brutus says he was ambitious,
And Brutus is an honorable man.
Notice how he repeats this refrain. It is effective because it anchors the crime of which Caesar was accused and executed for. And the message about Brutus being a honorable man starts to rub listeners as untrue.
He hath brought many captives home to Rome,
Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill.
Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?
When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept;
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff:
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious,
And Brutus is an honorable man.
You all did see that on the Lupercal
I thrice presented him a kingly crown,
Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition?
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious,
And sure he is an honorable man. Reminder of the good things that Caesar did while reminding them of the now weak crime of ambition.
I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke,
In fact he does. The use of the word, “but” in the next line is a clear indicator of disagreement.
But here I am to speak what I do know.
You all did love him once, not without cause;
What cause withholds you then to mourn for him?
O judgement, thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason. Bear with me;
My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar,
And I must pause till it come back to me.
An emotional tug at their guilt and the setup for a pause on his part to allow the listeners to think and speak amongst themselves.
FIRST CITIZEN. Methinks there is much reason in his sayings.
SECOND CITIZEN. If thou consider rightly of the matter, Caesar has had great wrong.
THIRD CITIZEN. Has he, masters? I fear there will a worse come in his place.
FOURTH CITIZEN. Mark'd ye his words? He would not take the crown; Therefore 'tis certain he was not ambitious.
FIRST CITIZEN. If it be found so, some will dear abide it.
SECOND CITIZEN. Poor soul, his eyes are red as fire with weeping.
THIRD CITIZEN. There's not a nobler man in Rome than Antony.
FOURTH CITIZEN. Now mark him, he begins again to speak.
It worked. The audience is now listening more intently to Marc Anthony and they are rethinking their original position about the validity of killing Caesar. Mark Anthony has turned the audience. And they are ready for his next push.
ANTONY. But yesterday the word of Caesar might
Have stood against the world. Now lies he there,
And none so poor to do him reverence.
O masters! If I were disposed to stir
Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage,
I should do Brutus wrong and Cassius wrong,
Who, you all know, are honorable men.
I will not do them wrong; I rather choose
To wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you,
Than I will wrong such honorable men.
But here's a parchment with the seal of Caesar;
I found it in his closet, 'tis his will.
Let but the commons hear this testament-
Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read-
And they would go and kiss dead Caesar's wounds
And dip their napkins in his sacred blood,
Yea, beg a hair of him for memory,
And, dying, mention it within their wills,
Bequeathing it as a rich legacy
Unto their issue.
FOURTH CITIZEN. We'll hear the will. Read it, Mark Antony.
ALL. The will, the will! We will hear Caesar's will.
ANTONY. Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it;
It is not meet you know how Caesar loved you.
You are not wood, you are not stones, but men;
And, being men, hearing the will of Caesar,
It will inflame you, it will make you mad.
'Tis good you know not that you are his heirs,
For if you should, O, what would come of it!
FOURTH CITIZEN. Read the will; we'll hear it, Antony.
You shall read us the will, Caesar's will.
ANTONY. Will you be patient? Will you stay awhile?
I have o'ershot myself to tell you of it.
I fear I wrong the honorable men
Whose daggers have stabb'd Caesar; I do fear it.
FOURTH CITIZEN. They were traitors. Honorable men! ALL. The will! The testament!
SECOND CITIZEN. They were villains, murtherers. The will!
Read the will!
ANTONY. You will compel me then to read the will?
Then make a ring about the corse of Caesar,
And let me show you him that made the will.
Shall I descend? And will you give me leave?
ALL. Come down.
SECOND CITIZEN. Descend.
He comes down from the pulpit.
THIRD CITIZEN. You shall have leave.
FOURTH CITIZEN. A ring, stand round.
FIRST CITIZEN. Stand from the hearse, stand from the body.
SECOND CITIZEN. Room for Antony, most noble Antony.
ANTONY. Nay, press not so upon me, stand far off.
ALL. Stand back; room, bear back!
ANTONY. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now.
You all do know this mantle. I remember
The first time ever Caesar put it on;
'Twas on a summer's evening, in his tent,
That day he overcame the Nervii.
Look, in this place ran Cassius' dagger through;
See what a rent the envious Casca made;
Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabb'd;
And as he pluck'd his cursed steel away,
Mark how the blood of Caesar follow'd it,
As rushing out of doors, to be resolved
If Brutus so unkindly knock'd, or no;
For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's angel.
Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him!
This was the most unkindest cut of all;
For when the noble Caesar saw him stab,
Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms,
Quite vanquish'd him. Then burst his mighty heart,
And, in his mantle muffling up his face,
Even at the base of Pompey's statue,
Which all the while ran blood, great Caesar fell.
O, what a fall was there, my countrymen!
Then I, and you, and all of us fell down,
Whilst bloody treason flourish'd over us.
O, now you weep, and I perceive you feel
The dint of pity. These are gracious drops.
Kind souls, what weep you when you but behold
Our Caesar's vesture wounded? Look you here,
Here is himself, marr'd, as you see, with traitors.
FIRST CITIZEN. O piteous spectacle!
SECOND CITIZEN. O noble Caesar!
THIRD CITIZEN. O woeful day!
FOURTH CITIZEN. O traitors villains!
FIRST CITIZEN. O most bloody sight!
SECOND CITIZEN. We will be revenged.
ALL. Revenge! About! Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill!
Slay! Let not a traitor live!
ANTONY. Stay, countrymen.
FIRST CITIZEN. Peace there! Hear the noble Antony.
SECOND CITIZEN. We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll die with him.
ANTONY. Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up
To such a sudden flood of mutiny.
They that have done this deed are honorable.
What private griefs they have, alas, I know not,
That made them do it. They are wise and honorable,
And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you.
I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts.
I am no orator, as Brutus is;
But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man,
That love my friend, and that they know full well
That gave me public leave to speak of him.
For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth,
Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech,
To stir men's blood. I only speak right on;
I tell you that which you yourselves do know;
Show you sweet Caesar's wounds, poor dumb mouths,
And bid them speak for me. But were I Brutus,
And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony
Would ruffle up your spirits and put a tongue
In every wound of Caesar that should move
The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny.
ALL. We'll mutiny.
FIRST CITIZEN. We'll burn the house of Brutus.
THIRD CITIZEN. Away, then! Come, seek the conspirators.
ANTONY. Yet hear me, countrymen; yet hear me speak.
ALL. Peace, ho! Hear Antony, most noble Antony!
ANTONY. Why, friends, you go to do you know not what.
Wherein hath Caesar thus deserved your loves?
Alas, you know not; I must tell you then.
You have forgot the will I told you of.
ALL. Most true, the will! Let's stay and hear the will.
ANTONY. Here is the will, and under Caesar's seal.
To every Roman citizen he gives,
To every several man, seventy-five drachmas.
SECOND CITIZEN. Most noble Caesar! We'll revenge his death.
THIRD CITIZEN. O royal Caesar!
ANTONY. Hear me with patience.
ALL. Peace, ho!
ANTONY. Moreover, he hath left you all his walks,
His private arbors, and new-planted orchards,
On this side Tiber; he hath left them you,
And to your heirs forever- common pleasures,
To walk abroad and recreate yourselves.
Here was a Caesar! When comes such another?
FIRST CITIZEN. Never, never. Come, away, away!
We'll burn his body in the holy place
And with the brands fire the traitors' houses.
Take up the body.
SECOND CITIZEN. Go fetch fire.
THIRD CITIZEN. Pluck down benches.
FOURTH CITIZEN. Pluck down forms, windows, anything.
Exeunt Citizens with the body.
ANTONY. Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot,
Take thou what course thou wilt.
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
4 Questions You Need to Answer in Your Presentation
Every time you speak you must answer four questions for your audience.
Why?
This addresses the question of purpose and relevance.
What?
This addresses the question of direction.
How?
This addresses the question of detail.
What if?
This addresses the question of wild cards.
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
Why?
This addresses the question of purpose and relevance.
What?
This addresses the question of direction.
How?
This addresses the question of detail.
What if?
This addresses the question of wild cards.
Executive Speech Coach, Business presentation tips from George Torok, the Speech Coach for Executives.
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