Business and Finance

Having read Jane Andrew’s article entitled Public Speaking is Acting, I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you why the best public speakers are not acting: they are communicating.

Acting requires memorization of a script that has been marked by the actor; i.e., pause here, smile there, increase your volume, etc. In teaching public speaking, I emphasize not marking the script because I don’t want a rote delivery.

The beauty of public speaking is that your audience often determines how your material will flow; and, good public speakers know how to work with good audiences. Anecdotes or jokes may be added on the spur if the audience is highly receptive; whereas, if the audience is unresponsive, many speakers will drop some material and move in a different direction.

In that respect, good public speakers are thinking throughout their entire delivery because they are communicating. They are not trying to be someone other than themselves. They understand and value their own individuality. And, they talk to their audience just as if they were having a conversation in their living room.

Continue reading ‘Why Public Speaking is not Acting’ »

Having read Jane Andrew’s article entitled Public Speaking is Acting, I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you why the best public speakers are not acting: they are communicating.

Acting requires memorization of a script that has been marked by the actor; i.e., pause here, smile there, increase your volume, etc. In teaching public speaking, I emphasize not marking the script because I don’t want a rote delivery.

The beauty of public speaking is that your audience often determines how your material will flow; and, good public speakers know how to work with good audiences. Anecdotes or jokes may be added on the spur if the audience is highly receptive; whereas, if the audience is unresponsive, many speakers will drop some material and move in a different direction.

Continue reading ‘Why Public Speaking is not Acting’ »

I’ve never read Dante’s book describing his vision of the nine circles of hell, but I’d be happy to take a punt that making a pitch hovers somewhere around level eight.

It’s not just the fear of saying the wrong thing and losing a potential contract, it’s also the stress of being on show – being scrutinised by others. Just what are they looking for?

In all honesty, the panel probably don’t even really know themselves. They will have clocked whether you look well presented and professional within the first couple of seconds. But after that most of their opinions about your character will come from tiny pieces of body language that we all react to but few can explain.

It’s very hard to cheat and fool people that you’re something you’re not. However, as 90% of all communication is non-verbal an understanding of how to present yourself can make all the difference in business situations, whether it’s a 30 minute pitch or a 30 second introduction.

Continue reading ‘Sending Signals’ »

When invited (or ordered!) to give a presentation or a speech, most of us think that what comes out of our mouth during that 5, 10, or 45 minute delivery is the ‘piece de resistance’ when in fact, without proper preparation, it may be a disaster.

I liken good preparation to the 5 Ws of good investigative work, much like good journalism. Before you even prepare that speech or presentation, it is important to know who, what, where, when & why.

1. To Whom will you be speaking? The type of group you will be addressing will effect how you will speak to them. Talking to seniors in high school is different than talking to a group of insurance brokers. Your language will be slightly different as will your style of delivery. Knowing your audience means knowing their reason for attending your presentation.

2. About What will you be speaking? While this may seem obvious, such is not always the case. Let’s say for example, you are a botanist and your mother at the retirement center wants you to give a talk to her gardening club. Giving a more generalized talk about perennials and annuals, for instance, is going to be of much greater interest to these retired senior citizens than discussing plant biochemistry.

Continue reading ‘The 5 Things You Must Do Before Opening Your Mouth to Speak’ »