To Be a Good Speaker....Listen well!

When watching a speaker present, how well do you listen?

Do you...

1) Tune out people with whom you don't agree, thereby being prejudicial?

2) Form a rebuttal in your head, while the presenter is still speaking?

3) Give the appearance of listening when you aren't? e.g texting, emailing.

4) Daydream during the talk?

5) Mentally criticize or condemn the speaker's clothes, jewelry, shoes, hair, glasses?

6) Allow yourself to be distracted by something going on in another part of the room, or outside?

7) Jump to conclusions without hearing the presenter out?

8) Allow emotions or nerves overtake your enjoyment of the message?

Do you do some, or all of these things, occasionally, often, most of the time? Hmm...it may be time to re-evaluate your listening skills, which can positively impact your communication skills.

Radio Interview, Thursday, October 15

http://vimeo.com/7111642

Topics: Importance of cross cultural communication; public speaking as a valuable marketing strategy. Length - about 17 minutes

5 Quick Tips for Executive Women When Speaking in Public

1. Do stand with two feet on the ground. Move with purpose and to shift energy. To present yourself powerfully, don't wrap your legs around each other, cock a hip, or fold your arms at your waist.
2. Ensure that your facial expressions, body language and gestures relate to, and enhance your verbal message.
3. When you increase the volume of your voice, don't raise the pitch.
4. If you need to bring the group to order, use music at an increased volume, or a chime.
5. Make sure that no jewelry or fashion accessories interfere with your microphone, or create a noise or hint at discomfort or over-accessorizing.

For these and other techniques, consider attending my upcoming Powerful Presentation Skills workshop on Wednesday, November 11th in Carlsbad.

Attendance is strictly limited to support maximum learning.

For more information: cmlorenz@roadrunner.com

When delivering a talk or presentation do you: --

· Know how to communicate competently, persuasively, with the various learning styles of the group?

· Use hand gestures, facial expressions and body language for maximum impact?

· Understand how to successfully handle nerves and anxiety?

· Connect authentically and powerfully with your audience?

· Stand and move with purpose and confidence?

If you understand that being an effective public speaker is a key component to lifetime success and especially in today’s challenging economy; if you wish to enhance your leadership abilities and improve the results in your business; then actively pursue improving your skills in this area. .

Speaking in public is a valuable marketing strategy, which also complements your social media marketing. If you learn basic communication skills, you can represent yourself, your business persuasively and effectively.

Presenting Overseas? Watch your P’s, Q’s and Hand Gestures

Here are five basic tips to get you started and to ensure that you are well received and welcomed back:

1) Refrain from making typical American gestures anywhere while traveling. The OK sign, the index finger and thumb forming a circle, is an obscene gesture in Brazil, impolite in Greece and in many areas of Russia. In Japan it means money and in France, zero or valueless. The V for victory sign, (palm pointing away from you) or the peace sign, if reversed, (palm pointing toward you) would be tantamount to using the impudent middle finger in many countries. Slapping the fist into the palm of your other hand, is another variation of “____you” in Italy and Chile. Thumbs up in Australia is rude. Beckoning someone with the index finger curling toward you is rude in Australia and south-east Asia. Snapping fingers to get a waiter’s attention in France will result in your being ignored as an ill-bred lout. Watch how locals hail a taxi to avoid embarrassment and to actually get your cab to pull over to you.

2) The way you are received by your audience will be greatly determined by their culture, beliefs and practices. Thoroughly research the demographics, psychographics and rules for proximity, prior to your trip. Reading the local papers prior to your presentation, will give you clues as to what their international perspectives are, as well as, provide insights of their current events.

3) Print materials and your business cards in acceptable colors, utilizing their language on the reverse side. Abbreviating states, provinces, titles may result in confusion on the part of your foreign colleague. Learn how to properly give and receive business cards in Asia. Read it respectfully before placing it in your case. Carry your cards in an elegant, tasteful card case and never let someone see you write on their card.

4) Speak slowly and distinctly. Remember that your audience or colleagues may have learned English at Oxford, or in school as a third or fourth language. Your American English may not translate easily. Cultivate a form of International English, without American vernacular, sportsy phrases or slang. If you speak rapidly at home, practice slowing down your talk, so that your international audience or translators can keep up. Running words together, “Whatdayawanna do?” is not easily understood. After all of the preparation, numerous contacts and considerable expense, to not be understood would be a grave error. It is your responsibility to not be misunderstood.

5) Start in your initial e-mails by mirroring their formality, salutations and closings in your replies. Mis-spelled words do not enhance your image. Be doubly careful when using Blackberries or PDA’s to respond. Greeting someone with “Hey” may be acceptable at home, but not to your overseas contact whether writing or speaking in person.
While these tips barely touch on the barest minimum knowledge required for successfully presenting overseas, there are many resources available to bring you up to speed. Do your homework on intercultural communication, prior to your trip and you will feel confident, well-informed and be considered a well-respected world class executive.

©Catherine Mowbray Lorenz 2009, all rights reserved

Speakers! The Lectern Is Not Your friend!

Many people use the words lectern and podium interchangeably. There actually is a difference. A lectern is most commonly defined as a slanted stand that serves as a support for a speaker's notes. It often has a microphone and a light attached. 

A podium is an elevated platform, as for an orchestra conductor or public speaker. However, because a podium is often requested when someone means lectern, it has become a practice in America, especially, to use the two interchangeably. You may want a lectern, but if you request podium, you may get the platform without the stand.

Remember that the lectern often has a slanted top. Because of this, we recommend placing water on an adjacent stand or table, to avoid spilling on notes or laptop. 

The lectern may make a speaker feel more secure, as it can be clutched, cover up trembling knees and generally make a speaker feel more comfortable. However, it is a barrier to good communication. It prevents movement, which is used to shift energy, create a mood and connect with the audience.  

Just as meeting with someone with an enormous desk between you, does not bode well for effective communication, speaking with a lectern between you and your audience is a true and energetic barrier. 

Yes, you do feel and appear more vulnerable when you step away from the lectern. Many professional speakers turn the lectern sideways and refer to notes placed there with a side glance. This allows them the freedom to move around the stage. Some prefer a music stand to hold notes, which does not separate them from their audience. 

Today, with great tools such as PowerPoint and Teleprompters, there is great opportunity to stand front and center with your audience and say, "Here I am! I have come to share valuable information with you, that I am passionate about presenting!"  Ah!  Be authentic, be vulnerable, but be polished. Your audiences will love you!

Attention Executive Women! 

Here are 3 Quick Tips for Presenting Powerfully

1. When speaking in public, stand firmly on two feet. Create a solid foundation for your body, which will make you appear strong. Hitching a hip, wrapping legs around each other, when standing, can cause you to appear tentative and unsure. 
2. Take a step with purpose, rather than being rooted to the floor, or walking aimlessly around the podium or stage. To increase energy or shift the mood, take a few steps. If your nerves are causing your knees to tremble, take a step or two and plant your feet together. 
   
3. Use your movement to connect more powerfully with your audience. Walk toward the front of the stage to connect and if relating a moving story. Move toward a person posing a question, move back to encompass the audience while responding.