Everyone Speaks

Business, Communication.

The effective executive - there is no argument that today' s executive is effective to the degree that he or she is able to communicate with other people. The" exec" must present himself or herself as a role model, as well as convey the message of the corporation, or department, company.

The executive has to be able to speak to other people - - one - on - one or one - on - many - - in terms other people appreciate, in ways that move and motivate them, and in words and tones that are credible and non - menacing. - some people may be" born speakers, " others may have" learned on the job. " but everyone feels the need to do it better - - examine the basics of public speaking and match performance to changes in the audience' s moods, and markets, expectations. Our results prove it. Everybody can learn to make a better impression and communicate better. For the last dozen years I have been conducting a popular - - and powerful - - course for the Canadian Management Centre. Originally I worked with Peter Urs Bender, Canada' s leading public speaker and the author of Secrets of Power Presentations.

It is called" Effective Executive Speaking" but I do not present all by myself. - peter devised the course and then invited me and george torok, a dynamic speaker and business consultant, to continue to deliver it. The three - day course is offered at various times throughout the year. (Customized versions are also delivered on site. ) It regularly attracts company founders, executives, presidents, department and division heads, and mid - level managers. For the last six years, George and I have been holding forth. There is an air of excitement when we first meet as a group. Then we divide the group into two and meet in different rooms.

George and I review basic principles. - members speak on self - selected topics, and issues chosen, assigned subjects at random. Everyone speaks. There is immediate, hands - on feedback. Everyone responds. Individual presentations are recorded on video tape for private viewing. We offer tips for immediately improvement and insights to ponder.

We believe there are two reasons why people enroll in our courses. - they want to deal with this residual fear. First, prior to making a presentation, the men and women feel nervous, child, uncomfortable - like, or shy. Second, however well they, they realize that speak, they will have to speak more easily and more persuasively in the future than they have in the past for career advancement. Do you feel nervous when called upon to speak extemporaneously? So there is genuine incentive to improve. "Effective Executive Speaking" has proven to be helpful on both fronts. Are you spending too much time preparing your presentations?

How well do you handle hostile questions? - can you think on your feet? Do you overuse PowerPoint? How are you dealing with" the sweats, " thick tongue, mental confusion, beating heart? Is your audience aware of your nervousness? Do you feel there are more effective ways to present your ideas?

By the third day, members of the group speak with greater ease and increased confidence and effectiveness. - how do professional speakers and communicators do it and how can i learn from them? They have learned techniques to use every time they speak. George Torok and I, as co - course leaders, offer general principles and specific practices to teach people the skills necessary to be effective communicators. They know what to look for( in themselves and in others) and they know how to improve. George has extensive experience as a business consultant.

My own approach is to recognize and capitalize on individual strengths of body, and mind, voice, and to suggest new and better ways to present information and to motivate listeners. - with peter urs bender he wrote secrets of power marketing.