Monday, August 20, 2012

The perfect length of a presentation is …

New research puts a specific time limit on the ideal presentation, but a media trainer says the answer isn’t this simple.
By Brad Phillips |
 
Click here to read.
 
[from hrcommunication.com]

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

How to Handle That Dreaded Question And Answer Period

How to Handle That Dreaded Question & Answer Period by Lenny Laskowski © 1998 LJL Seminars http://www.ljlseminars.com

Many presentations today are followed up with a question and answer period. To some people this can be the most exciting part of the presentation. To others it can be their worst nightmare. In fact, there are some presenters who purposely avoid the question and answer period all together. Below I have provided a 5 step approach to handling questions along with some additional tips to make your next question and answer session go smoother.

Click here to continue. Opens in PDF Format

[from lijseminars.com]

Monday, August 13, 2012

Make your presentations outstanding by breaking these 10 habits

Takeaway: If your presentations aren’t memorable and engaging, certain habits could be standing in your way. See how to turn those habits around and achieve positive results.


[from techrepublic.com]



Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Try Toastmasters

Present Like A Pro Present Like A Pro
By Andrea Cannavina

Being a professional and speaking like a professional are two very different things.
Before you can speak like a professional, you need to be certain that you believe that you are a professional. This may sound like an odd statement to some readers, however, many small businesses are successfully started and run by those who are more accustomed to working behind the scenes than in front of the microphone and camera. The fact is, no one is born with an innate ability to speak well before large groups and it is a skill best learned through experience and practice.
If you have confidence issues, stammer or are at a loss for words when someone asks you what you do, don't ignore the problem! Immediately after reading this post, visit www.toastmasters.org and search for a ToastMasters Club near you. This not for profit was started in the 1920's with the mission to assist anyone to learn better communication and leadership skills.
Learning to speak publicly is an emotional journey for most. Statistics rate public speaking as the second most common fear - surpassed only by death! Therefore, it helps to feel comfortable with those in the room. That is why ToastMasters encourages guests to sit in on an actual meeting or two - with no pressure to join or fee of any kind.
Each ToastMaster Club is run by volunteers and each Club has a different meeting schedule and for lack of a better term, style. All Toastmasters Clubs, however, have the same goal and that's to help each of their members become better communicators.
For those of you who are fully capable of standing before a live audience and comfortably presenting your topic for 45 minutes, bravo! Now keep your hands up if you have actually spoken before a live audience within the last year. Bet that one got a few of you! ;)
You would be surprised how many experienced speakers fall back on umms, ahhs and other filler sounds. Even if you can present like a pro, you should still join ToastMasters as each Club is made up a willing audience of at least 20 ears - all there to help you improve your presentation by supplying constructive feedback as part of ToastMasters' positive learning experience.
There is no cost to visit a ToastMasters Club and if you do join, there is a one time fee of about $20.00 for the manual and semi-annual (every six months) dues of around $30.00 (Club costs vary).
For your $20.00 you will receive a manual developed by ToastMasters International which is used by each of its 10,500+ Clubs worldwide. This manual contains ten (10) speech projects, each with a different objective and time requirement. For instance, the first Speech is known as the "Ice Breaker" and it is 4-6 minutes presentation about yourself. Other objectives include information organization, vocal variety, use of visual aids and so on. Upon completion of the 10th speech, you are awarded your Competent Speaker pin and are then able to move on to more specialized Advanced Courses.
Truly, if you wish a positive learning experience while you develop or hone your presentation skills, look not further than your closest ToastMasters Club!
Andrea Cannavina, Master Virtual Assistant and President/CEO of LegalTypist, Inc., helps sole practitioners, law firms and companies which service the legal industry upgrade their dictation processes to digital in order to get more done with less (less employees, less equipment and less stress)!
To learn more visit: www.legaltypist.com While there, subscribe to The Legal Connection, Andrea's newsletter, full of how to�s, reviews and insights to working virtually.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrea_Cannavina
http://EzineArticles.com/?Present-Like-A-Pro&id=378428

Monday, August 6, 2012

The Voice and Swallowing Institute - Hints For Success

There are many reasons for “giving a talk”: a computer technician gives a training session, a
sales person presents a new product, an academic physician presents a patient for review, a
professor teaches a class, an accomplished professional in any field is asked to give a guest
lecture, a job applicant is asked to give a presentation as part of the interview process, an
attorney takes a case to trial. We all know people who are
“naturals” at giving talks -- they always sound prepared, they present a topic clearly, they know
when to add humor, they hold our attention, their slides are interesting, and they don’t appear
nervous. The secret, of course, is that these “natural” presenters have invested considerable
effort in acquiring excellent presentation skills and preparing their talk. And often they are quite
nervous – they just don’t let the audience know.

Click here to read the rest.

[from nyee.edu]