Craigstrachan.com – Keep talking!

Last night, I spoke at a function in Cape Town, and I was almost in big trouble.

Now, I know the venue very well, and I know how long it usually takes to get there. So I left from home, planning to arrive at the meeting at least 45 minutes ahead of schedule, which would give me plenty of time to setup. But three things happened:

• Firstly, one of the main freeways into town was closed due to roadworks. This resulted in a massive traffic slowdown on the other roads.
• Secondly, there was another large function on at the venue, so I struggled to find a parking spot.
• Finally, the meeting was running way ahead of schedule, so while I was expecting to arrive before their coffee a break – during which I would setup – and then speak at 9:15pm, they were already on their break at 8:40pm when I eventually arrived.

That gave me about 10 minutes to setup and test my equipment before speaking. In the end it all worked out fine. I got everything working in good time, and my presentation went very smoothly. But it was too close for my liking. I did not have time to mingle with the delegates beforehand, or to gather my thoughts.

Even though I thought I had plenty of time beforehand, I didn?t. So, what did I learn?
Give yourself plenty of time to arrive and setup beforehand (at least 1 ? hours). No matter how well you know the venue/route/meeting arrangements, things can and will go wrong to derail your plans. Arrive early, and be prepared.

I have just uploaded a new article on my website on how to become a better speaker for $50.

If you plan to become a better speaker, buy a digital recorder, and keep it with you at all time. A basic recorder costs about $50, but it is the best money you can spend.

Here are three reasons why:

• Record your presentations
• Transcribe your presentations
• Save your ideas

The full article is on my website.

If you would like to buy a recorder, you can do so

in South Africa, or in USA.

I am busy reading Stephen King's "On Writing". This book is part autobiography, and part lessons for aspiring writers. Aside from giving an interesting perspective into Stephen King's life, it contains many practical skills in the art of writing.

If you speak to David Brooks, he will tell you that one of the key components of good speech writing is good speech editing, and that is where this book helps. Because, like writers of novels, speech writers need to learn the art of editing.

Here are two examples from Stephen King's school days. When he was about 16, he was employed by John Gould, writing for the sport section of the local paper. He was told by John"

• "When you write a story, you?re telling yourself the story, when you rewrite, your main job is taking out all the things that are not the story."
• "Gould said something else that was interesting on the day I turned in my first two pieces: write with the door closed, rewrite with the door open."

Doesn't that sound like what we need to be doing with our speeches; take out what is not the speech, and leave the rest?

ps: you don't need to be a Stephen King fan to appreciate and learn from this book.

Tags: Stephen King writing David Brooks

Don't forget that the annual Toastmasters District 74 spring conference will be this month in Durban, South Africa. All Toastmasters and guests are invited. Register for Mapcon, and learn how to create your map for life.

Details are on the web.

I hope to see you there!

Craig

I have had the privilege of attending two of Ben and Roz's presentations, and I have been blown away both times.

Well, I am very excited that my Friend's from Symphonia, Johleen and Louise are bringing him out again.

If at all you can attend, I strongly recommend that you do, it will be a life-changing experience (and for me to say that is a lot!).

In 2009, Benjamin Zander will deliver the opening keynote presentation at the World Economic Forum. Now you have the opportunity to experience this inspirational speaker and musician live in South Africa.

Book now! Don't miss this opportunity!
Ben and Roz have made a special commitment to return to South Africa in December. Don't miss this opportunity ? we don't know whether there will be another chance to experience this inspirational presentation live in South Africa.

COSTS PER PERSON

Early Bird (booked and paid before 15th Oct): R1,200 + VAT (save R300 per ticket!)

Tickets booked and paid after 15th Oct: R1,500 +VAT

NPOs and academic institutions: 50% discount

A 10% discount applies to group bookings for more than 10 people
PLEASE CONTACT

Johleen van Dyk
for a registration form
(johleen@symphonia.net)

Louise van Rhyn
to enquire about special pricing for large group bookings
(louise@symphonia.net)

Tags: Ben Zander Symphonia

Hi all-

Just a quick update about my next training session:

Putting the POWER back into PowerPoint will be held next on Monday 3 Nov, at 7:30pm. Huis der Nederlanden, Central Square Pinelands.

I am offering a 2 for 1 discount, so bring a friend. I only have space for 30, and I already have 18 bookings, so please book soon if you would like a seat!

See you there!

Craig

If you cut to the chase and get your ducks into a row, you will be able to focus on the bottom line. It is obvious that you need to put your nose to the grindstone, pull up your socks and focus on the critical success measures. Then when the dust settles, you will see the light at the end of the tunnel and start sailing with the wind beneath your wings…

…yawn

Do you use clich?'s in your speeches? How often? The above example is rather extreme, but how much value do those extra phrases add to your communications? I see this happening a lot in corporate and business presentations (hence the term boardroom bingo – a simply game in which you complete a space in a bingo card whenever the speaker uses a jargon word).

Sometimes it is a long phrase, such as "get your ducks into a row", and sometimes just one or two words, such as "you know", or "kind of…". These words and phrases detract from the effectiveness of a presentation, adding unnecessary fluff that adds little or no value to your message.

A way to practise is to listen to interviews on talk radio – take note of how often people being interviewed pad their speaking with filler words, wrapping their message in layers of unnecessary bubble-wrap.

This is another reason for recording your presentations, to become aware of the superfluous words that you add to our presentations. I keep finding myself guilty of doing so, you need to be constantly aware of your word usage when speaking.

So, when you speak, please cut to the chase, focus on the message,

and so on and so forth…

Tags: speaking filler words clich?

Do you know why we were given two ears and one mouth? Because it is twice as hard to listen as it is to speak!

Here is a very simple approach from Steve Shapiro to follow to become a more effective listener.

• Pay attention to what they are saying
• Acknowledge what was said
• Clarify to avoid confusion
• Respond to what was said

By following these simple steps, you wall avoid the trap of waiting for the other person to finish speaking before speaking, and learn to listen to what other people have to say.

Tags: listening,Steve Shapiro

Here is a great resource for public speaking. Whether you are an experienced speaker, or just wanting to improve, it has something for you.

While the site is called Talking Toastmasters, it is for anybody interested in public speaking (not just Toastmasters). You can sign up for $5 per month, or $39 for a year (approx 4 months free).

Members content includes:

• Podcasts
• Interviews
• documents and articles
• Forums
• Polls
• MP3′s and Videos of great public speakers
• upload your presentations and receive feedback
• create your own audio and video postcards
• Teleconferencing

Go and check it out, and if it looks like what you are looking for, sign up.

http://www.talkingtoastmasters.com/?CraigStrachan

(yes I do get a small commission if you sign up, but I am telling you about this website because it is a great resource, not for the $10 commission!)

The A-Z of public speaking in 26 phrases…

• Have a great attitude on and off the stage
• Body language and gestures enhance your message
• Make connections with the audience
• Delivery and content are key
• Speak with energy and enthusiasm
• Facts tell, stories sell
• Get to the point
• Use Humour to make connections
• Inspire your audience
• Use original Jokes
• Know your audience
• Record and listen to your speeches
• What is your message?
• Notice how your audience is responding to your speech
• Speak at every opportunity (stage time!)
• Is PowerPoint enhancing or detracting from your speech?
• Q cards can be useful ? especially for a long presentation
• Rehearse your presentation
• Simple messages are easy to understand
• Stick to time
• Does the audience understand your message?
• Use Visual, auditory and kinesthetic phrases ? address all the senses
• When in doubt, leave it out
• Use real-life eXamples
• You are not the star
• Zzzzz ? don?t put your audience to sleep

What would you add?