Craigstrachan.com - Keep talking! http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog www.craigstrachan.com/blog - Keep talking! Fri, 07 Oct 2011 07:22:03 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Speech and presentations (mostly) by Craig and Lois Strachan. www.craigstrachan.com/blog - Keep talking! Craig Strachan public speaking, communication, leadership, speeches, Toastmasters, education, self-development no Craig Strachan craig@craigstrachan.com Podcast: Interview with the Times http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2010/07/podcast-interview-with-the-times.html http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2010/07/podcast-interview-with-the-times.html#comments Sat, 03 Jul 2010 12:58:48 +0000 Craig Strachan http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/?p=591 I have received a copy of my recent interview with the times. This was recorded at the dinner at the Toastmasters conference in Johannesburg.  I discussed Toastmasters, the importance of communication and leadership skills, and why the Toastmasters programme is so important.

Thanks to Ian and Michael Bratt, as well as the Times for the copy.

]]> http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2010/07/podcast-interview-with-the-times.html/feed 0 I have received a copy of my recent interview with the times. This was recorded at the dinner at the Toastmasters conference in Johannesburg.  I discussed Toastmasters, the importance of communication and leadership skills, and why the Toastmasters programme is so important. Thanks to Ian and Michael Bratt, as well as the Times for the copy. I have received a copy of my recent interview with the times. This was recorded at the dinner at the Toastmasters conference in Johannesburg.  I discussed Toastmasters, the importance of communication and leadership skills, and why the [...] Toastmasters Induction Speech http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2009/07/toastmasters-induction-speech-2.html http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2009/07/toastmasters-induction-speech-2.html#comments Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:42:27 +0000 Craig Strachan http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/?p=412 On Saturday 4 July, we celebrated our incoming Toastmasters district leaders by holding a gala Induction Dinner.

I was installed as District Governor in a ceremony chaired by Past District Governor, Frances Boshoff, after which I presented my incoming address, where I spoke a little about what Toastmasters means to me, and I presented the district theme – Toastmasters, Growing People.

]]> http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2009/07/toastmasters-induction-speech-2.html/feed 0 On Saturday 4 July, we celebrated our incoming Toastmasters district leaders by holding a gala Induction Dinner. I was installed as District Governor in a ceremony chaired by Past District Governor, Frances Boshoff, after which I presented my incoming address, where I spoke a little about what Toastmasters means to me, and I presented the district theme – Toastmasters, Growing People. On Saturday 4 July, we celebrated our incoming Toastmasters district leaders by holding a gala Induction Dinner. I was installed as District Governor in a ceremony chaired by Past District Governor, Frances Boshoff, after which I presented my [...] Toastmasters Induction Speech http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2009/07/toastmasters-induction-speech.html http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2009/07/toastmasters-induction-speech.html#comments Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:01:59 +0000 Craig Strachan http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/?p=359 On Saturday 4 July, we celebrated our incoming Toastmasters district leaders by holding a gala Induction Dinner.

I was installed as District Governor in a ceremony chaired by Past District Governor, Frances Boshoff, after which I presented my incoming address, where I spoke a little about what Toastmasters means to me, and I presented the district theme – Toastmasters, Growing People.

District Governor

District Governor

The outgoing officers were also released from their duties, allowing them to handover the leadership duties to a new set of officers, and Lois Strachan was installed as the IPDG (Immediate Past District Governor), which means that she will be chairing the PDG advisary committee for the next year.

Anyway, if you missed the dinner, it was a fantastic function, and judging by the noise level, was enjoyed by all. If you didn’t manage to get there, I have a video of my speech, you can watch it below. Anyway, keep talking, and remember that Toastmasters Grow people!

]]> http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2009/07/toastmasters-induction-speech.html/feed 2 On Saturday 4 July, we celebrated our incoming Toastmasters district leaders by holding a gala Induction Dinner. I was installed as District Governor in a ceremony chaired by Past District Governor, Frances Boshoff, after which I presented my incoming address, where I spoke a little about what Toastmasters means to me, and I presented the district theme – Toastmasters, Growing People. District Governor The outgoing officers were also released from their duties, allowing them to handover the leadership duties to a new set of officers, and Lois Strachan was installed as the IPDG (Immediate Past District Governor), which means that she will be chairing the PDG advisary committee for the next year. Anyway, if you missed the dinner, it was a fantastic function, and judging by the noise level, was enjoyed by all. If you didn’t manage to get there, I have a video of my speech, you can watch it below. Anyway, keep talking, and remember that Toastmasters Grow people! On Saturday 4 July, we celebrated our incoming Toastmasters district leaders by holding a gala Induction Dinner. I was installed as District Governor in a ceremony chaired by Past District Governor, Frances Boshoff, after which I presented my [...] Toastmasters District Message http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2009/06/410.html http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2009/06/410.html#comments Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:42:08 +0000 Craig Strachan http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2009/07/410.html In this message, presented to District at Toastmasters Club Officer Training, held on 20 June, 2009 I discuss how the young average in Africa (19), and the troubling economic times provide a huge opportunity for Toastmasters in Africa, and in particular in Southern Africa. It is a message of growth for our organisation.

]]> http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2009/06/410.html/feed 0 In this message, presented to District at Toastmasters Club Officer Training, held on 20 June, 2009 I discuss how the young average in Africa (19), and the troubling economic times provide a huge opportunity for Toastmasters in Africa, and in particular in Southern Africa. It is a message of growth for our organisation. In this message, presented to District at Toastmasters Club Officer Training, held on 20 June, 2009 I discuss how the young average in Africa (19), and the troubling economic times provide a huge opportunity for Toastmasters in Africa, and in [...] Toastmasters District Message http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2009/06/toastmasters-district-message.html http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2009/06/toastmasters-district-message.html#comments Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:18:02 +0000 Craig Strachan http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/?p=331 In this message, presented to District at Toastmasters Club Officer Training, held on 20 June, 2009 I discuss how the young average in Africa (19), and the troubling economic times provide a huge opportunity for Toastmasters in Africa, and in particular in Southern Africa. It is a message of growth for our organisation.


Excuse the background – the training was in a ballet hall! I guess I have spoken in strange venues. Anyway, the main thing is to listen to the message, and not to watch the background.

]]> http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2009/06/toastmasters-district-message.html/feed 0 In this message, presented to District at Toastmasters Club Officer Training, held on 20 June, 2009 I discuss how the young average in Africa (19), and the troubling economic times provide a huge opportunity for Toastmasters in Africa, and in particular in Southern Africa. It is a message of growth for our organisation. Excuse the background – the training was in a ballet hall! I guess I have spoken in strange venues. Anyway, the main thing is to listen to the message, and not to watch the background. In this message, presented to District at Toastmasters Club Officer Training, held on 20 June, 2009 I discuss how the young average in Africa (19), and the troubling economic times provide a huge opportunity for Toastmasters in Africa, and in [...] Craig Strachan 7 Toastmasters, District 74, message Interview with Dorian Haarhoff http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2009/04/interview-with-dorian-haarhof.html http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2009/04/interview-with-dorian-haarhof.html#comments Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:24:25 +0000 Craig Strachan http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/?p=286
I recently reviewed the book “The Halo and the Noose“, by Dorian Haarhoff and Graham Williams. Here is an interview with Dorian in which we discuss the book, storytelling and stories in business.

If the book sounds interesting, you can order it here.

]]> http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2009/04/interview-with-dorian-haarhof.html/feed 0 I recently reviewed the book “The Halo and the Noose“, by Dorian Haarhoff and Graham Williams. Here is an interview with Dorian in which we discuss the book, storytelling and stories in business. If the book sounds interesting, you can order it here. I recently reviewed the book “The Halo and the Noose“, by Dorian Haarhoff and Graham Williams. Here is an interview with Dorian in which we discuss the book, storytelling and stories in business. If the book sounds interesting, you can order it here. Craig Strachan Dorian Haarhof, interview, storytelling Lois Interview – available now http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2009/03/lois-interview-mp3-available.html http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2009/03/lois-interview-mp3-available.html#comments Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:22:56 +0000 Craig Strachan http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/?p=259 The folks at Good Hope FM have kindly given us an MP3 recording of Lois’ interview from today. You can listen online, or download it.

]]> http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2009/03/lois-interview-mp3-available.html/feed 0 The folks at Good Hope FM have kindly given us an MP3 recording of Lois’ interview from today. You can listen online, or download it. The folks at Good Hope FM have kindly given us an MP3 recording of Lois’ interview from today. You can listen online, or download it. Lois, Toastmasters, Interview, GHFM Interview with Cyndi Maxey http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2009/01/interview-with-cyndi-maxey.html http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2009/01/interview-with-cyndi-maxey.html#comments Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:25:03 +0000 Craig Strachan http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/?p=215 Speak upIn this interview with Cyndi Maxey, co-author of “Speak Up!  A woman’s guide to presenting like a pro”, she discusses the book, issues female presentors face and some  of the benefits that women have over men as speakers.

 

I recently wrote a review of the book, which you can read here.

]]> http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2009/01/interview-with-cyndi-maxey.html/feed 0 In this interview with Cyndi Maxey, co-author of “Speak Up!  A woman’s guide to presenting like a pro”, she discusses the book, issues female presentors face and some  of the benefits that women have over men as speakers.   I recently wrote a review of the book, which you can read here. In this interview with Cyndi Maxey, co-author of “Speak Up!  A woman’s guide to presenting like a pro”, she discusses the book, issues female presentors face and some  of the benefits that women have over men as speakers.   I recently [...] Cyndi Maxey, public speaking for women Finding free images on Flickr (legally!) http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2009/01/finding-free-images-on-flickr-legally.html http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2009/01/finding-free-images-on-flickr-legally.html#comments Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:48:38 +0000 Craig Strachan http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/?p=206
  • Are your presentations dull and boring?
  • Do you want to add spice to your images?
  • Are you looking for quality images that you can use for free?

    • If so, you need to watch this 4 1/2 minute long video. It shows a simple step by step process that you can follow to find quality royalty-free images for your next presentation!

    It uses the photo-sharing website – www.flickr.com to find images that you can commercially use at no cost.

    ]]>     http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2009/01/finding-free-images-on-flickr-legally.html/feed 0 Are your presentations dull and boring? Do you want to add spice to your images? Are you looking for quality images that you can use for free? If so, you need to watch this 4 1/2 minute long video. It shows a simple step by step process that you can follow to find quality royalty-free images for your next presentation! It uses the photo-sharing website – www.flickr.com to find images that you can commercially use at no cost. Are your presentations dull and boring? Do you want to add spice to your images? Are you looking for quality images that you can use for free? If so, you need to watch this 4 1/2 minute long video. It shows a simple step by step process that you [...]     Cell Phones – Winning the humour hop-about contest http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2008/11/cell-phones-winning-the-humour-hop-about-contest.html http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2008/11/cell-phones-winning-the-humour-hop-about-contest.html#comments Thu, 27 Nov 2008 17:39:37 +0000 Craig Strachan http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/?p=408 The humour-hopabout contest has been running since 1980 and it always draws fierce competition, a large audience, and lots of laughter. To compete, you need to present a 3-4 minute long humorous speech. I believe that the more you speak, the more you learn (stage time), so I entered the contest.

    Well, imagine my surprise when I won the contest with my speech, which examined the lighter side of mobile phones. Clearly, I must be learning something from the Champions Edge. I also re-listened to Darren?s Make em Laugh set the week before the contest, which helped me to focus on and edit my speech.

    ]]>     http://www.craigstrachan.com/blog/2008/11/cell-phones-winning-the-humour-hop-about-contest.html/feed 0 The humour-hopabout contest has been running since 1980 and it always draws fierce competition, a large audience, and lots of laughter. To compete, you need to present a 3-4 minute long humorous speech. I believe that the more you speak, the more you learn (stage time), so I entered the contest. Well, imagine my surprise when I won the contest with my speech, which examined the lighter side of mobile phones. Clearly, I must be learning something from the Champions Edge. I also re-listened to Darren?s Make em Laugh set the week before the contest, which helped me to focus on and edit my speech. The humour-hopabout contest has been running since 1980 and it always draws fierce competition, a large audience, and lots of laughter. To compete, you need to present a 3-4 minute long humorous speech. I believe that the more you speak, the more [...]