Friday, February 15, 2008

Hear ye, Hear ye, Hear ye

Talk, talk, talk, blah, blah, blah - If there is no link between speaker and listener the sound becomes white noise in the background of life.

Teachers attend workshops promoting moving around, asking questions, changing the pitch or tone of the voice. I attended one workshop where the presenter encouraged throwing things at students to keep them awake and attentive (playing catch, throwing rewards - not just "throwing" things- though I have been in classes where - well....)

Preachers attend seminars on how best to share the word of God- you've probably experienced the classic preaching style- they tell you what they're going to tell you, they tell you, then they tell you what they told you. It is an effective strategy. The listener can't miss the message.

Lobbyists are given the secret for success- the elevator speech. If you can't sell your program, thought, project in a 1 minute elevator speech, it's doomed. You've got a politicians ear for less than sixty seconds - be prepared to lay out your case quickly, succinctly and memorably.

How do you collect hints, tips, and strategies for making the best speech in your life? You can take classes or you can read books on the topic or listen to speakers with a critical ear.

Speaking of books- we have a shelf full of print material offering suggestions to prepare one to be a successful business or marketing person- helping you formulate what needs to be said without missing an important concept.

One such title is : How to Talk so People Listen : Connecting in Today's workplace (HF 5718 .H284 2006) by Sonya Hamlin
Amazon.com offers a description of the book:
Our super-speed, electronically driven workplace has begun eroding our ability to talk and, what's more, to listen. Yet we must all keep presenting ourselves and our ideas verbally, in person, to make that final sale or get ahead. That means you need new verbal and visual approaches to everything from giving a presentation, handling a client, making an impact at a meeting, or just selling yourself...

Prepare for the occasion when you need to say what needs to be heard.

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