Its the best for a reason

In an ideal world, we would all want our children educated by the best that the public or private education sector could offer. We would all want our health checked by eminent surgeons, and our meals cooked by a celebrity chef. it is always something of a surprise to me when I see training firms spring up from nowhere who have jobbing actors, out of work musicians, and a range of other seemingly unrelated misfits all claiming to have acquired overnight a lifetime of business presentation skill and experience. Like the millions left to me in an undiscovered account in an African Independent state, it is of course rubbish. The saying goes, if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, quacks like a duck, then the chances are, it is a duck. There are competent training firms that, like us, offer a good service, based on knowledge, skill and experience. We all try and offer something better, different and unique, but we are all competent. I hope you come to us for your training, if not, I hope you go to someone else competent. Most of all, I hope that when you pick your options, one of them is not a disguised duck.

The swinging watch

Several people know that I am a hypnotist as well as a trainer. I acquired this week a gold pocket watch and chain. I do not know anyone who uses this method of inducing hypnosis, but I am often asked. As I have just done some lectures, have a couple more to do and generally love speaking, it seemed a good, easy to use, easy to carry prop. I can produce it, talk about it, and people will remember it, and link my words to their interpretation of the significance of the watch. Think about that. One simple, cheap, portable visual aid. Compare that with flash animated, graphically designed slide that competes for attention with the speaker. Sometimes less is more. Simple but effective props, leaving the speaker centre stage to impress with the words, content and delivery. The moral then is be comfortable with simple props, but don't let them take over the message. Happy speaking!

Enjoy your art

Despite the weather, an organisation I am a volunteer for managed to have an all day event without a drop of rain. Many attractions were booked to appear and one of them was Adrian Smith. Several times he has won the Strongest man in Britain title, come 5th in the world, been a finalist for Mr Universe and appeared on programmes such as Gladiators. All in all a busy man with rippling muscles. His strong man act was fantastic. What was also fascinating was Adrian himself. With all this success, he had time for everyone, chatted and joked with me in the public address tent and generally was a charming and interesting man to meet. He said that after he had retired from competition, he missed the buzz, the adrenaline of being 'on show'. He liked the attention of performing. This is why he had set up his 'act' and he enjoys every minute of it. He was not aloof, not arrogant, he just recognised that pleasure he got from his 'art'. I had complete empathy with every word. With speaking and presentations, I feel the same. I enjoy the thrill of speaking to an audience, of building the rapport with them and getting the message across. Unlike Adrian, it does not take 25 years hard work in the gym to begin to gain the results you need. Speaking in public is an art form, but one that anyone can learn and begin to develop easily. Building confidence, dealing with nerves, adding the skills and practical techniques are within the grasp of anyone. We cant all be the strongest man in Britain. We can all be good motivational speakers. In both cases an amalgam of dedication, practice, determination and training is required. Begin today, reap the rewards tomorrow.

Wimbledon, Rain and Plan B

Wimbledon is getting a soaking as I write this. The thunder and lightening ensuring that there will be no play today. These things happen. The ball boys and girls will cover the court and all will be well. A plan is put into action that is sufficient to ensure nothing terrible goes wrong. Simple analogy coming up which I am sure you have already worked out. In your presentations, some events are like rain at Wimbledon - predictable, and others are rarities. Ensure you have a plan B. For those of you using PowerPoint - remember that it is a tool to help you, not a substitute for a good speaker. Maybe your plan B is to prove that - just speak without it! Enjoy your speaking.

Happy New Year to you all. Traditionally a time for new resolutions, I actually think resolutions is the wrong word. Resolutions implies hardship... Stopping smoking... Cleaning the car more often... Chores, impositions and negatives. Instead of resolution... Try thinking of active positive choices. Gaining new skills, enjoying new challenges, speaking with confidence. The last one of course might need some help... But that is where the fun begins! Decide to take a course.... not just any course, but one which you will enjoy, and which will lift your speaking to a new level. As it happens, we know of courses like that and would welcome you contacting us. Whether you do, or not might depend on a number of things.... What is certain is that every time you speak you can open or close doors. Every time you speak you can influence, impress and inspire others. Every presentation you give, whether impromptu, prepared and with PowerPoint or not.... every presentation is your shop window. Let people see your skills, admire your talents and listen to your words. Enjoy your speaking in 2007.

We coach a winner for hospice funds

Sometimes we get to meet some wonderful people. A lovely gentleman, in the true meaning of the word, approached us looking for some help to give a public speech for the first time in his life. This was the last stage of a competition and was proving to be a daunting prospect. With the outright winner getting £1000, Matt was determined to make the best possible speech. He had already decided to donate every penny to a local children's hospice. We decided it was nearly Christmas and we would love to help. We donated to Matt a training course place, a little bit of extra support, and on the night, both our principle trainers went along to the competition final to offer our full support. One brilliant speech rendition later, and I am delighted to report Matt won the competition, the hospice got their donation and we left feeling absolutely great! Not everything needs to be money-driven, and Matt had worked hard for this good cause. We were delighted to have helped him achieve not only his personal ambition, a huge amount of confidence and of course this lump sum for the children. It also goes to prove that whether it is for competition, part of a wedding speech or indeed any occasion, a little training makes a huge difference. Congratulations Matt on winning this competition – enjoy your success. The full story is here where you can see a picture of Matt and Margot holding the trophy.

Face the Fear and do it anyway!

Sometimes, despite the best training, the most enthusiasm, a measure of hypnosis and a supportive training course, those nerves will not fully let go. This happened recently when progress was substantial for one of my trainees, but she was still not quite conquering the anxiety. Exactly how we overcame this to a very successful conclusion is a long story but briefly we did it with impromptu speaking, patience, and a great deal of facing the fear, and achieving step by step improvement. The reason I mention it here is almost as a tribute to the trainee, and to motivate others who think they can't. We all know the Henry Ford Quote "If you think you can, or you think you cannot, you are absolutely correct". However, you can add to that, if you work hard enough to achieve the change you want, it will happen. If you want the change so much you are prepared to work through your discomfort, then the result will be yours. Congratulations to my trainee who worked through the fear and emerged the other side with the confidence to apply the skills and to enjoy speaking. It can be done.... So just get on and do it!