January 2009

Delivery

Everyone enjoys a good performance. But if, at the end of a presentation, you can comment only on the quality of the speaker's voice control, visual aids, grooming, etc. - then that speaker has failed. While it is true that a successful delivery requires excellence in each of these and other areas, ultimately what matters most is the transfer of ideas from the speaker to audience. Good speakers know how to use a blend of delievery techniques to enhance, rather than obscure, their message.

The Toast

By Stephen Boyd | December 31, 2005

One of the best ways to incorporate positive communication in any celebration is to toast the occasion, person, or people involved. The holiday season is an appropriate time to toast the special day, the new year, or the end of a successful year.

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Communicating In Conflict

By Stephen Boyd | November 30, 2005

Communicating in conflict is seen as a negative part of relating to people. But whether it is good or bad all depends on how conflict is handled. Conflict can be unsettling and unpredictable but if handled correctly both people come out of the discussion with new and useful information. Here are some suggestions on how to handle conflict positively.

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Resolving Conflict

By Stephen Boyd | October 15, 2005

Handling Conflict is not Communication 101 - it is a graduate seminar. It is not easy to talk and listen in conflict. Some people will avoid conflict at all costs because of how unpleasant it may be. But as humans, there are times when we must deal with conflict. Here are some suggestions on how to communicate under such circumstances.

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Superlatives In Speaking

By Stephen Boyd | September 30, 2005

Having delivered over 2400 speeches and 2500 sermons and listened to over 11,000 college student speeches over the past 35 years, I have pretty strong opinions about the bests practices that make up a good speech. Here are some of them...

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Was Your Presentation Effective

By Stephen Boyd | July 31, 2005

After a presentation, most audience members will applaud you when you finish and perhaps some will praise you after the presentation. These responses are often perfunctory rather than genuine compliments. In our culture it is just the accepted thing to do. How can you really tell that an audience was influenced by your presentation?

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A Powerful Persuasive Tool

By Stephen Boyd | June 30, 2005

You believe what you do for a career is important or you would not have chosen it. Convincing the world that it has value is sometimes another matter. When you are selling yourself to a client or to a superior, one of the best ways to emphasize your assets is to use the testimony of an individual or source the person respects.

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A Quick Way To Manifest Concern

By Stephen Boyd | June 15, 2005

When people talk to you, a quick way to let them know you really want to listen is to give a statement of empathy first. Empathy is putting yourself in the other persons shoes but with emotional separateness. You want to keep an emotional distance so that you can respond with objectivity.

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Making Ideas Clear

By Stephen Boyd | May 31, 2005

Unlike reading, where you can go back over the material as many times as you need to, speech content has to be instantly clear. Your audience member does not have a chance to go back over the material in order to absorb the information. So how does the speaker compensate for this problem?

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Directions That Work

By Stephen Boyd | March 31, 2005

Some of our most important communication involves giving and receiving directions. Here are some suggestions to make sure you do not end up in the south end of the city while the client is waiting for you in the north end.

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Go With the Little Voice

By Stephen Boyd | March 15, 2005

In public speaking, there are times when a little voice inside you seems to prompt you to do something you have not planned. Do not fight this urge. Some of your best ideas will come to you as you are speaking - you may think of a story or sentence that you had never practiced that seems just right at that moment.

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When To Memorize A Speech

By Stephen Boyd | February 28, 2005

Memorizing a speech creates many challenges--having a memory block, sounding mechanical in delivery, and lacking rapport with the audience, to name a few. Besides, memorizing a speech simply takes too much time. Thus I recommend not memorizing a speech. However, as is the case with most general rules, there are exceptions.

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Preparation Is Everything

By Stephen Boyd | February 15, 2005

You can have the greatest topic, be speaking to an enthusiastic audience, have material that this specific audience needs to hear, and be excited about your topic, and yet not be successful. Why? Because you lack proper preparation.

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Interrupting Is Not Necessarily Rude

By Stephen Boyd | January 31, 2005

When a person is talking to us, we usually consider interrupting him or her as rude and inappropriate. But there are times when it is OK and, in fact, quite suitable.

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Special Speeches

By Stephen Boyd | January 15, 2005

Special or ceremonial speeches are presentations that most of us will be called upon to deliver at some time. They include eulogies, introductions, presentations of awards, welcomes, and toasts. But even though they are delivered for different purposes, there are traits common to all special speeches.

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Improve Your Meetings Immediately

By Stephen Boyd | November 30, 2004

One of the reasons we don't enjoy meetings is that they are often conducted poorly. As our number of meetings increases, effective facilitation skills are essential.

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Getting People To Like You

By Stephen Boyd | November 15, 2004

People decide how they feel about you in the first few seconds of conversation. You want to make a good first impression. Here are some ways to do it.

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When You Debate Or Disagree

By Stephen Boyd | October 31, 2004

We are unlikely to be on television to debate or discuss issues that will change the world, but we all have situations where there is a debate of issues or opportunities to resolve conflict. Whatever the circumstances, here are some ways to ensure a positive outcome for you.

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Moving Beyond Novice

By Stephen Boyd | October 15, 2004

At what point do you go from being a novice speaker to an experienced and effective speaker? One does not simply arrive at that point because he or she has spoken a magical number of times. I think there is one major criterion for getting to that point: when you are more audience-centered than self-centered.

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Contrast With Startling Information

By Stephen Boyd | August 31, 2004

Public speeches are always enhanced by starting out with startling facts or statistics. Later in your speech, you can bring attention back to the speaker by inserting startling information. One way to include startling statements in a speech is the use of contrast.

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Dont Finish The Sentence

By Stephen Boyd | July 31, 2004

We can think over four times faster than we can talk, so we can have a tendency to interrupt the person talking and finish sentences for him or her. This is not only disrespectful, but also shows that you think what you have to say is more important than what the other person is saying.

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Getting The Audience Involved

By Stephen Boyd | July 31, 2004

If the speaker asks enough questions, eventually the audience may warm up and respond. But how do you motivate them to answer questions from the beginning?

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A Short Guide to Effective Public Speaking

By Stephen Boyd | July 19, 2004

Here are certain items every speech should include. Begin with an attention-getting device and preview your speech. Be animated in delivery and look at your audience as you speak. Organize your speech and have only 3 or 4 points. Use your own story and leave the audience with something to think about.

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Say The Right Words!

By Stephen Boyd | June 30, 2004

We all struggle with saying the wrong thing at times. There are situations when we regret what we said or wish we had said the message in a different way. We have all apologized at some point because we made a comment that offended or embarrassed someone. Here are suggestions for avoiding these problems.

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Communicate Positive Messages

By Stephen Boyd | May 31, 2004

Estee Lauder, famous for her cosmetics, died recently. Her message accompanying her product was positive and optimistic - Beauty is an attitude. Her approach to her cosmetics should be our approach whenever we communicate. Communicate positive messages whatever your topic. People receive enough negative messages when reading the front page of a newspaper or listening to headline news on the hour.

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Stating Your Objectives

By Speaking Tips | May 10, 2004

Seasoned presenters will generally determine their objectives as the first step in the preparation of their speech. Conversely, novice or occasional speakers may spend many hours revising and reorganizng their material and never realize they have omitted this first step. Objectives provide a road map to your speech's or presentation's final destination.

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Making Your First Keynote Speech

By Speaking Tips | May 3, 2004

Many professionals enjoy sharing their expertise with audiences. Speaking can be both a positive experience as well as a gratifying adjunct to your vocation. Many people have advanced their careers by devoting the time and effort required to be a competent public speaker. As you fine tune your speaking skills and your reputation grows it is possible, and perhaps even likely, that you may be asked to deliver a keynote address.

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Dont Let The Audience Forget You!

By Stephen Boyd | April 30, 2004

How do you distinguish yourself from other speakers so audience members will not forget you? You dont want to blend in with other speakers so that neither your message nor you are remembered. A major way to remain unforgettable to an audience is to use something unique about you or an uncommon approach to a common subject.

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Coping With The Unexpected

By Speaking Tips | April 26, 2004

As everyone knows, life occasionaly thows you a curve ball. This is just as true when giving a presentation as it is with any other aspect of your career, social or family life. When surprises happen, how you react to them can make all the difference. Whether they are perceived by the audience as a humorous interlude or a presentation disaster is your call.

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Changing Academic Public Speaking

By Paul Edwards | April 19, 2004

Boring, incomprehensible talks have somehow become a part of academic culture. The sciences and engineering have, on the whole, done better on this score than the humanities. Yet even in these fields, many people still have a lot to learn about the skills of public speaking.

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Ten Techniques To Enhance Training

By Speaking Tips | March 29, 2004

The quality of a training session can frequently be greatly improved if the trainer makes use of a few simple techniques to enhance their presentation. Here are ten techniques to help you turn your next training session into a memorable learning experience for your trainees and one in which the transfer of information is two-way rather than one-way.

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Connecting With An Audience

By Speaking Tips | March 22, 2004

Experienced speakers and trainers use a variety of connecting techniques. When you connect with an audience, you sense the energy flow between you and your listeners. You get positive feedback and feel "in the zone" while the audience feels pampered by your attention to their issues.

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Encouraging Questions

By Speaking Tips | March 8, 2004

Have you ever noticed that questions and answer sessions really add to some presentations while for others they seem to drag the energy down? When a question and answer session is tacked on to a presentation as a pro forma afterthought, the audience senses that the presenter is not interested in interacting with them. As a result, the presenter is likely to encounter dead silence when they ask if there are "any questions?"

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Notes About Notes

By Stephen Boyd | February 28, 2004

A problem for many speakers is using too many notes or not using them well. Audience members have a hard time paying attention when the speaker is looking down at his or her paper. Perfectly good speech content loses its impact when the speaker is bound to notes.

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Effective Conversation

By Stephen Boyd | February 28, 2004

Meeting someone for the first time can be awkward. Yet the first two minutes can determine the future of the relationship. Here are some ways to make those first two minutes count.

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Resolve To Communicate More Effectively

By Stephen Boyd | January 31, 2004

Nothing affects the quality of our lives more than our skills in communication. Let us resolve to improve our communication skills in the new year. Here are some simple suggestions on how to create more powerful communication skills in 2004.

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Effective Group Presentations

By Stephen Boyd | December 31, 2003

Group presentations are often more appropriate than one from a single speaker. Some sales presentations or company policy changes may require the expertise of several people in one presentation. Handling the group presentation with coordinating themes and strong support plus integrating multiple personalities and approaches into one presentation is a challenge. Here are some suggestions on how to make the group or multi-person presentation effective.

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Asking Open Questions

By Stephen Boyd | December 31, 2003

To improve the quality of your next conversation, learn to ask open questions. This will help you listen more than you talk, and you will obtain much more information with which to reach informed decisions. In addition, the person who asks questions can control the direction of the conversation.

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Building Self Confidence As You Speak

By Stephen Boyd | November 30, 2003

Even as experienced speakers there are times when we may not feel really comfortable giving a particular presentation. Sometimes a peer group can make us feel uncomfortable. Perhaps we are giving a presentation on a topic we have not addressed previously and our anxiety level rises. Here are some tips to combat these challenges.

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Avoid Common Presentation Errors

By Speaking Tips | November 24, 2003

If you've been to a conference, seminar or other business presentation recently, then you have likely been exposed to the reality that there are good speakers and then there are bad speakers. Here are some errors that speakers at the wrong end of the spectrum frequently make and some tips on how you can avoid them.

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Making Meaning Sure

By Stephen Boyd | September 30, 2003

Meaning is in people, not words. Thus when speaking to an audience, seek to speak words that will have the same meaning to both you and the listener.

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Dont Offend The Audience!

By Stephen Boyd | August 31, 2003

No speaker intends to annoy an audience, but in most speaking situations someone is just waiting to be offended. What can the speaker do to avoid offending an audience? Here are some suggestions to keep disgruntled listeners at a minimum and to stay in the good graces of the audience.

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After The Speech

By Stephen Boyd | August 31, 2003

Usually preparation before the presentation is emphasized for making an effective speech. But if you speak very much, what you do after the speech can help you become a more effective speaker as well.

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Play To Your Strengths As A Speaker

By Stephen Boyd | July 31, 2003

In attempting to improve our speaking, we often concentrate on overcoming our weaknesses. On a video playback of a speech we will look for all the mistakes and think of ways to improve. There is nothing wrong with doing that if we also will evaluate what our strengths are and work to accent our strong points as a speaker.

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Making Sense Out Of What You Say

By Stephen Boyd | July 31, 2003

One of the first concerns for a speaker during preparation is making sure the content makes sense to the audience. This is called reasoning, which is simply how we put our evidence or support together to develop a point.

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Getting Better At Presenting

By Stephen Boyd | June 30, 2003

Many of you reading this are experienced and effective speakers. But as with any other skill, you either keep getting better or you begin to lose your edge as a skillful speaker. Here are some suggestions for the good speaker to become even more effective.

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To Ensure Success In Speaking Anticipate

By Stephen Boyd | May 31, 2003

We all know that to be a careful driver on the highways, we need always to anticipate. When we see brake lights ahead, we anticipate some traffic problem and slow down. If we come to an intersection we look ahead to see if anyone is entering it before us. In like manner, to be an effective speaker we need to anticipate.

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Presenting In Tough Times

By Stephen Boyd | April 30, 2003

As a speaker, keeping the attention of an audience in any situation is challenging, but in time of war it is especially difficult. The minds of audience members are on family and friends, our fighting men and women, and they have an overall concern about security either in our community or in the world.

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Audiences Will Not Remember Much!

By Stephen Boyd | March 31, 2003

We are naive if we think every audience will remember everything we say. That simply will not happen. At best we can expect our listeners to take a point or a story with them. We can improve their chances for retention, however, by including the following techniques...

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Controlling The Unexpected In Speaking

By Stephen Boyd | March 31, 2003

You can be well prepared and still have things go wrong in a speaking situation because of the unexpected. Here are tips to control the unexpected...

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Be Careful What You Speak

By Stephen Boyd | February 28, 2003

Former Senate Republican leader Trent Lott learned how important it is to be careful what you say in a speech. In what seemed to be simply complimentary remarks at the celebration of Strom Thurmond's one hundredth birthday, he made what he called "winging it" comments...

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Observing Your Audience

By Stephen Boyd | February 28, 2003

Yogi Berra once said, "You can observe a lot just by watching." Observing an audience before you speak can really help gauge the attitude and atmosphere of the situation...

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