Public Speaking & Presentations

What Does Your Audience Think of You?
Recently, I observed a group of investors develop feedback to give to entrepreneurs on presentations that were designed to obtain funding. Positive feedback was easy, and the investors (an impressive group) were careful to put critical feedback in the form of a “courageous critique.” I have a different term for the same thing – I call it “feed forward” – it’s about what presenters could do better in the future. Whether it’s called “courageous critique” or “feed forward,” a good communications coach can help you make your points clearly and credibly and persuasively. Those characteristics will help win the audience to your point of view.

Esprit de Corps.
"Humans need the magic of sharing laughter and tears face-to-face to create esprit de corps. There will always be a need for real-time speakers, with a real-time audience. No movie or television program can compare with hearing and seeing a speaker in person. As more interaction is done electronically, we feel the need for great speakers will increase and they will be at an even greater premium than they are today." – Dottie Walters and Lilly Walters, Speak and Grow Rich.

Fear Is Common.
"Public speaking consistently tops the list of things people fear most – ahead of flying, snakes, even death. As comedian Jerry Seinfeld points out, that means if you're at a funeral, you'd rather be in the casket than delivering the eulogy." – Jude Westerfield, Giving a Presentation: An easy, smart guide to giving a successful presentation.

Four 'Sins.'
"There are only four things people you communicate with won't forgive you for: not being prepared, comfortable, committed, and interesting." – Roger Ailes, You Are The Message.

Inspiration.
"What if I had said, instead of 'We shall fight on the beaches', 'Hostilities will be engaged with our adversary on the coastal perimeter'?" – Winston Churchill.

Length of Speech.
"Woodrow Wilson was once asked how long it took him to prepare a 15-minute speech. He responded, 'Two weeks.' How long for a 30-minute speech? 'One week.' How about a two-hour speech? 'I'm ready now,' smiled the scholarly president." – Ronald A. Faucheux, Running for Office: The Strategies, Techniques and Messages Modern Political Candidates Need to Win Elections

Speech Craft & Structure.
"A great speech – even a good speech – must have a structure, some thematic anatomy. 'Tell 'em what you're going to tell 'em; then tell 'em; then tell 'em what you told 'em.' That simple organizing principle is the primary adage of speechmaking. That old saying, you note, is packaged in perfect oratorical style: the imperative mood, the force of a command, the parallel structure that invites a rhythm in delivery." – William Safire, Lend Me Your Ears: Great Speeches in History.

Speech Preparation.
"You should come across like your own sweet self. This usually takes a lot of preparation." – Fortune.

Principle.
"In matters of taste, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." – Thomas Jefferson.

The Executive Communications Coach^SM

Joseph Vranich • Irvine, California • 949-551-3150