The Okanagan Valley Entrepreneurs Society (OVES) & Kelowna Scotiabank proudly presented the May Townhall Meeting
Public Speaking: Talking Your Way to Increased Sales & Success
Date: Tuesday, May 25th, 2010 Location: Ramada Hotel Kelowna, 2170 Harvey Ave
The number one fear of most people according to many studies, is public speaking. Yet it is an integral element of success in business.
You can run but you can’t hide! To be successful in business you must conquer your fear of public speaking. People who speak well are perceived as smarter, more competent, trustworthy and knowledgeable. By improving your speaking ability you will win more oral proposals, close more sales, persuade and influence customers and investors and motivate employees. Does that describe you as you are now or how you would like to be?
You can’t learn public speaking and presentation skills by osmosis. You have to break the forces of bumglue and get up off your seat and start speaking! Bumglue … never heard of it? It’s a force of nature that glues your bum to your chair and prevents you from taking a chance or stepping out of your comfort zone. It is easily overcome, as Nike would say … just do it!
Our panel of well-spoken entrepreneurs include local representatives of Toastmasters International, the world’s leading provider of inexpensive communication & leadership skills development.
Our panel discussion covered:
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- Fear of public speaking exposed
- Speeches vs presentations
- Presentations vs proposals/pitching
- The different types of business presentations
- How to overcome shyness & develop your confidence
- How to develop your speaking skills
- The mandatory elevator speech
- Developing your “pit crew”
- How to effectively communicate your intangible, creative ideas
- Selling with passion
- Public speaking vs public listening
- Quick techniques to deliver a presentation
- Toastimonials
Moderator's Notes:
For decades it was believed that entrepreneurs were born, not made. Over the past 25 years, that myth has been put to rest. We know that entrepreneurs learn to develop a self-confident, goal-oriented approach to life. We also know that they learn how to identify opportunities, generate ideas, research, plan and launch a venture.
Does everyone agree with that?
Entrepreneurs learn how to manage their businesses and their employees. They also make mistakes, experience failure and get better with practice. Entrepreneurs are made, not born. Do we agree with that?
If we all agree to those descriptions of entrepreneurs than how is it that so many of us place obstacles in our way when it comes to speaking in public?
You might have heard the saying "Public speakers are born not made." Sound familiar? Does anyone agree with that statement? Some, none? I'm sure our panellists have something to say on the matter. Let's meet them.
Our Panellists:
Adam Less
For twenty-six years, Adam Less has handled the strategic and creative advertising needs of regional, national and international businesses. A winner of dozens of national and international advertising awards, including numerous national Radio Impact Awards, Lotus Awards, London International Awards and Summit International Creative Awards, his work has also been included in marketing textbooks for universities across Canada.
Less honed his skills as a Creative Director at a mid-sized Vancouver advertising agency for many years before moving to the Okanagan. In 1999, Adam Less co-founded Think. Marketing Inc. which grew to become the BC Interior's largest full service advertising agency. In 2009, Less sold his interest in Think. and has now formed his own strategic marketing firm specializing in brand development and creative execution. He is the owner of Propeller Creative Brand Strategists in Kelowna.
Dave Maller
For over 40 years Dave has been in the broadcasting industry as an announcer, producer and administrator.
He has voiced countless radio and television commercials, narrated books, film and video documentaries plus trained announcers and public speakers in voice production.
Dave has worked with political leaders, executives and trainers in all aspects of presentation helping them communicate more effectively.
With a background in radio and television and an education in marketing, Dave has developed strategic initiatives for media companies and organizations in helping them meet their business objectives.
Dave’s volunteer experience spans many decades from organizations such as the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede and Toastmasters International to the broadcast industry curriculum board at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.
Dave has been a member of Toastmasters for 7 years and is currently working toward his Advanced Communicator Gold.
Dave is the owner and operator of D.A.M. Productions.
Clients include: Industry Canada, Diane Ablonczy MP, The Mayor’s Office – City of Calgary, Global Television, Stars Air Ambulance, Enmax Corporation, The Royal Tyrrell Museum, Alberta Beef Producers, Media One Communication, AMISH Advertising Chicago
Marian Gushue-Geiger
Marian has worked in the Human Resources field for many years as a manager in diverse industries. She is currently the Human Resources Manager at Commissionaires BC., located in Kelowna. She is passionate about ensuring that effective communication & leadership skills are used in the workplace.
Over the past decade or so she has been very active within Toastmasters serving in various Toastmasters club executive roles including President of Kelowna Toastmasters & Okanagan Advanced Toastmasters. She has also served as Area 39 Governor, Division C Governor & District 21 Credentials Chair. Marian loves to compete in Toastmasters speech contests and has been quite successful.
Moderator: Rae Stonehouse OVES Society - Vice Chair of Education
Rae is a Registered Nurse/Entrepreneur who has worked in the healthcare field for over thirty years. Very active within the Toastmasters organization Rae has taken on increasingly challenging leadership roles and is currently involved in developing entrepreneurial educational and mentoring programs. His passion is helping others to succeed. His business, Live For Excellence Productions, provides meeting, seminar, workshop & event planning for the Okanagan Valley. Rae Stonehouse Speaker Services provides emcee services and speech coaching in the Okanagan Valley.
Moderator's Notes:
Moderator: You can't have a conversation about public speaking without acknowledging that fear is the biggest obstacle that prevents us from doing it. It is often said that many people would rather be in the coffin than having to deliver the eulogy. Marian, would you like to comment on the fear of public speaking. Any other comments?
Moderator: Now that we have stated that fear serves no purpose let's take a look at some of the situations that effective public speaking skills would come in handy. How many people love giving speeches? Who loves giving presentations? Is there a difference? Let's see what our panel has to say … Adam, you've given a presentation or two in your day, could you comment on speeches, presentations and making a pitch?
"I do a GREAT me, I am probably the one that can do ME best, I cannot do a great you... Be yourself when speaking" ~ Adam Less ~
Moderator: What are some situations that entrepreneurs would need to speak effectively? Dave?
Moderator: One of the basic speaking skills that every entrepreneur should master is developing an elevator speech. Are they still relevant and can you offer any advice on how to create an effective one? Open question.
"It's good to have butterflies in your stomach, just let them fly in formation." ~ Dave Maler ~
"If you're not fearful when you get on stage, you're boring" ~ Dave Maller ~
Moderator: Let's revisit this next topic. Can anyone develop their speaking skills? How do they go about it? Dave.
Moderator: Adam, when you are putting together a sales pitch, tell us how you would go about it? What works, what doesn't?
"The moment you 'name' a pet, it becomes human, you can attach to it. Same thing for brands. People attach to brands." ~ Adam Less ~
Moderator: Marian, as an HR manager for many years I'm guessing that you have interviewed a person or two in your time. I would think that someone that is applying for a job is really giving a sales pitch. What do you look for when interviewing some one?
Moderator: To our panel, what advice would you offer our entrepreneurs that are on the shy side?
"When you're leaving a voicemail, speak it in with a SMILE :) this brings out your true voice". ~ Adam Less ~
Moderator: Dave, you've worked with a lot of people helping them develop their speaking skills. Are there some challenges or problems that you have found that are common to many people and how have you helped them?
"Breathing is the engine of speech" ~ Dave Maller ~
"If you're speaking in public, connect with your audience. Listen with your eyes (bodylanguage feedback)~ Dave Maller ~
Moderator: Adam, I'm guessing that not all of your sales pitches have been successful. Can you share anything that you learned from those pitches and what you would do differently?
Moderator: Many of us are good at putting our creative ideas to paper but when it comes to developing a verbal presentation, we suck at it. Are there any secrets to beating this problem?
Moderator: It's time to fit in a Toastimonial. Dave & Marian, does Toastmasters help with shyness and developing your communication skills?
Moderator: They say that practice makes perfect. I'm not sure who they are but it isn't true anyways if you keep practicing the same mistakes over and over. How can an entrepreneur ensure the success of any presentation or sales pitch they have to make?
Moderator: How does passion fit into the scenario?
Moderator: Do you think our entrepreneurs should be doing presentations to showcase their products or services? How would they go about doing so?
Moderator: We tend to think about public speaking only in the terms of the verbal. Poise, theatrical skills, stage management and working with audio visuals is equally important. Any comments?
Moderator: Powerpoint … good or bad?
"Powerpoint doesn't sell, the words don't sell, PASSION sells. Don't think of the tools, think of the message you bring" ~ Adam Less ~
Moderator: What are the secrets to preparing your presentation?
Moderator: How do you prepare your mind for your big presentation?
Moderator: It is important to know your audience. Any comments on how to go about doing this?
"It's not so much about the mistakes you may make, it's more important how you recover from them." ~ Marian Gushue Geiger ~