Seven Secrets to being successful in your next Meeting...

1. Speak less - speak better

Remember you are speaking, not writing. Your Listeners can only retain a limited amount of information. If you say more than your listeners can retain, they will feel confused. So, keep it simple, keep it short - and make sure that you repeat important information at least once, preferably twice.

Everyone will remember what you said.

2. Use inclusive language

Many people, particularly senior people, can be irritated if speakers seem to be “lecturing” them - or underestimating their knowledge. To make sure that everyone feels comfortable, here a few phrases that you can include throughout your presentation to make people feel included and comfortable.

Try “as you may know...” this lets your listeners know that you appreciate their knowledge and their Skill. You can also use, “as most of you know” or, “as you may already know.”

You can make sure that everyone understands what you’re saying - without upsetting the experts.

3. Start with “Your Point”

The fastest way to lose an audience is to talk in general terms with the intention of gradually working towards “your point.” If your listeners do not hear something simple, familiar and engaging as soon as you start to speak, they lose the ability to concentrate on what is being said.

Don’t run the risk of someone angrily interrupting you to say, “What’s your point?”

Start every part of your presentation with something simple and familiar.

4. Use questions to engage your listeners

Some of your listeners may “tune-out” when they are listening to long, detailed reports. Psychologists tell us that whenever we are presented with a choice, or an option, or when we hear a question, it immediately engages our thinking process. Use this to keep your listeners attentive.

For example, instead of simply providing basic facts to accompany financial results, you can say “how will we achieve these results?” - and then deliver the information. Or, in outlining certain risks, you might say, “so what are the potential risks?”

Just think of an obvious question that your information answers - and start with that question.

5. Use stories and examples

Most people hate presentations; but almost everyone loves stories. Your financial information is important and it will never be boring, provided that you can give interesting examples and stories that relate to it.

Tell us the “story” of the benefits of the new proposals. Tell us a “story” about how the organization will be when your changes are made. And most of all, tell us the stories of the bad things that could happen if problems are not corrected.

Stories are an excellent way to get your audience interested, involved - and to get their support.

6. Don’t bury your nose in your notes.

Remember this is a presentation - the more you can make it like a real conversation, the more sincere you sound.

The speaker who simply recites their information will always lack authority.

We can all read up to 300 words per minute; if someone is reciting information at 150 words per minute, without paying any attention to us, it feels boring and artificial - and often annoys people.

Start by looking at everyone in the meeting; look at each person, don’t “scan”.

Eye contact is the most powerful way to convey confidence and hold everyone’s attention.

7. Prepare in advance for the tough questions

Don’t lose sleep, or panic about dealing with tough questions. You are the expert; chances are, you know more about what you are saying than anyone in the room.

As the expert, you can think of even tougher questions than your listeners can!

Make a list of the 10 toughest questions you could be asked and prepare simple and powerful responses to each one. For each question, make sure you have a short, strong opening response. Think of it as a strong “headline” which perfectly sums up your point. Then simply prepare three brief pieces of evidence to support your point. You will conclude by repeating your headlines and referring briefly to each of your three points. By doing this in advance, you will probably anticipate at least 80% of the questions that you might be asked.

This will make a huge difference in your feeling of self-confidence going into your meeting - and you will have that extra confidence throughout your presentation.

For more training on managing anxiety and increasing your speaking skills to the same high level as your writing skills then you should attend one of our .

The workshop is designed to improve every aspect of personal communication skills, from strategy and text preparation to establishing rapport and overcoming speaking anxiety.

Participants are recorded 4 times with feedback from the other participants and personal coaching from the workshop coach. Each receive a USB of their video clips along with a letter of analysis from the workshop coach.

Participants will learn how to:

Master Eloquent Speaking

Think on their feet and respond persuasively and eloquently in one-on-one situations, meetings and large audience situationsEffectively use the Focus Method to communicate complex ideas and thoughtsManage their fear of speaking

Become a Charismatic Communicator

Master charismatic communication skills, such as how to "be in the moment"Make sincere eye contactSpeak effectively from notesUtilize effective platform and meetings skillsLearn powerful gestures and movement while communicatingEffectively deliver financial and complex data and powerful PowerPoint

Rediscover the Power of their Natural Voice

Assess and evaluate their voice qualityPerform a wide range of exercises and simple practices to improve the warmth, resonance, and richness of their voiceUtilize exercises to improve their voice on a daily basisImprove their diction with simple techniquesManage their speaking anxiety with relaxation techniques

Upcoming Two-Day Workshop Dates in Toronto

Register Now. Small Group Workshops Limited to 10 Places