Stand Up and Speak

This presentation skills article appeared in the public speaking magazine - MyBusiness.

Over 90% of the population fear public speaking more than death, yet it is the most powerful form of communication. Public speaking Trainer Darren Fleming shares his secrets on overcoming these fears and getting your message out there.

Despite recent advances in communication technology, face-to-face communication still has the greatest influence over people. Whether it is persuading the bank manager to extend credit, business partners to adopt your idea or getting customers to buy your product, it is your skill as a presenter in selling your ideas that will largely determine your success.

Often it is necessary to present the same idea to different audience for different reasons. Take the idea of wanting to change business structure to capitalise on a new market. There are several interested parties that need to be convinced you are on the right track. These include the Bank, Staff and Board. If these parties aren’t convinced, your ideas may be doomed from the beginning.

Take the bank.  The bank will want to know all the ins and outs of the new market.  How big is it and who is the competition?  How long will it be before a profit is returned? What will the new structure be?  How much do you need to borrow?  The bank will want to make a very clinical, calculated and safe decision.  They will want facts that they can question and rely upon.

Your staff however, are more concerned about putting food on the table and paying the mortgage.  Although they will want to know about markets and structure, they care more about the emotive issues of their job security and pay packets.  Therefore, they need information that is personally reassuring.  They will be more concerned about career progression and job fulfilment rather than how much is being borrowed or who the major competition will be.

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