Professionally Speaking-Swearing

A recent international workplace survey revealed that swearing, speaking loudly and talking about your personal life on a mobile phone in public spaces, topped the list of rude behaviour.

I was MC/ Facilitator at the recent AIME event (Asian Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo)in Melbourne Australia. One speaker did a lot of swearing on stage which didn't really add any value to his content and made a few in the audience noticeably squirm. Not only that, I lost track of the rest of his story as I couldn't stop wondering why he would even do that.....was it necessary? Was it appropriate? Never!

PS Tip: There are many ways to ensure your content has the required effect and punch you want to convey, without the use of swear words. Your body language, acting/delivery skills and descriptive prose and stories will increase your personal engagement qualities and transfer of expertise.

Professionally Speaking-Death by Support Act

When was the last time you saw a great Powerpoint offering? I mean something really engaging?Unfortunately many of us are still being subjected to boring, overloaded slides with the presenter making us feel like idiots as they read the content from the slide! 

In the professional speaking world, the two reasons a presenter would subject their audiences to a boring, content loaded powerpoint display is either they don't know their content/presentation or they have no presentation skills.

PS Tip: Consider your audience and respective learning styles, YOU ARE YOUR BEST VISUAL! Use as little text as possible, but lots of photos (a photo says a thousand words!). It is a SUPPORT ACT, not the main act and treat it as such.

 Check out http://www.slideshare.net/contest/contest for some new ideas

Professionally Speaking-Who said you could?

Recently I attended an event where a high profile speaker was being introduced. The introduction started out great until the MC decided to 'spice' it up a bit and add his own (stupid) comments. Not only that, his remarks were way out of line, didn't fit the event and I felt the speaker was getting a bit anxious and probably annoyed as well. 

PS tip-An MC's primary role is that of service and support. An introduction is meant to set the scene and give the audience a taste of whats to come. It is not a vehicle to showcase ones clever, witty remarks. If you want to spice up a rather serious introduction, a safe bet is to ask the speaker for something unique or humourous you can use.

For more information on how to write an introduction: http://emcee.com.au/pdfs/Camille%20article.pdf

Professionally Speaking-with friends in the industry.

I was fortunate to interview Christine Comaford-Lynch,  guest speaker at the National Speakers Association conference in NYC last week. She was fantastic, with lots of business tips from her book Rules for Renegades. Loved the 'Palm up networking' idea, putting energy into people, not asking but offering. Also the 'Rolodex dip', dipping into your address book once a week and connecting with someone, for no other reason than  a simple how are you, and mean it!

PS tip-No matter what business you are in, its all about the people!