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Category: Speaking

Distill charts

Your audience won’t remember all the facts that your graphics show, so give them one takeaway that they will remember. When possible, relate it to something they already know. Example: “Last month we served 60,000 customers. That’s enough to fill Yankee Stadium and still leave 3,000 people standing.” — Adapted from “11 Unusual Methods for […]

Confirm pronunciations

Don’t stumble over an unfamiliar name when you will be meeting with someone. Call the person’s voice mail after hours to hear how he or she pronounces it.  

Overpower rivals to sell your idea

The last time you floated an idea to the team, a group of opponents shouted you down with such force that they rattled you, and you let the idea drop. Next time, use these potent phrases to monopolize the conversation long enough for you to convince the “silent majority” on the team to support your idea.

4 ways to speak forcefully: Power presentations

Before you address an audience of one or 100, know your goal and prepare an outline to stay on track. Start with simple ideas and add complex points (evidence, details, case studies) gradually. Consider the pros and cons of four formats:

Don’t start a speech by citing …

Don’t start a speech by citing “eight ways to beat inflation” or “10 rules of teamwork.” After the first one, your audience will quickly calculate how long you’re likely to talk, and zone out. Adapted from The Speechwriter’s Handbook of Humor, Robert Orben, Marion Street Press.