Sunday, June 29, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Business Body Language
This has become something of an annual message from me, but the penny still isn’t dropping, even if the necklines are.
In an ideal world women would be able to wear what they want and men wouldn’t be in the least bit distracted or interested. Unsurprisingly men are human, which means they are physiologically attracted, and are instinctively drawn to colour and shape, i.e. cleavage. Most women wouldn’t mind the ogling if all men looked like Brad Pitt, however most men sadly don’t. The only woman I know who never has anyone ogle her assets in her presence is Jodie Marsh. She says there is always so much of her on show that men can’t bear to look. However on a TV show we were filming, they had her all covered up as they were trying to portray Jodie as a serious presenter - there’s a message there ladies.
I’ve put a short video clip on the website for more info on how to handle this delicate matter. business body language tips . In the meanwhile, chaps the onus is on you to concentrate on your eye contact ( tips to the right) if you don’t want to lose business, and ladies, if you want to be taken seriously, show a little decorum.
In contrast to bad body language, effective non verbal communication can convert more presentations, help you interpret your clients thoughts, and get you better deals in negotiation, to name but a few. Check out what our business body language sessions could do to enhance your performance.
Now this weekend, I have a special guide coming out. If you are a
public speaker wanting incredible public speaking tips and audience participation, I am going to show you exactly how its done on video with a real, live audience. If you are looking to hire a great public speaker, I have something for you as well.See you soon
Elizabeth
Monday, June 23, 2008
Business Body Language - Cleavage Control!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Business Networking for the Nervous
I was greeted by a huge smile and a hearty handshake by my sons English teacher at Parents Evening. ”Shouldn’t I be winking at you now Mrs Clark?” he beamed. “That’s an eyebrow flash you’re thinking of Dr Thorn” I replied with a grin and a flash. The fact of the matter is it doesn’t matter what you say when you meet someone, it’s how you say it that counts. Having only met Dr Thorn once, you can’t help but like him as he’s got an open face, great facial language and is full or enthusiasm.
- When you’re in the ’social’ zone, check out who is in an open posture (i.e. at 45 degrees to the person they’re speaking to, not standing face to face).
- Now catch their eye, once you’ve got their attention, give them an eyebrow flash. They should instinctively flash you back.
- Give them a smile and again they should reciprocate, if they don’t they’re either not interested or not facially expressive, either case makes for difficult networking.
- If the signs are good, get in there. It doesn’t matter what you say from “May I join you?” to ” A Flirt Guru gave me some networking tips, do you mind if I try them on you?”
- The Flirt Guru comment always gets people curious, offer them the perfect handshake (not limp, wet or crushing) and you’re over the first hurdle.
Exactly the same very simple approach works for dating toot, but you give them the 4 second stare or some toffee eyes before the smile. More of that next month - roll on Valentines.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Don’t tell jokes unless you are funny
Know your humour limits!
I always advise people that aren’t naturally funny: “never crack jokes during presentations”.
I never crack jokes although many people say I should do stand-up. I am a natural extrovert which means that I may say funny things, often inadvertantly, and I may tell stories that are funny, but I do not crack jokes!!! The problem is that unless you a professional stand-up (all of whom have died on stage thousands of times before you see them at the comedy club or on TV), jokes within presentations don’t generally go down too well.
The risk / reward ratio of joke telling isn’t great within a business presentation. So you told some jokes and were really funny - it all came off. So the audience were amused and entertained which is great. But does it mean you will get their business? No. Will you be promoted? No.
And what if it goes wrong? Nothing is worse than someone trying to be funny and the audience not even managing a groan. In addition, during presentations there days, offence is very easily caused. Political correctness has gone mad on both sides of the Atlantic.
Therefore stay away from cracking jokes. If you are really fascinated by comedy, then go and start studying it the hard way. There are courses and open nights at places like the Comedy Club where anybody can go down and have a go.
For professional speakers, I would advise “learning stand-up” which I will go into further detail of the many benefits in my next post. For more information on advanced presentation skills, visit my website http://www.rapportunlimited.co.uk
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
The best way to assess your public speaking performance is…..
Although I don’t mind presenting in front of family and friends ahead of a major presentation, nothing beats watching yourself on video. Family and friends don’t generally know what they are looking at. They have a tendancy to focus on the wrong areas and be too harsh or too soft. They lie as well! They have the best of intentions, but as a general rule, I avoid asking them.
By watching yourself on video, you will notice certain mannerisms. I use my hands far more than I realise. Hand movement per se is not a bad thing - I am very animated and hand gestures are good non-verbal communication. They help to engage the audience although you can easily tell when politicians have been over coached. Tony Blair and even worse still, his former advisor Alistair Campbell, overuse their hands. If its not natural, don’t do it. I remember watching Campbell being quizzed and he has a habit of pointing at people when he is angry. His coaches have clearly advised him not to point, so he has this perculiar mannerism of curling his index finger in. And if he watches this back on video, he’ll realise how strange it looks. It remains aggressive and I think he would be better off pointing!
I digress. The key is to use the playback of past performances or even practices on your own. I actually find it far more realistic to rehearse to a camera than to family or friends. It just isn’t real. And you know that all the professional speakers out there, myself included, review all their performances as part of a continous improvement process. Correct the mistakes and improve!
Please let me know any thoughts or comments 
Laters
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Speakers Nerves: The importance of breathing and positive self-talk!
Anyone who has ever had to give a presentation to a room full of people will know that stomach churning feeling, sometimes known as “butterflies”. It can begin in the days, or even weeks before having to make a big speech or presentation. My other half gets it before he competes in Judo or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, often in front of hundreds of people. The thought of getting armlocked, thrown on your head, or strangled in front of your coach, friends, girlfriend, and several hundred total strangers maybe makes a speech a little insignificant. However, its all in the mind whether you are speaking, presenting, or preparing for a big fight and taking control of the butterflies is key.
This is how you do it:
1) Slow, deep breathing
2) positive self-talk!
Yes we all know that we need to do it (!) but how many of us work on our breathing for when we are presenting or preparing for a tense situation. Now there are techniques within Yoga that are extremely helpful. However, whilst I love a stretch and the relaxing warm-down, its not neccessary to go and enrol at your local leisure centre.
Simply take yourself away somewhere quiet, maybe outside, to the toilet cubicles, anywhere where there are no distractions! Now breath in slowly BUT breath out for at least three times as long. The slower the exhale the better.
Now positive self-talk. “I am going to smile warmingly, make eye contact with my audience and blow them away with my presentation. I will walk out there like James Bond walking into a casino. I will breath normally.” Visualise from your own eyes perspective the crowd smiling back at you, nodding approvingly, and laughing at your quips.
You can reinforce your positive self talk with a “positive tell”. Ever seen a top tennis or golf player punch the air or give a gripped fist to the crowd after a winning shot? Henman, McEnroe, Tiger Woods, - I can name so many sports stars giving out their postive tells and you can see the winning feeling in their entire body. If you don’t know your positive tells, start to learn them from whenever you enjoy success. Do you give yourself a knowing pat on the chest, a smile maybe? Reinforcing these tells with your positive self-talk will produce even greater results.
For more
advanced presentation skills training, follow the link to my Presentation Skills page at Rapport Unlimited.Saturday, June 14, 2008
Welcome to the Advanced Presentation Skills Blog
I am Elizabeth Clark, Founder of Rapport Unlimited (
http://www.rapportunlimited.co.uk), one of the UK’s leaders in Advanced Presentation Skills. I am going to be bringing you the very latest in techniques, skills, and tips. Whether your new to presentations and find them nerve racking or an experienced presenter who just wants to polish their performance, my blog will come in useful. Be sure to check back for regular updates.Elizabeth
