Make a difference when you are speaking

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

After you speak, your audience should either love you or hate you. You audience should have walked out the room inspired or depressed. But if you leave the audience indifferent then you probably have not done a good job.

- Francis Kong

(Final) Effective Communications Tip#9

WALK THE TALK

You are the medium and the medium is the message. THE MESSAGE MUST BE RIGHT BUT THE MESSENGER MUST BE RIGHTEOUS!!! For your talk to be believable, you must first be believable. Have you ever encountered a speaker or a trainer who say one thing but actually does something else?

- Francis Kong

Here are the top comments:
A righteous man is one who knows the struggle of consciously making an effort to do things in accordance to moral conventions and law and keeps himself on track in every way. A speaker is meant not to be measured based on righteousness but in character. And character is not something you can measure. So if a speaker does the otherwise of what he is saying, help him instead of branding him "unrighteous". - Unbiased

How to be effective in preaching?

Spread them around. Don't keep them. Some things you keep some things you share but when you share you never lose it, you are always blessed with more.
Many of my audiences wonder why and how I am so passionate with what I do especially in training and in speaking. I thought about this and the best answer I can think of is this: (would be very helpful for you too….)
I don't practice what I preach. I actually preach what I practice; but by the grace of God. This way I don't need a lot of memory work and it comes with the benefit of conviction too.

- Francis Kong

Simple ways to improve on your speech and presentation

These are simple ways you can employ to improve on your speech and presentations:

1. Maintain visual contact with your audience. (A smile diffuses tension).
2. Do not hide behind the podium.
3. DO NOT READ FROM THE POWERPOINT!
4. Be prepared for sudden interruptions.
5. Stick to your allotted time.
6. Apply the power of humor. (Green jokes cheapen)
7. Use pertinent illustrations, quotes and quotations.
8. Master the use of the microphone.
9. Learn volume control.

Just plain be nice and remember, it's not about you it's all about your audience.

- Francis Kong

Lesson Learned: Keep yourself connected with your audience. Apply humor. Speak with clarity and volume.

What kind of clothes do I wear before my presentation?

It is highly advisable NOT to wear brown colors when you do a presentation. Brown color and tones represent earth colors and would indicate a laid back, care-free in other words, a sort of "lazy-not-to-be-taken-seriously look. And so I stay away from this color tone when doing presentations. Black of course expresses authority. Red represents speed, fiery passion (sports car....) Here is the deal. You should be wearing just one notch higher than what the audience would be wearing. Too far apart and you lose connection. Choose to dress well because this is a show of respect for your audience but don't dress too stiff and too formal if your audience is not.

- Francis Kong

Lesson Learned: Pick your clothes before presentation. Don't just pick the best clothes in your closet, have a logical explanation why you're wearing that outfit.

How to prepare before your speaking engagement?

A lot of public speaking begins even before you begin to speak. The key word for today is STUDY. Go the venue early. At least 30 minutes early.

1. Study the stage. Know the colour of the background.
There was one time when the stage background was exactly the same color and tone of my suit and shirt and from afar I looked like a ghost moving from one place to another.
2. The location of the lectern.
3. The kind of sound system that will be used.
4. Know the allotted time given you.
5. The kind of microphone you will be using.

For a smaller audience, even the colour of the clothes you wear would give out subtle impressions on the audience.
- Francis Kong

Lesson Learned: Watch your words. Speak and think only of positivity and inspiration.

Learn to say words that encourage

Since we are in the subject matter of public speaking, let this be a reminder for the week: Always say words that would encourage and would inspire, do not let corrupt communications come out of your mouth. Words may heal and words may hurt. Sadly, we are exposed to more hurting words than healing words. Some more tips tomorrow morning before I go out of town for a two-day leadership seminar workshop.
- Francis Kong

Lesson Learned: Watch your words. Speak and think only of positivity and inspiration.

Effective Communications Tip #8

PLAN TO BE SPONTANEOUS

Some speakers speak with great wisdom and when they speak everything they do looks seamless. The truth is that they work on their piece all the time. These are some work you need to do:

• Attend seminars and read books on public speaking.
• Listen to audio materials/podcasts.
• Determine your style and stay consistent in it. Do not allow your style to replace your personality.
• Be authentic and be real. Do not be overly-dramatic.
• Read. Read. Read.
• Get a mentor

- Francis Kong

How to act infront of an audience?

Personal story. When I was speaking and I was nervous, I would put my hands in my pants pocket and play with my car keys. The Ilocana would afterwards say, "Sweetheart, you may want to stop doing that because from the stage afar, it looks awkward!" I laughed so hard but I benefited from her correction.

As you do public speaking, make sure you carry a positive attitude when you are corrected. Those who find it hard to succeed are those who hate their friends or loved ones even when they tell them something for their own good. Is this a valid observation?

- Francis Kong

Effective Communications Tip #7

KNOW HOW TO GET TO CARNEGIE HALL

One day a tourist in New York asked a New Yorker: "How do I get to Carnegie Hall?" The New Yorker looked at him and said: "Practice…practice…practice…. But practice alone won’t get you to where you want to go. They say that “Practice makes perfect.” This may not be true. Practice does not make perfect…it makes permanent. It is the right practice of the right thing that would lead to the right results! Later on I will provide some solid steps on how to prepare correctly. Remember: Practice does not make perfect. Practice makes permanent.

- Francis Kong

How to improve my public speaking skills?

My very first "official" public speaking started with only 6 people listening. I was trembling with fear. I "over-studied" and "over-prepared." During the 30 minute talk they were quiet and intensely listening. After which they encouraged me and told me they learned so much. There was a strange feeling that overcame me. From that time on I discovered my calling. I couldn't wait to study more so I can share what I learn to others. Lesson: Encouragement from the audience makes a major difference in the life of speakers and presenters.

- Francis Kong

Lesson Learned:
Feedback from the audience will help you see what aspect in your speaking engagement do you need improvements.

How to improve my grammar in public speaking?

I know of a Filipino pastor who speaks with very poor grammar and poor sentence constructions but he knew his weaknesses and he worked on it. The heart was right, the content was deep, the humour was there and he connected with his audience. Today his grammar and his sentence construction have greatly improved. I have also heard others who were impecabble with their speeches but could not connect with the audience. Have you observed this? Be confident but always seek out to improve.

- Francis Kong

Lesson Learned:
Practice speaking makes you better and better over time.

Effective Communications Tip #6

GRAMMAR AND CONFIDENCE

We have been insulted, laughed at and made to feel ridiculous every time we erred in grammar. I have news for you. Even Americans err in English grammar so what's the big deal? The more you speak, the more you will improve on it. So do not let grammar get into the way of developing your potential for speaking. You need to improve on your grammar but having perfect grammmar is not the only key to good communication skills. There are many other variables which we will touch on later. Content and delivery are just two as there will be more I will share.

- Francis Kong

How do you face criticism?

The most destructive criticism is indifference. 

Do not be afraid of criticism and do not hate the person who gives it. 
Learn from it. 
Improve and become better.

However, I never liked those who merely criticize but are incapable of offering constructive alternatives.
It seems that those who do the least complain and criticize the most. Have you observed this as well? Tell me your stories.



**Excerpt from Francis Kong's FB

Effective Communications Tip #5

THE DELIVERY IS AS IMPORTANT AS THE CONTENT


You want to engage your audience.
You want to challenge them to think.
You want to inspire them.
You want them to learn.
You want them to change their lives.
You want them to leave the conference hall or the auditorium becoming a brand new person.
This is why your content should be powerful and should be consistent. This is why I need to emphasise again: It's not about you, It's all about serving your audience.



**Excerpt from Francis Kong's FB

How to avoid stuttering in front of the crowd?

STUTTERING 

In your comments some of you express the concern that when you are anxious you stutter and the more nervous you get the more you stutter. Sometimes you enter mental block.

Stuttering simply means your mind is working on overdrive faster than your lips could catch up. Take a deep breadth. Look to your left slowly and look to your right, take a deep breadth, smile and then speak slowly.
Here is another tip: Watch a recent motive: The King's Speech.

Effective Communications Tip #4

WORK UP THE AUDIENCE BEFORE YOU START WORKING ON YOUR PIECE

Everybody is feeling out everybody. You may be nervous about your audience but they are also apprehensive about you. It is a big deal to lower down their apprehensions and make them comfortable.

I introduce myself first to the audience and engage them in little conversations. I give them my business cards. Look them in the eye and put on my best wardrobe for the day and that is my smile. Listen to them speak and sincerely be interested in them.

Some speakers act like prima donnas and this boomerangs on them. Nothing beats being friendly and starting some conversation with some of the audience especially with those who show up early.

Effective Communications Tip #3

MIND OVER MATTER AND MOUTH

The Filipino is considered the most emotional people in the world according to Gallup polls release November of last year. This means we are feeling more and thinking less. This poses as a great challenge to public speakers.

Public speaking starts with the mind and not the mouth.
A great deal of public speaking begins even before you go up the stage. It starts with the thinking process.
The human mind is like a computer hard disk.
Garbage in = Garbage out.
What you put into your mind you will use and go out of your mouth.
Assignment: Read more inspiring books. Watch inspiring movies. Listen to uplifting songs.

You need to put yourself in the right mind frame.
I start the day with prayer. Asking God to help me deliver what He wants the people to hear and to give me the wisdom to do my piece.
I go to the venue being inspired by good music. There is something about music that reaches down deep into the soul.
I sing along with the music. This means I am stretching my vocal chords.
Arrive early at the venue. I check out the place. Make sure that all the presentation support is there on time and ready for me.
All of these is mental work even before the mouth utters a single word.

**Excerpt from Francis Kong's FB page

How to cope up with nervousness in front of people?

SIGNS OF NERVOUSNESS

Your voice increases the pitch, you begin to speak faster than usual in certain cases the voice volume either increases or decreases.
Take a deep breadth. Smile. Do not be in a hurry to resume.
And then continue….with a smile of course.

**Excerpt from Francis Kong's FB page

Every kid needs a champion

Talk about effective communications. Her topic is key!
Every word she says inspires me and every teacher in this country needs to see this.
Rita died on June 28, 2013 at age 61. A couple of months after delivering this talk.

**Excerpt from Francis Kong's FB page.

Here is a question, Will you be a teacher that teach or a teacher that inspires?

What kind of speaker are you?

There are 2 kinds of speakers I have encountered in my life. One kind is the speaker whose sole objective is to impress people with what he or she knows and the other kind of speaker whose sole purpose is not to impress but to express truths that he or she knows would help.
People can sense this.

One thing that would reduce our nervousness is to embrace the mission of expressing truth in order to help people. When you take the focus away from yourself and move it to your audience it brings your effort to the next level.

**Excerpt from Francis Kong's FB page

Effective Communications Tip #2

MENTAL PREPARATION

The best advice I got on public speaking came from my mentor Dr. Harold Sala. He said, (seeing how nervous I was before going on stage at the PICC many years ago): 
"Francis, it doesn't matter whether the audience is 10,000, 1,000, 100, or 10. Just think of yourself as speaking to only 1 person and make it personal.
This has shaped the way I speak over the years.

Have you ever been nervous before a crowd no matter how many they are?
Process this thought: What made you nervous?
Most of the time you're worried about you.
Now here is something harsh and direct but I just have to say it: You will know and enjoy the fullness of public speaking and presentations when you stop focusing on yourself and focus on your audience because truth to tell, it's not about you - it is about your audience that you should really care about.

**Excerpt from Francis Kong's FB page

Is it normal to get nervous before a presentation?

BUTTERFLIES

Do you get nervous before a presentation? If you do then that is a good thing. (I will explain this further in the next tip.) The talk I gave yesterday was my 165th for the year yet I made sure I was nervous. 

In other words I get nervous when I am not nervous. 

Meanwhile…..here is a question you need to process in your mind:
Why am I nervous and what is it that makes me nervous?
I can assure you that if you are then you are not unique in this area.


**Excerpt from Francis Kong's FB page

Effective Communications Tip#1

MASTERY

In business (specially in retail) the 3 most important words are: Location, location and location. In public speech or training, the 3 most important words are: preparation, preparation and preparation. I am so poor with memorization. This is why I do not memorize, I internalize. Mastery of the subject matter is key.
- Francis Kong

Question: How long does it take you to prepare for your presentation? Can you still present should there be a power failure and your PowerPoint does not work? How would you handle the situation?

The question left by Mr. Francis Kong is helpful for us to reflect on how do we present? Many followers answered his questions. I'll be summarizing it as seen below:
Most people will take one to two weeks depending on how big the presentation is. There was a commentor who said that for ERP software, it took her at least a week for demo or presentation, but if it is training it will take a month. She really needs to prepare, internalize and know all aspects of the software to fit the client's business process. In case of power failure, Instead of showing the audience "HOW" the software handles business process, She'll just talk about "WHAT" the software can do to improve their business process. However, humor should be added to make the conversation lively and compensate the lack of visual aids. This is very useful tip especially for IT professionals selling software products.

There was another commentor who experienced power failure in one of his workshops. He continued his presentation by being more humorous as to not lose the momentum of the talk. Mastery of the presentation is the key and having a contingency plan is a must. On top of that, composure, quick thinking, creativity and humor are needed to carry on till the end of presentation. It doesn't matter if there's power failure or you lose your voice, what is important is you still got their attention and you've sent your message across your audience loud and clear as if nothing happened. I like this tip, it was very powerful and straight to the point.

Creativity and being passionate at presenting will be helpful in internalizing the topic. Some people personalize the slides given by the company by adding some facts and graphs that he thinks will help but still states fact about the company.

Sharing stories, situations, exchanging ideas or circumstances related to the topic to your audience will stimulate the imagination of both you and the audience which will lead to a lively discussion.

Of course, nothing beats talking in front of the mirror, practicing your speech over and over. Not only will it help you in getting the feel of how you'll be seen infront of the people, but it will also help you in revising your script when you think of something better. Always keep your voice loud and modulated, even when you are just practicing.

I learned so much from tip #1, looking forward to the next tips. If you have comments or other tips, feel free to pitch in below.