CML International

5 Quick Tips for Executive Women When Speaking in Public

1. Do stand with two feet on the ground. Move with purpose and to shift energy. To present yourself powerfully, don’t wrap your legs around each other, cock a hip, or fold your arms at your waist.
2. Ensure that your facial expressions, body language and gestures relate to, and enhance your verbal message.
3. When you increase the volume of your voice, don’t raise the pitch.
4. If you need to bring the group to order, use music at an increased volume, or a chime.
5. Make sure that no jewelry or fashion accessories interfere with your microphone, or create a noise or hint at discomfort or over-accessorizing.

For more information: Contact Catherine

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Here are 3 Quick Tips for Presenting Powerfully

1) When speaking in public, stand firmly on two feet. Create a solid foundation for your body, which will make you appear strong. Hitching a hip, wrapping legs around each other, when standing, can cause you to appear tentative and unsure.

2) Take a step with purpose, rather than being rooted to the floor, or walking aimlessly around the podium or stage. To increase energy or shift the mood, take a few steps. If your nerves are causing your knees to tremble, take a step or two and plant your feet together.

3) Use your movement to connect more powerfully with your audience. Walk toward the front of the stage to connect and if relating a moving story. Move toward a person posing a question, move back to encompass the audience while responding.

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When watching a speaker present, how well do you listen?

Do you…

1) Tune out people with whom you don’t agree, thereby being prejudicial?

2) Form a rebuttal in your head, while the presenter is still speaking?

3) Give the appearance of listening when you aren’t? e.g texting, emailing.

4) Daydream during the talk?

5) Mentally criticize or condemn the speaker’s clothes, jewelry, shoes, hair, glasses?

6) Allow yourself to be distracted by something going on in another part of the room, or outside?

7) Jump to conclusions without hearing the presenter out?

Allow emotions or nerves overtake your enjoyment of the message?

Do you do some, or all of these things, occasionally, often, most of the time? Hmm…it may be time to re-evaluate your listening skills, which can positively impact your communication skills.

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While recently checking in to an up-market business hotel, in Orange County, CA, the desk clerk was courteous and efficient. However when I presented my credit card to her she asked, “CanIseesomeformofpictureID?” This was said rapidly, with the words run together.

Of course I understood what she meant. However, behind me in the check-in queue was a couple speaking Italian. I wondered if they would understand this request, as it was posed to me.

It is difficult for us to simplify and slow our American English when talking with people whose second or third language is English. They may speak English quite well, but they may have learned it in Singapore or at Oxford, and our American vernacular may not translate at all well.

It would have been more helpful if the hotel employee would have asked to see a driver’s license or passport, with the credit card. However, since some people may not possess a driver’s license or passport, it presents a dilemma. Many countries have driver’s licenses issued for life and the photos issued at age 18 or 20 no longer bear any resemblance to the license holder today.

One of the first points of contacts for a hotel visitor or guest, is the front desk clerk. They may have been greeted briefly by the doorman, but the first conversation a hotel guest would have most likely would be the clerk at check-in.

Would a better way to phrase the request have been, “Sir (or ma’m), do you have any identification with your photograph?” The request would be spoken clearly, distinctly and without running the words together. The word identification would not be abbreviated, so as to avoid confusing the non-native English speaker with “ID”.

It behooves hotel staff and indeed all of us to extend ourselves to international visitors or colleagues to help them to feel as comfortable as possible, starting with the initial contact and a form of English sans abbreviations, vernacular phrases and American expressions.

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Speak Your Way To Success ~ Part I

Answer True or False
Note: in some instances, only part of the question is incorrect!

1. In Brazil, the classic American OK sign, – thumb and forefinger forming a circle, is an obscene gesture.

2. In East Asia, it is acceptable to stick your chopsticks into your rice bowl, when they are not in use.

3. In Sri Lanka, nodding the head up and down means “no” and shaking from side to side means “yes”.

4. When a Japanese laughs, it may mean shock, grief, embarrassment or confusion.

5. In Hong Kong, it is perfectly acceptable to put bones or other rejects from your meal on the table, even when there is a tablecloth.

6. In Thailand, it is considered taboo and insulting to touch a child’s head.

7. Germans whistle to convey approval, like Americans do.

8. When leaving a home in Malaysia, it is considered impolite if you say, “Goodbye”.

9. In France, a firm, pumping handshake is considered proper and polite.

10. When dining in an Arab home, it is polite to decline an offer of anything until at least the second or third time it is offered.

11. In South Africa, when someone says, “I will see you just now,” it means “I will be right with you”.

12. In Australia, or Indonesia, using a curling index finger to beckon a person is acceptable.

13. In the U.K. and France, it is customary to eat sandwiches with a knife and fork.

14. When sending a team to China, for initial negotiations, you would send middle management of a mature age.

15. In Latin America, what you know is more important than who you know.

16. In Korea, if the business meeting has gone well, the bow at the end will be shorter than the entry bow.

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© CatherineLorenz.com

For permission to reprint, please contact the author.

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Formality is the key. Do not use first names unless invited to do so. When you introduce your self, –Karen Williams, you will be called Frau Williams (or they may just Americanize it to make you feel comfortable). People will introduce themselves to you, just using their last names. So you may shake hands with a man who says “Schmidt”, with a brief nod. You would address him as Herr Schmidt. This will occur even when people are your age or younger. If you are introduced to Herr Schmidt, you may say, Karen Williams, or just Williams, as you shake hands.

They may prefer to be introduced or presented to you, rather than you introducing yourself, as we do in America. Germans are more formal there with introductions. It reminds me of finishing school or cotillion introductions. Younger or “lesser” ranks are introduced first, or their names are given first.

Women older than 18 or so, are referred to as Frau, whether or not they are married. If someone has a title, such as Doktor. Then you refer to them as Frau Doktor Lorenz, or Herr Doktor Kühn, or just Herr Doktor. Someone else may be Herr Doktor Professor so on. Titles and professional designations are important.

Shake hands (firmly, but briefly) with everyone you meet, (when saying hello and goodbye) to avoid slighting someone.

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Does the thought of speaking at a national sales meeting, or presenting to a new client company fill you with anxiety? From sensitive board room discussions to the basic sales spiel, the power of speech propels the world of commerce. In today’s competitive business environment, the executive who can deliver a polished, effective presentation, gains a distinct edge.

To studiously organize every aspect of your talk, yet to be remiss in handling the fear barrier, is simply, negligent. Fear is merely energy that needs to be managed. The experienced speaker uses it as an advantage, whereas the amateur can be thrown by it.

While the fear of public speaking vies closely with the fear of dying and snake phobias, there are certain tools you can use to assist in conquering your nervousness.

1) Practice, practice, practice.
Know your material thoroughly. Some professional speakers recommend being so familiar with the beginning of your speech, that if you were abruptly awakened in the middle of the night, you would be able to deliver the first few lines of your talk flawlessly.
Never, ever, wing it. Nothing can substitute for rehearsals and this will be evident in your professional delivery.
Rehearse your talk in front of a mirror. Record yourself. Practice in front of a friendly audience.

2) Be prepared.
Know your audience’s needs and decide what you want them to come away with.
On the day of your presentation, arrive early. Running late will only increase your anxiety.
Don’t rely solely on your PowerPoint or visuals to carry your talk. What if the equipment has a glitch? Have backup notes.
Check the set up of the room, your computer and the microphone.
When you are introduced, stride confidently to the lectern and watch your step!

3) Think positively about yourself.
In the days and hours leading up to your speaking date, invoke all five senses in frequent visualization exercises and envision yourself as a polished presenter. See what you are wearing and how great you look. Hear the applause and the roars of laughter (at the appropriate time, of course!). Feel the thrill of performing at your peak.
Tell yourself how wonderful you are, –repeatedly. What you give your attention to, you will attract.
Admit and understand the source of your fear. Don’t deny it.
Realize that your trepidation doesn’t have to show and that some apprehension is normal. Tap into the energy that fear is, –use it to your advantage and to raise your own energy.
Rhythmic breathing, stretching, as well as, alternately tensing and relaxing your muscles also helps.

4) Make eye contact with individuals in the audience.
When speaking, make eye contact with individuals for several seconds, rather than casting your eyes like machine gun spray over their heads. See the audience as your ally and focus on its needs.

5) Honor your time parameters.
Practice combined with preparedness conquers nerves and commands those butterflies to fly in formation.

© CatherineLorenz.com

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Speaking in public? Have a crucial presentation coming up?

Not to worry, here are 5 Quick Tips to enhance your success:

1) Are your stilettos too wobbly? Save them for your evening out clubbing. Are your earrings jangly? Wear attire that is flattering to your figure and appropriate for the audience and the occasion. As a speaker/presenter, you should always be more dressed up than your audience. Keep in mind that chandelier earrings can be a distraction and necklaces can interfere with the microphone and sound. Consider options that accessorize well and still allow for superb sound. Gaping blouse or hanging hem? Use two sided tape (www.galpal.com) and never worry about showing anything that is best left covered. Great to travel with, too!

2) Coach yourself by practicing often in front of a mirror or using a video camera. If possible have a friend video tape you, so that you can move around and use gestures and expressions to enhance your talk and minimize distractions.

3) Cultivate a pleasing tone and volume to your voice. Record yourself and objectively analyze your vocal qualities. A shrill, high voice is not pleasing to the ear. A well modulated voice with sufficient volume and varied pitch is pleasant to listen to and commands attention. Your voice is your tool and your cachet…use it effectively. If you have a strong accent, work on moderating it for ease of understanding.

4) Stand with weight balanced on both feet, to suggest comfort, power, presence; don’t cock a hip, or cross your ankles while standing. Use expansive, open, welcoming gestures, rather than closed body language. Ensure that your gestures and language support your message at the appropriate times.

5) Stride confidently and smoothly to the stage…this is not the time to make a dramatic entrance to the stage, windmilling arms, while tripping over the strap of a handbag left in your path. (I saw this happen once…showing knickers was involved!)

For more information about how to prepare for a talk, cultivate an attractive voice, or make an entrance with assurance and pose, contact CML International.

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During the years, I have collected and read interestingly translated signs in English.

Here are a few of my favorites for your reading pleasure:

• From a Paris Hotel: “Welcome! Please leave your values at the front desk.”
• In a Rome laundry: “Ladies, leave your clothes here and spend the afternoon having a good time.”
• In a Tokyo bar: “Special cocktails for ladies with nuts.”
• A Zurich hotel: “Because of the impropriety of entertaining guests of the opposite sex in the bedroom , it is suggested that the lobby be used for this purpose.”
• In an ad for a Hong Kong dentist: “Teeth extracted by the latest Methodists.”
• A Czech tourist agency: “Take one of our horse-driven city tours — we guarantee no miscarriages.”
• A Greek hotel: “Our lift is broken for the day. During this time we regret that you will be unbearable.”

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