Effective Communication Skills are Essential

Tip of the Month

Once you’ve been asked to speak, one of the most difficult decisions you may face is what am I going to talk about? Numerous people (including myself) have spent sleepless nights trying to answer this question. First and foremost, don’t panic. Take a deep breath, follow the suggestions below and you’ll be on your way to picking the perfect topic and finally getting that good night sleep.

• WIFM. While listening to your speech, your audience wants to know “What’s In it For Me?” Select a topic THEY care about. Give them the information they want to know.
• Do you Care? Select a topic you care about. If you select a topic that doesn’t interest you, how is it supposed to interest your audience? Your enthusiasm for the subject will be expressed through your speech.
• What Do You Know? Each of us has our own niche of expertise. Don’t start from scratch. Select a topic that you already know something about. Keep an inventory of subjects you have knowledge about for future reference.
• Timing is Everything. Consider your time constraints. If you’ve been asked to give a 15-minute presentation, be sure that your topic can be explained in the time allotted. Your passion may be Euclidian Geometry and your audience’s idea of a good time involves fun filled weekends of proofs, but 15 minutes would not be enough time to illuminate the fascinating world of Geometry.
• Brainstorm. Brainstorming is a great way to get the creative juices flowing and can be accomplished in 4 easy steps. Step one: Take out a piece of paper and pen. Step two: Stop thinking. Step three: Write down anything and everything that comes to mind. Don’t evaluate what you’re writing—just start writing. If you find yourself staring at a blank piece of paper, then go back to step two–STOP THINKING. Step four: Go back though your list and evaluate ideas. Look for connections or ideas that fit well together. You can use this list as a springboard to finding the right topic for you and your audience.
• Fold Laundry. If you’re stuck for ideas, get up and do something else for a while. You may find the less you think about an idea, the easier it will come to you. I’ve had some of my best ideas come to me while folding laundry.