Watch Out For Power Thieves

"I'm not an expert on this topic, but . . ."

"This isn't exactly an exciting topic, but . . ."

"I hope you'll find this interesting."

"Had I more time to prepare . . ."

These expressions all have the same thing in common. They cause your audience to wonder why you ? and especially they ? are there. Each statement communicates the same message: "This isn't going to be a very good use of your time ? get a seat close to the door." They are unnecessary and harmful statements. They are "power thieves" that sap the energy from your ideas. The three greatest thieves are apologies, feeble phrases, and weak words. Attack them on every front.

Run from weak words and feeble phrases. People may forget what they hear, but they will remember what they see. That's why someone once said, "The most effective orator is someone who can make people see with their ears." The well-chosen word has the ability to create a vivid, and unforgettable, mental image.

One way to make sure your listeners "see" your words is to avoid euphemisms ? words that make concepts more politically correct, but are vague and less picturesque. (In other words, don't perspire when you should sweat.) These days, people no longer die, they pass away, terminate or expire. If you want to work out, you don't go to a smelly gymnasium, you join a spa or fitness center. We used to fire people, now we downsize, right-size, restructure or re-engineer.

Here is a final point to make: Can you visualize an undertaker? What color suit is he wearing? Can you visualize a "bereavement counselor?" Of course not. You can't even see the person, let alone the clothes. And that's the problem with euphemisms ? sometimes termed "business bureaucratese" ? they suck the juices out of your words.

Well-chosen words give your speech the power to captivate, mesmerize, and rivet your audience. You'll command attention when you sound convincing, authoritative, and credible.

Excerpted from the Sandler training program Presenting Yourself with Impact ©1997. All rights reserved.

Dan Hudock is an owner of the Sandler Sales Institute in Pittsburgh, PA. He can be reached at (724) 940-2388 or dan@sandler.com. His web site is: http://www.dan.sandler.com

---

The End is the Beginning

People remember best what you say last. In a presentation,... Read More

Media Training Tips: Maximising Your Media Moment

Media training is a 'must do' professional development program for... Read More

10 Tips For Bringing Your Event To Life

Your job as an event planner doesn't stop with the... Read More

Presentation Pitfalls Series: Top 10 Content Mangement Mistakes

Here, David Letterman style, are what I consider to be... Read More

Using Your Audience to Your Advantage

Regardless of what response technique may be convenient in a... Read More

The Ten Essential Tips On Writing A Powerful And Persuasive Presentation

Have you ever had to give a speech?Do you remember... Read More

PowerPoint Presentations: How to Use This Tool More Effectively

Many of us use PowerPoint to convey a message to... Read More

Practice Makes Perfect ? 7 Tips for Making the Most of Your Presentation Practice

Believe it or not, preparation is a better determinant of... Read More

Painless Presentations

Did the "Painless" part of the title get your attention?Speaking... Read More

How to Convert PowerPoint to Flash Manually

Converting PowerPoint to Flash would be absolutely a good choice... Read More

Tips for Thinking on Your Feet

If you really aware and alert, your audience's behavior -... Read More

Presentation Skills: Be More Productive Using a Facilitator Mode

There are many definitions for presentations. When you present there... Read More

Cross Cultural Presentations

The international flavour of many people's jobs naturally means that... Read More

Improve Your Bottom Line with What You Say

When was the last time you thought about what you... Read More

After the Speech

Usually the emphasis on making an effective speech is what... Read More

How to Prevent Presentation and Speaking Disasters

I just got back from my whirlwind speaking engagements and... Read More

Tough Talk: Bad News Delivered the Right Way

Communicating Bad News The Right WayIt's the rare executive who... Read More

Coaching Tips for Powerful Presentations

Tip #1 The purpose of your speech is to get... Read More

Being Real From the Platform

"Let it be known, no person, thing, or situation... Read More

8 Ways to Improve Your Presentation Skills

8 Ways to Improve Your Presentation Skills 1. Join Toastmasters.... Read More

Story Telling As a Business Tool

Long long ago, it was the time when time itself... Read More

Transitions: Building Bridges to Your Points

Presenters often tell me that they fear losing their train... Read More

7 Myths That Make Meetings Miserable

Myth 1: Executives belong in meetings.Although the demands of business... Read More

Planning a Group Meeting

CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EFFECTIVE FACILITATOR: As chairperson, focus on the... Read More

Top Ten Rules for Effective Presentations

I am of the belief that the majority of people... Read More

Sharpening Your Presentation Skills

Regardless of the nature of our job or social standing,... Read More

Present for Success: Simple Strategies to Add Confidence and Credibility to Your Next Presentation

Tomorrow's the day and you're dreading it. You're scheduled to... Read More

Special Delivery! Tips for Improving Your Humor

Delivering humorous speeches involves a lot more than simply having... Read More

Speech in Business

The social skills of a small businessperson, franchisee, independent contractor... Read More

27 Tips For An Effective Presentation

So you're not a professional speaker. That's no excuse for... Read More

Preparation for Your Presentations

(Excerpted From the Jim Rohn Millennium Weekend Event)Persistence in your... Read More

Why You Need a Lesson Plan

LESSON PLAN DEVELOPMENT: Lesson plans, believe it or not, are... Read More

A Powerful Presentation Technique-Story Telling

Appealing to emotions is the most powerful way to transfer... Read More