Chuck Coté
No-Nonsense Wisdom That Works!
Expect The Best Newsletter
April 2006
Created for people who want valuable ideas and insights
to help them get results - personally and professionally!
Please feel free to forward this issue to clients, associates, family and friends.
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Daily Messages
“It’s a funny thing about life;
if you refuse to accept anything but the best,
you very often get it.”
-
“When you stop making excuses, you start getting results.”
- Chuck Coté
“Saints are sinners who just kept on going.”
- Robert Louis Stevenson
“A lot of business leaders aren't bad at public speaking.
But ‘not bad’ ain’t good enough.”
- Tom Peters
Stand and Deliver
Giving Powerful Presentations That Get Results!
Imagine that you are an executive who will be giving a major presentation at an industry conference. Or maybe you are a manager who has been asked to speak at a company meeting. Quite possibly you might be an account executive who is presenting to a prospective client to ask for a multi-million dollar contract. Or you are going to give a talk to your peers at work.
Public speaking is listed as one of our greatest fears and many people panic at the thought of getting up and speaking in one of those situations.
Not you because you know how to give a powerful presentation that gets results. You're ready to … Stand and Deliver!
In today’s competitive business world, everyone from a CEO to an account representative needs to be able to effectively communicate their message to customers, prospects, employees, stockholders and the public. But many people fear public speaking more than death and 90% of business presentations fail to get the intended results.
It doesn't have to be that way. With the right coaching, and by following a simple system, anyone can become a master of public speaking skills and develop unshakable competence and confidence as a presenter.
Before any speech or presentation I follow a five-step process. It is: Relax; Prepare; Practice; Get Ready; and Stand and Deliver.
You have been asked to speak for a reason! You have some unique knowledge or skill, a special expertise or some valuable information people want to learn more about. If we start to panic we need to remind ourselves people want to hear what we have to say.
A key point in this first step is to visualize an excellent presentation. Often people see themselves getting nervous and failing miserably as they present and they usually live up to their dismal expectation. Instead, create a glowing picture of success that becomes your “vision of your desired results.” Then, mentally, you will be drawn to it.
Also remember that it’s okay to be nervous. Everyone is! Mark Twain said it best: “There are two types of speakers; those that are nervous and those that are liars.” The secret is to channel your nervousness into positive energy by visualizing an extremely successful outcome. In life, we move towards and become what we focus on and believe.
Step two begins by asking the question, “What is the purpose of the speech or presentation?” The answer is paramount to organizing your thoughts and selecting your delivery style and yet most people never clearly identify it. Maybe it’s to inform or entertain. Possibly it’s to touch them emotionally or get them to take action. It could be a combination of these, but the point is, you must decide what your purpose is and focus your message on that.
Research your audience and get to know their interests, needs and expectations. In today’s fast paced world, you have less than two minutes to connect with an audience and get them to listen. So you better know what their hot buttons are and how to tap into them. To prepare properly plan on spending five hours for every hour you present. Far too many people think they can “just wing it” but excellent presenters use their time efficiently and effectively and it shows.
Craft your opening to capture your audience’s attention in the first thirty-to-ninety seconds. You must open strong so you are listened to. I suggest opening with a story, statement, quote or a question. Then build the body of your presentation so it’s clear, concise and compelling. Finishing strong is critical to success. Set up a close that leads your audience to a logical conclusion and moves them to action.
Most of the slide presentations I see are difficult to read and much too complicated and wordy. If you use slides keep them large and legible. Your slides should support what you say not detract from it.
Practice your presentation the same way an actor rehearses for a play or movie. Rehearse segments of your speech or presentation to fine-tune them before you do the entire talk. You'll be amazed at how it will come together.
Many times, I practice in front of a mirror to see what I will look like to my audience. Sometimes I arrive early for a presentation and practice in the room. Another useful strategy is to present in front of colleagues or family members. My wife Josie is my best coach and critic and presenting to her has helped me immensely over the years.
Another valuable trick is to create a “phrase that pays” to reinforces your message. A “phrase that pays” must be short and sweet and easy for someone in the audience to remember. One that I use in my talks that has been very effective is, “Expect the Best.”
The last piece of advice is to spend another five hours rehearsing for every hour of presenting. Believe me it’s worth it if you want to do an outstanding job.
The fourth step is more mental than mechanical. You've thoroughly prepared and practiced diligently and now you want to “get ready” to present.
Use the visualization technique to see yourself doing a superb job. Create some affirmations or self-talk that helps your confidence. Before I present I say, “I am confident and calm when making any presentation because I love to give presentations.” I've used affirmations for years to calm my nerves and focus on getting positive results.
It’s also extremely important to mingle and meet people before you present. Whether I'm presenting to seven people or seven hundred, I get to know as many people as I can to develop friends and allies in the room.
Now it’s time to Stand and Deliver! You're ready to present with the utmost confidence and competence because you have thoroughly prepared and practiced.
When it’s time to present, center yourself and relax for a few seconds before you begin. Smile and make eye contact with one person and then begin by talking directly to them. Make sure you have your opening down pat. Start off strong and speak clearly, confidently and use different tones and volumes to emphasize points.
Keep your presentation simple and don't ramble or try to impress people with technical jargon. I like to use stories throughout a presentation as a way to engage people, keep their interest and make a point without lecturing.
Finally, close strong to accomplish your purpose! Make sure you know exactly what you will say in your closing and how you will say it. This is critical to your success because you want your audience to take action on what you presented.
Follow these five steps and I guarantee you will be more competent and confident in giving powerful presentations that get results!
So go ahead … Stand and Deliver!
“You can have brilliant ideas,
but if you can't get them across,
your ideas won't get you anywhere.”
- Lee Iacocca
Are you a good presenter but believe you could be much better? Do you want to give speeches and presentations that get results? Would a little personal coaching help you improve your competence and confidence when you present?
Then call me at (800) 350-7695 and schedule a private session that will make a major difference in your success as a presenter!
Watch Your TV!
I heard it said a long time ago that “good habits are hard to make and bad habits are hard to break.” This is so true if you want to achieve excellence in life - whether it’s personally or professionally. You need to develop an Expect The Best attitude but the problem for most of us is that quite often we expect less than the best and then we get it. And sad to say, sometimes we expect the worst and guess what shows up in our life?
To live with an Expect The Best attitude you have to watch your “transformational vocabulary” - TV for short. TV refers to the words you use to describe events, situations and conditions in life; whether past, present and future. Don't expect less than the best. Change your description of what you want to be more positive and optimistic and your outlook changes with it. This, in turn, will change your life and results you get.
At first, it takes conscious and consistent effort to live with an Expect The Best attitude but it becomes a good habit the more you do it. I've used it for years and yet Josie will sometimes remind me if she hears me expecting less than the best.
This Month’s Action Step
For the next thirty days make it a habit to Expect The Best in your personal and professional life. Set your sights higher than they have ever been before. Then trust that you will do what you need to do to take responsibility for hitting your target. Try this for one month and you will be amazed at your results.
“Freedom to be your best means nothing
unless you are willing to do your best.”
- Colin Powell
Need someone to rekindle the passion and dedication in your employees, team members or associates? Looking for a speaker who is entertaining, inspiring and energizing? Then go to my web site www.chuckcote.com and review my speaking information and programs or call me at (800) 350-7695.
OK Coté Recommended Read
Each newsletter I want to recommend a book that I think is worth your time and money.
The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews is this month’s recommended read. It offers a modern day parable of one man’s choices and the attitude that makes the difference between success and failure. A good friend gave it to me and I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the style it’s written in. As most of you know, I'm a big believer in the Expect The Best attitude coupled with taking responsibility for getting it. This quick read helps reinforce that message and I hope you enjoy it as well.
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Coming Soon …
Chuck Coté
Expect The Best
TeleSeminars
What the heck is a TeleSeminar and why would I be interested in one anyway?
A TeleSeminar is one of the fastest and most innovative methods to gain valuable information without leaving the comfort of your home or office. It’s a seminar you participate in by phone. No hassles!
In a few weeks I will begin offering Expect The Best TeleSeminars. By subscribing to my newsletter you will be the first to receive an invitation and registration details.
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Final Note from Chuck
This is the second edition of the Chuck Coté Expect The Best Newsletter My purpose in writing these newsletters is simple: to give you No-Nonsense Wisdom That Works! Works how? It gives you information you can use to make a difference in your life and the lives of the people around you.
THANK YOU for reading my newsletter! Please feel free to forward it to clients, associates, family and friends.
Please send your feedback or comments to: okcote@aol.com
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