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No time to learn new presentation skills?

This reminds me of a story.

A guy is driving to work and notices the red light come on. No gas. Instead of stopping to fill up, here’s what he says: “I’m late for work. No time to get gas.”

Not too smart, right?

If you aren’t learning new skills, you are driving on empty. Face the facts. New people are coming up behind you and nipping at your heels. They’re comfortable presenting online. They have taken training in video presenting, storytelling, selling with white boarding, and interactive selling.

Are you sure you don’t want to stop and get gas? Sure you don’t have time to invest in getting new skills?

Of course, perhaps you have the impression that presentation skill training is expensive, cumbersome, only available in person, and only available if your company pays for it. Right?

Wrong.

These are false assumptions. Presentation skills training used to be reserved for executives and leaders because it was only available at a stiff price, costing $12,000 or more per day. Usually these expensive seminars were held on site or at costly hotels, with scheduling and videotaping feedback arranged by the training or HR department.

Some organizations still provide this. But a lot of companies have scaled back. But should you let this decrease in investment and shortsighted thinking affect your personal development? No way.

Instead of waiting for the expensive seminar that might never get to you, you need to find an affordable training you can take right away. And you can access anywhere, anytime.

Look for a training that is easy to use whether you’re in the office, at your desk or on the road.

This is why the obvious choice is e-learning in a virtual learning hub. With a complete set of videos, classes and resources online, it is easy to develop skills – anytime and anywhere. Rather than relying on corporate curriculums, training schedules, and things that may be out of your control, grab hold of the reins.

When you learn virtually, you can learn at your own pace and on your own schedule.

Here’s my short list of criteria to look for: virtual classes, unlimited access, instant viewing, interactive webinars and instant downloads.

In evaluating a virtual presentation skills training, look for how much you can learn on your own – and in short chunks. You may not have tons of time. But if you watch a short video, grab a checklist or download a blueprint – you get an immediate boost to your skills in just a few minutes.

One important thing to keep in mind: it’s easier to learn — and keep learning, if you have a big success using the skills. When you’ve got a big presentation coming up, look for instant boosts. As you evaluate any communication training program, look for the blend of long term improvement plus instant help. Is it practical? Is it a skill you can use right away? Does it help you solve the jitters when you are giving a presentation tomorrow morning?

When the answer is “yes!” then you are more likely to enjoy the experience, get visible results, and keep on learning. This is the mark of an exceptional virtual training program.

Are you seeking the perfect present for the pet or pet lover in your life?

With the holidays just around the corner now is the time to start your shopping so you can beat the rush and allow time for shipping (without those priority charges) as well!

If you’re ready to begin your search for the ultimate pet-themed gifts, read on for some helpful hints and suggestions.

Pet Pleasers

(Dog and Cat Gifts)

Chewies and Other Fun Toys: Since all dogs love to chew (and chew and chew and chew), a new chew-toy is a sure pleaser. When choosing which “chewy” or tug toy to buy, remember that dogs, like children, can choke on small parts and pieces. Keep in mind too that stuffed animals are not an ideal gift for dogs as ingesting the fur and stuffing can cause choking hazards as well.

One more note on toys: If you don’t mind being responsible for buying that “annoying” gift, dogs really enjoy squeaky model chew toys! Just remember, you’ve been warned because when his or her owners are trying to hear the television over that incessant “SQUEAKING,” chances are they’ll think of you!

Natural Dogs: If you’re buying for the environmentally conscience, health-minded dog, there are some really great organic toy options made from products like hemp and canvas.

Treats: Just like they love to chew ‘things,” dogs also love to chew TREATS! Those scrumptious goodies come in a huge variety from fresh-baked products offered at gourmet “barkeries” (bakeries), to barbecued meaty bones found at the big pet stores.

Again, look at the size and shape and ingredients of any treats you purchase to be sure that they don’t pose a choking hazard or allergic reaction.

Natural Dogs:The options for the organic eating dog are countless. And if you can’t decide on just one type, you might want to consider purchasing your favorite treat along with an all-natural dog recipe book. Then his or her owners can bake yummy, organic treats right at home.

Cat Considerations

Just like dogs, cats love toys, but not really the kind to chew on.

Cats prefer to chase, bat at and pounce on their toys. Also, just like dogs, cats are in danger of choking hazards as well, so choose carefully.

Natural Cats: Your health conscience, green-wise cat will appreciate the thought you put into his gift, as well as your respect for his environment when you choose organic toys or treats made from all-natural ingredients.

People Pleasers

Pet lovers will get all warm and furry (or fuzzy) inside when they realize the thought that you put into getting them a pet-themed gift. Consider their décor and preferred breed before purchasing and if you’re not sure, you can stick with the type of pet-themed gift (dog or cat) rather than a specific breed.

Some great ideas are: pet beds, bowls, clothing (for either themselves or their pets!), organic pet gifts, license plate frames, biscuit containers, wall décor, books on pets and pet topics, welcome mats or pet magazine subscriptions.

Hostess Gift

(A really great idea!)

If you’ve been invited to dinner at the home of a pet lover, you might consider bringing a little pet-themed hostess gift or even a small gift for the pet as well. They’ll love it, and they’ll love you for it!

Here I am at an event I am excited about. The advertised speaker and topic look so interesting. I am so looking forward to hearing her and getting that valuable information. The speaker is introduced and begins. Very soon after she starts speaking, I am bored, I check my phone, secretly hoping that an email or text has come in that will have me leave. Alas, no such message arrived and I endure 30 minutes of mind-numbing power point slides and monotone reading of her speech. She may have delivered the valuable content that was promised, but I could not receive it with her presentation.

Has this ever happened to you? Or are you afraid that this speaker will be you? It is often said that many people fear public speaking more than death. And yet, today, in our careers and as we build our businesses, we are called on more often to speak publicly.

When I was a young child, I won speech contests and dreamt of a career where I would write, travel and speak. Then, when I was in high school, I took an upper level speech class and had an embarrassing moment. I was made fun of. I dropped the class, and gave up that dream. I became a registered nurse instead. When I was working for the State of California in the High Risk Infant Follow-Up Program, I was the chairperson for a fund raising event. Here I am with hundreds of people and the master of ceremonies calls me up to the stage to acknowledge me. I turn to my boss and say, “I hate speaking in public” and walk to the stage, trip on my way up and land flat on my face. I sat up and giggled with the rest of the room, but inside I was embarrassed and said to myself “I will never speak in public again”. And that was that.

Many years later, I got over that. The embarrassment was simply holding me back from fulfilling my dreams and I went about getting myself trained to be a great public speaker. I have now spoken in front of thousands of people and consistently receive great feedback. I have also trained many speakers to be great and I want to share some ways you can enhance your presentation skills.

1. Prepare. Prepare. Prepare. Write out your speech, practice it ALOUD many times. Practice it in the mirror. Practice it aloud to another person. Preparation is not about getting every word down, or getting it perfect. Preparation allows you to be comfortable so you can speak with people and interact with them. They came to hear you, so preparation allows you to be fully you.

2. Be Yourself. You may make mistakes, you may say something stupid, you may trip or do something you had not intended. So what? You are human. Your humanity makes you relatable. You want people to experience being with you, and if you try to not be you, you rip them off of the real opportunity of being with you.

3. Talk with People, Not At Them. You are speaking to PEOPLE. No one really enjoys being talked at- like a stern parent giving a lecture. We all like to be included in the conversation. That is the key to great speakers- have the speech in a conversational manner, including interaction with your audience.

a. When you are speaking, look at people- not above their heads, not darting around the room, but actually look someone in their eyes and talk to them for a while and then move on to another person in another part of the room and talk to them for a while, and repeat this. (We all tend to have a favored side that we look to- I recommend having someone support you in making sure you are speaking with everyone on all sides of the room. This simply can be having someone on your support team move to a side of the room you are neglecting, for example.)

b. Let what you say land. Do not talk to fast- if you are having a conversation, and do achieve a conversational tone, this is natural. However, nervous energy often has people talk fast. Slow down. If you have something important to say, say it and then be quiet. Let people process what you said.

4. Make sure you can be heard. If you don’t have a microphone, make sure you project so everyone can hear you. You may sound like you are yelling to yourself, but you are not. I often ask, “Can everyone hear me” in this situation. If you notice the people in the last rows, seem distracted, consider you are not loud enough.

5. Do NOT READ your script or your slides. This is boring! If you have slides, they can read them, you should be expounding on your points. If you forget some of what you intended to say, it is fine. Remember, they don’t have a copy of your script, so they don’t know. I always know that everything that should have been said, was said- and if you are being interactive, it always goes this way!

6. Humor is good. We all love to laugh, so sprinkle in some humor. Be sensitive to off color jokes or any humor that might be offensive. Self-deprecating humor is great.

7. Be willing to dance in the conversation, AND don’t give up your room! This is one of the most challenging aspects of public speaking for newer speakers. You want to be out with people and may answer questions or go different directions during your speech. Most important, however, is to remember that this is your speech and not to let someone derail your direction. This takes finesse, at times, when someone is trying to take the conversation where they want it to go. I find if that happens, you can simply say “Let’s discuss this after we are done here so I can make sure everyone gets what I promised”. And then be available to meet that person at the end of your presentation.

8. If something embarrassing or unexpected happens, use it. This is when all that preparation pays of big time. I once was speaking and my blouse had come undone… after buttoning up my blouse, I used the incident to make a deeper point in my speech.

9. Join a public speaking practice group, like Toastmasters, or take opportunities to practice with a speech coach or even among friends or masterminds.

Have fun! Being center stage and having a conversation with a larger group of people at one time on a topic that you are interested in can be fun if you simply go with the flow and enjoy the ride.