Using your voice for advocacy, influencing decisions, policies and actions

As you are preparing for your upcoming presentation, here are a dozen solid tips to utilize – that will help you Sparkle When You Speak!™

Purpose?
What is your objective? Premise? Desired outcome? Everything in your presentation (examples, stories, facts, graphics) must support this. Open your presentation with an overview and the benefits. Close with a summary.

Who?
Who are you speaking to? What are their interests, values, commonalities? Titles? Donors? Guests? Volunteers? Demographics (age, sex, education), geographics (local, state, regional, national), psychographics (buying patterns, regular stores, common products/services)?

What?
What do you need to communicate? Facts, statistics, stories, examples? Use words and sentences that will be easily understood. Explain any jargon, acronyms or slang used. Offer clear examples to help illustrate your message.

When?
What time is your presentation? Learning is most conducive before Noon. After lunch and evening presentations require humor to enhance their attention span. Over a meal (or during dessert), consider a microphone with higher volume levels, with more engagement and interaction with your audience.

Where?
What is the physical location of your presentation? Visit the room early, rearrange the furniture if needed (u-shaped, theatre, classroom). Check out all equipment and visibility from the “back-row” if you are using visual aids and slides.

Why?
Why they should listen to you – the value, worth or interest of what you are going to say. Have the facilitator introduce you by your credentials and topic.

How long?
What is the duration of your presentation? Preview the agenda. Be prepared to shorten your program if the schedule ahead of you runs long.

Content?
Create a beginning (10% of time), a middle (80%) and an ending (10%). Even if the middle flows organically, have a solid–and well-practiced–opening and conclusion.

Delivery?
How can you best convey your message to support the Purpose? Be authentic in your style. Will you speak from a lectern, or from the floor?

Visuals?
Craft visual aids with your audience in mind. Consider size of group, obstacles in the room (pillars, lecterns, flipcharts). Be consistent in design. Avoid “speaking to the slides” by facing your audience, referencing the slides.

Handouts?
Attendees prefer to have materials at the beginning of the presentation, and appreciate being able to take notes and have a take-away. Unless vital, do not include every slide in the handout, be selective. Include your contact information, copyright notice, and organization Logo as appropriate.

Lighting?
If showing slides, check the lighting ahead of time. If speaking after lunch or dinner, keep the slide background light/white with text in darker colors, and avoid dimming the room lights as people may drift off, or talk amongst themselves.

Sheryl Roush, is President/CEO of Sparkle Presentations, Inc., based in San Diego, California. She works with organizations that want to sharpen their communication skills to garner attention and get more business. As a speaking coach, she brings out the Sparkle Factor in her clients, while unveiling their uniqueness and authenticity.
For more information, see www.SherylRoush.com
or for coaching, email Sheryl@SherylRoush.com

Donate Blood – Save a Life!
by Sheryl Roush

I was called this morning by the San Diego Blood Bank needing my (rare) “A-” (A Negative) blood type… so I went in immediately to donate.

As is the case more now than ever before – the blood banks are in short supply of ALL types of blood.

After all these years, they finally explain the special “lime green tag” on my blood packs.
I also have rare antibodies — which makes my blood high in-demand at hospitals.

May you never need to receive blood … but may you be able to donate your blood to others who need it!

FIRST TIME BLOOD DONORS:
Contact your  local Blood Bank  – or the American Red Cross – to donate. Upon eligibility, you can donate every eight weeks.
(Click here for savvy tips.)

BLOOD TYPES:
There are four major blood groups determined by the presence or absence of two antigens – A and B – on the surface of red blood cells:

• Group A – has only the A antigen on red cells (and B antibody in the plasma)
• Group B – has only the B antigen on red cells (and A antibody in the plasma)
• Group AB – has both A and B antigens on red cells (but neither A nor B antibody in the plasma)
• Group O – has neither A nor B antigens on red cells (but both A and B antibody are in the plasma)

(Click here to learn about the Blood Types.)

Interesting Facts, click here.

A great Question and Answer session – one that adds value to your presentation – requires planning and thoughtful contributions from both the audience and the speaker.   – Andrew Dlugan

PLAN AHEAD
• Budget for the Q&A when you plan the presentation. Cut material as necessary to ensure enough time.
• Use your audience analysis to predict their questions and prepare a few “extra” slides at the end.
• Announce early in your presentation that you will be answering questions either throughout your program,
or during the designated time at the end.

INVITE QUESTIONS
• To sincerely invite questions, ask an open-ended question:
“Who has questions (for me) (at this time) (related to this)?”  “What questions might you have regarding…?”
The closed-ended question of “Does anyone…?” actually repels people from asking questions.

LISTEN
• Look and be alert both physically and mentally. Give physical signals that you are interested in the questioner
with attentive eye contact, posture, hands. Even when you are “silent,” you are still communicating.

VALIDATE
• Validate the question and/or the questioner. It takes courage to ask a question of a presenter.
• Avoid making the questioner look stupid, or point out they weren’t listening to your presentation.

CLARIFY
• Ensure you understand the question. Ask for clarification, or restate the question.
“Could you be more specific?”  “How does this relate to the topic at hand?”  “To paraphrase what I heard…”
“For the sake of those in the back of the room the question is …” Repeat or restate.
• To avoid one-on-one situations, break eye contact with the questioner and speak to the entire audience.

BE DIRECT
• Make a short, concise, direct answer, and within your audience’s frame of reference. Avoid jargon.
• If emotionally charged, deal with the emotional aspect first then the factual, and in succinct answers that
could stand alone. “Front-load” by stating the most important at the beginning.
• Take a second or two to frame your answer if needed, avoiding using phrases like,
“That’s a good question,” or “I’m glad you asked that.”
• If you don’t know the answer, don’t bluff (they’ll know it). Always tell the truth, sharing what you do know.

SUPPORT
• Give pertinent, supporting information. Keep it brief, expanding where needed.
• When appropriate, reflect or embellish a key message from your speech.

FEEDBACK
• Watch the audience to help determine reaction to your answers. Be sensitive and respectful.
Are they confused, frustrated, satisfied? If they seem to want a little more information, expand.
• Ask your questioner, “Does that answer your question?” or “Did I answer your question…?”

RECAP
• At the end of your Q&A Session, summarize your presentation, adding your final Call to Action

-Sheryl Roush, Speaker, Speaking Coach
Sparkle Presentations, Inc.
Sheryl@SherylRoush.com

L*A*C*E
Leadership and Communication Education

Professional speaker and speaking coach Sheryl Roush will be presenting two presentation skills classes, open to the public on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at Biola University, 13800 Biola Avenue, La Mirada, California 90639-0001. The full-day educational training is hosted by Founders District of Toastmasters International, Where Leaders Are Made.

Sparkle When You Speak™

Course 101:
Still have fear when speaking?
Need more confidence?
Want to connect more authentically with others?
Discover tips to shift 5 common fears into excitement, gain greater confidence and genuine rapport with this basic class. You will assess your current communication skills with direct application to listening skills, winning speech contests, the workplace and your relationships. Handouts provided.

Course 201:
How can I improve my delivery, energy level and charisma?
In this how-to hands-on coaching-style session audience members receive supportive feedback on their presentations – or ideas for upcoming speeches! Come prepared with a short segment-the opening, or questions for input! Learn tips from a professional speaker/speaking coach. (Course 101 is a highly suggested pre-requisite.)

Course 101, 9:45-10:45am
Course 201, 1:00-2:00pm

REGISTER HERE.
Tuition: $12 includes handouts, lunch and additional courses.

Sheryl Roush, DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster), PDG (Past District 5 Governor), AS (Accredited Speaker), HQS (Honorary Qualified Speaker), is President/CEO of Sparkle Presentations, Inc., based in San Diego, and has 25 years speaking, and over 3,000 presentations in nine countries worth of experience to share. Although her 1987 Icebreaker revealed 19 ah’s, as she cried throughout her speech, today she has opened conferences for Marie Osmond, closed for Geena Davis, and has followed Olivia Newton-John and Suze Orman. Sheryl is a Past District 5 Governor, was the sixth woman globally to earn the elite Accredited Speaker designation (61 to date in 116 countries of 4.4 million people), and the 2009 Presidential Citation recipient from Toastmasters. Founders District Speakers Bureau awarded Sheryl as one of their HQS. An active Professional Member of the National Speakers Association, she received Member of the Year from both the San Diego and Greater LA Chapters. A Past President of the San Diego Professional Coaches Alliance, Sheryl coaches all levels of speakers and top-level leaders in organizations.

www.SparklePresentations.com     www.SherylRoush.com

Deaf Cheerleader Makes Dream Come True
Posted on ABC News, December 26, 2011

San Diego Charger Girl, Melissa Adams, overcomes adversity with the help of fellow teammates. In spite of being 85% deaf, she is able to dance and hold a beat with her 27 teammates, on the field, in front of 70,000 NFL Football fans.

Watch this inspiring story of the young lady who auditioned five times to become an award-winning professional cheer and dance performer, finally making the squad on her sixth attempt. She has since been a member of the team for two years – and made it on the front cover of the 2011-12 Charger Girls charity (Wounded Warriors) swimsuit calendar.

“As Melissa’s public speaking and media interview coach for the past two years she’s been on the squad, she’s truly an inspiration! She consistently steps up to the task, never letting fear – or doubt – be an option, commented Sheryl Roush, President of Sparkle Presentations, Inc., who has been coaching the Charger Girls for the past eleven seasons. “The Girls are the official Ambassadors for the Chargers organization; they know it, own it, and proudly represent San Diego football at all events, for media interviews, and public appearances. These beauties hold their own – speaking up intelligently and eloquently.”

View Good Morning America’s feature video segment here.

Personal interview with Charger Girl Melissa, video clip here.

For more information about the San Diego Charger Girls, the squad, NFL Game Day photos, and to purchase their Swimsuit Calendar, click here.
Follow the Charger Girls on Facebook.

Had an interesting experience this afternoon… I went to shop for a new office chair at Staples, and while waiting for assistance in that section, I observed other shoppers in the area.

Recognizing a conversation without words of two nearby shoppers, followed the dialogue a few minutes, watching frustration escalate. I stood up from the comfy leather chair I was testing, and inquired if I could help. With my broken sign language, gestures and slow enunciation, I was able to help two deaf women purchase a new office desk, the matching accessories and a nice leather chair (negotiating for their discounts and free delivery).

One of the ladies thanked me – in sign language – expressing this was a gift for her cherished friend – the other woman.  I was able to reply “You’re welcome.”

Upon leaving the store, the employee thanked me.

You never know when effective communication skills (and minimal sign language) might be needed.
“How fulfilling” I said to myself as I left the store (without making any purchase of my own), thankful to be of service.

Sheryl Roush is a communication skills trainer, and knows the basic alphabet in American Sign Language.

Twas the night before Christmas as I was thinking of Clubs
to practice my speech for ums and ahs to scrub.
This one was special with lots of hoot,
filled with stories in my birthday suit.

The Toastmaster members will surely share in delight
as I entertain them of my wee flight
from the local authorities that one day
refusing to sit still and stay.

As I practice, the lights started flashing;
then out came the squeaker with that old familiar lashing
I looked down and re-read my notes,
to clear that darn filler from my throat.

Just them my mother chimed in
only to remind me that I was 10
not 12 months old
when I stood there unclothed.

Too late for a last minute change
for I must really hit the golf range.
Besides, my fellow Toasties are loyal and social,
they always allow me to be very boastful.

May all my friends, Toasties or non
have a wonderful holiday tomorrow dawn.
Dance like there’s no tomorrow with a little brut.
In fact, do so in your birthday suit.

- by Rose Wellman

Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development. Today, our membership is 270,000 strong. These members improve their speaking and leadership skills by attending one of the 13,000 clubs that make up our global network of meeting locations.  To FIND A CLUB near you, click here.

Making Holiday Toasts

You’re hosting a party and want to raise your glass to your guests
(co-workers, staff, volunteers, donors)… thanking them for coming…

Or find yourself at an event, hosted by your organization, company, or cherished friends …
and feel compelled to thank the host.

What do you say? What are the proper toasting traditions? Etiquette? What if I don’t drink?

The custom of toasting goes back almost as far as history itself. Ancient warriors drank to their pagan gods, Greeks and Romans to more gods, and early Norsemen drank to each other. Almost every culture practiced toasting in some form, and the custom gradually evolved into today’s toasts to love, friendship, health, wealth and happiness.

“Speaking from the heart is the key to a great toast,” says Michael Notaro, International President of Toastmasters International. “Consider sharing a personal anecdote or story that moves the audience to deeper reflection.”

The best toasts are those that are prepared… anecdotal, heartfelt, memorable, sentimental or lighthearted … and short and sweet.

Practice.
Prepare your toast ahead of time. Keep it short and to the point, focusing your remarks on the toastee or the event being celebrated. If necessary, write out what you wish to say and then practice it out loud.

Who Goes First?
The host or hostess offers the first toast at a formal occasion such as a dinner party, and always at a wedding or large function. Around a dinner table with friends, a guest can propose the first toast and often does so to thank the host for bringing everyone together.

Stand Up.
Stand up, unless you are at a small, informal occasion. Everyone else remains seated during the toast – including the person being toasted – unless you instruct them to “rise and raise your glass.”

How Do I Hold the Glass?
Lift a filled glass, by the stem, and say, “I propose a toast.” Pause to allow guests to shift their attention toward you and lift their glasses. When you start speaking, lower your glass about waist high.

What If I Don’t Drink?
You can still raise your glass  – to offer the toast — or participate in the toast – whether it is filled with champagne, wine, vodka, soda, seltzer, fruit juice or water!

Thank the individuals for coming.
If a small attendance, or an intimate gathering, acknowledge each person.

Highlight Successes.
Share a brief overview and successes of the year.
In larger firms, thank teams or departments for their contributions/successes on special initiatives or projects.
Address any partners, sponsors, donors, volunteers, patrons…

Looking ahead.
Speak optimistically of the coming days, weeks, years, or into the New Year.

Offer a memorable toast.
It may be a cherished quotation that’s relevant to the occasion, or theme of the event.

Sample Toasts:
“To us and our success as a group this past year, and to you and your families for health, peace, and more wonderful times in the coming year.”

“Here’s to all of us, God bless us everyone!” (Tiny Tim’s toast from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol)

Here’s to the day of good will, cold weather, and warm hearts!

Here’s wishing you more happiness
Than all my words can tell,
Not just alone for Christmas
But for all the year as well.

O Though who has given us to much, mercifully grant us once thing more – a grateful heart.
- George Herbert

Wishing you always walls for the wind,
A roof for the rain,
Tea beside the fire,
And the love and laughter of those you hold dear.
― Celtic Toast

Here’s to the year past and friends who have left us,
Here’s to the present and the friends who are here,
Here’s to the New Year and the new friends who will join us.
― Emily Post

Blessed is the season that engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.
― Hamilton Wright Mabie

Here’s wishing you more happiness
Than all my words can tell,
Not just alone for Christmas
But for all the year as well.
― Unknown

May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope;
The spirit of Christmas which is peace;
The heart of Christmas which is love.
― Unknown

May the blessing of light,
Be with you always,
Light without and light within,
And may the sun shine
Upon you and warm your heart
Until it glows
Like a great fire
So that others may feel
The warmth of your love
For one another.
― Old Irish Blessing

May you have warmth in your igloo, oil in your lamp, and peace in your heart.
― Inuit proverb

Here’s to a bright New Year
And a fond farewell to the old;
Here’s to the things that are yet to come
And to the memories that we hold.
― Unknown

Here’s to us that are here, to you that are there, and the rest of us everywhere.
― Rudyard Kipling

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
The rain fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
― Famous Irish Blessing

Sheryl Roush is an inspirational speaker and author of
Heart of the Holidays:
Yuletide Treasures & Traditions,
Original short stories, poems, and quotations honoring
Thanksgiving, Christmas, Yuletide Around the Globe,
Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Ringing in the New Year,
and Military celebrating abroad.

Purchase copies here.

INVESTOR’S BUSINESS DAILY
By ADELIA CELLINI LINECKER
Posted 01:00 PM ET on Investors.com

Mastering something you know how to do well is hard enough. Learning a skill that doesn’t come naturally is tougher. Either way, with hard work and practice, you can find your passion.

• Accept your limits. Sheryl Roush, CEO of Sparkle Presentations, Inc., a firm specializing in keynote speeches and workplace communication training, started out owning a graphic design and publishing business. She had difficulty giving employees feedback and didn’t know exactly how to improve. Then someone at a networking event suggested she check out Toastmasters, a nonprofit organization developing public speaking and leadership skills. San Diego-based Roush says even though she was terrified to talk in front of strangers, she gave it a try.

• Leap. Roush, now an Accredited Speaker of Toastmasters International (one of 61 globally), hardly started out that way. “I had no idea how bad and ineffective I was,” she told IBD. “I was totally unaware of the lack of credibility I had.”

In her first speech, she uttered 19 uhs and ums in six minutes.

• Keep at it. Things didn’t pick up immediately. “My first three speeches, I still cried nervously before each one,” Roush said.

Still, she kept getting up there week after week until she slowly became more confident. “I did a lot of practice, and it was done in the safety net of club,” she said. “(Toastmasters) gives you instant feedback, with support to change as fast as you would like to.”

• Be brave. “Believe that you can do it, even if it’s not going to be perfect,” Roush said. “Do the best you can, every presentation.”

Roush’s drive paid off. Only six months after her first Toastmasters meeting, she was paid to give a college commencement speech. Now her resume shows thousands of speeches in nine countries.

“I went from having no confidence or self-esteem to finding my true calling,” she said.

• Tap interests. For Dilip Abayasekara, an industrial scientist, public speaking was only a hobby. Then he got better.

“One of the things I learned was how to read an audience and adapt presentations to the audience,” he said.

Harrisburg, Pa.-based Abayasekara spoke to different audiences as a requirement to become an Accredited Speaker.

That forced him to tailor his message to various groups: professionals, blue-collar workers, seniors, youth.

“In order to be effective, get the message across and connect, you have to know where your audience comes from, their expectations and how they view things,” he said. “The more you know about the audience, the more you can adapt. It’s not about the speaker; it’s about the audience.”

• Find your voice. Growing up in Sri Lanka, Abayasekara saw public speakers as those who stood on a box and proclaimed a message to the crowd. “I thought I had to be an orator and shout out my message,” he said.

He realized the image was outdated, that what people want today is someone to converse with them.

“Nowadays, a good communicator has conversations with the audience one person at a time,” he said. “I learned to speak from my heart and really connect with people.”

• Share knowledge. Abayasekara ran workshops where he worked on his own at lunchtime. “This was for sheer joy of it,” he said.

Managers saw it as beneficial, as employees would speak up more during meetings.

So Abayasekara’s boss asked him to coach scientists and engineers for their presentations. He also presented at seminars and conferences for the company and eventually served as Toastmasters International President.

Media Interview Tips: At the Event

How exciting!  You’ve been asked to be interviewed!
BREATHE!

Smile! Relax, be natural, radiant, genuine, and your sparkling self.

Walk around and shake off excess energy (okay… nervousness!).

Observe what the interviewer and media personnel are doing, who they are speaking to, eaves dropping and listening in on some of the questions they are asking those interviewees.

Don’t chew gum (ever)!

Don’t hold cold drinks in your right hand. Be ready to shake hands!

Always lick your teeth!   NO lipstick on your teeth … especially close-ups!

Check “shine” on your face, and carry powder if too reflective. (Men, yes, this applies to you too!)

Make certain your interviewer practices pronounces your name correctly.
And present them your business card so they have the proper spelling.

Ask them for THEIR business card.
This helps you create rapport, say their name in the interview to create “dialogue” and make you both feel more at ease.
(You will also want to send a hand-written Thank You card after your interview.)

Use the restroom. (Wash your hands with warm water to deter germs and calm your nerves.)

 What do to BEFORE the event, click here for tips!

-Sheryl Roush, Speaker, Coach
Sparkle Presentations, Inc.
Public Speaking and Media Interview Skills trainer since 2000 for the award-winning cheer and dance team, the San Diego Charger Girls. She also coached Melissa Adams, to be featured on Good Morning America, as a cheerleader who is 85% hearing impaired, January 2012.