July 14th, 2010
I usually reserve my blogs for sharing best practices and current business ideas with my readers. On occasion I simply share my personal thoughts. Hopefully ones that still offer inspiration and a lightness of being.
It is summer – the season to kick back a bit and lower the tempo as the heat rises.
Summer marks the half-way point to the year and vacation is a a rewarding way to celebrate the milestone. Although work still goes on there is a more relaxed feeling in the air. The days seem longer because dark does not fall until late evening. Summer is my time to reflect on the first six months, project about the next six, and simply enjoy the present. This enjoyment includes golfing, gardening, hiking; barbeques with friends and family; visits with colleagues on cafe patios; and reading those books and magazines I bought months ago and collected dust because of busy schedules. The reading material is an eclectic collection of business, biography, and fiction. If you are looking for some interesting reading please visit Lorraine’s Library.
Oh yes, one more item to add to the list of summer activities. I am learning how to use my new iPad. Yes, I have drunk the Kool-Aid, and I am feeling very refreshed. Techno-toy or business tool? Either way, I am loving it.
However you choose to enjoy the summer – I wish you good health, relaxation, and rejuvenation.
Tags: library summer relaxation reading books
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June 23rd, 2010
Often in my presentation workshops and private speaker coaching sessions I am asked, “What is the difference between a speech and a presentation?” If you Google this question you will see many similar responses. A speech is only words with no slide support. A presentation is interactive with the use of slideware.
Today’s business world requires a hybrid scenario. We want to effectively communicate ideas while ensuring audience connection and retention in order to achieve our goals. Not everyone is an orator who can engage people for 30 minutes or more, so we tend to rely on slides for support and audience engagement. Used sparingly and selectively, slides can help underscore a message or illustrate an example. Most importantly, however, you need to deliver your ideas with dynamic speech and animated body language. Breathe life into the content.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: audience, bullets, communication, engage, font, interaction, PowerPoint, presentation, slides, slideware, speaking, speech, stories
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April 27th, 2010
A tale can be fictitious or true. This is a true tale. While vacationing in Naples Florida this month I discovered a fabulous grocer called Wynn’s Market. Fresh everything! Prepared gourmet meals, mouthwatering appetizers, and exotic condiments . Heaven for the vacationer. The experience at Wynn’s turned out not only to be a discovery of fine cuisine but a lesson in sales and customer service.
As I approached the seafood locker and eyed the selection of shrimp, the smiling server peered over the shelf and said, “I see you are having difficulty making a choice. Let me help you.” She presented me with a plump shrimp from the local Gulf of Mexico. It was exquisite! Then she offered an imported shrimp from the Pacific at half the price of those from the gulf. “Now try this one and don’t worry about finishing it. Here’s a paper towel. ” These were clearly inferior. It was no contest. I bought the Gulf shrimp – quality won over price. As the server reminded me, “How often do you have the opportunity to eat such wonderful fresh shrimp like this?” The interaction was about two minutes – the revenue $23.00. Oh yes, and I returned to the market twice more in the week.
Tips from the Shrimp Tale:
- Observe customer behaviour
- Offer your expertise with a friendly smile
- Allow the customer to experience the product
- Compare value for price
- Reassure the customer about their purchase decision
Tags: customer, service, tale, value
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March 29th, 2010
I am so fortunate to do what I do. This past month two more experiences reminded me again how wonderful it is to be a professional speaker. The speaking is only a part of the job satisfaction. I love communicating with audiences, making them laugh, inviting them to reflect, and encouraging them to think. That’s half of the joy. The balance is the opportunity to meet such interesting and diverse people, and to learn about companies and organizations that I would otherwise not encounter.
The Deaf-Blind Coalition of Ontario and Cambrian College invited me to be a guest speaker at their respective events. My experiences are always positive. So, what was particularly special about these two? Let me start with the Deaf-Blind Coalition. Sharing the stage with me were two incredibly talented Sign Language Interpreters. Signers tag-team, each sharing the stage for 10 minute intervals. Not only were these phenomenal duo instantly interpreting my words – they were interpreting me! They were a reflection of my performance, capturing my style and messages perfectly. I was in awe. Almost to the point where I wanted to stop speaking and watch them! They embodied everything I try to encourage my audiences to embrace in their personal and professional lives: passion, focus, spontaneity, teamwork. There was a dinner prior to my presentation so we sat together to get to know each other. They were quick studies and demonstrated a wonderful sense of humour.
Cambrian College in Sudbury is a State of the Art institution. While I was waiting to receive a tour of the facility, a music student graciously accepted my request for him to play his guitar. Without hesitation or fanfare he played an emotionally charged classical piece. The tour was another highlight. From the training kitchens of the Chef School to the Wabode Aboriginal Centre and it’s with enchanting meditation centre. I plan to return and enjoy a meal at the Fontaine Bleue operated by the Hotel and Restaurant Management Department, and take a meditation class with the remarkable Debbie Robertson.
Tags: audience, communication, diverse, focus, humor, humour, passion, speaker, spontaneity, teamwork
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February 3rd, 2010
If you do presentations on a regular basis then you have surely had this experience. You are the last speaker of the day and every other presenter has gone overtime. By the way, this is a heinous crime in the public speaking world. Out of the corner of your eye you see the organizer approaching with a stealth-like stride. Your inner voice shouts, “Oh No!”, as your body goes tense. Sure enough, you are asked to cut your 30-minute presentation, which you worked so long and hard to prepare, down to 15 minutes. Your mind races as your slide deck flashes before your eyes. What slides should I cut? What stories should I keep? Shall I speak double time?
Spare yourself this anxiety and prepare a Plan B and possibly Plan C. Practice these abbreviated versions as you would your full presentation. You can help the situation by limiting the number of slides and number of bullets. You can always expand when time allows. Not every idea has to be displayed in your slide show.
To determine how to make the edits consider these three questions:
1. What is the most relevant content for this audience?
2. What is the most compelling information?
3. What are the most compact stories and examples?
(Choose stories and examples that require minimal set up and narrative.)
Tags: bullets slide show, presentations, presenter, public speaking, slides
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January 12th, 2010
There are many pundits with opinions on whether we should bother with New Year’s resolutions because often they are made without a specific plan or support system, and therefore are destined to fail. This can have an adverse effect by causing feelings of defeat instead of igniting the optimistic intentions.
Rather than simply proclaiming hollow vows another approach to resolutions may be taking the time to reflect on the individual and collective practices that have contributed to your success, and resolve to continue with the best. You can exercise this ritual any time of the year. Let the celebrations begin!
Consider these practices:
- Communication Effectiveness
- Relationship Building
- Innovation
- Networking
- Teamwork
- Efficiency
- Time Management
- Customer Service
- Research and Development
- Continuing Education
- Knowledge Transfer
Tags: best practices, intentions, optimism, resolutions
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December 16th, 2009
Winter Beauty - photograph ©Lorraine Behnan
Amid this season of hustle and bustle may you find time to express gratitude, demonstrate generosity with your heart as well as your wallet, and share the glee of living.
Gratitude. Generosity. Glee.
To my valued friends, colleagues, and clients:
I am grateful for your contribution to my life, the generosity of your support, and the abundant joy you have given me.
Wishing you great health and prosperity for the New Year.
Tags: generosity, glee, gratitude, prosperity
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November 17th, 2009
Iqaluit, Nunavut - photograph © Lorraine Behnan
I am always amazed by Canada’s geographical and cultural diversity. Last week I was amazed once again. Being invited as the Keynote Speaker at a conference in Iqaluit created the opportunity. A bonus experience was the arrival of the Olympic flame, an historical event that I had the thrill to witness. How exhilarating to stand among the townsfolk of Iqaluit and cheer their local athletic heroes! The electricity of excitement warmed the minus 20 below zero temperature. It was spellbinding to watch our clouds of breath float in midair. I was only in Iqaluit for 24 hours yet I was deeply touched by the beauty of the people and the geography. It was also immediately apparent how the Inuit worry about their land – the melting ice caps, the lack of snow, the shift in migration habits of the wildlife. I hope we can control climate change before it further impacts this magnificent frontier.
Click here to learn more about Iqaluit
Tags: adventure, arctic, Iqaluit, keynote speaker, olympics, winter
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September 20th, 2009
I love to golf. I am an average golfer. Average as a result of limited practice. None the less, I have a great passion for the game and look forward to the hours on the course when the only goal is to get that little white sphere in the hole. Preferably in two putts or less! Golf is an oasis from the worries and tasks of the day. Golf is great outdoor exercise while enjoying quality time with friends, family, and colleagues. For my summer holiday I went to the magnificent Priddis Greens Golf Course outside of Calgary to watch the CN Canadian Women’s Open. My intention was to breathe fresh mountain air, view the vistas of the Rockies as I watched the best women golfers in the world, and pick up a few tips along the way. I came away with more. I learned that the best practices of golf can be applied to business. If you are top of the Leader Board today, that doesn’t ensure you will be on top tomorrow. Complacency is your biggest enemy, along with the pressure of challengers nipping at your heals. You need to play your personal best. I noted that at the end of each round the players were back on the putting green practicing for the next day. After all, it’s those short strokes that clinch the win. As the classic saying goes, “Drive for show and putt for dough.”
Personal Mastery:
Passion
Mental and physical conditioning
Determination and discipline
Focus
Resiliency
Patience
Consistency
Fortitude
Confidence
Calculated risk
Link to www.cncanadianwomensopen.com
Tags: best practices, confidence, discipline, focus, fortitude, golf, resilience, win
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July 31st, 2009
Recently I introduced a slide to my communication presentation called, ‘The Wall of Fatal Words.’ I was pleasantly surprised by its popularity. The initial response is laughter because the words and phrases are so familiar. What are the fatal words on the wall? These are words and phrases that halt dialogue. These are words and phrases that come trippingly off the tongue without thought to their negative impact. These are words and phrases that are reactive versus productive. Why do we use them? Because we do not take the time to process what we say. We think them harmless. These words pack a punch – and not in a good way! If you want to be an open and honest communicator then consider the implications of the words you choose.
Listen carefully the next time you engage in a conversation or participate in collaborative meetings. You may be astonished to hear the frequent use of these or similar words and phrases. Pause before you speak. Reframe your thoughts from negative to positive language.
Words spoken in haste can cause long-term damage.
Tags: collaboration, communication, presentations
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