Communication Skills

 According to a survey of faculty members at engineering schools:  Opinion of the faculty members was that 15% of an engineer’s future success depends on his or her engineering skills, while 85% depends upon communication skills.

Presentation skills: Great Tips for Using Notes for a Presentation

Ah, I was delighted to get this information: Experienced speakers often discipline themselves to write their entire presentation first.  Then they work backwards and reduce their manuscript to shortened notes.  I loved finding that information because most often that is exactly what I do.

Here is more advice for using notes for a presentation.

You can prepare a formal outline on standard-size copy paper (8 ½ X 11 inches) or  put bullet point notes on index cards.

And consider these guidelines:

• Use large typeface (or large print)
• Do wide margins so you can add notes later
• Number each page
• Do not staple. Use a paper clip.
• Underline any important statistics so you can find them at a glance
• Use colored pen or yellow highlighters to emphasize key points
• Draw clear lines across the page to separate the major sections
• Carefully time your presentation.  Figure that impromptu remarks will make that time longer!

Next time: Why you should consider using a full manuscript.

Click here: www.cleartalkmastery.com/scheduler to sign up for a Free Sample Lesson with us! 

Be sure to watch our English Speech Tips videos and Accent Reduction Tip videos  for more English pronunciation and accent reduction exercise.

Communication

Survey in USA Today on women in management:

The number one critical success factor for the women who have made it big is communication skills.

Presentation Skills: What to Do About Misspeaking?

Mistakes happen all the time.  You mean to say one thing, but a glitch of the tongue brings something else out of your mouth.

• While campaigning for the presidency,  Massachusetts governor Michael Dukakis referred to “modern musicians” instead of “modern munitions.”
• Jimmy Carter once referred to himself as a “former president” – while still in office.

Misspeaking happens a lot– even to the best speakers.  If you make a mistake, correct yourself simply and calmly. Use a brief neutral statement, such as:

• “I should clarify that.”
• “Let me try that one more time.”
• “What I really meant to say was…”
• “Maybe I should put it another way.”
• “Actually, the date is…”
• “I need to fix that.  The correct number is…”

Keep your correction short and direct. Elaborate apologies just call more attention to your errors.

Click here: www.cleartalkmastery.com/scheduler to sign up for a Free Sample Lesson with us! 

Be sure to watch our English Speech Tips videos and Accent Reduction Tip videos  for more English pronunciation and accent reduction exercise.

Communication

The thinking human being

Not able to express himself,

Stands at the same level as

Those who cannot think.

 -Pericles