It’s all about Timing

I recently coached a wonderfully talented woman to prepare for a cosmopolitan speech contest.  That is, a speech contest for people for whom English is their second language.  What a rewarding and fantastic experience this has been.  She worked very hard indeed and wrote a strong and powerful presentation. 

Coaching someone for whom English is not their first language, has different challenges.  Ensuring the speech was powerful using appropriate language and emphasis was paramount as her message was dramatic.   She has a very good vocabulary and works hard on her language skills.  A few editing suggestions and the speech was ready.

With the speech itself sitting exactly where it needed to be, it was time to practice and perform.  My student was like a sponge soaking up all the advice.  She worked very hard on her pronunciation; her gestures were strong and effective , now for the timing.

There is a rule of thumb that if you speak at 110 words per minute  you will be heard and understood.  By that theory you can have 880 words to make up your 8 minute speech.  However, there must be time for pause; audience reaction and dramatic effect.

My student had about 680 words and after much practice, on the night the time was 7 minutes and 55 seconds.    Her timing was fantastic and her performance strong and effective.   She won the contest and will now go on to the National Competition in May. 

A presentation  is always about timing, go over time and you take someone else’s time, go under time and you let yourself down.  Whether its  a contest or not, it’s all about the timing.

Our Responsibility To Youth

It’s his or her first job.  There is much anticipation, excitement and nervousness.  They have so much to offer and the employer wants to harvest that youth, skill level and enthusiasm for the benefit of their business.

However, what about the employers responsibility to that young person.

It is easy to forget that a young man or woman in their first job is at a very vulnerable time in their working life.  The way they are treated in their first job will colour how they feel about work for the rest of their life!  That’s a big responsibility for an employer.

Employers must offer the appropriate training to ensure they can do their job; a supportive environment making the employee feel safe and be firm but fair in all matters pertaining to the policies and procedures of the business.

We hope, that when a first timer leaves us to go on to further their career, they leave with the skills, attitudes and knowledge to take them to the next level. 

The big question is, are you a supportive employer who takes these responsibilities of leadership and management seriously?   Believe me, it is worth working on.

Let’s make sure that youth is not wasted on the young.

Celebrating 40 years

Today in Taupo approximately 40 people celebrated the 40^th anniversary of POWERtalk Taupo.   I was honoured to be among the 40 and it feels like a double honour as in October I joined 50 people in Auckland to celebrate 40 years of POWERtalk Waitakere.

Formerly known as International Toastmistress Clubs the new branding as POWERtalk International is in celebration mode this year as we are 75 years young internationally.   The organisation was started to encourage women to have a voice; to increase their confidence and enhance their leadership abilities. 

Forty years of providing leadership and presentation skills training to men and women in New Zealand is an outstanding contribution.  Clubs set up in 27 countries throughout the world and the training programme translated into languages such as Icelandic and Japanese, means we are definitely part of a successful International organisation.

Hearing the many reasons people joined clubs was stimulating and exciting,    Hearing the successes; the stories of support and encouragement and fabulous fellowship was heart-warming and  uplifting.    We all did something good for ourselves when we joined a POWERtalk International Club. 

Congratulations Taupo Club.  19 members attending meetings; a Past International President and an International Speech Contest finalist.  A strong club getting stronger daily.

If you want to do something good for yourself visit our New Zealand website:  www.nzregion.powertalk.me