MediaSpace Wiki

Public Speaking Spr2010 S05

A selection of reactions to using the storage listening process

• ... I found that I was paying attention more than usual.
• ... it is actually really hard, due to the fact that many things run throughout your mind. ... I was able to do some of the steps like "tend" and "respond" but ... "Stop" was ... quite difficult due to the fact that many people have their own dilemmas. Though some of the steps were fulfilled on STOR listening process and helped with me being able to listen more closely.
• ... as I was thinking over the STORage listening process in my head while she was speaking it made me a more effective listener because I thought about what I had to say instead of just speaking my mind. It gave me time to stop and listen to what she had to say and I let everything sink in me till I gave a response.
• ... Its a very hard process to actually take all the steps in, however you do skip some steps so you can respond quicker so the conversation does not die.
• I had to try this a few times for it to start to work. The first problem was the initial "STOP" step. Even though i wrote down a thought that was on my mind, I continued to think about it throughout the conversation which still formed a distraction. However, once i tried using this method a few times, I began to be able to block out the previous distraction.
• It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be when I actually thought about it and concentrated on using it. It helped somewhat but I don't think it made me a more effective listener.
• It at first felt a little unnatural but after a while I got the hang of it, andI found the STOR process to actually be quite helpful in making me a more effective listener.

Logistics and Occasion

• Effective speakers adapt to the occasion and location
  • Knowing your speaking venue will help you to adapt when things go wrong.
    • You may also add value and impact to your presentation.
  • Knowing the occasion will help you to appeal to your audience
• Four questions that can help with logistics
  1. “Who and how many people are in the audience?”
  2. “Where will I be speaking?”
     • Room layout
     • Lighting
     • Sound
     • Presentation equipment
       • Outlets and network connections
       • Types of equipment available, if any
     • What kinds of backup approaches should I be prepared to handle.
  3. “When will I speak?”
     • Time of day matters.
       • Morning presentations should be crisp, clear, and professional.
       • Afternoon presentations should be energetic and can be more relaxed in style.
     • Never exceed your time limit.
       • Track your time
       • Be prepared to adjust your presentation length by adding or subtracting material
       • Practice is only a guide.
  4. “How will I display materials?”
     • Make sure your visuals can be seen from all parts of the audience.
     • Test all equipment before your the audience arrives.
• Four questions that can help you adapt to the occasion
  • “What is the occasion?”
  • “Why me?”
  • “What does the audience expect?”
  • “What’s proper for this occasion?”
    • Events often have special rules of protocol.
      • Audiences expect a certain tone and style at different events and occasions.
• Dress for success.
  • The audiences will see you before they hear you
    • First impressions matter.
  • Clothes that don't match the occasion will turn the audience off before you start
  • Three guidelines for your presentation wardrobe.
    1. Be comfortable.
       • Avoid wearing brand new clothes to an important presentation.
       • Wear clothes that will mask perspiration and wrinkles.
    2. Be appropriate.
       • Standard business clothing provides the default if you don't know.
       • Dress as as conservatively as the key members of your audience.
    • Be yourself
      • Find clothes and colors that fit your style, body shape, and coloring
      • Professional does not mean high fashion.
  • Good grooming matters too
    • Men should follow several grooming and accessory guidelines.
      • Shave closely before speaking
      • Remove objects from your pockets.
      • Button one button on a jacket when you stand to speak.
      • Avoid hats unless you are required to wear one
        • And if you must, push it back so it doesn't cover your eyes
        • As a correlary, avoid wearing sunglasses
    • Women should follow several grooming and accessory guidelines.
      • Remove all noisy or glittery jewelry.
      • Pull your hair away from your face.
      • Don’t drag a large or stuffed purse to the podium or lectern.
      • Wear natural-looking makeup.
    • Nothing on your body should draw attention to itself
  • Your message is more important than dress and appearance.
    • Dress and makeup won't cover up a poorly prepared presentation.
    • But a good presentation can overcome first impressions for many