Claudia Raab's Blog

It's Friday and for those of you who have to give a presentation today - in particular in the afternoon - it might not be easy to get the full attention of your audience: It's the end of the week, people are tired, exhausted, mentally already in a "weekend mode" or effected by another day of extreme heat that is predicted for Melbourne.

A terrific way to get your listeners' attention right from the start or to get the attention back throughout your presentation is to get them participate. How? Easy! Ask for a show of hands! However, give them a little warning before, so they can prepare. "I'd like to ask for a show of hands! How many of you had at least one meeting to attend last week?"

Asking questions get your audience thinking about a topic you want them to think about and reduces the risk of your audience drifting away. Asking for a show of hands after your question does even more: You'd get them physically involved and let them connect not only with you as the presenter but with also their co-listeners, the person next to or in front of them since they might share the same experience. You've stimulated their interest.

How about giving this new technique a go today? It's safe and fun and makes your task as a presenter a lot easier!  In case you need more easy to use presenting idea that guarantee great results call 0425 785 143 or send an email to info@raabconsulting.com today! We're here to help!

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In yesterday's blog entry we mentioned the expression "I'm in seventh heaven". Curious why it had to be the seventh heaven we tried to trace the word's origin and found the following explanation that could well and truely be a wonderful inspiration if your looking for a creative way to start your presentation:

Some of the Middle East's ancient religion believed the afterlife consisted of seen celestial layers, each more prosperous and beautiful than the one before. The first heaven was emerald, the second silver, the third pearl, the fourth ruby, the fifth gold, the sixth jacinth, and the seventh pure white light - the best of all.

There you go - a perfect entry for any presentation. Just be creative! Enjoy!

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"I'm in seventh heaven. I did it and it feels just great!" - One of my coachees gave a huge presentation last night and I'm proud to say that she did it brilliantly: Full of confidence and passion for her topic she fascinated her audience with what she had to say and, in particular, how she said it. Great body language, great smiles, great props! The audience simply loved her!

Gone was her nervousness that had always hindered her from taking up a spot on the stage before. She had decided to take up coaching sessions with Raab & Raab Performance Consulting to finally overcome her fear of public speaking and last night, there was now doubt she had even turned her fear into an enjoyment of public speaking. When she was offered to talk at another event shortly after she had finished her speech she accepted it without hesitation. "I'm in seventh heaven", she said.

It's very rewarding for us at Raab & Raab Performance Consulting to see how just a couple of intensive coaching sessions can make such a huge difference in your life. It's wonderful to see how our coachees mentally and physically grow and shine. How all of a sudden you easily and full of grace jump over obsticales that held you back for so many years in your career and your private life. And even more: To see how much you enjoy your jump and it sets you free!

If you're in for a similar experience, we're here to help you. Simply call us on 0425 785 143 or email info@raabconsulting.com today! You're worth it and we're waiting to hear from you!

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"The most precious things in speech are pauses."

Sir Ralph Richardson

Imagine trying to have a conversation with someone who would not pause. It's not a very pleasant thought, is it? Instead of a dialogue your conversation would rather be a monolog resulting in you loosing interest in it rather quickly. Why? Normally you would expect to be included in a conversation and contribute to it.

Every form of communication needs to include pauses. Presentation, talks and speeches are no exception, since a great speech is like a conversation you have with your audience, not a monolog.

Pauses are essential since:

1. Firstly, as speakers we need to breathe, in particular when we are anxious about giving a presentation. Breathing not only relaxes us but also calms us down.
2. Secondly, we need pauses to think. This is true not only for the presenter but also for the audience. Pauses make it much easier for your listeners to take in and process the info you are giving. As a consequence your audience will be able to follow you easier and you automatically reduce the risk of loosing them.
3. Thirdly, pauses a great way of rising tension, attention or emphasing. Making a pause can create a dramatic effect you should underestimate.

If your practising your speech today, pay special attention to your pauses and check where and when to include them! Fascinate your audience! Good luck!

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Do you want new, better results in your career? Do you want to improve your professional image? Do you want to make a stronger impact when talking and presenting to your colleagues, clients or boss?

If your answer to any of these questions is "yes", make sure you only use powerful phrases and get rid of powerless ones that take away your credibility and damage your professional image tremendously.

By powerless phrases I mean phrases like: "you know", "you know what I mean", "kind of", "sort of", "in a way", "maybe" - all vague, useless expressions. In fact, expressions that don't really add value to your conversation or presentation.

Keep your language clear and exact. No fuzzing and blurring! Show your audience you are a professional. If you are convinced your company should cut down costs, simply say so. No "maybes", no "you knows", no "sort ofs". If you want to convey your expertise and professionalism convince and impress with a professional, clear language and presentation.

Start to improve your public speaking, communication and presentation skills today and remember: We're here to help! Simply give us a call on 0425 785 143 or email info@raabconsulting.com today! Have a great and successful new week and good luck with your conversations and presentations!

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Some people still underestimate the importance of having excellent public speaking and communication skills. They don't see any value in possessing them and consequently never invest in any training, coaching oder education in the area of public speaking. "Why should I? I don't work in sales or marketing and don't need to speak in public!" is their point of view!

Unfortunately, this is short term thinking that, by the way, is also totally incorrect. Excellent public speaking skills are essential for any career - whether you're a lawyer, electrician, doctor, teacher, entrepreneur, etc. Public speaking is not only about speaking in front of large groups. Public speaking skills also come into play when you are going to have a job interview - sometimes there is just one interviewer, very often you'll be interviewed by two or three. The skills you need are exactly the same in a one-on-one situation and a large group situation. You need to present yourself well and confidently.

That's true for your private life, too. Talking to your child's teacher or at a community meeting is not different from a professional situation. It's equally important here, that you present yourself well and can convey a clear message.

Invest in yourself! Get training in public speaking and communication skills and advance faster in your career as well as get along better with colleagues, friends and family due to a better communication style.

Remember: We are here to help! Simply contact us on 0425 785 143 or email info@raabconsulting.com. We are waiting for you!

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"If you can't write your message in a sentence, you can't say it in an hour."

Dianna Booher

Business writing expert Dianna Booher couldn't have worded it better: Only a clear message guarantees a clear presentation that - in return - gurantees your success. Make finding and formulating your message the starting point for your presentation preparation.

Nothing is worse for the audience than a "muddled up" speech where the presenter leaves and nobody really knows what it was about. Not only would your audience feel they have wasted their time, but they would blame you.

So, sit down, find your message, put it into one single sentence and half of your preparation is done. Your one step closer to your success and have saved yourself a lot of time! Well done!

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Being a great Public Speaker is not only about speaking. Every great presenter and skilfull communicator is also a great and skilfull listener. They clearly understand their audience and have an exact idea what they are interested in, how they communicate and tailor their presentation accordingly.

Reasearch shows: Most of us aren't good listeners. For example, when we are in our office or on the phone with a client, we usually listen at roughly 25 % of our listening capacity. We interrupt too often, since we think we know what our partner is going to say. We presume too often, we know what our partner wants.

Today, at least in one of your conversations, focus exclusively on what your colleague, client or any person on the phone or one-or-one is saying. Make this conversation and the person you are talking highly  important and dedicate your entire attention to them. You'll be surprised how much at ease your conversation partner all of a sudden is and how many information you'll get about him or her apart from creating a great atmosphere that will encourage e.g. sales. Good luck! 

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For many of us "Australia Day" marks the end of the holiday period. It's back to work and serious business. Make a new start and monitor your Body Lanuage carefully and constantly.

As you know, it only takes seconds before we make a decision about a person we meet for the first time or notice any changes in his or her behaviour when we see a person again after not having seen them for a while, e.g. after a holiday. Seize the chance and present yourself with a new Body Language. Welcome your colleagues back standing nice and straight, shoulders upright, feet apart, knees slightly bend, arms by your side.

This posture clearly projects confidence and friendly openess as well as leadership qualities and authority at the same time.

This also applies when you are seated: Upright Position. Straight Back. Open, warm and friendly Smile paired with great Eye contact.

You'll be amazed how differently people will perceive you. Monitor and improve your Body Language where ever you go, where ever you sit and practise a positive, confident Body Language when you are alone, best infront of a large mirror. It's worth it!

And remember: We're here to help. Simply call 0425 785 143 or send an email to celine.dubois@raabconsulting.com to get to know more about how we can help you!

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Happy Australia Day to all our clients and readers! While preparing to celebrate Australia Day the Raab & Raab team was wondering where the word "Australia" comes from. Thanks to Celine's fabulous research skills we now know:

 The name Australia derives from the Latin "Australis", meaning "Southern". Since Roman times people were telling stories about an unknown land of the South "terra australis incognita". 

However, it wasn't before 1625 that the word "Australia" was first used in the English language in "A note of Australia del Espiritu Santo", written by Master Hakluyt and published by Samuel Purchas in Hakluytus Posthumus.

And wikipekia tells us that the name Australia was popularised by the 1814 work "A Voyage to Terra Australis" by the navigator Matthew Flinders,  who became the first person known to have circumnavigated the red continent.

 If you have to give a presentation in the next couple of days, how about using "Australia", its meaning or even "terra australis incognita" as an idea for your opening? Great for telling a story, for comparing past and present and future, and so on. Now, that's a thought, isn't it? So, once again: Happy Australia Day! Enjoy your presentation!

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