Posted by: Claudia Raab in Good to know on
Feb 26, 2009
If you want to become a better speaker you certainly need to concentrate on improving your communication skill. However, increasing your general knowledge will help you to achieve your goal too.
A great way to do that is to find out more about the history and origin of words you use. Not only could that become an interesting anchor point for one of your speeches, it certainly gives you a cutting edge in any private or professional conversation when you can occassionally let your knowledge sparkle through and earn respect from who ever you talk to.
Today, let's find more about SUDOKU - one of the most popular number games, not only in Australia but the rest of the world. Invented in the United States in 1979, it was originally called "Number Place". Its popular name SUDOKU dates back to 1984 and derives from its Japanese version called "suuji wa dokushin ni kagiru" meaning "a number can occur only one time." As you can imagine the name was too long for a game that can quickly be played and therefore was shortened to SUDOKU.
With so many financial reports to be given these days how about making a splendid entry refering to SUDOKU and a number that can occur only one time? Try something different, dare to be better! Good luck!
Posted by: Claudia Raab in Good to know on
Feb 20, 2009
Alfa Romeo - isn't that the incarnation of speed, elegance, power and perfection?
We all know that a great name can make all the difference. Alfa Romeo is a perfect example for it. Although 'alpha' is the first letter of the alphabet in Italian, the famous Italian carmaker didn't name his company after it. The name is actually the acronym for Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili, meaning "an unnamed automobile factory in Lombardy". Can there be anyting more boring? Hardly!
In 1915, Nicola Romeo bought the ALFA plant and added his name. The result? A name even more exciting. Just like the cars!
So, get your wording right, eliminate any "unnamed automobile factory in Lombardy, and your speech will end up being an Alfa Romeo every one is talking about. Go for speed, elegance, power and perfection and you'll get it!
Posted by: Claudia Raab in Good to know on
Feb 13, 2009
I'm an avid advocator for increasing your General Knowledge. Keep up with the news - whether you listen to the radio while driving in the car, watch television or read the newspapers.
Sometimes little funny facts will come in handy when you have to write a speech and are desperately trying to find a great beginning for a talk. Take this for example: Have you ever wondered why a technical defect on a computer is called a "bug in a computer"?
Here's why: The word 'bug' in a technical sense is often attributed to Grace Murray Hopper, who invented the first large-scale computer for the U.S. Navy in 1945. When the machine stopped working, she found a moth in the works and taped its body to her lab report, captioning it "a bug in the computer".
However, although a beautiful story, Thomas Edison had used "bug" almost 50 years earlier to describe the "little faults and difficulties" that drive inventors and engineers batty.
Anyway, don't forget: Stories are a great way to get your audience involved right from the start! Use them!
Posted by: Claudia Raab in Good to know on
Jan 28, 2009
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!
Posted by: Claudia Raab in Good to know on
Dec 11, 2008
Charles Lindbergh, the famous American aviator, author, inventor and explorer (1902 - 1974), may be much more known than his wife Anne Morrow Lindberg (1906 - 2001) who was a keen aviator too and also gained a reputation as a successful writer.
Her thoughts about communication couldn't have been worded better:
Good communication is as stimulating as strong coffee, and just as hard to sleep after.
Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Posted by: Claudia Raab in Good to know on
Dec 03, 2008
"On Saturday, I was a surgeon in South Africa, very little known. On Monday, I was world renowned."
Dr. Christiaan Barnard
Forty one years ago today, surgeons in Cape Town, South Africa, led by Dr. Christiaan Barnard performed the first human heart transplant.
Dr. Barnard's surgery was a breakthrough in the medical world, providing new hope for many desperate patients and inspiring thousands of surgeons worldwide.
It took the South African committment and courage, strenght to cope with failure and patience to be persistent. Not all of us will make the same breakthroughs. However, remember that it's all relative. Smaller ones are as good as Dr. Barnard's as long as we make them happen. And sometimes it's just an as important breakthrough when you finally dared to speak up in a meeting ...
Here's another quote by Christiaan Barnard:
"It is infinitely better to transplant a heart than to bury it to be devoured by worms."
There are almost 2000 Australians waiting for an organ at any given time. Some of them will die waiting. Please consider registering with the Australian Organ Donor Register. Info available at medicare offices.
Posted by: Claudia Raab in Good to know on
Jul 28, 2008
Did you know that of all the words Dr. Seuss made up in his storybooks, only one has stuck in the English vocabulary: "Grinch"!
By the way, when was the last time you read one of his hilarious books? Our tip: Check them out again! They great for adults, too. Good fun guaranteed!
