The Art of Mingling and Networking

Don't fall flat when it's time to chat.

How you communicate informally at events is every bit as important, if not more so, than how you come across when you’re in the spotlight giving a speech. In fact, knowing how to mingle and network may be more important to your overall success in life than anything else - which is why a Toastmasters club offers many opportunities for informal gatherings.

• Do you avoid occasions where you think you may not know many – or any –of the attendees?
• Do you tend to speak only to those you already know or do you wait for an introduction?

If this describes you, you may be missing many interesting and beneficial opportunities.

It can help to know that others appreciate someone who takes the initiative to approach them. Here are some networking tips from an article in the Toastmaster magazine by Katherine Meeks: Start by saying “Hi, my name is….” to a person standing alone.

• Talk about the food when you are standing in the buffet line or seated at the table.
• Approach a small group by reading the body language of participants to see if they are open for newcomers. Do they smile at you? Or do they lean toward each other in deep conversation?
• Ask about the person’s connection to the individual or organization hosting the event.
• Try to find something in common.
• Be pleasant and curious. Ask questions!
• Avoid controversial or negative comments or topics with people you don’t know well.
• Bring your business cards!

Read the complete article.

Mingling creates new connections and possibilities. Professional networking is about meeting people and letting them meet you. This is what communication is all about. Like anything else, it takes practice. That is why Toastmasters International has created multiple online social networks for its members: So they can practice the art of mingling and networking with other members from around the world.

Article from Toastmasters International

http://www.toastmasters.org/Members/SpotlightArticles/TheArtofMingling.aspx

Creating a Speech on Short Notice

Consider the 3 P's: Purpose, Practice and Polish

Toastmaster Angela Libby Jankousky from a club in Southern California gives these tips...

• Your purpose for each speech is different. Are you proposing a course of action, entertaining, informing or inspiring your audience? Make sure you can state your purpose in one sentence. If you have only a few minutes to prepare, concentrate only on achieving your purpose. Write a sentence that describes your purpose. Then organize your thoughts on that topic on your computer – or on the back of a napkin, if that’s the only thing available to you. As you write, restrict your information to what directly relates to your purpose. Try to use a story or personal experience to illustrate each point you want to mention. “One well-illustrated point is stronger and more memorable than multiple points that are explained but not illustrated,” says Jankousky.
• Practice ideas, not words. A memorized speech is dangerous: Lose your place and you are in trouble. You want to be spontaneous enough to be able to insert comments about something from earlier in the meeting, such as “This is consistent with the point Bill just made.” Having examples planned for each point will make it easier for you to remember what to say next.
  • Create an attention-grabbing opening and a concluding statement that summarizes your main point and call to action. Try to memorize these.
  • Be sure to practice your speech out loud, in addition to revising your written notes as much as time allows. If you miss a point, keep going. Then go back to the section you had trouble with and work on it until it’s smooth. If you have only a few hours to prepare a short speech, this is as much as you’ll accomplish. Practice your speech a few times in the car on the way to the meeting, and remember: When you give the speech, state each point clearly and sit down. Don’t ramble! And never apologize for your lack of preparation or nervousness – chances are good no one will notice.
• Polish. Contest speeches or important presentations to large audiences merit the highest level of respect to the audience and therefore, the most preparation. You polish your speech by working on finer points such as gestures, inflection and pacing. Angela Jankouski points out: “Focus on one aspect of delivery at a time. First, work on vocal variety. Next, practice gestures that enhance your meaning. Then, experiment with pacing.” If possible, rehearse your speech in front of different audiences, prior to the one that really counts. Each audience is different, and you’ll learn something from each.”

So, if you have only a few minutes to prepare a speech, focus hard on your purpose, your single most important point, and the opening statement. Also practice a strong ending to help your audience for a favorable final impression of you. If you have several hours to prepare, develop a focused speech that really illustrates and supports your main point. Practice conveying your ideas without memorizing the speech word for word. If you have adequate time before a major presentation, make sure to polish it with gestures, vocal variety and pacing until it shines!

Remember Winston Churchill’s advice: “If you have an important point to make, don’t try to be subtle or clever. Use the pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time – a tremendous whack. “

Source: Toastmasters International

http://www.toastmasters.org/Members/SpotlightArticles/CreatingaSpeechonShortNotice.aspx

How to survive your ice breaker

What Works for Us...

Come in from the cold

You’ve attended a few Toastmasters meetings and you’ve seen others give their speeches. Perhaps you’ve noticed that some speakers are smooth, polished and experienced, while others struggle at a beginner’s level. Now it’s time for you to stand up and give your Ice Breaker speech. Just thinking about it gives you nightmares. Rest assured, you’re not alone!

No matter what skills you possess as a speaker, you’re probably going to find it a little stressful to speak for the first time in front of all these relative strangers. And because you know you’ll be evaluated as a part of the experience, it can be a frightening few moments of your life. What can you do to conquer your fear and sail through your first speech with fun and focus? Here are some quick tips:

• Write out your speech in advance. At least, write down some notes so you can check your organization and make sure all important facts are included.
• Don’t try to memorize the entire speech. Though you’ll only speak for less than six minutes, once you stand in front of the crowd, it may seem much longer. Trying to remember everything while under that kind of stress is asking too much of any first timer.
• Use notes, but avoid too many note cards. Cards can slip from your fingers or fall out of order at the wrong moment. They’re not easy to handle when you’re nervous. One long sheet with large print, or one large card with brightly-colored bullet points to jog your memory, will serve you better.
• Remember that all your listeners have stood where you stand now. They can all relate to any nervousness you may be experiencing. Try to think of your audience as your new friends. See their smiles and pause once in a while during your speech to make eye contact with them.
• Remember that this speech is merely a way for you to introduce yourself. Pick three or four important things you’d like your fellow Toastmasters to learn about you and make those your speech. If you speak on something that you’re passionate about, you won’t run out of words. So, talk about an exciting adventure from your past, your hopes, your dreams and maybe your favorite hobby. What defines you? Talk about it.

Your evaluator is required to find some advice to offer, so try to take it in the spirit in which it’s being offered. Everyone in a Toastmasters meeting is there to help everyone else. So, each person gives and gets advice from time to time. It’s your choice whether or not to follow any advice you’re given, but if the evaluator is a much more experienced speaker, you should probably at least consider it. See the “Additional Resources” section, below, for more tips on reducing nervousness and perfecting a speech.

Don’t forget to take a breath when you stand up at the lectern. Say hello to everyone…and begin!

Source: Toastmasters International

http://www.toastmasters.org/Members/SpotlightArticles/HowtoSurviveYourIceBreaker.aspx

We help you to speak

Speaking Your Way to Magical Transformation !

	People who get ahead in life are those who can speak and present effectively. Wouldn't you want to develop this priceless skill? Now you can. We will show you how to speak and present confidently. Be a success on the job. Come visit our Toastmasters club and see "What it can do for you" What : Metro Toastmasters International Club Where : Vistana Hotel Kuala Lumpur No. 9, Jalan Lumut, Off Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Located near Titiwangsa Star LRT and KL Monorail station) When : Thursday 28 January 2010 Time : 7.00 pm - 9.15 pm (Refreshments are served at 6.30 pm) Door Fee: RM13 Metro Toastmasters meets every 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month at Vistana Hotel from 7pm to 9:15pm For further information, visit our website at http://www.metrotoastmasters.com

New Year Resolutions

Thursday 14 January is a special day because it was our fist toastmasters meeting of the year.

I like to relate a new year to opening a box. At the beginning of the year, we open a box and put our goals and resolutions in it. If we then close the box, put it away and open again at the end of the year, I believe there is a very little chance that we can succeed in achieving what we want to achieve.

What we must do is to open the box regularly, constantly remind ourselves of our goals and resolutions, always look at them, and update our progress against each of them

Setting goals and writing resolutions are easy but to achieve them is not easy unless we constantly remind ourselves of the goals and resolutions, always look at them and update our progress against them. They need to be re-visit again and again and then achieving them will be easy.

Fellow Toastmasters and friends, have a great start for year 2010. Make this your year of magical transformation and become a better speaker.

~ Victor ~