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Language magic at Christmas time: Your guide to an unforgettable Christmas poem!
It’s the time of year for Christmas poems. Anyone who recites their poem well will make the eyes of young and old light up.
This is a particularly successful way to recite your Christmas poem:
- Emphasis and expression: Make sure you recite the words of your Christmas poem with appropriate emphasis and expression. Don’t just rattle off the text of the poem. Emphasize important passages to underline emotions and capture your audience’s attention.
- Speak slowly and clearly: Avoid speaking too quickly. Take your time with each line so that the listener can grasp the beauty of the words. Clear pronunciation helps to ensure that every word is understood and that the atmosphere of the poem comes across better.
- Maintain eye contact: Make eye contact with your audience during your presentation. The easiest way to do this is to memorize the poem. Eye contact creates a personal connection and allows you to feel the reactions of your audience. Eye contact also conveys self-confidence and authenticity.
- Set appropriate pauses: Deliberately use short pauses between the sections of your poem. This allows the audience to process what they have heard and reinforces the emotional impact of certain passages. Pauses give the performance a rhythmic structure.
- Create the right atmosphere: Make sure you create the right atmosphere for your Christmas poem. Dim the lights, maybe light a candle and create a cozy environment. An atmospheric setting enhances the emotional resonance of your words.
With these tips, you can ensure that your Christmas poem leaves a lasting impression not only in terms of content, but also in terms of its presentation. Good luck with your presentation! And Merry Christmas.
Book recommendation
In the following book, you will find the tools, systems, and tips that will make you a persuasive speaker. So that you need less time for preparation, present more understandably and with more confidence.
If you want support for a speech or presentation, please let me know (+41 41 630 39 90).
If you would like to have tips and tricks regularly by e-mail (in German), then sign up to the Trainingletter – but it’s confidential:-).
Master your year-end speech: 5 tips for managers
As the end of the year approaches, so does the time for the end-of-year speech. To ensure that your speech is particularly effective, you should consider one or more specific points in addition to general tips:
1: Review of the year with gratitude
Take time for a brief review of the past year. Emphasize not only the successes, but also the challenges and the hurdles that were overcome together. Show gratitude for the efforts and successes of your team.
2: Outlook for the future
Take this opportunity to provide a brief outlook for the coming year. Share the company’s goals and plans to motivate your employees and get them in the mood for the common future.
3: Incorporate personal points of contact
Make the speech personal by sharing personal experiences or anecdotes from the past year. This creates an emotional connection to your team and strengthens the sense of community.
4: Express appreciation
Use the end-of-year speech to explicitly recognize the achievements and commitment of your employees. Sincere appreciation strengthens motivation and a sense of togetherness.
5: Strengthen a sense of community
Emphasize team spirit and cooperation. Emphasize how important the joint effort is for the success of the company and motivate your team to achieve great things together in the coming year.
With these tips, your year-end speech will not only be effective, but also tailored to the special requirements of this special occasion.
Book recommendation
In the following book, you will find the tools, systems, and tips that will make you a persuasive speaker. So that you need less time for preparation, present more understandably and with more confidence.
If you want support for a speech or presentation, please let me know (+41 41 630 39 90).
If you would like to have tips and tricks regularly by e-mail (in German), then sign up to the Trainingletter – but it’s confidential:-).
What are the 5 biggest challenges for STEM professionals?
Question: What are the 5 biggest challenges for STEM professionals when presenting?*
Answer: It depends :-). It varies from person to person. But what I see over and over again in my training and coaching practice are the following challenges:
Adapt to the audience.
STEM professionals often find it difficult to present in a way that is generally understandable and tailored to the audience. Technical details often do not interest laymen. Therefore, do the grandparent test: If you give your presentation in such a way that even your grandparents understand what it’s about, you’re on the safe side.
Present in a structured way.
Those with training in one of the STEM subjects take a chronological rather than a dramaturgical approach. A clear outline with introduction, main part (body) and conclusion helps the audience to follow the presentation. This outline can also be found in movies, e.g. James Bond. The film starts with an exciting scene, increases the tension in the main part and ends with the resolution.
(In the book“To catch fish, use the right bait” you will learn how to structure a presentation using the Power Presentation Model PPM).
Use visualizations.
It is bad when you hear the sentence: “As you can see here”, but I as a listener can see little or nothing because of the large amount of numbers and/or text.
Complex relationships should be illustrated with graphics, diagrams or examples. It is easy to overwhelm the audience with text and numbers only.
Speak freely.
Many presenters with STEM backgrounds read off their slides. This is boring. Instead, you should speak freely and with eye contact to the audience. Especially online, this is not clear to many. Online, the mnemonic phrase of a colleague from the USA, Terry Brock, is: “Love your lens”.
Pay attention to body language.
An open attitude, gestures and facial expressions help to captivate the audience. Anyone who hides behind his laptop quickly loses the interest of the audience. Use the lectern exclusively as a repository for your notes. Move freely on the stage.
What are your challenges?
Here’s to attractive presentations!
Your
Thomas Skipwith
* STEM: science, technology, engineering and mathematics
Book recommendation
In the following book, you will find the tools, systems, and tips that will make you a persuasive speaker. So that you need less time for preparation, present more understandably and with more confidence.
If you want support for a speech or presentation, please let me know (+41 41 630 39 90).
If you would like to have tips and tricks regularly by e-mail (in German), then sign up to the Trainingletter – but it’s confidential:-).
August 1 Speech: Viola Amherd speaks no matter what.
On July 31, 2023, Europaplatz in Lucerne became a special place. Federal Councillor Viola Amherd appeared before the audience and left a lasting impression.
In her concise ten-minute speech, Viola Amherd emphasized Swiss values and the sense of community. Despite the serious content, there were also light-hearted moments. The core message: Switzerland is solid as a rock.
Amherd made use of tried and tested rhetorical devices, among others
a) Humor
A little humor never hurts and makes you likeable. Despite two cancellations due to Corona and a broken elbow, Viola Amherd came to give her speech. After all, the organizers were just as persistent – they invited her three times.
b) Perseverance
A broken elbow would have kept many from giving a speech. But not Viola Amherd.
c) Amherd’s humorous, spontaneous replica
The gift from Andrea Gmür, member of the Council of States, was remarkable. She presented the Federal Councillor with two bottles of wine – one non-alcoholic and one with alcohol. Quick-wittedly, Amherd replied: “Just to clarify: my accident was before we had drinks”.
d) Memorable analogies
Amherd stressed that security and independence are deeply rooted in the Swiss DNA.
For Amherd, the Swiss Constitution of 1848 is the blueprint of our country.
In the “ground station” Switzerland, natives and immigrants live together peacefully.
She stressed the need for the European protective umbrella.
e) reference to a local person
A special moment was the mention of Emil Steinberger, a local personality from Lucerne.
What could she have done better or differently, in the view of presentation trainer Thomas Skipwith?
a) Punctual start
The 40-minute delay should be avoided in the future.
b) Memorable end
“Thank you very much for your attention. is an run-of-the-mill closing. Recommendation: An appeal, e.g. with the words: “To democracy, continuity and peace. “To our Constitution of 1848. To the birthday of Switzerland”.
c) Dialect
She spoke in easily understandable High German. As a Valaisan, a short interjection in the Valaisan dialect would certainly have gone down well.
Recommendations to the organizers
The audience from the 2nd row on could hardly see Mrs. Amherd. An elevation or platform for the speaker would be recommended.
Conclusion
It was worth the trip to Lucerne to hear Mrs. Amherd’s keynote speech. Also as an example of what you can do right in a keynote speech.
To attractive speeches!
Your
Thomas Skipwith
P.S.: Last minute checklist for your speeches: In this blog post.
Book recommendation
In the following book, you will find the tools, systems, and tips that will make you a persuasive speaker. So that you need less time for preparation and present with more confidence.
If you want support for a speech or presentation, please let me know (+41 41 630 39 90).
If you would like to have tips and tricks regularly by e-mail (in German), then sign up to the Trainingletter – but it’s confidential:-).
The thrill of success: Master your nervousness in business presentations with these 10 tips.
You can make a positive impression with a convincing business presentation. It sounds so simple – if it weren’t for the nervousness that throws a spanner in the works. Here are 10 proven tips to help you handle your own nervousness with confidence.
1. preparation is the key
Preparation is always forgotten, underestimated or not prioritized enough. Solid preparation gives you confidence and reduces nervousness. Rehearse your presentation thoroughly and prepare for possible questions.
2. develop a positive attitude
Zig Ziglar, an American motivational and sales trainer, coined a term that has been with me since I was a teenager: “stinking thinking.” Instead, look at the presentation as an opportunity to showcase your knowledge and skills. Consider it a privilege to present your knowledge to the audience. After all, not everyone gets this chance. Therefore, try to turn your nervousness into excitement and energy.
3. breathe deeply in and out
This is what I learned years ago in Aikido training: pay attention to your breath. This also applies to business presentations. Focus on your breathing before the presentation. Slow, deep breaths help relieve stress and calm the body.
4. visualize the success
Do as the successful athletes do: vividly imagine yourself performing with confidence and poise. This mental image helps to increase self-confidence and reduce nervousness to a tolerable level.
5. keep eye contact
During the presentation, seek eye contact with the friendly looking audience. This creates a connection and diverts your attention from the nervousness.
6. speak consciously
Make sure your pronunciation is clear and distinct. Take your time when speaking and avoid speaking too fast. A calm and controlled voice has a professional and reassuring effect on you and the audience.
7. taking breaks helps against nervousness
Deliberately build pauses into your presentation to collect yourself and relax. Use these moments to take a deep breath and organize your thoughts. Take a sip of water. You will automatically breathe properly before and after drinking.
8. interact with the audience
Ask questions of the audience or ask for feedback. This creates an interactive atmosphere and diverts attention away from you and your own nervousness.
9. posture and gestures
Stand tall and confident to have a positive aura. Use your hands and gestures to support your words. An open body posture looks self-confident. Body and mind work in sync. When you put your body in a confident posture, you immediately feel more confident. Try it out right away. Take a bent posture once, then an upright one. Can you feel the difference?
10. accept nervousness as normal
Remember that nervousness is something normal that many people experience before and during presentations. Accept and embrace your nervousness instead of fighting it. After all, a presentation is not a walk in the park.
Book recommendation
For more in-depth tips on dealing with nervousness, such as the current grip, I recommend the following book:
If I can support you for a speech or presentation, please let me know (+41 41 630 39 90).
If you would like to have tips and tricks regularly by e-mail (in German), then sign up to the Trainingletter – but it’s confidential:-).
