Speaking: Preparing, Presenting and Following Up to Make Things Happen - CD Seminar (0.1 CEUs)

Course Description

The engineering community places a premium on the ability to deliver effective presentations and, as a result, to make good things happen. Individuals who develop speaking skills are well-rewarded in terms of span of influence, promotion, compensation, perquisites, added opportunities, and perhaps most important of all, personal satisfaction for a difficult task well done. Nevertheless, although effective presentations are needed and valued, relatively few of us voluntarily seek out speaking opportunities. Furthermore, many of the presentations that do occur are mediocre to poor – even some of those made to large audiences at regional and national conferences. We can learn effective speaking, like any other skill, through study and practice. This takes effort, as noted by minister and legislator Hugh Henry Brackenridge, who said, “In order to speak short on any subject, think long.” This one-hour webinar-on-CD will help you take concrete steps toward improving your speaking ability.

Webinar Benefits

• Build confidence
• Get your ideas, opinions, and findings “out there”: Inform and influence others
• Enhance your organization’s image/reputation
• Improve your professional opportunities
• Expand your network
• Earn one Professional Development Hour (PDH)

Intended Audience

This webinar-on-CD is for anyone who wants to improve his or her speaking ability. By doing so, we are in a better position to share our ideas and contribute to our organization and beyond.

Summary Outline

• Speaking leads to win-win-win
• “Reasons” for not speaking
• Speaking vs. writing: More channels
• Getting on the program
• Profiling the audience
• Defining your message
• Script
• Visuals and props
• Handouts
• Practice
• Listen to how you sound: The reel voice is your real voice
• Logistics verification
• Introduction
• Delivery
• Q&A
• Follow-up
• Personal action plan
• Resources for additional study