Rich Watts

July 26, 2010

What’s your story? My Prince’s Trust experience

Last weekend I spent the day with a group of young people between the ages of 17 and 23, who were all completing a 10 week Prince’s Trust challenge. These young people had all come from disadvantaged backgrounds and trouble homes, but have enrolled on the course to help them get their lives back on track and learn valuable skills that will help them to achieve their full potential.

July 22, 2010

Apologising for nerves during a speech

I’ve read a lot of articles and books that mention referring to any nerves you may have as a good way to make light of your fear during a speech. I’m not sure I agree entirely. I personally feel that this is acceptable for social speeches, such as toasts, wedding speeches.etc, but is not something you should do during a business or professional speech. Unfortunately our corporate culture does not look kindly on perceived weakness!

July 15, 2010

The night before a speech

Dave has a night out the day before the big presentation. He wakes up bleary eyed, hung over and goes and gives the presentation of his life. Dave’s lucky, a little cocky and gets away without the preparation and nerves that everyone else has about speaking. Lucky Dave. So what should the rest of us be doing the night before a big speech or presentation?

July 11, 2010

Opening a speech

The opening line in any speech is the most important. Know it, live it, breathe it every second of every day leading up to your speech.

July 5, 2010

Eye contact in public speaking

Eye contact is the simplest and often most effective way to engage an audience. For the nervous speaker it is often a hugely daunting thing to […]

June 28, 2010

Speaking in a double act

I have recently been offered the chance to speak as part of a ‘double act’. Speaking as one half of a partnership throws up all sorts […]

June 24, 2010

Public speaking for business development

In my time working in marketing I actually found that public speaking was one of the most effective tactics for business development. Speaking and educating others in large groups allows you to position yourself as an expert in your field.

June 20, 2010

Leave the lectern and improve your speech

A lot of public speaking is carried out from behind a lectern, or stood behind a desk. More often than not there is some form of furniture between you and the audience. This is a great comfort for the nervous speaker, but is hiding behind a desk or lectern reducing the impact of your speech or presentation?

June 16, 2010

Impromptu speaking tactics (Part 2)

This method is great for impromptu speaking where you have been asked a question (usually nothing too serious) and you need to fill-out your answer some what. I’ve found it’s also great for one-to-one conversations, if you find you are the person having to do all of the talking!