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Communication Matters Newsletter

Spring is in the air!

 

 

 

In central North Carolina, spring is (finally!) underway. Apologies to our friends in the Northeast still digging out from their late snowstorms, but spring in the south is a glorious time. There are buds on the trees. The temperatures are bearable to watch sports outdoors comfortably. The geese are pairing up and nesting. The use of Allegra is a daily activity.  Well, it's mostly glorious.

 

But these are just signs of spring. A few months ago, when we didn't see any evidence of life, that was just what we SAW. Trees were still alive, with all the potential of flowers and fruit in their chilled sap. Geese were present, just not as visible, hunkered down in groups (side note: why don't geese migrate anymore?). And my allergies were alive and well - it was the lack of allergens that made life a little more bearable.

 

There are important life truths here. A process takes change in environment and an instigator to get moving. And unless we take care to offer an artificial environment, things go dormant with astonishing regularity and predictability.

 

The same is true for our skills, and since you're subscribed to this newsletter because of your interest in communication, it's true of your speaking skills. In my experience, most people are content (or at least paralyzed to inaction) with their current skillset. There is no compelling reason to move forward, so they do not. They are good enough. Their communication abilities -- though there is massive potential lurking under the surface - sit dormant, operating on only a small part of their possibility.

 

The solution is to have a speaker spring! A thawing of the old, and a birth of the new. We regularly challenge you in this space to pursue techniques and practices that will stretch you. The best "spring" for a speaker is a review.

  • Turn on that video camera and watch yourself.
  • Find a group of trusted friends to run new ideas and techniques by. 
  • Sign up (even volunteer!) for a new opportunity that will stretch you and force you into a new behavior.

And taking the analogy one step further, the burning heat of summer is just a few months away.  If the plants and animals (and speakers!) don't prepare now with their new shoots and roots and skills, they will not be able to withstand the pressures of the harshest conditions.  The time to prepare... is now.

 

And that's no April Fools.

Joker.stockexchange

 

 


Speaking tip of the month 


When smiling, pressing your tongue (lightly) against the roof of your mouth just behind your teeth will cause the edges of your mouth to turn upward.  This gives the appearance of a larger and more inviting smile, which is a good experience for the audience.  It takes practice, and won't feel natural, but you'll be a more inviting and happier (looking) presenter as a result.

 

Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Twitter for more tips!  


It's Conference Season!        


Spring is Conference season. Do you have a presentation or talk to give? Don't leave the huge opportunity of a speaking engagement to chance... One-on-one speaker coaching may be just right for you. Coaching relationships do not require you to travel or be located in Raleigh. Video review and Skype coaching calls can be quite effective. Learn more about our coaching packages here.

It's conference season for us too! Alan Hoffler, founder and director of MillsWyck Communications is available for keynote presentations at your company or organization. Alan uses the skills he teaches to craft authentic, custom messages that energize and motivate audiences. If your organization needs a speaker for its upcoming conference, contact us.

April 2015
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Upcoming Workshops

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April 27-28 
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June 8-9
July 27-28
Sep 14-15
Oct 26-27
Dec 7-8

Two days that will change your life!  This highly interactive, hands-on workshop gives you the skills to face an audience and deliver content in a clear, concise, and compelling manner. Close that deal, give that career-changing presentation, or motivate your audience to action. Speak with confidence, power, and ease. Limited seating.

Upcoming Speaking Events

 

Presentation Summit

September 27-30
New Orleans
Alan will be presenting at the National Presentation Summit on two topics:  "How Speakers do right when everything goes wrong!" and "What NOT to Say."  Join him in the French Quarter!

Association for Talent Development (ATD-RTA)
April 23
Raleigh, NC
Register.

BAM Luncheon
May 20
Raleigh, NC
Topic:  Sound Like You Feel

Speaking

 

 

If you need a speaker for your next corporate meeting or professional organization, contact us at [email protected]. Check out our keynotes or have us customize a presentation or workshop for your group.

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Find out more about our public workshops, corporate training, private coaching, and keynote speaking at www.millswyck.com. 
MillsWyck Communications
Communication  matters.  What  are  YOU saying?
  
Alan Hoffler, Philorator (Teacher & Lover of Speaking)
(919) 386-9238 

Alan Hoffler is the Executive Director and Principal Trainer at MillsWyck Communications.  He is a Trainer, Speaker, Author, and Coach who passionately moves others to effective and engaging communication.Follow me on Twitter