Steve’s Sales Coaching Tips
That unsettling feeling you experience before you speak is nothing more than a surge of adrenaline. This primitive defense mechanism can make your heart race and cause you to perspire. It also sharpens your physical and mental capabilities. Channeling this surge of energy and releasing the tension helps you give an outstanding performance.
Preparation
-You will be more relaxed if you know your ideas are sound and you’re prepared. A solid foundation is difficult to shake. Don’t procrastinate. Get busy now.
Practice, Practice, Practice...How Else Do You Get to Carnegie Hall?
-Amatures hate to practice. Pros know better. By practicing often, you gain confidence. Practice will eliminate the negative anticipation that creates tension. Practice out loud, in front of an audience or video camera.
Successful experience
-Seek opportunities to speak both formally and informally. Try your ideas out on friends. Speak to clubs and professional organizations. Monitor your progress, correct errors, and speak again.
-Take advantage of company training programs. Many of them offer classes and workshops on presentation techniques with plenty of opportunity for you to speak before a group.
Creative visualization
-Before you get to speak, close your eyes and recall an event in which you were in control, totally confident, and completely relaxed. Describe to yourself vividly how you felt. Include sounds, smells, colors, and emotions that were present. Next, bring these feelings to your present state of consciousness. Experience the surge of zen-ergetic relaxation that results.
-Picture yourself as a successful speaker. Paint the scene in exact detail. Your presentation is well organized, and you are thoroughly prepared. Your audience is attentive. You have them in the palm of your hand. Remember, you were asked to speak for a reason. You know more about some aspect of the subject than anyone in the room. You have something important to give them.
Relaxation techniques
-Isometrics. Perform simple tensing and relaxing exercises. For example, clench your fists for a count of ten. Release, relaxing your entire body. The contrast between tensing and releasing promotes relaxation.
-Controlled breathing. Take deep, full breaths, allowing your lungs to expand fully. Exhale slowly and deliberately. Little by little, your mental state will adjust to match your physical calm.
-Avoid caffeine or other stimulants before speaking.
Talking to individuals
-Remember that the audience is made up of individuals. Think of your presentation as a conversation.
-Seek out friendly faces. Lock in on one pair of eyes. Talk to that person until you complete a thought. Then move on to another.
Remember:
You can rely on preparation, practice, and positive experience to minimize your natural tension. The key is to channel your energy and make it work for you.
Preparation
-You will be more relaxed if you know your ideas are sound and you’re prepared. A solid foundation is difficult to shake. Don’t procrastinate. Get busy now.
Practice, Practice, Practice...How Else Do You Get to Carnegie Hall?
-Amatures hate to practice. Pros know better. By practicing often, you gain confidence. Practice will eliminate the negative anticipation that creates tension. Practice out loud, in front of an audience or video camera.
Successful experience
-Seek opportunities to speak both formally and informally. Try your ideas out on friends. Speak to clubs and professional organizations. Monitor your progress, correct errors, and speak again.
-Take advantage of company training programs. Many of them offer classes and workshops on presentation techniques with plenty of opportunity for you to speak before a group.
Creative visualization
-Before you get to speak, close your eyes and recall an event in which you were in control, totally confident, and completely relaxed. Describe to yourself vividly how you felt. Include sounds, smells, colors, and emotions that were present. Next, bring these feelings to your present state of consciousness. Experience the surge of zen-ergetic relaxation that results.
-Picture yourself as a successful speaker. Paint the scene in exact detail. Your presentation is well organized, and you are thoroughly prepared. Your audience is attentive. You have them in the palm of your hand. Remember, you were asked to speak for a reason. You know more about some aspect of the subject than anyone in the room. You have something important to give them.
Relaxation techniques
-Isometrics. Perform simple tensing and relaxing exercises. For example, clench your fists for a count of ten. Release, relaxing your entire body. The contrast between tensing and releasing promotes relaxation.
-Controlled breathing. Take deep, full breaths, allowing your lungs to expand fully. Exhale slowly and deliberately. Little by little, your mental state will adjust to match your physical calm.
-Avoid caffeine or other stimulants before speaking.
Talking to individuals
-Remember that the audience is made up of individuals. Think of your presentation as a conversation.
-Seek out friendly faces. Lock in on one pair of eyes. Talk to that person until you complete a thought. Then move on to another.
Remember:
You can rely on preparation, practice, and positive experience to minimize your natural tension. The key is to channel your energy and make it work for you.
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