9 Tips for Handling Public Speaking Questions
How you handle questions from an audience can often be the deciding factor as to how your presentation is received. If you’re pitching for business, then it’s absolutely vital to handle questions well.
1. Be prepared for questions - When you write your presentation, think about what you’re likely to be asked and what your answer is going to be. Maybe you won’t want to answer a particular question there and then, so think about what you’ll say to satisfy the questioner.
2. Make it clear at the start - You may decide to take questions as you go or at the end of your presentation. Whatever you decide, make it clear at the start and don’t change your mind. I would suggest questions at the end in a short presentation; if you take questions as you go, then your timing will get knocked out. And always remember, an audience won’t forgive you for taking half an hour when you were only scheduled to speak for fifteen minutes.
3. Never finish with questions - Far better to ask for questions five or ten minutes before the and, deal with the questions and then summarise for a strong finish. Too many presentations finish on questions and the whole thing goes a bit flat - particularly if you don’t get any.
4. Listen - When asked a question, listen and look like your listening. It may be something you’ve heard a million times before. Treat the questioner with respect and don’t trivialize their point.
5. Thank the questioner - It’s only polite, it shows respect and it gives you a bit more time to consider your answer.
6. Repeat the essence of the question - Some people may not have heard the question so your answer may not make any sense to them. It can also be irritating for them not to hear the question. Again, it gives you more time to think of the answer and it makes you look so clever and in control.
7. Answer to everyone - Don’t fall into the trap of only answering the questioner. If they happen to be near the front then you could end up having a conversation with them and exclude everyone else.
8. Keep it simple - Many speakers, when it comes to questions, have become more relaxed and the fact that someone is interested enough to ask them a question, leads them to go on too long with the answer - DON’T.
9. Don’t bluff or bluster - If you don’t know the answer to a question, say so and find out. Suggest to the questioner that you’ll ‘phone them or come and see them with the answer. It can even be a good way to make further contact after the presentation.
As we all know, it’s possible that you may not be asked any questions and you then have that awkward silence. People may be thinking about what you’ve just said and may need more time to ask. They may also be a bit shy and may take a few minutes to speak out. Why not have a question of your own prepared and say something like. “You may be asking yourself………?”
If you still fail to get any questions then go straight into your summary and closing statement. Handling a question and answer session well, demonstrates your professionalism and reflects on your message.
author:Alan Fairweather
9 Keys to an Effective Logo
The right logo, with the right characteristics, will boost your visibility, credibility and memorablity which means more business for you!
These characteristics include:
Consistency in use of your logo, tagline, materials. Repetition of similar elements, used in the same or similar ways, helps people to remember who you are and what you do.
Memorability, so that your logo stays at the forefront of your potential clients’ minds. That way, they’ll think of you next time they have a need.
Meaningfulness, so that your logo can spread the message about the distinguishing characteristics of your business.
Uniqueness, which helps you stand out from the crowd. For example, if everyone in your industry uses a particular symbol (i.e., travel agencies often use globes in their logos), try to use something else that way, your logo doesn’t just look like everyone else’s.
Professionalism, in the quality of the graphics, the printing and the paper on which your materials are printed.
Timelessness in your logo will ensure that you don’t have to redesign your logo in just a few years and that your investment and equity in your design will be lasting.
Differentiation between the colors in your logo and not just in terms of hue, but in terms of value as well, so that it translates well either to black and white or greyscale and colorblind people are able to see it.
Unity among the different elements in the logo. The logo must fit together as a single unit, and not just appear as a jumble of elements pasted together.
Scalability, so that your logo looks equally good on both a business card and on a sign for your business (or a billboard!), and at every size in between. Your business’s name should be legible at different logo sizes be sure that your designer chooses a font that is easily readable.
Having a professionally designed logo can really give your business a jumpstart and helps your business get the attention and clients you need to succeed.
author:Erin Ferree
3 Essential Elements of Operating a Successful Business
Have you ever imagined what it would be like to live your dream? A good place to start would be to recognize that there are three elements, and only three elements, that separate success from failure. If you exercise one of the elements, you might just be successful. Two and you will probably succeed. Three, and you can practically guarantee your success.
What are they? They are deceptively simple, and deep down inside you know what they are. But to purposefully write them down and use them as guides in selecting your dream business will make all the difference in the world. As you go through this exercise, you will dramatically build on your chances of success. Nowhere will it count more than right here, deciding how many of the three essential elements will qualify you to realize your dream.
1. Find a need!
Is there a market niche for your particular product or service? Does the world, or even your community, need what you have to offer? Only by sampling and testing will you be able to determine this with any degree of certainty, but we will be covering this as we go along in greater detail. The most important aspect would be to determine a Unique Selling Proposition for your product or service. Too many business owners are just trying to be me-too companies. You cannot be just like the next guy and expect to prosper in this volatile economy.
One of the most important things I learned from my Dad was, there are really only two things to consider, and next to them everything else is minor. Those two things are: (1) What do you really want? And just as, and perhaps even more important, (2) Are you willing to do whatever it takes to achieve it? What do you really, really want from this endeavor? What is your ultimate goal? Are you willing to do whatever it takes to achieve this goal? Instead of looking for a business based on how much money you can earn up-front, select a business based on your love for that endeavor. The most successful and fulfilled people are individuals who are following a dream or vision of their own. They are not just out trying to make a buck.
What opportunities can you act upon? Woolworth saw a need for small inexpensive items and opened the chain of stores that grossed billions. Wrigley started giving gum away as a bonus, and seized the chance to expand worldwide.
You must create a uniqueness to your product or service. What can you offer that no one else can offer? Is it a better warranty, improved customer service, more technical support, faster shipping, or lower price? Think of something that will set you apart from your competitors and describe in detail exactly what it is.
2. Be good at what you do.
Are you as good as, or better than, the next guy when it comes to producing/marketing your product or service? This element requires an honest self-assessment. “What are my abilities?” To determine your abilities you must take an honest inventory of yourself. Examine every possibility and be sure to include strengths and weaknesses. Will your strong points be able to let you overcome your deficits?
3. Have true passion for the business.
If there is one element you absolutely cannot do without, it is passion. Passion is an irresistible attitudinal energy that generates power. Do you have a passion for working with your particular product or service? Notice, I didn’t say “do you like what you want to do?” There are too many competitors out there who are ready, willing and able to “eat your lunch” when it comes to competing with you. They may have found the same niche that you have found. They may like what they do as much as you do. But what separates the winners from the losers is passion.
What are you really passionate about? If your answer is, “I’m passionate about making a lot of money.” That is not the right answer. Making a lot of money is consequence of engaging in a successful activity where you remain motivated long enough to be successful. The key to creating passion is to find and do what it is that you truly love. Passion is the laser-like focusing of our creative life force. We do not create passion. (Don’t confuse passion with being a workaholic. Workaholism devours while passion amplifies.)
So there they are, the three key elements to having a successful small business.
author:Michael Brassil
Financial Aid for College Students - Grants
The bad news about attending college is that it costs more than ever to attend. The College Board estimates the average four-year public college costs almost $5,000 per year to attend and a two-year public college is almost $2000. And that’s not counting the skyrocketing cost of textbooks or other class fees. The good news is there is more than $105 billion dollars available in student financial aid. Some of this money is available for free…in the form of college grants. While there are many options to consider financing your college education, this article will discuss specifically grants for college.
The most common form of Federal grant money is the Pell Grant. The amount awarded is based on your financial need and it is for undergraduate study only. Pell Grants can be awarded to part-time students. The maximum amount of a Pell Grant is $3000 per year and it can be combined with other grants or financial aid.
Another common federal grant is the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant or SEOG. Like the Pell Grant, the SEOG is awarded based on financial need and is for undergraduate study. This grant can be combined with other school grants or financial aid, but the cap is $1000 per year. Colleges and Universities often provide their own grants for students. The amount of the school grant varies, but they do take into consideration a number of factors in issuing these types of grants including: financial need, grades, merit or program of study. Please check with the college you’ve been accepted to for more information.
To be considered for any of these types of grants for college, you must complete a financial aid form known as the FAFSA. Your college will help you with this process and you can get information online. There are time deadlines in completing this application, so be sure to take that into consideration when planning your education.
Even though college costs are trending upward, there are many financial aid options for students. College grants are one of the best options since they don’t need to be repaid, however, not everyone qualifies for them. Complete a FAFSA application to determine whether you can qualify for a college grant.
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
author:Max Stein
How To Create A Mission Statement
Creating a mission statement can help you focus your business effort and do a lot of good in bringing your workforce together behind a common theme. The key to success is not just creating a mission statement, it’s living the mission statement. A mission statement identifies the major purpose that you fulfill in providing products and services to customers. Your mission statement should:
Include the reason for your business
Identify your firm’s unique ‘value added’
Reflect your firm’s core business activity
Provide a focus
Identify the purpose you fulfill
Step One — Develop your mission statement by identifying:
Stakeholder(s)
Products and Services
Unique Value Added
Stakeholders - Those people who are directly affected by the company’s successes and failures. Stakeholders could be employees, internal customers, organizational customers, external customers.
Products and Services - Items that you produce for your customers. Products and services might include consulting, training, products or services for individual use, products or services for business use.
Value Added - The key advantage you provide over the competition. Why would a customer come to your company for service? What makes your company special?
Step Two — Construct A First Draft
The [your company name] meets the [your products and services] needs of [stakeholders] by [value added].
Step Three — Refine the Mission Statement
Is it too wordy? Is it brief and to the point? Will employees remember it? Would it make sense to your stakeholders? Is it a true mission statement and not a goal? Does it inspire your organization? Does it describe your business focus and effort? Is it unique?
Step Four — Make It Visible
Post the mission statement for easy review by all employees and customers.
Step Five — Live it! This step will be easy if you’ve involved your entire group in the process.
author:Denise O’Berry