REASONS I’M NOT A TOASTMASTER

Jeanne Trojan@jmtcz

I’m a presentation trainer and coach.

I help my clients create and

deliver outstanding

businesspresentations.

So, I’m often asked…

Why aren’t you a

Toastmaster?

Because Toastmasters isn’t about business

presentations.

There are three reasons I believe this.

Toastmasters is about making speeches NOT presentations.

What’s the difference?

A speech is a form of one-way communication.

The speaker is sharing their

knowledge with the audience.

It really doesn’t matter who the audience is.

You can give the same speech to a variety of audiences and you don’t have to change a thing.

Business presentations are prepared for a specific

audience.

The content is based on the

needs and expectations

of each audience.

Speeches focus on the performance of the speaker.

Presentations focus on

communicating a message &

getting results.

Toastmasters places too little emphasis on the content of a speech.

StanceEye contact

Hands Gestures

DictionVoice speed/volume

Opening/ClosingStructure

Toastmaster evaluation topics

What about the message?

Every time I sit next to a

Toastmaster at a presentation, they say the same thing.

‘Did you know that the speaker said ‘um’ 37 times?!’

Umm… No, I didn’t notice because I was focusing on the speaker’s

message.

Watch Sir Ken Robinson on Ted. He says ‘um’ a lot and doesn’t have perfect body language, but his message is incredible!

I happen to like watching real people

speaking and acting

naturally.

Toastmasters are too nice.

They are not allowed to criticize.

‘… there should be no use of the “C” word – Toastmaster evaluators do not criticize – ever!’

I don’t think this is helpful when you need real

feedback to improve quickly.

An honest evaluation is not always easy to hear, but in business presentation

feedback, flattery is not the goal.

Your organization’s image and success

might depend on that presentation.

There are a lot of ways to improve your presentation skills.

Coaching

Feedback

Although Toastmasters is

a great organization for a lot of reasons.

Improving business presentation skills is NOT

one of them.

Start improving your presentations today and…

be outstanding!

Disclaimer: This slideshow is not meant as a criticism of Toastmasters as an organization. I

think it is a great way for people to lose their fear of public speaking, to join a community of like-

minded individuals or even to improve their English speaking skills.

Jeanne Trojan

jmtcz.cz

@jmtcz

Photo Credits

1. Flickr Y3llow Craig A Rodway2. Flickr Regulatory Policy Reform Crossroads Conference OECD

3. Flickr Iron sharpens iron Jeremy Wilburn4. Flickr TM Humorous & TT Dublin 2010 0106

5. Flickr 1 Duncan6. Flickr IMG 2377 Shihian

7. Flickr Red Dot Randy Gardiner Export Conference8. Flickr After the show Andrejii Stashko

9. Flickr empty seats dasmart10 & 11. Flickr Keynote audience Alex Dunne

12. Toastmaster website13. Flickr DIBI drbparsons

14. Flickr two iammikeb15. Flickr presenter Gina Nevin jimk 9999

16. Flickr Trophies and flag Bill Wards Brickpile17. Flickr IGNITE Phoenix 5 sheiladeeisme

18. Flickr Taking notes at GAAC summit 2009 somma 197719. Flickr keynote audience Alex Dunne

20. Ken Robinson Washington Speakers Bureau21. Flickr Dave McClure Scott Beale Laughing Squid

22. Flickr Number 3 Leo Reynolds23. Flickr Meridian Speakers Contest Julie70

24. Toastmasters magazine25. Flickr Streeter Seidell comedian Zach Klein

26. Flickr Blake Mycoskie aewang27. Flickr Trophies Bill Wards Brickpile

28. Toastmasters 29. Flickr Blogworld 2010 thekenyeung