Newsletter Date Volume 1, Issue 1

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Northern Beaches Toastmasters Club Moving forward, getting ahead

Thought of the month “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others

make it happen.” Anon  

Chatter on a Platter

Palms to the Front (by Michelle Bowden)

Allan Pease gives an excellent Ted Talk on how hand gestures completely change the audience’s perception of a person’s presentation. In his talk Pease repeats the same script over and over. The only thing he changes is his hand positioning and the posture of his upper torso: open chest with either palms showing, palms hidden, or pointed finger. The speech delivered with palms showing was remembered by 40% more people and the speaker was described as likeable and friendly. Palms hidden was described as authoritative and using the index finger elicited the most negative response and least retention. Do you have mannerisms that might be hindering your ability to sell your message?

Excellence Award – Beverley Barber Best Speech Award – Jan Vecchio President’s Pick – Deanna Morpurgo

CHATTER ON A PLATTER January – February 2015

February’s meeting at Club Totem was chaired by Deanna Morpurgo, and as we would expect from Deanna “Love was in the Air” Deanna had styled the restaurant with heart shaped balloons, an agenda decorated with lots of hearts, heart shaped chocolates in an organza pouch To complement it, we all ate a “hearty” meal. The food was fantastic, the atmosphere warm and caring, and the evening very entertaining. Everyone incorporated the love theme into their assignments, and Steve Barber facilitated a rather risqué table-topics session. It’s a good job we are all over 21!!!! So in keeping with the evening I hope everyone had a lovely St Valentines Day and look forward to seeing you at our next meeting on 24 March 2015 which will be chaired by Reg Stewart. Regards Sharon

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Six core skills of a leader who develops talent

A key role of a leader is to develop the skills and talent of your team. Leaders focus on coaching team members by developing strengths and maximizing capacity. 6 core coaching skills: Self-awareness and energy management

• Develop awareness of your energy state • Notice the impact of your energy on others • Manage energy before conversations. How are you approaching this

conversation? • Monitor and manage energy during conversations. Watch for joy and

frustration during powerful conversations Curious questioning

• Invite input and expect differing opinions • Seek to understand the values, assumptions and goals of others • Pursue new ways of seeing by inviting others in

Open listening • Remain respectful when others speak. Reject personal assumptions

and expectations • Listen for aspiration. What motivates them? • Watch body language and monitor emotions. How do they feel and

what does that say about this topic? Appreciate discovery

• Look for untapped talents, strengths and capabilities • Explore new options and opportunities for service • Generate enthusiasm by connecting with aspiration and motivation

Catalytic feedback • Talk about what’s working and what’s getting in the way • Set achievable goals and celebrate small wins • Reinforce positive behaviour with praise

Heightened engagement • Stay focused on results while building relationships • Define success together, agree on next steps, and how progress will

be reviewed • Review progress, identify relevant learning and celebrate achievement

(Adapted from Coaching for Engagement)

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Birthday Celebratio

ns

18th June Guy Loucks 5th July David Tomlinson

Persuasion Tip Trust If you want to influence others, and you want to achieve a result that makes both you and your stakeholder happy, it’s essential that you build trust. q Be sure to do what

you say you will q Be genuine q Be open q Be honest q Be transparent q Be reliable It’s a basic human need to connect with others. Connection occurs when we believe in the other person, we feel safe and we expect the person to protect us and do something in our best interest. If you ever do the wrong thing by another be sure to say you’re sorry and commit to make a positive change. Then be sure to be consistent. Trust is proven over time, through consistency and openness, through proven actions which are predictable. Trust is an essential part of influence. If people don’t trust you, they won’t choose to do what you say.

Tips from a Professional Speaker (Murray Altham – Professional Speaker)

   

HAPPY  FEBRUARY  BIRTHDAY    to  Sharon  Austin,    Kevin  Huang    and        

      Steve  Barber      

Murray Altham has been working with health and peak performance for 30 years. He is a keynote speaker and workshop facilitator, energising audiences to explore the unrestrained possibilities of their potential. Murray is the Author of Choose Excellent Health, “the simplest book about health on the planet” www.peakperformancebubble.com

These are Murray’s tips when speaking in business.

q Be prepared to the level that if the projector blows up, the microphone doesn’t work, you spill coffee on your clothes and the aircon dies in the middle of summer, you can STILL deliver a great presentation full of bold flavour and rich content.

q Connect with your audience. The most effective way to connect is to find common ground.

q Have a clear picture of your desired outcome. What behaviour change or life enhancement will make this a successful investment of time for your audience.

q Look good, smell good, polish your shoes. q Every presenting environment is different so arrive early to be

confident in your surroundings. q Warm up your voice. A prepared relaxed voice is easier to listen

to and protects your asset. q Keep slides to a minimum. q Know you are there to serve the audience. Take them on a

rewarding journey with your expertise. q Help your audience feel safe and confident to explore ideas outside

their comfort zone. q Have fun, know your stuff and relax! People learn best when they’re

enjoying themselves and you’ll have a good time too.

For more information take a look a Murray’s book called Choose Excellent Health

(Adapted from www.michelleboweden.com.au How to present Feb 2014)

February meeting took place at Club Totem, Balgowlah

Welcome to all

Club Executive Committee Members

President: Jan Vecchio DTM VPE: Jan Veccchio DTM VPPR: Sharon Austin ACB VPM: Errol Byrnes Secretary: Sue Loucks ACS, ALB Treasurer: Kevin Huang SAA: Steve Barber ACS

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Northern Beaches Toastmasters Club moving forward, getting ahead

PO  Box  1360  Dee  Why  NSW  2099  Publisher  and  Editor  –  Sharon  Austin  

0408254033  sharon_austin@hotmail.com    

Meetings  are  held  at  various  restaurants  on  the  northern  beaches  of  Sydney  on  the  4th  Tuesday  of  each  month  –  6.30pm  for  7.00pm  

 

Forward Planner – to June 2015 1 March – District 70 Speakers’ Forum and Sunday Seminar 8 March – Hawkesbury Division Contests at Optus Corporate Offices, 1 Lyonpark Road, Macquarie Park 24 March – Club meeting – Chairman Reg Stewart 22 April – Club meeting – club officer nominations – Chairman Brian Paull 15,16,17 May - District 70 Annual Conference, Bankstown 26 May – Club meeting – club officer elections – Chairman Kathy Stewart 23 June – Club meeting – Changeover Dinner – Denise Tomlinson  

• Conference Speaking tip

o Arrive early It’s always best to allow yourself plenty of time to settle in and get “in the zone” before your presentation. Extra time ensures you won’t be late and gives you plenty of time to adapt to your presentation space.

Club Mission We provide a

supportive and positive learning

experience in which members are

empowered to develop

communication and leadership skills,

resulting in greater self-confidence and

personal growth.

Thank you to Michelle Bowden www.michellebowden.com.au for permission to adapt articles from her How to Present magazine. Miichelle is an expert in persuasive Presentation skills in business. She has run her 2 day Persuasive Presentation Skills Masterclass over 660 times and has been nominated for Educator of the yeor 7 years running. Michelle is one of only 35 Australian females who is a Certified Speaking Professeional – the highest Designation speakers in the world.