UNNATI

BIST - CHD
TRAINING HANDOUT

Communication Methods
&
Public Speaking

Prof. Dr. Madhavan Ph.D.,

Chairman & Managing Trustee
0 98860 67232 Email: profmadhavan@yahoo.com
Bangalore Indiranagar SKY Trust
Centre for Holistic Development
BIST – CHD Page No.
Training Communication Methods
Handout 1/8

Experts say that communication is composed of different methods: words, voice,

tone and non-verbal clues. Of these, some are more effective in delivering a
message than others. According to research, in a conversation or verbal
exchange.

Words are 7% effective

Tone of voice is 38% effective
Non-verbal clues are 55% effective.

Non-verbal clues include:

Body language (e.g., arms crossed, standing, sitting, relaxed, tense),
Emotion of the sender and receiver (e.g., yelling, speaking provocatively,
enthusiastic)
Other connections between the people (e.g., friends, enemies, professional
similarities or differences, personal similarities or differences, age similarities or
differences, philosophical similarities or differences, attitudes, expectations).

In other words, WHAT you say is not nearly as important as HOW you say it!
A dull message delivered by a charismatic person, filled with energy and
enthusiasm will be accepted as brilliant.

An excellent message delivered by someone who is not interested in the topic,

will not engage the enthusiasm of its intended audience. One of the classic
examples of great verbal communications is Dr. Martin Luther King's I Have a
Dream. Why was it such a great speech? It was filled with powerful visual images
that provoke strong emotions, delivered with passion by someone who captured
the dreams of an entire race. Over time, the speech has transcended its original
message to be a message of hope for all people, regardless of race.

Prof. Dr. Madhavan Ph.D., Bangalore 0 98860 67232 Email: profmadhavan@yahoo.com

BIST – CHD Page No.
Training Communication Methods
Handout 2/8

COMMUNICATION ELEMENTS
Elements of speaking

Body language

Voice quality

Intention

Manner: directness, sincerity

Dress and clothing (style, color, appropriateness for situation)

Visual aids, animation

Eye contact

Emotional content, energy, strength

Self-concept

Concept of others

Listening, hearing the underlying message

Speaking from the heart

Energy

Setting, time, place, timing

How the messenger holds the message

Sensitivity

Rhythm and pacing

Attitude and confidence

Rapport

Agenda

Purpose of communication - knowing what you want to communicate

Clarity

Silence, centering, looking

Prof. Dr. Madhavan Ph.D., Bangalore 0 98860 67232 Email: profmadhavan@yahoo.com

BIST – CHD Page No.
Training Communication Methods
Handout 3/8

Elements of Listening

Attentiveness to speaker

Eye contact

Intention be fully awake and aware

Openness: to other person and your own

Paying attention

Listening to yourself

Feedback

Body language

Change in pattern

Expectations about person speaking, about their

Distortions in sending and receiving messages

Prof. Dr. Madhavan Ph.D., Bangalore 0 98860 67232 Email: profmadhavan@yahoo.com

BIST – CHD Page No.
Training Public Speaking
Handout Be a Better Speaker 4/8

At one point or another, many of us are called upon to do some public speaking.
The way we present ourselves is important because it is representative of who we
are, our competencies, and how people will view our work / businesses.
The truth is, majority of people can improve their speaking skills dramatically simply
by focusing on eliminating the negatives from their speaking before even thinking
about adding anything else.
Here are some simple rules to help you improve your speaking skills and give you
better presentations, and thus, better results in your work / business / life.

1. Keep it simple: Speak naturally, Make eye contact, Don’t fiddle with your
hands
2. Be passionate: No matter what you speak about, people want to know that
you are excited about it. Now, don’t fake it, but let you passion come through!
3. Balance the format of your information: Don’t try to cram too much
into the presentation. Instead, when speaking, cover the basics and leave the
details to a handouts that can be read later. Use a PowerPoint slide or a few but
don’t overdo it.
4. Manage the relationships beforehand: If at all possible, get to know the
people who will be listening to you prior to your presentation. This will give them
a built-in trust of you and what you have to say.
5. Show, don’t tell: Show them with stories, examples and personal
experience. Don’t just list facts.
6. Get rid of distracting idiosyncrasies: Ummms and Ahhhs have got to
go. So does jingling coins in your pockets.
7. Know your material: Nothing beats having the material down pat. If you do,
it will cover a multitude of other problems that may arise.
8. Get the audience to participate at varying levels for
effectiveness. You can use different methods, such as taking time to work
alone or with a partner, feedback on certain points or questions and answers.

Prof. Dr. Madhavan Ph.D., Bangalore 0 98860 67232 Email: profmadhavan@yahoo.com

BIST – CHD Page No.
Training Public Speaking
Handout Be a Better Speaker 5/8

9. Don’t misinterpret people’s response and get discouraged: You

never know why a person may not be listening or get up and walk out. There are lots
of reasons that have nothing to do with you or your speaking. Assume it is
something else and keep on going!
10. The most important aspect is – NEVER go longer than your
allotted time! This is the quickest way to get everyone in the room to forget all
the great things you just said. Quit on time!

SPEAKER’S CHECK LIST

1. PRIOR TO SPEECH
1.1 Preparing your speech
Topic – If at all possible speak only on what you know well.
Time limit – This gives you a guide for what you can include.
Structure
Introduction – STRONG introduction!
Body – Simple, understandable, and memorable.
Conclusion – Bring them to where you want them to be.
Anecdotes/ stories – Appropriate, not too many, carefully placed.
Facts/ information – Not too much, enough to convince.
Style
Formal – College graduation, staunch.
Informal – Small classroom, interactive.
Informational – To inform only.
Selling/ Persuading – To move the listener to action.
Motivational/ Inspirational – To move the listener to believe.
Presentation
Transcript – Boring, few can pull it off.
Notes – The best, especially if you know your material well.
Without notes – Too much room for TROUBLE.
Powerpoint etc. – Just know the pro’s and cons. Backup!
Goals – What, exactly, do you want to accomplish with this speech?

Prof. Dr. Madhavan Ph.D., Bangalore 0 98860 67232 Email: profmadhavan@yahoo.com

BIST – CHD Page No.
Training Public Speaking
Handout Be a Better Speaker 6/8

1.2. Understand your audience

Size – Will determine style.
Age(s) – May determine style.
Background – Determines understanding, bias, etc.
Profession(s) – May determine understanding, bias, etc.
Why they are there – May affect receptivity, level of response.
What will have happened just before your speech? - Atmosphere.
What will be happening right after your speech? - Expectations.
Level of expertise in the subject - Know how exact you must be.
Formality of dress – Don’t be underdressed or overdressed.
Decision-makers – Are they? Can this group of people act on information?
1.3. Other notes
Rest – Get enough.
Eat – Very light.
Dress – Always be dressed in the top 10%

2.DURING THE SPEECH

2.1 Introduction
Get their attention – Make them think they should listen.
2.2 Language
“Insider-eese” – Make sure they understand.
Education – Don’t speak on a different level.
Slang – Only for effect, the rest MUST go.
Pronunciation – Work on clear pronunciation.
Clarity – They need to hear you.
Speed – Delicate balance, don’t slur words.
Pace – Change it up, it keeps them listening.
Volume – See pace.
Ums and ahs – Ummm, it’s best to eliminate them.
Pet words – Brings diversity if used selectively.

Prof. Dr. Madhavan Ph.D., Bangalore 0 98860 67232 Email: profmadhavan@yahoo.com

BIST – CHD Page No.
Training Public Speaking
Handout Be a Better Speaker 7/8

2.3 Body
Keep it simple – best to move too little than too much.
Relax – People are looking at your face, relax.
Drink water – Dry-mouth can ruin a speech.
Eyes – Keep them moving, like you’re checking your mirrors.
Face – Smile! Except at a funeral.
Hands: Where to put them – Podium, pockets, folded.
Don’t move them too much – Distracting.
Gestures – Make sure they match your words.
Feet – Steady, purposeful movement.
Shoulders – Good posture helps confidence and breathing.

2.4 Style
Formal/ Informal - Affects the way you go about the speech.

2.5 Audience
Participation
Questions – Best to hold them until the end.
Feedback – Controlled, call on hands.
Activities – Always takes longer than you count on.
It’s all in the eyes – Where are they looking? Not you? Bored.
Changing midstream – If you’ve lost them, improvise a bit.
Conclusion: What do you want from it? End powerfully. Call for something.

3. AFTER THE SPEECH

3.1 Questions
Written – Best. Controlled.
From the floor – Risky. Be sure you are good.

Prof. Dr. Madhavan Ph.D., Bangalore 0 98860 67232 Email: profmadhavan@yahoo.com

BIST – CHD Page No.
Training Public Speaking
Handout Be a Better Speaker 8/8

3,2 Follow-up
Individuals – If you can, talk to as many as possible. Future clients.
Exchange numbers – Always get the contact information!
Follow-up – Call, write, email. Don’t just think about them.
Company/ group that hired or sponsored you
Pleased? - Ask how you might improve.
Not-pleased? – Make it up to them. Ask about improvement.
Sales - Ask for the sale.
Follow-up – Same as with individuals.
Letter of recommendation – Get one for your records.

10 Golden Rules

1. Take 3 – 5 deep breaths. (oxygenate yourself)

2. Start with a bang ( get everybody’s attention )
3. Get some audience participation.
4. Tell them what you are going to tell them. Then Tell them. Finally tell them
what you have told.
5. Never read anything from a paper, except some quotations.
6. Be a Light House. ( Move eye contact )
7. Use PAMPERS ( Projection, Articulation, Modulation, Pronunciation,
Enunciation, Repetition, Speed )
8. Watch your Mannerisms.
9. Stick to the time plan.
10. End with a bang ( not a Whimper )

Prof. Dr. Madhavan Ph.D., Bangalore 0 98860 67232 Email: profmadhavan@yahoo.com