Speaking of Empowerment

Because business speakers offer innovation, a new point of view and motivation, the companies that employ them are typically prestigious and successful. They are usually very successful entrepreneurs themselves, with expertise in their field, whether it be manufacturing, technology or simply man management.  They are also trained public speakers, meaning that they know who to capture an audience’s attention and keep it.

Many people, particularly managers tasked with organising corporate events are unsure as to whether their event warrants the use of business speakers, so here are a few examples of the sort of event which could benefit from business speakers.

Training days are one event which could be improved. When new techniques and working practices are being introduced, business speakers can bring anecdotal and statistical evidence of their successful implementation elsewhere. Furthermore, the business speakers might be experts in that particular field and may be able to offer information and insight that the company manager could not.

During business takeovers tensions can often run high. Business speakers with knowledge of team work training might be able to ease the tensions as well as offering advice on training new and existing staff.

Business and industry departments of universities and colleges can also make use of business speakers. At graduation ceremonies or workshop days, the speakers can be invited to speak for a short while about their experiences offering advice to students and teachers alike. Such speakers could also attend graduation and award ceremonies in order to motivate students and inspire them as they begin their careers.

In reality, the number of events at which business speakers can bring something new, fresh and inspirational to the table are limitless. Any company which carefully considers the investment of paying for the speakers against the outcomes is sure to be impressed with the business speakers’ performance.

Not everyone can comfortably speak or perform in front of a lot of people. For some, it can even be a frightening experience which is to be avoided at all costs. Stage fright or performance anxiety affects a lot of people and some of the symptoms include anxiety and paranoia before, during and after a performance.

Even keynote and business speakers who are experienced and trained in public speaking can suffer from anxiety before a speech. While some people have the ability and presence of mind to remain cool and composed in stressful situations, most of us are geniuses as far as coming up with all the negative thoughts that may happen before and/or during a performance.

The context of the performance will often play a role in the amount of nerves someone experiences. A speaker can feel more or less anxious depending on whether they are on the stage by themselves, the number of people in the audience and if the evaluation is important for career prospects among other factors. For a larger audience, the speaker might experience more nerves. In a job interview, the applicant is more nervous in front of the manager than the secretary.

Variations Of Anxiety.

1.     Most common among sufferers of performance anxiety is a fluttery, unsettled sensation which slowly dies down once the speech has begun. When the speaker begins to feel calmer, this shows that they are able and willing to perform and the adrenaline may even make them better.

2.     Reactive anxiety is something which happens when the speaker or performer is not prepared enough or they do not have any public speaking skills. This will go away with practise and experience and of course, more public speaking. Business speakers get better in this way.

3.     What is most common with stage fright are the physical and emotional signs which can include sweating and shaking, an uneven voice, fear and panic and a quick heart rate. The thought that you will be unsuccessful at the speech is what causes these reactions.

Positive thinking is a way that the anxiety can be alleviated as they no longer think their performance will be bad. The performer should learn to accept the fear but use breathing exercises and practise to overcome the fearful triggers. You may discover that fear still remains, but you notice that you can handle it, as you are beginning to get the sense of enjoyment from your performance and from connecting with others.