(Warden in the movie Cool Hand Luke)
There is something going on here, and I for one, am not particularly crazy about it. Call it “political correctness” or call it “scared to rock the boat,” but the outcome is the same. People are reluctant to tell those in position what they need to hear.
Executives in power with titles and who are in position to make a difference (as a general observation) downright stink when it comes to communicating publically. I’m talking about public speaking…or speaking in public…or speaking period.
Bottom Line: They STINK at it. How is that for political correctness and telling those who need to hear the truth…the truth.
Yes, Mr. and Mrs. Big Shot (and your team of sales professionals), I am talking to you.
What makes this Blog Post especially poignant is the fact that I know exactly what I am talking about. You see for the last 25 years I have been listening to you babble on to your travel industry distribution network ad nausea. What you say is suspect enough. How you say it is often times embarrassing. I can tell by the way you carry yourself that you think you are pretty good. “Marchev can’t possibly be talking to me.”
Hey! This does not make you a bad person. It simply indicates your lack of respect and preparation in an area of expertise that you genuinely believe that you are pretty good at. Allow me to burst your bubble…you ain’t. Yes, I know there are exceptions out there.
Okay. I’ll prove my point if that is what you need. What book are you reading, or have you read in the last ten years dealing with the topic of public speaking? I rest my case.
You can take this little factoid to the bank. If you are the president of anything, you are a public speaker. If you are a manager of anybody, you are a public speaker. If you are a sales person selling anything, you are a public speaker. If you are the boss in any way, shape or form, you are a public speaker. So I repeat, how much effort are you putting into this element of your job responsibility?
I said I know from whence I cometh. Don’t take my word for it. Test this for yourself. The next time you present your wares to the travel agent community, say ‘thank you’. Tell them how much they as a group mean to you. Smile through the cursory applause. And then, wait three hours (10 minutes is probably sufficient) before returning to the group asking them what major take-away they absorbed resulting from the time you spent talking at them. (Notice I said “at” them and not “with” them.
Then, and I say this will all respect, get ready for a blinding flash of reality. You are about to ruin your day, week, month and perhaps even your year. You might even consider changing jobs.
“This guy has a lot of balls!” Yes, I do. And so do you if you decide to continue “winging” your way on and off the speaking dais. You have the power, the position and dare I say the responsibility to help people feed their families. Don’t take this lightly.
You need to get better when it comes to public speaking. You can get better when it comes to public speaking. And I want to help you get better at speaking to the public…your public.
Mike Marchev freely shares his experiences, strategies and observations with travel professionals in an effort to keep them on top of their game. For a complimentary copy of his 12-Word Marketing Plan send him an email at mike@mikemarchev.com.
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