Tuesday, July 4, 2006

Engineers' Workshop - Inspire Your Audience

Finally, I delivered my CTM "graduation speech" as Competent Toastmaster to cap the meeting in the Engineers Presentation Skills Workshop. The Engineers' Workshop was envisioned to help ON Semiconductor engineers improve in English proficiency as well as develop general presentation skills. Club Toastmasters Dr. Noy, Dan Benig, Gerry Ong, Mic Tuason and Roxy Borromeo as well as the engineers' supervisors helped in the coaching and mentoring of this group.

In attendance in today's meeting were Gerry Ong, Mic Tuason, Dr. Noy Josef, Doris Asis, Leo Lim, Elvis Abellera, Ana Dichoso, Dino Pasturan and other engineers. My speech, entitled "In the Eyes of a Child, A Vision of Hope" was evaluated by Dr. Noy. The speech is #10 in the basic manual - "Inspire Your Audience".

Inspire Your Audience-Sample Speech, "In the Eyes of a Child, A Vision of Hope"

In the Eyes of a Child, A Vision of Hope
(Inspire Your Audience - Speech Project #10 in the Competent Communication Manual, Jul.4,2006, ON Semiconductor, Technical Audience. Evaluated by Dr. Noy Josef, ATM-G)


INTRODUCTION

Just a few weeks ago, school started for the year 2006-2007. Is there anybody here who has kids in school? Yes? RJ, how many kids do you have in school? Anybody else? Doris, how many kids do you have in school.

Well, I have 4 kids in school. I have one in Kindergarten, one in the Fourth Grade and 2 kids in High School. As some of the parents here know, spending for kids education in this country has become increasingly difficult.

And to think, we, who are gainfully employed are the lucky ones. In the opening of classes this year, we heard again, the usual gripes of many public school teachers and parents alike - not enough classrooms, not enough school buildings, not enough teachers.

Not enough of anything to educate the Filipino child.

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Jun 27, 2006 Presentation Skills Training - Persuade with Power

My prepared speech today is entitled, "Jewels at the Podium" for the Persuade with Power speech project. The title is a play on words on a currently rating Korea-novela with the title "Jewels in the Palace". This speech is about tips in public speaking, hence it was quite relevant to the audience.

The audience was composed of engineers and management employees who were attending a presentation skills workshop. Many in the audience related well with the topic as shown by the visible interest on their faces.

The evaluator, Doc Noy, found the speech very appropriate to the audience. The outline is very clear. He also noted a beautiful quotation: "Relaxation in speech delivery happens during the actual presentation." It is a manifestation of a series of practice beforehand. Previously learned skills were incorporated in this project.

A praiseworthy comment I received for this speech was "You're a STAR of ON Semiconductor TMC!". It is rather ironic that this month, June, may be the last month that the club would remain "active" in TI's records. Regular meetings have stopped and it's unlikely the club will renew.

So sad and so anticlimactic.

Persuade with Power-Sample Speech, "Jewels at the Podium"

Jewels at the Podium
(Persuade with Power - Speech Project #9 in the Competent Communication Manual, Jun.27,2006, ON Semiconductor. Evaluated by Dr. Noy Josef, ATM-G)


INTRODUCTION

Two weeks ago, a friend of mine, Alex, learned that I was working towards my CTM certification or Competent Toastmaster certification. He also learned that I’ve delivered speeches in other toastmaster clubs with different audiences in different venues.

He was amazed! He said “Wow, you probably don’t get stage fright anymore.” Well, I thought about the question for a while and I answered. “You know, actually, I still do. I don’t think it goes away.

Stage fright only shows that you’d like to do well and care enough to deliver a good speech. The key is to manage stage fright so you control it rather than it controlling you.”

Thursday, June 1, 2006

Demo Meeting for HSBC - Get Comfortable with Visual Aids

Tonight, I was part of the Demo Team that showcased the Toastmasters experience at HSBC. This is the BPO site in Alabang. I actually made a mistake and went to the HSBC bank center instead. It's a good thing that in events like these, I typically leave early to get to the destination with enough time to spare.

The speech I delivered was the Get Comfortable with Visual Aids speech project. For this, I repeated an old speech. I also prepared a nice Powerpoint presentation for my visual aids (multimedia). Evaluating me was Lt.Gov. for Marketing, Gina Mapua.

She particularly liked the visual aids (which I worked hard for, especially the transitions). This speech was a reality check on memorized speeches. Gina obviously noticed it was memorized. I couldn't help it as I practiced and delivered this speech more than I wanted already. She did suggest to use my own words on the subject matter that I knew very well.

Get Comfortable with Visual Aids-Sample Speech, "The Devil's Gardens"

The Devil's Gardens
(Get Comfortable with Visual Aids - Speech Project #8 in the Competent Communication Manual, Jun.1,2006, HSBC Call Center Alabang Demo Meeting. Evaluated by Gina Mapua, DTM)


INTRODUCTION

The Devil’s Gardens. What thoughts does the phrase evoke for you? Could it be the name of a religious ritual? Another Dan Brown moneymaker perhaps? – ala Da Vinci Code? No… no… It’s none of those. (long pause)

What I’m about to tell you is a strange phenomenon that takes place deep in the heart of the jungles of the Amazon Rainforest in Western Peru.

Thursday, May 25, 2006

Club-Hopping at KCPI, San Pedro, Laguna - Research Your Topic

It's another club-hopping day for me as I went back to Kimberly-Clark to deliver my Research Your Topic speech project entitled, "Because it is There!". My Toastmasters club on ON Semiconductor hardly meets anymore and I am now just relying on opportunities to club-hop and deliver my speeches.

Khris Albano was today's General Evaluator and also evaluated my speech. He was one of the contestants in the Speech Evaluation Contest where I was Test Speaker and delivered my Get to the Point speech.