Category Archives: Toastmasters
Can’t Miss “Five Star” Presentations!
Presenting in front of colleagues, prospects or customers can be very difficult if not terrifying. But it does not have to be. As a Toastmaster for 18 months now, I am continually looking for ways to improve my presentations.
It is a work in process, and thankfully each time I get up in front of an audience is a step in the right direction.
Here are five things that I focus on each time I present:
- Preparation – I know; sounds crazy but it really does make a difference! Practice ahead of time and make sure audio-visual equipment is working before you start
- Timing and organization – Be respectful of people’s busy schedules and don’t go over time. Always have a question and answer period near the end, but close with your own summary
- Less is more – NEVER put too much information on a PowerPoint slide. Information overload tunes people out!
- What is your value – Smile often, be engaging and limit dead air. These speeches tend to get monotonous and boring. Stand out!
- Information gathering – Have a sign in sheet. This is a great way to confirm contact information and follow-up at a later date
If you want specific information on any aspect of public speaking, stop by http://www.toastmasters.org and check out the library of resources!
It’s My First “Blogiversary” Today!
I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for their support of my blog over the past year. When I started this online journey, I had no idea how it was going to go. The first year has exceeded my wildest expectations, and the cool part is I am just warming up.
Every “like”, “share”, personal comment and phone call means the world to me. So let’s keep interacting, learning from each other in year two and beyond. I tweaked my first post below way back from January 23, 2012 if you have not read my bio and want to learn more about me!
If I could ask you to “share the good word” with others in your network that would be awesome. You can also connect with me at:
http://on.fb.me/TuLrxP
(Don’t forget to “like” to stay connected!)
Google+
YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/TimMushey
My name is Tim Mushey, and those who know me well call me “Moosh”. I have decided to start this blog with a “Get to Know Me” post so you will be able to understand where the inspiration for this content came from!
I have loved to lead, motivate and inspire others for as long as I can remember. I have often been told that I have the gift of gab, and always have something to say. One of my groomsmen described me best to the guests at my wedding,
“All you have to do is say hi to Tim on the phone or in person, and next thing you know, you have all the updates on the latest TV shows, sporting events, bands and current events. Speaking to him is like flipping channels with a remote control.”
And he’s right! I’m passionate about many things in life – music, sports, my family, friends and work – and I love to share information with everyone! I believe that if I had not battled a stuttering problem all of my life, I would have a career in TV sports broadcasting in some capacity. I often envisioned myself as a sports anchor growing up!
As the son of two teachers, education has always been important to me. I achieved a Bachelor of Commerce Honours degree at the age of 22, and with my first “real job”, was managing a car rental branch by the age of 24. I took a little break after two and a half years in that fast paced business to travel to Australia and New Zealand. I was nervous leaving my family and friends, but a good friend of mine quit his job to do the same thing a few months before, and I thought that was an incredible idea! I ended up travelling for over 7 months, and the experience was better than I could have ever imagined. I made many life long friends from all over the world on that journey, and even managed to squeeze in some work experience selling encyclopedias – true story!
When I returned home in 1999, my career path lead me to outside sales and I have never looked back. It did not matter if I was selling mattresses, credit reports, electrical products, corporate parking programs or photocopiers, there was one commonality – I loved to sell! I had an exciting opportunity to manage a team of 10 reps and support staff with about 40% coverage of Canada in 2007, but changes occurred simultaneously within the organization, and I ended up declining the offer. To this day, I think back to what might have been, but deep down I know I made the right decision for my career and family. Being a Sales Manager was my dream job for many years.
Throughout the years since I completed my degree, I’ve realized that university was just the beginning of my education. So much of my success in sales didn’t come from what I’d read in text books, it has come from what I have learned in the field. Each role, and each account specifically has challenged me to grow each day. I have a wealth of knowledge, tools & systems that I am eager to share with others in sales, and those considering it as their profession in the future.
The internet has provided me with the ability to broadcast all over the world now. If I had affected lives in my own communities over the course of my life, why could I not affect lives everywhere in the future? I have learned to manage my stutter, and even though I still have to work on it daily, I am now ready to get in front of the camera, feel confident, and once and for all lose the words “self-conscious” from my vocabulary!
I hope you enjoy this blog. It truly comes from the heart, and was an absolute pleasure being involved in all aspects of its creation and its ever-changing content going forward!
My Quotes Week Day 3 – “Get To The Point!”
Some people just “sound” better on paper!” – Tim Mushey
I was on a webinar once, and after half an hour of the gentlemen saying how great the content was going to be, I thought of this quote.
At least if I was reading it, I could have skipped to the good stuff (if there was any)!
My Toastmasters Speech – Don’t Let Setbacks Change The Incredible You
In March of 2012, I entered the annual club contest for my Toastmasters Public Speaking group. It was a great experience, and I was runner up to a very worthy contestant. I actually had the presentation recorded that night, but “technical difficulties” prevented me from uploading it. I enjoyed the experience, and wanted to share it with you. So I recreated it from the comfort of my own home the next day.
We have all been through bumps in the roads in our lives, and the key to personal and professional success is how we fight through each setback, to still become who we really want to be.
Sell, Lead, Succeed! 