As part of giving talks and presentations, I put myself out there to a large constituency, some of whom do not agree with what I say and are critical of my message. I focus on the importance of soft skills and professional image and some people have become very successful in their professional careers without subscribing to the tenets I recommend. The majority of people who attend my talks or training are happy to receive any information to help them improve in an ever competitive world. It may be difficult to deal with negative feedback and initially it hurts a bit, but dealing with people who don’t agree with you is going to be a fact of life. Arianna Huffington, the acclaimed author and columnist says she doesn't believe in developing a thick skin, because a thick skin keeps out the good as well as the bad. Rather, she believes in letting things "in and out quickly" - acknowledging criticism but not dwelling on it.
My attitude is to take onboard everything and find out if there is something I can learn from it and then move on. We are always learning and in my business, nothing is ever strictly black or white.
On another slightly more upbeat note, and to all the men(and women) out there, a series featuring well dressed men and their approach to the daily ritual of dressing has been filmed. Do you spend this much time and effort contemplating your sartorial choices every morning? Or is this an exercise in narcissism (after all how many of us have a choice of clothes from Savile Row to choose from) and doesn’t really matter. You know which side I’m voting on so enjoy the video below.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Introducing yourself credibly
We spend a large chunk of our business lives listening to presentations, speeches and talks. How often have we heard this at the beginning of a talk. 'My name is Derek Bbanga of Public Image, I am the training manager and have been in this position for 2 years now, before that I used to work at……zzzzzz.' If your introduction is simply you reading back your CV, you will put the audience to sleep even before you’ve had a chance to get out of the gates. Ideally, you want someone else to introduce you to the audience and to set the stage for the main event. In fact listening to a great introduction of yourself will actually give you an added shot of confidence before you take to the stage.
Have you ever had difficulty finding someone to introduce you, saying 'I don't know what to say, have so-and-so do it.' Well, make it easy and write or print out your own version and give it to them. But rather than having someone read back a laundry list of your CV highlights you can instead focus on specific credentials as they relate to why you’ve been asked to speak. Add a dash of humour – most of us take ourselves way too seriously and we need to lighten up. Also nobody wants a speech before the main speech so keep the introduction brief – a minute maximum.
Jeff Koinange does a good job of introducing the guests on his show – he can make a lying, thieving, corrupt politician seem like the best thing since sliced bread by the time he’s through with his intro. The lesson here is to introduce the speaker with verve and enthusiasm, you owe it to them. He may go overboard or be a tad sycophantic but there is something to be said about looking for the positives in any guest or speaker.
And when you get up to speak after being introduced, don’t make the mistake of saying “Well, as you were told my name is Derek Bbanga, and I’m from a company called Public Image.” Just get on with your presentation or talk – try a quotation, or a startling fact to grab the audience’s attention. A short personal story is another way which serves both as an introduction to your topic and subtly signals your expertise in the area. Make sure you command your space at the beginning of any presentation with upright, open body language and by standing in the middle of the stage and close to the audience. This non-verbal communication is part of your introduction and gives you an air of competence and credibility to your audience.
Just a quick unrelated addendum to this posting - what is with the new KTN studio? The lighting is way too harsh, everyone is shining like a beacon. Also, I hope they haven't paid whomever designed the studio set - they should borrow a leaf from Citizen. Enough said
Have you ever had difficulty finding someone to introduce you, saying 'I don't know what to say, have so-and-so do it.' Well, make it easy and write or print out your own version and give it to them. But rather than having someone read back a laundry list of your CV highlights you can instead focus on specific credentials as they relate to why you’ve been asked to speak. Add a dash of humour – most of us take ourselves way too seriously and we need to lighten up. Also nobody wants a speech before the main speech so keep the introduction brief – a minute maximum.
Jeff Koinange does a good job of introducing the guests on his show – he can make a lying, thieving, corrupt politician seem like the best thing since sliced bread by the time he’s through with his intro. The lesson here is to introduce the speaker with verve and enthusiasm, you owe it to them. He may go overboard or be a tad sycophantic but there is something to be said about looking for the positives in any guest or speaker.
And when you get up to speak after being introduced, don’t make the mistake of saying “Well, as you were told my name is Derek Bbanga, and I’m from a company called Public Image.” Just get on with your presentation or talk – try a quotation, or a startling fact to grab the audience’s attention. A short personal story is another way which serves both as an introduction to your topic and subtly signals your expertise in the area. Make sure you command your space at the beginning of any presentation with upright, open body language and by standing in the middle of the stage and close to the audience. This non-verbal communication is part of your introduction and gives you an air of competence and credibility to your audience.
Just a quick unrelated addendum to this posting - what is with the new KTN studio? The lighting is way too harsh, everyone is shining like a beacon. Also, I hope they haven't paid whomever designed the studio set - they should borrow a leaf from Citizen. Enough said
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Unaenda wapi - the security situation in Kenya
Working for a security company as a watchman, gate sentry or as the front office person is for the most part a thankless task. On the job hazards include armed thugs and rude or indifferent visitors. However, as usually the first person that anyone will encounter when visiting a place of business, the majority of security staff need a crash course in soft skills and general business etiquette training. Do you ever need a sedative to calm down after engaging with one or more of these gate keepers?
Security guards literally set the tone for any visitor coming into the premises or the building or office. The ability to be warm and welcoming yet portray competency and professionalism is essential for them. I don’t necessarily need to be saluted like an army general, but certainly a smile and a friendly professional greeting is expected. “Unaenda wapi?” or “yes boss?” does not qualify under these rules of engagement. Magical words of courtesy will also go a long way in dealing with the public. Is it too much to expect a "May I please have your identification" rather than "toa ID!"
I’d also include a class in basic spoken English as part of their training. The official language of business in this country is English not Sheng or a variation of their mother tongue. Regardless of the accent, I want information that I can comprehend when that person is hopefully giving me some indispensable fact such as office floor location. And there should be no compromise on hygiene or grooming – remember they are setting the culture and tone for your business.
On another note – not to extend the wall to wall coverage of the Chilean miners rescue but I missed this fact the first time round. Apparently, on the eve of their rescue the miners requested grooming products such as hair gel, shampoo and even shoe polish. In addition to wanting to look the best for their families, they were sufficiently savvy about the image they were portraying to a world-wide audience and the importance of first impressions. What is your image when you step out of your own capsule every day into the world?
Security guards literally set the tone for any visitor coming into the premises or the building or office. The ability to be warm and welcoming yet portray competency and professionalism is essential for them. I don’t necessarily need to be saluted like an army general, but certainly a smile and a friendly professional greeting is expected. “Unaenda wapi?” or “yes boss?” does not qualify under these rules of engagement. Magical words of courtesy will also go a long way in dealing with the public. Is it too much to expect a "May I please have your identification" rather than "toa ID!"
I’d also include a class in basic spoken English as part of their training. The official language of business in this country is English not Sheng or a variation of their mother tongue. Regardless of the accent, I want information that I can comprehend when that person is hopefully giving me some indispensable fact such as office floor location. And there should be no compromise on hygiene or grooming – remember they are setting the culture and tone for your business.
On another note – not to extend the wall to wall coverage of the Chilean miners rescue but I missed this fact the first time round. Apparently, on the eve of their rescue the miners requested grooming products such as hair gel, shampoo and even shoe polish. In addition to wanting to look the best for their families, they were sufficiently savvy about the image they were portraying to a world-wide audience and the importance of first impressions. What is your image when you step out of your own capsule every day into the world?
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Be motivated to speak well
Sports has dominated the headlines for the last week as Kenya literally ran away with medals in Delhi. Cue the obligatory dancing and the off-the-cuff interviews outside the arrivals lounge at JKIA. Kenyan athletes dedicate months of training to get to the top of their careers but how much time is spent on improving their communication skills?
After running round the tartan track 24 times it might be difficult to marshal your thoughts but when the eyes of the entire commonwealth (not to mention the marketing managers of any number of products) are on you, you might want to sound somewhat articulate. Mind you some of the questions the reporters ask are mind numbingly inane resulting in mind numbingly inane answers. Regardless, successful sport celebrities have mastered the art of communication skills and they know that coming across during an interview as articulate, inspirational and persuasive will distinguish you as media savvy and give you a powerful personal brand.
Organizations are always looking for speakers to come in and motivate and inspire staff. On the speaking circuit in many countries amoung the most wanted speakers next to retired Presidents and Five Star generals are former great sportsmen and athletes. Sports appeals to almost everyone because we can all relate to beating the odds or overcoming hurdles. Legendary sports figures make great motivators because of sharing their secrets to success and how they overcame the odds to succeed. It saddens me in Kenya to see our former great athletes eking out an existence after successful careers when they should be amoungst the most sought after speakers by corporates. But it does boil down to communication skills or lack thereof.
Speaking of motivational speakers, before the big Harambee Stars game last week, I watched the boys on TV being given haircuts and head massages ostensibly to ‘motivate’ the lads before the game. As an image strategist, I’m all for looking dapper in public but it struck me that given our recent less than stellar performances, a real motivational speaker might be brought in next time to inspire the players and mentally give them an advantage – nothing against the girl clipping their toenails.
After running round the tartan track 24 times it might be difficult to marshal your thoughts but when the eyes of the entire commonwealth (not to mention the marketing managers of any number of products) are on you, you might want to sound somewhat articulate. Mind you some of the questions the reporters ask are mind numbingly inane resulting in mind numbingly inane answers. Regardless, successful sport celebrities have mastered the art of communication skills and they know that coming across during an interview as articulate, inspirational and persuasive will distinguish you as media savvy and give you a powerful personal brand.
Organizations are always looking for speakers to come in and motivate and inspire staff. On the speaking circuit in many countries amoung the most wanted speakers next to retired Presidents and Five Star generals are former great sportsmen and athletes. Sports appeals to almost everyone because we can all relate to beating the odds or overcoming hurdles. Legendary sports figures make great motivators because of sharing their secrets to success and how they overcame the odds to succeed. It saddens me in Kenya to see our former great athletes eking out an existence after successful careers when they should be amoungst the most sought after speakers by corporates. But it does boil down to communication skills or lack thereof.
Speaking of motivational speakers, before the big Harambee Stars game last week, I watched the boys on TV being given haircuts and head massages ostensibly to ‘motivate’ the lads before the game. As an image strategist, I’m all for looking dapper in public but it struck me that given our recent less than stellar performances, a real motivational speaker might be brought in next time to inspire the players and mentally give them an advantage – nothing against the girl clipping their toenails.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Great WSJ article on speaking to win business
The Gift of Gab
Speaking can be a lucrative path to more business. If you can stand it.Give a speech. Win a client.
by Barbara Haislip
As simple—or even scary—as that formula sounds, a host of entrepreneurs have found that conquering public speaking can be the route to more contacts and customers. Impressing people with your expertise at a conference, in a classroom or over the radio can sometimes win more business than making sales calls or manning a booth at a trade show.
See rest of the article here
Speaking can be a lucrative path to more business. If you can stand it.Give a speech. Win a client.
by Barbara Haislip
As simple—or even scary—as that formula sounds, a host of entrepreneurs have found that conquering public speaking can be the route to more contacts and customers. Impressing people with your expertise at a conference, in a classroom or over the radio can sometimes win more business than making sales calls or manning a booth at a trade show.
See rest of the article here
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Car trouble - sorry can't help you
Nairobi is supposed to be a friendly city right? Aren’t Kenyan’s in general known for being welcoming and affable. Well, unfortunately I was rudely disabused of this notion last Friday. It was 7.00pm in the evening and I was stuck on Uhuru Highway in parking lot type traffic. It was bumper to bumper without any movement for hours and I was listening to music with the car off and the lights on. You guessed it, when we finally moved and I tried to turn on the ignition – click, battery dead! The cacophony of blaring horns that descended on me was deafening. Someone even jumped out of his car and came round to my window to berate me for getting stuck in traffic. A mechanic in overalls and jumper cables appeared like a wraith out of the diesel fumes and began to help me push my car to the side of the road. Nobody would let us pass either as vehicles racing like Formula One cars passed us. No-one wanted to be in that traffic a second longer. Somehow we were able to dodge the cars chicken-like and push the vehicle onto the shoulder. It turns out this mechanic waits every evening at that spot for poor unfortunate souls like yours truly and then helps them (for a sizable fee of course in case you were thinking the man was doing this out of the magnanimity of his heart).
Once off the road, we couldn’t get anyone to help us jump the car. Even a man getting into his vehicle in the parking lot 8 feet away from me said he was in a hurry and drove off. We managed to push the car to a petrol station down the road where we were confronted by a petrol attendant incensed that we were not filling up with gas but looking for someone to help jump the car. The words he used are unprintable; suffice it to say we had to beat a hasty retreat back onto the road. There was bank of taxis up ahead and I had to negotiate another fee (300 bob if you must know) with one of the taxi drivers to simply lift the hood of his car and allow us to use his battery. Was it too much expecting people to go out of their way to help a fellow metropolitan or was I witnessing a general “decline in urban civility”. You be the judge
Once off the road, we couldn’t get anyone to help us jump the car. Even a man getting into his vehicle in the parking lot 8 feet away from me said he was in a hurry and drove off. We managed to push the car to a petrol station down the road where we were confronted by a petrol attendant incensed that we were not filling up with gas but looking for someone to help jump the car. The words he used are unprintable; suffice it to say we had to beat a hasty retreat back onto the road. There was bank of taxis up ahead and I had to negotiate another fee (300 bob if you must know) with one of the taxi drivers to simply lift the hood of his car and allow us to use his battery. Was it too much expecting people to go out of their way to help a fellow metropolitan or was I witnessing a general “decline in urban civility”. You be the judge
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