London, UK
Who remembers Michael Aspel interviewing the Miss World contestants on the BBC years ago? Nowadays, I'm not sure whether it would give a male tv presenter street-cred or vilification in today's "pc" world.
This year's contest was won by Kseniya Sukhinova from Siberia.
London, UK
Annoying things I find about presenters and public-speakers are that they can talk too quickly, have a nervous laugh and sometimes apologise. Why? Lack of preparation, over-confidence, lack of self-esteem? Alan Stevens the Media Coach gets to grips with "sorry" business
I've seen far too many speakers who make self-denigrating opening remarks. OK, the best person to tell a story against is yourself, but don't do it right at the start of your speech. Worst of all, in my view, is the person who wanders on, looking hunched and nervous, handles the mike as though it's a poisonous snake, and then says "I'm not very good at this, and my speech isn't very well prepared"(see the entire blogpost here)
December 4th, 2007
Tips to improve your communication
Posted in Public Speaking, Personal Development, UK at 10:52 am by Jeremy Jacobs
Last night at Riverside Communicators, a member of the audience remarked on something I posted a few months ago on this site. The discussion we had in the Eel Pie pub after the meeting was centred around clarity of speech. Speaking at the right pace certainly helps as that previous post pointed out. How about that for an alliteration?
Here’s the article reproduced in full
20+ Tips to improve your communication
Depending on your line of work your rate of speech can vary. When I’m broadcasting on the radio, it can vary further still. A news bulletin can be around 120 to 130 words per minute. On the other hand, when reporting on a live sports event, that rate can go to 170 wpm or higher.
When conductiong a sales appointment or job interview, it’s very important you remain calm, collected and in control. In those instances, it’s a case of the slower the better.
Whilst I was working with the well known Japanese copier manufacturer in the 1980’s, I attended a special one-day course of the power of telephone sales. I’ve never forgotten these immortal words:
6 As a representative of your company
12 on the telephone, it is important
18 that you speak clearly. That means
24 you must articulate. It also means
32 that you must speak so that you can
38 be understood. Although there is no
44 set rate of speech, most expert
50 speakers talk at between one hundred
56 forty and one hundred sixty words
63 per minute. That is a good speed
68 for telephone communication. It is
75 not too fast to be understood and
82 it does not give the listener the
88 impression that you are under pressure.
93 Nor is it too slow.
100 The one hundred sixty word rate adds
107 an element of dignity to your voice.
114 The one hundred sixty word rate also
122 gives a sound image to the caller that
128 establishes both you and your company
134 as efficient and well-organized. To
141 give the caller the kind of impression
148 of yourself and of your company
154 you wish, speak correctly, speak at
160 one hundred and sixty - that’s one
165 hundred sixty words per minute.
London, UK
You may have seen Sir John Major on Andrew Marr's programme yesterday morning. I would have loved to have presented the show and interviewed him.
The UK could be facing a very bleak 2009 as the former Prime Minister explained. "I fear we are going to have an avalanche of job losses in the first three or four months of next year" but I particuarly liked his scathing attack on Gordon Brown blaming him for the economic "train wreck" facing Britain as the country faced its worst financial crisis since the end of the war. Accusing Labour of having "squandered" the benign economic conditions they inherited in 1997, he said: ``They have spent and spent and spent. It's a frightening scenario.''
Sir John insisted that the relatively warm public response to the Prime Minster's handling of the economic crisis would not last as the recession began to bite more deeply, going on to criticise measures taken by the Government so far, such as the recent cut in VAT .
He said: ``The concept that Gordon Brown, who has been Chancellor for 10 years and Prime Minister for one and presided over this train wreck is the person to put right what he got wrong strikes me as being ironic to say the least.
``If a burglar has ransacked your house, you don't normally invite him back to fix the security locks.
London, UK
The answer maybe to take a step back and reflect on your good fortune. Take this blog post entry from Jennifer Jones, author of "How To Tell If A Guy Is A Jerk" and "Goodness Graciousness".
London, UK
Someone called me yesterday a blogging mad presenter and speaker. The truth hurts!
Here's what I've noticed this week:
The dashing Neville Hobson remarks about Le Web 08
Andrew Grill and the mobile society
Simon Cowell embarrassed. Really, well I never.
December watchables on Channel 4
Kate Winslet, does the future hold great gongs for her?
and finally, Iain Dale and the wonder woman of politics
London, UK
You will have seen other posts about business-guru, Geoff Burch on this blog and over at my other website. Very shortly on BBC2, Geoff continues presenting his hit tv show, All Over The Shop. Each episode has attracted over 2 million viewers. This must prove that Geoff is hitting a nerve with small businessmen and retailers alike.
London, UK
One of the first Premieres covered by LSQ TV was The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, starring Johnny Depp. Claire Bueno and Jeremy Jacobs are the presenters.
London, UK
The LSQ TV "fan-cam" was out last night to capture Eva Mendes and Alec Baldwin arriving for last night's award ceremony.
London, UK
Watch as Jeremy Jacobs and Catherine Whale meet the celebs at the premiere of Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging. Alan Davies was cool.
London, UK
Newbie girl presenter Kiri was in the Square for the premiere of Twilight.
London, UK
Back in April, Cat and I were at the UK Premiere of What Happened In Vegas, starring Ashton Kutcher (Demi Moore's other half) and Cameron Diaz. Unfortunately, Cameron wasn't there having just lost her father:
London, UK
A re-post from a few weeks ago:
By attending my Seminar on telephone cold-calling, you will learn how to be more effective on the phone. You'll get more quality appointments and new customers.
Details of the Seminar can be found at the Communicate With Clarity website. Or, you can register straight away by going to the booking website here. Details can also be found on Facebook here and here
The first session takes place on the morning of November 11th at Barnet Football Club. The location is just a few minutes walk from High Barnet tube station on the Northern Line. If you're travelling by car, there's plenty of free parking space available at the ground.
You'll see that the second session is being held on December 2nd. Guest speaker will be business guru, Geoff Burch. Some of you may have seen the first two episodes of his BBC2 tv series "All Over The Shop"
London, UK
Well the simple answer is to turn up with a camera at an event. A few days ago, the LSQ "fan-cam" was out at the opening of the Ugg Australia Boot Store in Covent Garden. Here's the footage together with a list of the celebs seen.
London, UK
There's no easy way. Blogging like any other activity requires determination, discipline and lots of toil and sweat. Linking to other bloggers and recommending their services, products or just their blog postings is a tried and tested method. One such blogger is "Last Of The Few" by Theo Spark. This underestimated and successful UK blogger now attracts of 60,000 monthly hits. That's nearly as many as the highly successful Iain Dale's Diary
I'm grateful to Theo for advertising my telephone sales seminar called Communicate With Clarity. I've posted about it heavily on my other site and am delighted that business-guru Geoff Burch is coming along as guest speaker. Geoff's smash hit TV programme "All Over The Shop" continues this Tuesday evening on BBC2 at 7.30pm.
London, UK
Can be difficult at times. Take this poor chap!
London, UK
Another excellent evening for Leicester Square Television at the Jermyn Street Theatre this week. I managed to catch up with Eastenders star, Scott Maslen(Jack). He was in the West End to support Peter Dunne and the cast of The Dreamers Of Inishdara.
Co-presenter Thomas had earlier caught up with Peter Dunne and Patricia Quinn.
London, UK
Whilst I was interviewing Scott Maslen from Eastenders over at the Jermyn Street Theatre last night, the LSQ "fan-cam" was out and about elsewhere in the West End. Away from Leicester Square was the premiere of Flawless, starring Demi Moore who was there with hubby Ashton Kutcher. Here's the clip:
London: 26 November 2008
Flash Alert! Flash Alert!
A non-Leicester Square premiere tonight over at Odeon on Shaftesbury Avenue. Demi brought hubby Ashton Kutcher along tonight. They're the biggest stars visiting London tonight and thus are the focus for the photographing community, some of whom brought along their motor bikes so they could maximise tonight's production. A few fans were able to get front-row spots to get what few autographs were available. I was a couple of rows back due to covering the UGG Australia, Covent Garden store opening (see the video at elizabethtoni channel on You Tube)so you can get a sense of how busy it was. The scores of flash-equipped paps lit up the street when the perfect couple arrived and there was a real crush due to the lack of space and crowds of fans, photographers and passers-by who happened along for this once in a lifetime experience.
Stars in attendance:
Demi Moore
Natalie Dormer
Joss Ackland
Nathaniel Parker
London, UK
Do you agree with the thrust of Alan Stevens post which says - "Only 7% of our communication is conveyed by words (38% tone of voice, 55% body language)"
I side with Alan. You can dress like a tailor's dummy, have the smoothest, sexiest voice but as a presenter or speaker, the content of what you say is key.
In recent times, I've been on courses and have attended talks where the "7% rule" is rammed down people's throats by so-called "public-speaking **experts". Don't believe a word of it. Content, appearance and voice-tone are as important as each other.
** "ex" as in has been, "spurt" as in drip under presssure.
London, UK
By special request, I'm re-posting this popular piece from last year:
Monday, March 24, 2008
Presenting and Networking
London, UK
My discussion with Andy Lopata on the radio earlier this month centred around "how to network correctly". It was a great radio show with plenty of positive feedback. In a couple of weeks time, another great networker and marketing/media guru, Jonathan Gabay will be joining me in the radio studio at JCom. Jonathan, Andy and I are great room workers, unlike Mr Buffoon, Mr Large and Mr Nerd. Read this from an article posted on this blog last July:
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
3 ways to ruin your chances at Business Networking
Earlier today, I attended a networking meeting in Central London, run by a well known organisation. There were around 100 or so people there from a variety of businesses. Many were interesting and good listeners, some less so but there were three individuals who really ought to learn the fundamentals of *networking. Here's those 3 "no noes" for starters:
TIP 1. Do not barge in on a "closed two".
Scene: I was in conversation with an executive of a well known company. All of a sudden from my left and overweight gentleman with an absurd tie said "hello" and started to ask a question of the executive. No rapport building or politeness. He even had the temerity to ask me to hold his glass of red wine. I put it on the nearest table, made an excuse and left the poor executive to handle "Mr Buffoon".
TIP 2. Never peer at name badges.
Scene: Two women and I were discussing business opportunities when we were approached by "Mr Nerd". He leant towards us three, peered at our name badges, then scuttled away after rambling on for a minute or so about the services he offered. Needless to say, my two new friends and I were most unimpressed. The title on his business card said "Head of Sales".
TIP 3. Remain sober and listen.
Scene: The three of us were joined by a fourth and things were going along really well until "Mr Large" turned up. Perhaps I should call him Mr Me, because that's all he was interested in - himself. Also, he was clearly drunk, rude and bellicose.
All three of these people, in my opinion, behaved in a socially inadequate manner. The Golden Rule of networking is to exhibit unconditional giving.
Posted by Jeremy Jacobs at Monday, March 24, 2008
Labels: radio, radio broadcasting, UK
5 comments:
Cris Zimermann said...
How about the women? Do they 'behave' better?
It's always nice when I see you around, Jeremy, tks for visiting me. Cheers, mate,
Crissy
Monday, March 24, 2008
Jeremy Jacobs said...
Of course they do!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Nick R Thomas said...
Hi Jeremy,
Great blog. As far as the third type is concerned, they may still be giving. I could never see the point of networking with competitors but I recently read a very good business book where the author said that it's useful when these people drink too much because they let useful information slip which they would certainly keep to themselves when sober!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Colin Campbell said...
I learned a lot from my days of business networking. I met most of these characters. Nowadays, most of my networking is by doing a good job. I rarely have to go and pitch to new clients or partners. No doubt that will roll around again when I have a different role.
Over eager people are the worst.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Jeremy Jacobs said...
Ah, the over-eager. Met one the other week. Terrible!
Saturday, March 29, 2008
London, UK
So it looks as though tv presenter Jonathan Ross will be seen on BBC early next year, so I wonder though what sort of reaction he'll get from the general public.
No news though on Russell Brand's future.
London, UK
Last year, I was given a mention of the Just Giving blog. Here's what they had to say:
London, UK
Ellee on the tragedy in Haringey
Jon Snow on Palin at the Guardian Media Blog
Paul Bradshaw on how to get it right in social media communities.
PR Media Blog on Twitter, Tweets and Twits!
Neville Hobson and his top PR blogs
Simon Wakeman on getting a job in PR
More Twitter stuff at Mashable
London, UK
You'll see this sort of thing on television most days. Whether a news item or presenting a documentary-style piece, rehearsing one's lines can be tricky to get right first time. Here's me caught on camera last year in Central London:
London, UK
You may have already seen the post about Tristar TV on my other site here. Apart from the impressive new website they've got a great set-up at their Home Counties location just off the M1.
London, UK
Graham Jones recently posted this about the Jonathan Ross/Russell Brand affair. Graham criticises the BBC for dragging its feet whilst those 27,000 complaints rolled in to the Corporation's switchboard.
Jonathan Ross, Russell Brand and your web site
Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand are at the centre of a perfect storm - it's got everything; sex, money, jealousy, a grandfather, an attractive young woman, an iconic corporation, stardom, - the list goes on. However, it's a story that could have been knocked on the head within hours, rather than allowing it to drag on for almost two weeks.
It was a stupid prank, a juvenile stunt and an indication of weakening editorial standards within the BBC. But while the world is suffering recession, people are being killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the USA is about to select the most powerful man in the world, two so-called "comedians" have dominated the news agenda in the UK for days on end. Why?
The reason is simple; a complete mis-handling of the crisis by the BBC top brass. They have dithered, delayed and danced around the issue, rather than being decisive. Research on crisis communications has shown consistently that what we want is immediate, decisive action that shows the bosses understand our perspective. When a company is in the doo-doo we expect the boss to act immediately. We expect the boss to see it from our perspective - not the company's. We expect the communication to be consistent and swift.
What have the BBC given us? Bosses that remained silent for over 10 days, bosses that disagreed with each other in public and bosses that were telling us about their internal perspective. Indeed, it's taken almost a fortnight for the Director General to say a word - that's a resignation offence in itself. In other words, the BBC that reports week-in, week-out on the crises of other companies has shown it does not even understand the principles of crisis communications itself. That's the real issue here - how inept the top brass at the BBC have revealed themselves to be. They have allowed a rather silly and embarrassing event to escalate into a full-scale disaster for the organisation. People wonder why we are spending money on "talent" like Jonathan Ross, but I wonder why we are spending money on such poor management and a clear lack of leadership.
To read the rest of Graham's article, go here
London, UK
Last Thursday at the New Players Theatre, there was plenty of opportunity to chat to some. Vox-pops were obtained from: Richard O'Brien(who made a guest appearance in Burlesque-esque), Helen Lederer, Paul Gambaccini and even London politician, Simon Hughes. Here's the footage from Leicester Square Television
London, UK
Martin Luther-King's "I have a dream" speech was shown at the end of the ITN news earlier this evening. A political commentator recently said that Luther-King walked so Obama can run. Whatever your views, just how inspiring do you find the speech from 40 years ago:
London, UK
Last night, I was asked once again, "why do you have Russell Brand on your showreel"? My reply, "why not"?
Just because Russell has resigned from his BBC Radio 2 show doesn't mean he'll never return to host a radio show or present on the BBC. Russell Brand is a brilliant comedian and he'll soon bounce back from the "Wozzagate" affair.
London, UK
I've already waxed lyrical about Geoff Burch's smooth tv presenting style, so here's another plug concerning his appearance on December 2nd at Barnet Football Club
