And it did!  After the initial Happy New Year wishes from the sergeant at arms and club president, TME Keith Clarke led us through a merry romp of spectacular speeches, covering a multitude of subjects.

Firstly, we had John Callaghan teaching us about the origin of the Marathon: a solider ran twenty-six miles from the battlefield of  Marathon to announce that the mighty Persians had been defeated by the outnumbered and – apparently – outmatched  Greeks.  A triumph for the underdog; a tale to inspire us all!

Next was Rob Howes, who opened his speech by reminding us what a small world it is, by suggesting that the ‘six degrees of separation’ that links every human on the planet has actually dropped to three or four degrees of separation, thanks to the internet.  Rob extolled the benefits of social networking, highlighting his message with three personal anecdotes.   Rob was awarded Best Speaker of the evening for this inspiring and entertaining speech.

Steve Catchick then gave a rousing speech, encouraging members who are nearing the completion of their Competent Communication manual to go along as a guest to the advanced club, Marlow Orators.  He suggested that it can sometimes be difficult to acquire an advanced speaking slot at a regular club, as the advanced speeches tend to be longer, which is why it’s so important that we make the most of Marlow Orators.

Thomas White inspired us with his speech, informing us that he didn’t know the answer to the question ‘How can I be happy?’.  He said, with passion and humour, that if anyone claims that they do know the answer, then you should “Run away!”  He left us with the advice that we should follow our heart, and do what feels right for us.  He said that if there’s any fear or guilt involved, then it’s probably not the right answer, because it doesn’t make us feel good.

Nicky Bailey gave an educational speech, just before the Table Topics session, on how to improve our impromptu speaking skills.   He ran through seven main ways of delivering a Table Topic, including, expressing an opinion, telling a story, or talking about past, present, and future.  He reminded us not to apologise, ramble, or waste time.  Valuable advice indeed, which was clearly taken onboard by the excellent Table Topics participants, with Laurie Billson winning the Best Table Topic award.

The Best Evaluator award went to Gerard Pillai for his amusing and thorough evaluation of Nick Bailey’s speech, after which the meeting finished as it had started – on time – setting the standard for 2012!

The talent at Maidenhead Speakers Club abounds, and a vast variety of different subjects is always covered during each meeting.  But one thing that every meeting does have in common is that I always leave a little more knowledgeable and inspired than when I arrived!

By Julie Farrell

Following a recent invitation to speak at the Rotary Club of Burnham Beeches, Mell Sheppard and Julie Farrell picked up the gauntlet. Those who attended the Speakers Club on 12 December were treated to a dress rehearsal of a brilliantly written and expertly delivered double act.

We heard back this report from John at the Rotary Club about how our ambassadors had fared:

The Rotary Club of Burnham Beeches engage Speakers from all walks of life at our regular Thursday evening meetings.  On 15 December 2011 we challenged Maidenhead Toastmasters (Speakers) to talk to us under the heading “A Funny Thing Happened ……”

Maidenhead Toastmasters members Mellissa (Mell) Sheppard and Julie Farrell rose to the challenge magnificently and presented a self written sketch that was pertinent to our Club, clever and humorous and delivered by these two confident young ladies in a most professional manner. So, rather than being spoken to, we were treated to a most entertaining and different evening, the like of which is recommended to all. Our grateful thanks to Maidenhead Toastmasters (Speakers).

Hats off to Mell and Julie for a first class speech and for representing the club so well.

What a great evening to close off the 2011 year at Maidenhead Speakers Club.  The evening was well organised by Toastmaster Anita Li.  We enjoyed speeches that informed, entertained and paid tribute to some of our long standing club members.

Chris Boden gave a fascinating speech on ‘The Olympic Iceberg’ and shared how his project team demolished unsightly pylons and created a whole new underground structure which has become an architectural work of art for the London 2012 Olympics.

Eric Elliott gave an excellent speech on ‘Mastering the Toast’ when he gave a sincere and heartfelt toast to club members Joyce & Norman Rhodes in recognition of all their work at Toastmasters over the years. Norman was instrumental in setting up Maidenhead Speakers Club in March 1983.

Mell Sheppard and Julie Farrell combined their Toastmaster talents to bring us a very fresh and entertaining speech on friendship.  This particular speech will raise a few smiles during the festive season as the girls have been asked to speak in front of the Rotary group of Burnham!

Table Topics Master Gerard Pillai continued the Christmas theme with great ease and teased some great responses from members about Christmas presents, particular Christmas likes, memorable Christmas days, dinners and places where you might go if you couldn’t be home at Christmas.  Richard Davies won the table topics ribbon with his story about a Tommy gun with a missile, an excited 10 year old and an unfortunate incident with grandma on Christmas morning!  There’s a rumour that grandma now goes elsewhere for Christmas.

Ribbons were awarded to;

Richard Davies for Best Table Topics

Mell Sheppard & Julie Farrell – Best Speakers

Justin Mc Carthy – Best Evaluator

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year when it comes and remember next meeting is: 

Monday 9 January 2012 at 7.30pm

 Mary Fraser, Club President

Table Topics Master, Nick Bailey chose to use the theme for his topics, which led to stimulating and inspiring impromptu speeches as club members got up and talked about:

• being at their best – Ming Lei was a champion ice skater;
• the most powerful question they ask themselves – Zahid Aziz asks himself every day how he can improve;
• what they would do if anything was possible – Richard Davies would spend time on relationships as they are the most important thing in life;
• who motivates them to commit to a personal challenge – Laurie Billson is working out in the gym to counteract his new job in a choclate factory and to prove a point to his brother;
• how they celebrate achievements – John Gilpin celebrated completing a marathon by signing up for the next one!

Their stories were awesome and their motivation was infectious, leaving the audience inspired to be the best they can be.  This is the stuff top calibre speakers are made of and we enjoyed this quality even from a first-time speaker doing an impromptu speech.

Come along to Maidenhead Speakers Club and be inspired too!

From time to time we’ve all had enough of the job, the stresses and strains and the petty frustrations. But have you ever thought about crafting the perfect resignation letter? Where you tell your boss what you really think of him? In exquisite detail?

Mell Sheppard has. And she let it all out to Maidenhead Speakers Club when she took part in the annual Humorous Speech Contest this week (12 September). With props that included Darth Vader, and Daisy the cow, Mell took the gloves off as she imagined what it would be like to say what was really on her mind.

Giving vent to her feelings she scored a win with the judges over stiff competition and now goes on to represent Maidenhead in the Area Speech Contest on Saturday 8^th October inWindsor

Presenting the trophy club president remarked that “Mell really brought out the funny side of what isn’t usually a laughing matter – and used the speaking skills she has honed at Toastmasters to good effect. We are sure she will do well in the next stage of the contest”

On the same evening Nick Bailey won the trophy for the table topics contest where speakers have to talk off the cuff on a topic they find out about only moments before! Nick brought to bear his experiences working part time inEnglandas a surveyor and inSouth Africaas a tour guide to answer the question about whether, given the chance he would prefer to reinvent himself as an entrepreneur, a professional or an artist.

If you would like to see how Mell and Nick fare representing Maidenhead on 8 October and to get a flavour of what Toastmasters is like then come along to the Area contest inWindsor. Visitors are most welcome.

Winner Mell Sheppard receiving her award

Winner Nick Bailey receiving his award

A very competent Lorraine Hamilton, as Toastmaster of the Evening organised an enjoyable meeting and demonstrated much of her ‘200 hours of toast mastering’ with efficiency and flair.

Topics master Laurie Billson introduced his topics for impromptu speaking from a very creative copy of the Toastmaster Times which bore a striking resemblance to the pink Financial Times but facts and figures were certainly much more entertaining and provided much laughter for the audience.

Keith Clarke shared stories of younger days and crazy parties when he and a certain White House friend partied until the wee small hours.  An unpaid bill still has your name on it, Mr O and remains in Keith’s wallet for safe keeping!

Intrepid explorer Amanda Bouch will be travelling to the North Pole sometime in the future with all the right equipment and sporting a warm and fashionable micro fleece.  She understands the need for extensive planning and hopes it doesn’t take too long.  Where does one find a Zimmer frame fit for such purpose?

Showbiz car mechanic Clive Pugh has some sound advice for car pranging celebrities like Mr Bean – ‘Stay off the highway’.  Although it does seem that Mr B’s driving exploits as a racing driver will keep him in work for a very long time!

Downing Street’s newest travel consultant Jacqui Hogan extols the virtues of ‘PM Getaways or was that PM Takeaways’ to far away places and currency challenged countries.

Industry expert Mireira Fontbernat advises Sir Alex that his boys need a little more teamwork than simply running up and down the field after a ball.  She encourages networking with the local IOD (Institute ofDirectors) for sharing wealth tips on bonuses, fast cars and big salaries.  Showbiz car mechanic Clive could be very busy!

Accomplished PR and Nut expert Ben de Candole will not be fooled with the unacceptable and inferior grade 5 cashew nuts posing as grade 1 for chocolate bars!  He prides himself and his Swedish company for ensuring a quality cashew nut in every bite!

Three very well prepared speeches and stories from Toastmasters;

Chris Bowden – humorously shared his insights from a free dinner, a dinner jacket and that after dinner speech.

Nick Bailey – told a touching tale about a South African slave who overcame adversity to become a renowned wine grower and producer.  Her memory is honoured in a wine of her name.

Steve Cann – shared a moving personal story about the challenges of communication and how it led him to Toastmasters.

Awards this week;

Best Table Topics – Keith Clarke

Best Speaker – Steve Cann

Club President

Mary Fraser

January      9, 23 & 30

February    13 & 27

March           12 & 26

April               16 & 23

May                14 & 28

June               11 & 25

VENUE          St. Luke’s Community Hall, Norfolk Road, Maidenhead SL6 7AS

TIME               7.15  for 7.30 pm start – 9.45 pm.

They are all people who enjoy speaking in public!  These were the seven contestants in the South East England speech contest held in Marlow on 16  April.  They are all members of speaking clubs belonging to the world-wide organisation of Toastmasters International – www.toastmasters.org

A large and enthusiastic audience of 90 friends, supporters and fellow speakers packed into the Liston Hall in Marlow to enjoy an educational and inspiring afternoon, entertained by seven of the top speakers from Toastmasters Clubs in the south ofEngland.  They were treated to speeches on topics as diverse as the rescue of the Chilean miners, the power of positive thinking, speaking in extreme situations, overcoming racism, baking bread, the beauty of Uganda and the perils of old (er) age!

The winners of the speech contest were:

1^st place – Malachi Talabi with his speech entitled, ‘Keep on walking’.  Malachi has been a member of the Croydon Communicators club for less than a year and presented a powerful story of how he had ‘kept on walking’ in spite of several setbacks in his life.

2^nd place – John Webber with his speech entitled ‘Alive’.  John is a member of the Solent Speakers club inFareham.  He described the emotional story of how the Chilean miners were rescued.

3^rd place – Robin Poole with his speech entitled ‘Loaf’.  Robin is a member of theCanterbury club.  He described with great humour his latest passion for baking his own bread!

After the speech contest, another valuable skill learned at Toastmasters clubs was tested competitively.  Every speaker in a Toastmasters club receives an oral evaluation – personal thoughts and tips from another member.  If you think speaking is hard, try – with just five minutes to prepare – presenting an evaluation of someone else’s speech that provides positive and helpful advice.  A brave speaker, Dorothea Stuart from theRiversideclub in Twickenham, presented her speech on decluttering.  Seven evaluators then had to present their three minute evaluations to Dorothea.  Dorothea had never received so much useful advice!

The winners of the evaluation contest were:

1^st place – Chris Boden from Maidenhead speakers club.

2^nd place – Rich Watts

3^rd place – Faith Warn

Winners from both contests will now compete at the UK& Irelandspeech and evaluation championships at the organisation’s annual conference to be held in Windsoron May 7^th/8^th.  The winner of that speech contest will go on to represent the UK & Ireland at the world championship of public speaking inLas Vegas in August.

In addition to the contests, Amanda Bouch from the Maidenhead Club told a ‘tall tale’, a particular type of speech that has to be highly exaggerated and improbable.  Amanda’s tale described how the baby of two professional pick-pockets, managed to steal the midwife’s wedding ring … you had to be there to hear the whole story!!

Another speaker, Trish Weller from theWindsorclub, demonstrated yet another skill, that of the stand-up comic!  Trish presented a hilarious five minute spot that would have graced ‘Live at the Apollo’!

The chairman of the contest, Steve Catchick from the Marlow Orators and Maidenhead clubs, was congratulated on his organisation skills for putting together such an entertaining day.

Ben gave this  very interesting and informative speech which contained a number of points that were of direct interest to me and which I thought others might also benefit from. Ben has kindly provided the transcript and agreed to this being published…

Closing in for the Kill                                                    Mon 18 April 2011

You’re at a meeting with an important prospective client, it’s a dead cert and signing on the dotted line is almost a formality. It’s going to be great when you clinch this big deal.

However, there are times when the client is still unsure or they may be nervous about signing an order. This is understandable, given that they may not have used your product or service before. In this situation, the use of certain closing techniques may help them decide in your favor.

You do not have to be pushy to be successful in sales. Hard selling and pressure tactics can be counter-productive, damaging trust. A ‘consultative’ approach is more likely to bear fruit, where both client and sales person benefit from the deal.

You still need to gain the client’s commitment, and the best way to do this is just to ask for the business in an assertive but polite manner.

Spotting buying signals

Recognising the right moment to ask for the business is a true test of the skill and judgment of the sales person. The best time will vary depending on the type of person you are dealing with and how the sales appointment has progressed. Many buying signals are obvious, eg the client repeatedly nodding in agreement or a positive tone to their questions. However, some buying signals may be less easy to spot and are often hidden among objections.

Dealing with objections is one of the most essential things a sales person can learn.

Treat Objections As Questions

You should learn to treat objections as if the customer was saying, “I am not sold with the information you have thus far presented. Could you please give me more information, so that I might make a positive decision?” Once you learn that this is what the customer actually means, you are 80% there.

Far too many beginning salespeople use an objection to begin a confrontation– starting sentences with “stop words” like “BUT.” How many times has it been said that, “the salesman won the argument but lost the sale.”

Maybe this is what Jesus had in mind when he said, “Agree with thine adversary, whilest thou art in the way with him..” (Matthew 5:25) This doesn’t mean that you have to agree that he’s right and you’re wrong, it just means that you can agree with him that you understand his point of view.

When an objection occurs, always use the fundamentals of FEEL, FELT, FOUND. It gives you an extra cushion of time and allows the prospect to identify himself with others.” Example: “I see how you FEEL! Others  FELT the same way too until they FOUND…” (use appropriate example)

Customer: “I don’t know if I’ll buy this Apple Mac because I’ve heard Windows is better.”

Sales Person: “I see how you feel, others have felt the same way too, until they read the recent reviews in PC Magazine.”

Methods for closing the sale

You may need to try different ways of getting the client to agree to buy your product or service. If you sense that asking directly for the business won’t work, you could try:

• Giving them an alternative – eg “Do you want the green or the red one?”
• Assuming they will sign – eg “What day is best for us to deliver the goods?”
• The ‘conditional’ close – eg “If I could satisfy you on this point, could we proceed with this order?”

In all cases, make sure you allow the buyer time to say “yes”. If there is a pause after you have tried a closing question, let the potential client speak first. The client often needs a few moments to confirm to themselves that they are happy to go ahead.

Take your time

Whatever happens in the negotiation, remain assertive but polite at all times. Outline the benefits and why it is worth the cost.

So in summary then,

• Treat objections as questions,
• Agree with thine adversary and
• Let the client speak first.

I want to say something about using notes. Not bank notes, notes for speeches. I will cover a few general points first, then deal in turn with the material on which I write my notes, creating notes and finally using notes. These ideas are not things you MUST do – just ideas that work for me and may perhaps work for you too.

Firstly, the best notes are NO NOTES! If you can, don’t use notes at all, that allows maximum eye-contact. But, it’s easier to forget than remember so notes serve as an insurance against a mental blackout. There’s a saying: ‘The palest ink is greater than the strongest memory’. Brief notes help keep your speech moving, on time and in sequence. I’m not advocating a word-for-word written speech, just brief notes.

What about the material for your notes? I prefer to use cards. Unlike paper, cards stay flat, are easy to handle, don’t wrinkle or tear like paper, are heavy enough not to blow around, and can easily fit into a pocket or handbag. Useful card sizes are 13 x 9 cm (5” x 3½”) nominally, or 20 x 13 cm (8” x 5”). For example, Prince Charles puts his hand into his jacket pocket and pulls out his notes on cards.

I find folding up the right hand top and bottom corners on alternate cards simplifies sliding the cards across a lectern; I’ve got something to get hold of whilst I’m speaking, ensuring minimum fuss. I’m sure you will have seen a speaker turning over an A4 sized sheet of notes – it can be very distracting.

Now about creating your notes. At some functions there may be no lectern, just a low table and with poor lighting, so visibility of notes is essential! It’s a good idea to either handwrite your notes or produce them on a PC with, say, 30 point characters, using a mix of capital letters and lower case. Ideally, one idea per card, with only three or four words per line, and a one-line space between lines, on one side of the card only. I find it a good idea to use a coloured card for the concluding notes, then if time gets short I can easily find my final card and summarise. It is essential each card is numbered – if you drop them they can quickly be got back in sequence. It’s also possible to use a treasury tag through a hole in the corner of each card but then they have to be pivoted round on a lectern.

Leave your notes on the lectern – if you have one – it frees the hands for gesturing and eliminates the unconscious waving of notes. Just slide the top card across the lectern using the turned-up corner. Try to avoid talking and reading your notes at the same time – look briefly at the notes, think, and speak. Let your eyes look down at the notes then quickly go back to looking at the audience.

Finally, the more you read the less the eye contact. Look at your audience, look quickly down at your notes and let your eyes bounce back to the audience. Familiarise, not memorise. Sticking notes on something you look at regularly – a shaving mirror, a fridge door – helps remind you.

In summary: try to manage without notes; familiarise, not memorise; use clear, bold characters, 3 to 4 words per line. Notes are no substitute for preparation and rehearsal. Remember, maximise eye contact; more notes means less eye contact. Norman Rhodes, DTM / 22 Oct 1991