I failed public speaking in grade school, ’cause I was so nervous and scared.                                                

                                                                                                                        – Gary Clark, Jr.

It has been said that the mind is an amazing thing! It starts to function the moment you are born and stops functioning the moment you start to think about public speaking.

Last week I taught a half-day workshop entitled “The Art of Public Speaking” at the Morris County Chamber of Commerce to a room of successful professionals.

Looking back on it and reading the feedback, I think I will start calling it “How to Talk in Public Without Having a Heart Attack”.  After 15 years of teaching public speaking skills, I no longer wonder what the #1 reason is that people attend…It is to TRY to get over the fear!

I hear things like…Please help me:

• Reduce my nerves
• Get out of my head
• Lose some of the “Sheer Terror” of public speaking
• Manage my anxiety
• Stop my heart from racing

When I am asked about how to get over the fear of public speaking I generally answer the same way.

JUST DO IT!

Most things seem scary at first. We feel we are being judged… (We are)!

The learning is in the doing. It really is. The more you go out and do it the more comfortable you will become.

Here are some things you can do to ease your mind!

1. Get to know your audience – Then it will be like talking to friends
2. Be prepared – Write out your presentation
3. Plan to give a knockout presentation (practice…practice…practice.)
4. Expect to deliver a good presentation
5. BREATHE

The biggest fears are always based on our mindset and the scary stories we tell ourselves.  These stories usually start with the What If’s — What if I stumble…What if I don’t remember something.

I ask people to look at their story from a different perspective and start saying something like …What if I give the presentation of a lifetime!

Don’t let opportunities slip by because you were afraid to STEP UP & STAND OUT!

For more tips, download 10 Tips for Better Public Speaking.

Tommy Hilcken Productions offers individual and group coaching programs for building public speaking and leadership skills.  Contact us for a no-obligations meeting to learn more.

Throughout my career as a speaker-trainer-entertainer I have had to connect with hundreds, if not thousands of people. Whether it was one-to-one or speaking to a roomful of people, I have realized that the secret to connecting and getting your message across is rapport.

Rapport must be established early on in any presentation. It is the connection between two people that keeps someone listening and more importantly care about what you have to say.

Two things I’ve always used to build rapport are mainly on the physical level: eye contact and facial expressions.

Eye contact is a vital skill that must be developed to be a successful connector and communicator. It goes a long way toward demonstrating that you are competent, personable, honest, and in control.

The proper facial expressions connect to any type of presentation. Facial expressions allow you to convey that you are listening and highly interested in the other person or persons (if speaking to a larger crowd).

The expression on your face also reinforces what you’re saying, adding subtle facets to your meaning and helping you keep someone’s attention.

Eye contact and facial expressions can be a very profound tool when it comes to building trust and rapport.

It really is true that the best way to connect with someone is to show great interest and look them in the eye.

PS… A smile goes a long way too!

The right administrative assistant can help any organization flourish. When people think about a successful business, they tend to focus their attention on the importance of good leadership, but the value of the people working behind the scenes cannot be underestimated. Administrative assistants can help keep everyone on task and prepared to progress.

When seeking a new administrative assistant, here are seven traits to watch for that ensure you’re hiring a team member who will help drive your group forward.

1. Industry savvy

The best administrative assistants are accustomed to working within a specific industry and bring the knowledge needed to excel. Industry jargon, background knowledge about the field and an understanding of the latest trends differentiate a seasoned professional assistant from an entry-level hire who will need to learn on-the-job. You’re ahead of the game when you hire someone who can already serve as a knowledgeable resource and an integral member of the organization.

2. Technologically knowledgeable

Technology continues to change at lightning speed. Social media, blogging and online communications are now essential for most businesses to remain competitive. Assistants familiar with these tools can help organizations remain visible, particularly smaller companies that lack the resources to hire separate professionals for these different roles.

Technology within most fields is also becoming more advanced as an increasing amount of standard tasks and communications are done online. Assistants who know how to take advantage of some of the latest tools, such as running online meetings, creating webinars or utilizing cloud-based technology, can help their organizations move forward.

3. Excellent communication skills

Communications skills are imperative for an assistant, as they are often the first point of contact between their organization and partners and clients. Administrative assistants who are personable and professional will be able to start building a rapport with others and set the stage for the brand’s success. The right assistant also understands how to handle people who are frustrated or angry and knows how to diffuse the situation and avoid responding in kind.

These skills are also critical for within the office. Administrative assistants should be able to clearly communicate with everyone from the c-suite leadership to assistants in other departments. These skills will help the entire organization run smoothly and successfully.

4. Organized

Administrative assistants are often called upon to handle a variety of different tasks at the same time, so organization is crucial. Skilled assistants will help everyone at the organization stay on top of their priorities.

Organization also applies to the need to keep meetings and events on point. Modern technology offers a variety of apps and tools that the assistant can use to keep themselves and others in the business organized. Evernote is excellent for taking notes, scanning business cards and an assortment of other office tasks. For businesses that have a lot of travel, Tripit is useful to track schedules and flight information.

5. Proficient at time management

Time management is also a critical part of running a successful organization. It is easy for meeting participants to go on tangents or for people to get distracted by side jobs, leading to the possibility of neglecting those most critical to organizational performance. Administrative assistants who understand how to keep everyone on task will make efficiency significantly easier.

Assistants can help those at the organization prioritize their tasks. By breaking down the most critical jobs and providing help when possible, everyone will be able to maximize their time use at the office.

6. Financially astute

Administrative assistants help to oversee what goes on in the business day-to-day. From ordering office supplies to booking vendors, their choices have considerable influence on the organization’s bottom line. Administrative assistants who know how to negotiate costs and minimize expenses are extremely valuable to any company. These support personnel possess good judgment and can be trusted to make the right call to advance the organization as a whole.

7. Brings the team together

Companies work best when they are able to coordinate and communicate. All too often, however, it is easy for everyone to get involved in their own tasks. An assistant who can help bring everyone together will improve the function of the group and help them reach their goals. This can be done by organizing office meetings, keeping intra-office communication tools—such as common calendars—functional and being an enthusiastic go-between to help everyone understand the organization’s tasks and the progress being made.

The right administrative assistant can make an incredible difference in the success of an organization. Through their administrative expertise and industry insight, they are able to provide the fuel that keeps everyone moving forward.

Tommy’s role as a Sandler Associate is helping his clients break through the fears and challenges that are holding them back and help them move toward what they really want utilizing the Sandler Selling System.

Additionally, Tommy also helps clients’ presentation skills through our “Presenting Yourself with Impact” program along with individual coaching. Click here to talk with Tommy.

Many years ago, I was taught a valuable lesson.

If you want more from life, sometimes you must change people places and things.

Are the people you are following going where YOU want to go?

Have you ever asked that question of yourself? 

Who can help you get where you want to go?

Who are the experts?

Where are they?

These are questions you need to ask yourself and answer for yourself.

After you get some answers…here are some action steps.

• Start finding people who are already where you want to be.
• Start surrounding yourself with people you aspire to be like.
• Hire a mentor or coach; someone who will be objective in helping you work through your challenges and get you where you want to go.

You will now have someone to help you brainstorm your ideas and put them into concise action steps.

Working with a thought partner will accelerate your success by inspiring your creativity and holding you accountable to the action it will take to achieve success.

“Be careful the environment you choose for it will shape you; be careful the friends you choose for you will become like them.” W. Clement Stone

As a Certified Life Success Consultant and a Sandler Training Associate, Tommy works with his clients on breaking through the fears and challenges that are holding them back while helping them move toward what they really want.

Additionally, Tommy also helps clients’ presentation skills through our “Presenting Yourself with Impact” program along with individual coaching.

 Click here to talk with Tommy.

While working with small business owners and individuals on goals, I have noticed a couple of things.

Everyone means well and has good to great intentions, yet don’t get what they have in mind.

What takes people from being a goal setter to a GOAL ACHIEVER?

The answer might surprise you.

It has very little to do with what you are doing and very much to do with who you are being.

The truth is the image we hold of ourselves controls what and when we will do things.

A goal achiever has a winner’s image and is willing to set goals and stick with them to completion.

Your entire life evolves around images. Just as every company has a corporate image, every individual has their own SELF-IMAGE.

One of the prime causes of Success or failure in life is caused by the HIDDEN self-image you have of yourself.

It controls your mind just as surely as your mind controls your heartbeat.

To remake your hidden self-image for success and fulfillment is to remake your entire life.

Your success in any undertaking will never be greater than the image you have of yourself.

Your self-image is your own conception of the sort of person you are.

It determines what you believe you can accomplish.

To go from being a goal setter to a goal achiever, one must Be before they can Do.

Let me know if you would like to further the conversation on “The Winner’s Image”.

I am an email or call away!

Keep on rocking!

Tommy

“Fears are nothing more than states of mind. 

As has been demonstrated repeatedly in the chapters of Think & Grow Rich one’s state of mind is subject to control and direction.“

1. Fear is, in essence, just a flashing red light or a warning signal
2. Fear is NOT a cause to quit
3. Ironically, we should be grateful for a good dose of fear, as this is what heightens our awareness, intensifies our thought and gives us a bit of an edge
4. We should also be grateful when we experience fear, because it’s a strong indicator of change
5. Whenever everything remains the same in our lives (even if it’s poverty or something else we don’t want in our lives), we become comfortable with it.
6. Some people begin to experience fear when they take the actions to eliminate or change those things they don’t want in their lives and they will “curse” the fear.
7. To the contrary, we should embrace the fear, as it is the first indication of the initial steps of change

Thank you Napoleon Hill!

Don’t Miss a Tip!

#7 – Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

Although risky for your bottom line, consider offering your customers a sales guarantee. For example, stipulate in a contract that if you do not reach the goals agreed to between both parties, you would offer a percentage refund or discount on future services.By putting some of your own skin in to the sales game, your clients see that you believe in your product or service so much that you are backing it with a guarantee. This increases their trust in your relationship and can lead to future business with the customer. By promising customer satisfaction, you build a stronger business bond.

Once you shift your perspective on the sales process, you discover that there are many other approaches to sales that may actually be more effective than traditional methods. With online reviews and offers, the sales cycle is constantly evolving. Getting out of your comfort zone teaches you new sales techniques that have the potential to increase your sales exponentially. Try some of these tips to shift your sales focus and drive new revenue for your company.

Tommy’s role as a Sandler Associate is helping his clients break through the fears and challenges that are holding them back and help them move toward what they really want utilizing the Sandler Selling System.

Additionally, Tommy also helps clients’ presentation skills through our “Presenting Yourself with Impact” program along with individual coaching. Click here to talk with Tommy.

#6 – Analyze and Improve Talent Acquisition and Development

During the hiring process, dedicate more time to competency testing to make sure that your new salespeople have what it takes to succeed. A new hire is a big investment for your company; make sure that you hire the right people for the job or you will have to start the process over again in the near future. When you have a team of qualified salespeople that are good at what they do, you improve your chances of higher revenue for the company.

In addition to hiring the right people, you need to provide everything that your employees need to succeed. This means doing more than just enrolling your sales team in a weeklong training class. Your company needs to constantly reinforce training and incorporate the newly learned practices into the daily sales process. By focusing on perfecting training, your team learns how to reproduce a successful selling cycle.

Tommy’s role as a Sandler Associate is helping his clients break through the fears and challenges that are holding them back and help them move toward what they really want utilizing the Sandler Selling System.

Additionally, Tommy also helps clients’ presentation skills through our “Presenting Yourself with Impact” program along with individual coaching. Click here to talk with Tommy.

#5 –  Strengthen Immature Sales Methodologies and Processes

Without consistent and well-adopted processes and methodologies, impacts to sales performance are significant. Standardizing your company processes helps you sharpen your goal focus and improve your overall sales conversion rate. By reinforcing your sales team’s training, you maintain a consistent brand voice and solidify your sales process.

While proper company protocols are important, it is equally important to know how to use your existing sales technology and software. Get the most out of your software by training the entire sales team to use it. Base any future training on accurate and complete data compiled from your sales team’s reviews of the software. Knowing how to use all the tools available keeps your sales team on top of their game and increases their ability to track and close more sales.

Tommy’s role as a Sandler Associate is helping his clients break through the fears and challenges that are holding them back and help them move toward what they really want utilizing the Sandler Selling System.

Additionally, Tommy also helps clients’ presentation skills through our “Presenting Yourself with Impact” program along with individual coaching. Click here to talk with Tommy.

#4 – Help Your Customers Sell to Their Customers

Customers once referred businesses when they were satisfied, but this does not happen as frequently today. This hallmark metric of customer satisfaction is a sign that the business world has changed. Customers rely more on Google searches than word-of-mouth when looking for services and products. Quick research provides information on every industry and highlights the most trusted companies.

The shift to Internet reviews means you need to actively work for customer referrals. Provide your customers with shareable information that can be passed on to friends and coworkers. Short PDF fact sheets or creative reference brochures are a great way to make sure your customers can easily share your company message and increase sales leads.

Tommy’s role as a Sandler Associate is helping his clients break through the fears and challenges that are holding them back and help them move toward what they really want utilizing the Sandler Selling System.

Additionally, Tommy also helps clients’ presentation skills through our “Presenting Yourself with Impact” program along with individual coaching. Click here to talk with Tommy.