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Winning Table Topics

Winning Table Topics. Jeff Ahlquist, CC, CL gnerk-toast@usa.net December 1, 2012. Intro (moderator). Jeff Ahlquist is an avid photographer, comedian, engineering manager, ballroom dancer, and of course, Toastmaster.

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Winning Table Topics

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  1. Winning Table Topics Jeff Ahlquist, CC, CL gnerk-toast@usa.net December 1, 2012

  2. Intro (moderator) Jeff Ahlquist is an avid photographer, comedian, engineering manager, ballroom dancer, and of course, Toastmaster. Two years ago, Jeff decided to join Toastmasters, but he wanted to find that perfect club. So he visited between 20 and 30 different clubs in the Bay Area. Most clubs graciously invite newcomers to participate in Table Topics. So Jeff jumped right in and found he really enjoyed impromptu speaking. And to his surprise, he often enjoyed winning a ribbon! Jeff also discovered that many of the skills that win Table Topics are also winning skills in the workplace. In today's session, you will learn the tips and tricks Jeff uses for Table Topics, plus how you can use these skills in your everyday life. Please help me welcome Jeff Ahlquist

  3. Overview • Prepare • Personalize • Confidently deliver your message • Why Table Topics? • Win Ribbons! • Life and Work • Elevator Speech • Flirting…

  4. What do you want to learn today? • Write on board

  5. [exercise]Sample Table Topics • What went well? • What did you like?

  6. Prepare before meeting • Practice, Practice, Practice • Prepare a few poignant personal stories: • Meaningful and memorable • What is a lesson you learned? • What did you discover? • What do you want other people to know? • [exercise] Discuss a few personal stories in class • i.e. “Summer vacation Mom signed my up baseball where I learned to try new things” • What is your story and your message?

  7. “OREO” method* • Opinion • 1-2 sentences answering question or stating your opinion • This is your big, attention-grabbing opener • Reasons • simply state your 1-3 reasons for having this opinion • Explain Your Reasons • Bulk of your talk • Personal stories, details, data, etc. • Opinion • Restate your opinion • This is your heart-felt conclusion, call-to-action, etc. • *This is similar to “Mini-Speech method of Intro, Body, Conclusion

  8. Be present – in the moment • Acknowledging what’s happening for people draws their attention to you • What’s happening right now for YOU? • Like Zen meditation • What is the mood of the room? • What are YOU feeling? (odds are other people are too!) • "Callbacks” to other speakers • Refer to what other people said • [exercise] What’s going on right now for you? • Room, time of day, silly or somber, etc.

  9. Your values • Your values add impact to your statements • What is important to you? • What message do you want others to hear? • [example] My values: • I want to be able to show my true self and not hide behind a façade • I like people who take responsibility for themselves • [exercise] What do YOU find to be important?

  10. Confidence • Who here is confident all the time? Who wants more confidence? • Practice Practice Practice! • Fake it until you make it • Talk about things you know • Work Story “One confident and one insecure* engineer” • You are here at TM, 99% of the people out there are NOT, you have more skills than you realize • It’s all about IMPROVEMENT! • Make your point based on one of your values – this supports your personal confidence “This I know to be true!” • Be 100% confident even if you don’t know! For the next 2-3 minutes you are 100% correct! • [exercise] How did Alaska become a state?

  11. When table topics begins • Be present: What’s going in in room? What did other speakers and contestants say? • Think of personal story or 2 that will relate to the theme • Think of news, music, current events related to topic • Answer every question to yourself to practice • [cheat] Make eye contact and smile if you have the perfect answer!

  12. If you are stuck • Pause • It's OK to think • This feels longer than it really is! • Bridge and Pivot • “That reminds me of…” “This is similar to…” • And you also need to know…” • Tell a story • “When I went to Alaska I …” • Remember: Talk about what YOU think is important and interesting about the question

  13. What not to do • Don’t memorize, reuse, or script your TT • These slides are tools and building blocks to choose from, but each TT is unique • Don't answer another question. You don’t have this luxury in real life. • Don't pick your own question. That’s too easy! • Real Life opportunities where you need to react to the situation at hand: • Work – executive gets on elevator with me… • Sitting on train – someone sits down next to me, so I…

  14. Final Exercise - practice • Be present – observe what’s going on for you and others in room • Big opener • Speak Confidently – make your point based on your values • Personal Story and the lesson / moral you learned • Strong, clear ending with your message, moral, opinion, call to action, etc. • You are doing great!

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