Think Bigger, Grow and Succeed

Thinking Bigger about who you help and how you help them is so important!

To succeed, we all need to learn and grow. This is what this new book is all about. Interviewed are Professionals who have done the hard yards to get ahead.

There are valuable insights and advice to help with getting ahead.

Here are some questions with answers to ponder.

1. What are the pros and cons of staying in your comfort zone?

Pros:
  • Staying in your comfort zone can bring a sense of security and stability.
  • It can reduce stress and anxiety as you are familiar with the routine and environment.
  • It can be more efficient as you are familiar with the task, and you can save time and energy.
Cons:
  • Staying in your comfort zone can limit your potential for growth and development, both personally and professionally.
  • It can lead to a sense of complacency and stagnation, which can be detrimental to your business.
  • It can also mean missing out on new opportunities and experiences.
2. What are your recommendations for thinking bigger about your goals and getting out of that comfort zone and going for your aspirations?
  • Start small: Take small steps towards your goals, rather than trying to tackle everything at once.
  • Reflect on your values: Understand what motivates you, what you truly care about, and align your goals with your values
  • Seek out new experiences: Look for new opportunities to learn and grow, whether it’s taking a class, attending a workshop, or seeking out a new job or project.
  • Surround yourself with positive influences: Seek out people who will support and encourage you to reach for your aspirations.
  • Use visualization and positive affirmations to help focus your thoughts and build confidence.
  • Make a plan and take action: Break your goals into manageable steps, and take action towards achieving them.
3. What happens when we have to get out of our own comfort zone and do the things to actually get our goals happening?
  • Stepping out of your comfort zone can be uncomfortable and stressful, but it can also lead to personal growth and development.
  • It can help you to discover new talents and abilities, as well as expose you to new opportunities.
  • It can increase your resilience and self-confidence, which can be beneficial in achieving your goals.
  • It can also push you to improve your skills, and it can help you in the long term.
4. What are the best ways to approach achieving goals?
  • Setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals can help to give direction and focus.
  • Breaking down your goals into smaller, manageable steps can make them more achievable.
  • Prioritizing and focusing on one goal at a time can help to ensure that you are making progress.
  • Staying motivated and persistent can help you to stay on track and achieve your goals.
  • Regularly reviewing and adjusting your goals as needed can ensure that they remain relevant and achievable.
  • Surrounding yourself with supportive people who can provide guidance and encouragement can be beneficial in achieving your goals.
  • Finally, Celebrate your achievements along the way, no matter how small they may be.
To find out more and hear real life experiences, go to Amazon and download the Kindle eBook or get the Paperback.
Adrienne McLean, Founder of The Speakers Practice, interviewed 18 guests for this book, had the interviews transcribed, edited and put together in book form to help Small Business owners.

The Important Public Speaking Skills

Public speaking skills are important for professionals, in many fields, as they often need to present ideas, persuade others, and communicate effectively with audiences of various sizes.

Here are some tips for improving public speaking skills:

  1. Practice: The more you practice, the more comfortable you will become with speaking in front of others.
  2. Know your audience: Tailor your message and delivery to the specific audience you will be speaking to.
  3. Use visual aids: Use slides, videos, or other visual aids to help illustrate your points and keep the audience engaged.
  4. Use storytelling: Telling a story can help make your message more relatable and memorable for your audience.
  5. Be yourself: Speak in a style that is authentic to you and your personality.
  6. Be passionate: Speak with enthusiasm and energy, your audience will be more likely to be engaged.
  7. Be well-prepared: Research your topic thoroughly and have key points outlined before you speak.
  8. Be flexible: Be prepared to adjust your message or delivery in response to audience feedback or questions.
  9. Rehearse: Rehearsing your presentation will help you to feel more confident and will reduce the likelihood of mistakes.
  10. Seek feedback: Seek feedback from others on your speaking style and content to help identify areas for improvement.

Adrienne McLean is an Internationally Accredited Speakers Training Camp®️ Instructor and a Distinguished Toastmaster and a Book Yourself Solid®️ Certified Coach specialising in helping professionals and business owners with workplace presentations and communications.

The 7 ways you can promote your business by Speaking

Intentionally using speaking skills is a powerful approach to connect with prospects and clients to build your business. By turning up in a number of ways and speaking about your niche, talking about issues, challenges and ways to make improvements displays you as an expert in your field.

Being a strong communicator brings confidence to your audience to know that you “know your stuff”. Through stories, you can detail your experiences that give you the depth of knowledge to make differences and improvements in the area you are focusing on.

 

 

What are the 7 ways you can use “Speaking” to build your business.

  1. Delivering Presentations
    Being a skilled presenter is a skill that constantly needs attention to build a strong connection with your audience, be authentic and deliver relevant information to your audience.
    There is so much that goes into delivering a presentation. The information, the way you make the presentation interesting and the way you deliver your topic. Information, body language, voice, your attire, how you are presenting, your props, slides, all impact on your presentation.
  2. Video 
    As well as all the parts that go to delivering a presentation, video and speaking to camera has its own skill set.
    This form has 3 parts to create a video, the planing, presentation to video and the post production. There are concepts that the presenter needs to learn , such as, how to present to camera, how to give the audience the feeling you are speaking to them and you, as the speaker, needs to get used to seeing you on video.You can build digital content that can really support your business.
  3. Podcast
    Similar to video there is time spent on pre and post production , as well, as the time spent on the actual event. You can display yourself as an expert by doing podcasting. By talking on your topic specialty or by interviewing specialists in their field elevates you as a specialist in your field.
    It also can build your own intellectual property and content to support your business.
  4. Online training
    From your skills learnt with creating video and podcasts, you can build online training programs. These can be paid or complimentary programs that display your expertise online.
    These online training programs can be used in digital marketing campaigns to raise awareness, display your topic knowledge and bring income your way.
  5. Sales conversations 
    The most important speaking skill you can develop is your ability to have sales conversations. It is not only the ability to actually sell a product or service. It is also the ability to get over rejection, as well as , the skills to take on the sale to deliver. When having sales conversations, you have to be able to see through objections and keep to the process. The sales process can take time and the saying “never say never” needs to be your mantra.
  6. Networking
    Attending networking functions and building the network of professionals who may use your service is vital. Friendly, approachable ways of connecting is an  important skill. It is all about how comfortable you are with speaking one on one with people who you may not know. Introducing yourself and talking about what you do and how you help your clients is an important skill. It is more challenging than first thought.
  7. Pitching
    This is the skill that is an extension of delivering presentations. Pitching is where you are delivering to people of influence, decision makers. It maybe to a company who is finding out more about your business who may be able to help them. It maybe a pitch to Venture Capitalists and Investors who are interested in your business and are looking at investing in your idea. Confidence in delivery, highly knowledgeable across the sector, business and niche are starting points for a successful pitch.

In summary:

If you are a Service Professional or a Business Owner who is looking to grow and build your business, by building your skills in the 7 ways to promote your business by speaking can help you grow your business. Using speaking skills can display you as an expert in your field and display you as the “Go-To” person in your niche.

 

The Speakers Practice can help you , as a Service Professional and Business Owner, with delivering confident presentations in all the 7 ways you can promote yourself by speaking.

Adrienne McLean, Founder of The Speakers Practice, is a BookYourselfSolid® Certified Coach, SpeakersTrainingCamp® Internationally Accredited Instructor and the Principle of The Speakers Practice. Offering marketing discovery audits, online training programs, Public Speaking for Professionals, Effective On-Camera Presenting workshop and much more.

Email on adrienne@thespeakerspractice.com.au or ring on 0414 367 960

 

Networking raises the questions & supports

 

Being in lockdown is not natural and especially for business owners. We are social beings and small business owners are used to getting out and networking. 

The Professional Services Network is offering monthly, networking events online to connect business owners. Zoom calls can help where we can see, share screens and learn.

 

 

 

In our September meeting, the following topics were discussed: 

  1. Small business loans
  2. Marketing a program
  3. Creating new programs
  4. Using Social media
  5. Employing Virtual Assistants – where to find a VA, how to get started with a VA, getting your processes in place so a va can do the work, training a va
  6. Events moving forward – hybrid events and how to handle the event
  7. COVID – brought the family together with no after school activities and dinner was together. Home schooling had it’s challenges. 

These are all real issues, challenges and activities that business owners have to deal with and navigate for their business.

Looking for assistance and discussions are important. Coaches are there to educate, help implement and keep clients accountable. 

Should help is required, Adrienne McLean at The Speakers Practice is there as a resource to assist. Email on adrienne@thespeakerspractice.com.au or ring on 0414 367 960. 

The importance of preparing for the big day!

Wedding speeches are one of the most memorable speeches that can be delivered. Whether, it is the Bride and groom or the Father of the Bride or the Best Man or Bridesmaid.

Presentation skills and public speaking impacts on many areas, both in business and personal. At The Speakers Practice, we work with professionals but, in essence, we are supporting and training individuals so they can be more confident with personal presentation matters ,as well as, at work with presentation and in marketing efforts. At The Speakers Practice, we do offer Speciality Speech writing and assistance with delivery.

A loving father got in contact and was looking for some support in preparing a speech for his daughter who was getting married. As the Father of the Bride, he wanted to deliver an impactful speech as it was such an important day for his family.

Being a builder, getting up in front of groups and speaking wasn’t something that came naturally to to Jim. His wife was the one that did a whole lot more talking and had that skill. For the wedding, Jim was the father of the bride and this was his duty. Jim had the intention to do the best speech ever, he was willing to prepare and practice to do it as well as he could possibly deliver the speech. Jim called on me , as a presentation skills coach, to help him with his presentation.

The process:

  1. Brain storming the topic
    Jim worked with me for three sessions. The first session, we brainstormed about his family, I asked questions and took notes. From our discussions, we came up with some family stories that were most important and from these discussions, a speech developed.
  2. Preparing the SpeechThe speech was prepared and this was discussed during the second session.For Jim, it was a nice moment to reflect over the years, for me it was delightful to learn about the family. A speech was prepared and discussed with Jim. We worked on fine tuning the content.Jim got input from others and I helped along the way.
  3. Practice
    Jim got to practice and even though it was on line, Jim was able to practice and I was able to give  Jim feedback.Jim practiced in front of anyone who would listen. Yes, he got lots of input to support him through the process. This is valuable, as practice, gets in out of your head and into a performance. It helps with getting the language right and with the flow.
  4. The Big Day!
    The big day happened and Jim messaged to say how wonderful the day went and he was thrilled with his speech. Everyone congratulated Jim on the fabulous presentation. Think there were a few tears of happiness!

Jim messaged me saying “ I pulled it off! My speech went well. Received so many lovely comments on how well written and presented it was! Thank you so much, I definitely could not have done it without your help. “

His message goes on” The speeches all went very well, mine went well thanks to you. My daughters made some lovely speeches too and the boys spoke. But the groom didn’t want any speeches in the video for some reason. So there are no records of the speeches” Jim thought it was mainly because the groom, his brother and father had nothing prepared and they didn’t come across very well. “

In summary:

The moral to this story is planning and preparation helps prevent presentation predicaments! Plan, prepare, rehearse and practice. Do the work to make the outcome as good as you can do it. Invest in yourself. Do the hard yards. It is worth it. It means you’ll never need to cover up or hide or hide others efforts.

Whether it is a wedding speech, as in this example, or it is a work presentation or a presentation selling your business, doing the preparation and working on each aspect of the presentation will at the end of the day mean you are better off and can present in a much better light than someone who didn’t prepare.

Adrienne McLean is a BookYourselfSolid® Certified Coach, SpeakersTrainingCamp® Internationally Accredited Instructor and the Principle of The Speakers Practice. Offering marketing discovery audits, online training programs, Public Speaking for Professionals, Effective On-Camera Presenting workshop and much more.

Email on adrienne@thespeakerspractice.com.au or ring on 0414 367 960

The Power of having a Coach or a Mentor by your side

On Saturday mornings, I get up early, meet up with my running & walking group and do a 7km walk. Sounds easy but I didn’t realise I am not a particularly fast walker especially when by myself.

In fact, Whether it is to do with my fitness or just that I am only 168cm, for what ever reason to me doing the 7km in about 81 – 84 minutes is my normal walking speed, that is about 12 mins per km.

When I walk with others, who may be fitter or simply faster walkers, my time can improve so much. I’ve even done a 10mins a km walk coming in at 70mins. To me this is a great success, it’s an improvement of about 20%! To the other walkers, this is straight forward but that’s because of their experience.

It can’t help make me think that it helps so much to have someone walk by your side.

To have someone, who has been there and done that, to help get you going just that bit faster. Not only is there the camaraderie of doing the work or exercise with you, they keep you focused and task driven. There can be talk along the way and actually keeping the speed up is fine as your mind is on the topic of conversation!

Having a coach or mentor by your side can help you make larger strides ahead than you first imaged, that is what happens. The coach will help keep you on track. The coach will help keep you on the agreed path rather than diverting off to a distraction. The coach will help you focus on what is important. If some negative self-talk happens, the person by your side will shatter that self talk and keep you positive !

So whatever your undertaking, it is walking, running or being in business, a coach or mentor is so valuable in helping you to make the undertaking you desire.

There certainly is power in having a coach or mentor!

Adrienne McLean is a BookYourselfSolid® Certified Coach, SpeakersTrainingCamp® Internationally Accredited Instructor and the Principle of The Speakers Practice. Offering marketing discovery audits, online training programs, Public Speaking for Professionals, Effective On-Camera Presenting workshop and much more.

Email on adrienne@thespeakerspractice.com.au or ring on 0414 367 960

Speak Up & Stand Out! Bi-Monthly Newsletter

What I’ve learnt from Podcasting.

Early 2019, I started asking around my clients and colleagues about what would be a suitable theme for our conference, the Professional Services Marketing Conference. After many discussions, the theme was agreed on “Think Bigger, Grow and Succeed”.

From Small Businesses to Business Coaches to large city based firms, the theme was supported and of interest. Business owners, marketing managers, coaches, micro businesses wanted the same thing – they were looking at widening their understanding, learning approaches that had been tested and worked then taking on the thinking & mindset of successful people.

Now, I’m closely approaching having completed 40 of these podcasts and I’ve learnt so much:

1. It is a great way to have a conversation and get to know an influencer or someone who you may be able to connect with afterwards

2. Each and everyone of my podcasts has some inspiration and motivation in the discussion. It’s by doing these interviews that professionals can share their experience and inspire other to have the courage to move forward.

3. As a content creator it is brilliant! I’ve , of course, recorded then transcribed then collated and in the process of putting the transcriptions into a book.

4. Each guest has their own wisdoms and experiences to share. This is the part I enjoy the most. Of course, there are times when points of view are supported. It is each individuals approach that is so inspiring.

5. For me, series of 20 is a manageable size. There are many steps in the process – organising the guest, the preparation of script and promotion for the interview, holding the interview, editing and uploading the recording and script onto one or more podcasting platforms to maximise social media impact. To finish, the interviews can be transcribed for use for other content.

If you’re looking for some inspiration and motivation, go to our podcast Think Bigger, Grow and Succeed and hear our experts – see https://thespeakerspractice.com.au/think-bigger-grow-and-succeed/

 

Adrienne McLean, The Speakers Practice runs weekly interviews on Think Bigger, Grow and Succeed. Adrienne is a Certified BookYourselfSolid Business Building coach and can be contacted on adrienne@thespeakerspractice.com.au and on mobile 0414 367 960.

Networking to build your reputation

Networking functions help Service Professionals to build their audience, grow their skills and connect with other businesses to build opportunities to refer.

Networking helps to raise your profile, make connections and have you talk about what you do. All the important parts that go together to build a reputation.

Networking is:

  • meeting with people one-on-one,
  • sending personalised emails
  • attending networking functions
  • building an online community

Things to think about:

🔆 Your brand and your reputation are very closely aligned. Nurture your reputation and build your brand.

🔆 Networking is one of the parts that go along the business development process and how important it is to keep in contact with your audience.

🔆 It takes anywhere from 5 to 15 touch points to make a sale so Service Professionals need to be keeping in touch with their audience.  When you network face to face with someone or pick up the phone and have a constructive conversation, these are useful touch points in the process of building trust.

 The focus of The Speakers Practice is to help Service Professionals with navigating the business development journey and building confidence with strong presentations and going out to promote themselves.

This is not always as easy as it seems. 

Adrienne McLean is a BookYourselfSolid® Certified Coach, SpeakersTrainingCamp® Internationally Accredited Instructor and the Principle of The Speakers Practice. Offering marketing discovery audits, online training programs, Public Speaking for Professionals, Effective On-Camera Presenting workshop and much more.

Email on adrienne@thespeakerspractice.com.au or ring on 0414 367 960