Copyright (c) 2007 The College Of Public Speaking
Was it Oscar Wilde that once said? "You only get one opportunity to create a good first impression."
How true that is in the business world. As a person who gives a couple of hundred workshops a year, it took me a while to recognise this. And I don't mean that moment you stand up and welcome the class to your session, I'm talking about that moment you walk in to your client company's offices.
Being involved in training and the development of others is a wonderful occupation, but because of the amount of equipment a trainer often carries (laptop, data projector, speakers, video camera, batteries etc) one can often arrive looking rather drained of energy, especially when you've lugged your gear across town on London's tube system.
So you're there at your client's offices and your contact has been delayed and nobody knows what room you're in. At this point, I leave my bags at reception, ask where the nearest bathroom is and head straight for it.
Here I take a deep breath, compose myself - wash my face, comb my hair and straighten my tie. After a cup of coffee, I'm ready for my class, but there's still an hour before we start.
My contact from HR has arrived. I stand up and we shake hands. I look him in the eye and ask him if he had a difficult journey. He smiles and nods, we've never met before but we have created a supportive bond. We are connected through our common knowledge of public transport.
He shows me to the training room which is in a bit of a mess after yesterday's unrelated class. "No problem," I say positively, "Leave it with me." (I always rearrange the room anyway). "I'll take it from here", I tell him and yes, I have his mobile number should I require assistance.
A good start, but I still haven't seen my eight students. I set up the laptop and data projector. I check the tape on the video camera and playback through the speakers to ensure the technological aspects are working fine. They are and it gives me great confidence. The confidence and vocal energy that you convey helps to create a positive learning environment.
The students begin to arrive in ones and twos. Before class, I always put my name on the board. I create a class map with seats and who is sitting where. People's names are their most prized possession. I have a simple technique to remember their names immediately, even when the exercises requires them to move around the class.
I chat with them, ask them about their work, how's it going? What problems and challenges are they currently facing? How do they think today's class will help overcome them? The focus is always on them and I make a point of saying very little at this point. Listening is the most forgotten factor in communication. We create a positive first impression with our stance, expressions and actions. The way we sit, stand and walk conveys an enormous subconscious message about our current state.
The class is assembled. They're all comfortable and settled. I stand, smile, look them directly in the eye (well, as much as one can do with a group), and I put faith in one of my many, well rehearsed opening lines.
Now that the hard work is out of the way, the rest of the day will be a breeze.
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