Thursday, October 18, 2007

Oral Communication

Communication skills include the mix of verbal, interpersonal and physical strategies needed to interact confidently and effectively with a range of audiences. A skilful communicator draws on a number of different means (e.g., graphical, visual, statistical, audio-visual and technological) to get the point across.

Definition: Makes clear and convincing oral presentations to individuals or groups. Listens effectively and clarifies information as needed. Facilitates an open exchange of ideas and fosters an atmosphere of open communication.



Why is Improving Oral Communication Important?

Many people owe their success to their ability to give good presentations and to participate confidently in discussion, despite the fact that both are initially a major source of anxiety for most of us. As with any behaviour-based skill there are those who are 'gifted', but that doesn't mean that effective discussion techniques, charismatic public speaking and presentation skills can't be learnt. Through learning the techniques you'll also develop the ability to understand how the communication process works, so that you can adjust your approach to suit your purpose. Clarity of oral communication and well-developed interpersonal skills, when interacting in a group or one-to-one, are attributes that make us more successful students, professionals and all round communicators.

The Importance of Oral Communication

Now what? What do you think that you will actually be doing on a day-to-day basis? Sitting at your desk? Working quietly at your computer? No. For the most part you will be interacting and communicating with other people, and some of the most important of this communication will be in the form of oral presentations.

Why are presentations so important in today's business environment? It's simple, really: nothing has more impact, or is quite as impressive, as a well-delivered oral presentation. Properly executed and in the right context, they can inform, motivate and convince more effectively than any other single form of communication. As a result, employers place great value on presentation skills; your abilities in this area can literally make or break your career.

For example:

Your new boss comes in to your office and says "I want you to bring the rest of the team up-to-date on the status of the flying skateboard project at this Friday's meeting. You'll have about ten minutes."

You are speaking with a potential client, who tells you that your company is on a short list of possible vendors. She suggests that you come to their office to brief several key people on the advantages of your company's products.

You are told to attend an out-of-town industry conference in order to publicly launch and explain your company's revolutionary new electric pet-grooming product.

How Do Oral Presentations Differ from Written Forms of Communication?

It seems obvious; oral presentations differ from written communication in that you are talking rather than writing. If you think about it for a moment, however, you'll realize that there are two critical points that flow from this, and which have a tremendous influence on how you prepare and deliver your presentations. If you understand these, you are well on your way to being an excellent presenter!

1 - There is no written record

Usually there is no complete written record for your audience to consult - you talk; they (hopefully) listen. This means that simple, direct presentations are best: otherwise you risk losing your audience's attention. Remind them periodically about the overall structure of your presentation, and how the information fits together. In other words, don't just present to your audience, but rather guide them through your presentation.

2 - You Must Understand and Use Non-verbal Communication (Body Language)

Remember, you are delivering your message in person, and in front of other people. This means that your message will not simply be what you are saying, but how you are saying it. In other words, you must take into account the fact that that your voice, posture, hand gestures, use of eye contact, and overall appearance are all sending their own messages, and that these have to fit with what you are saying. Non-verbal communications (body language) is critically important; in fact, lots of studies have shown that people pay more attention to how you present than what you present!






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