There are so many business books I have read that have benefited our publishing company or my author platform. Over the next few months, I will highlight some of my favorite business books with a brief synopsis of the book as well as my top ten take aways or quotes.

Book Title: Better Business Speech

Author: Paul Geiger

Book Synopsis:

In a business world where we are told that time is money, the real currency is communicating clearly at a poised and measured pace. Better Business Speech: Techniques, Tricks, and Shortcuts for Public Speaking at Work by Paul Geiger focuses on the challenges of being a strong communicator in a range of business settings. It begins with the basic premise that all speaking for business is public speaking. Therefore, these are the communication scenarios where any lack of confidence in speech ability will be magnified. The obstacles that stand in the way of successful meetings, presentations, networking events, job interviews, and sales calls are all clearly described. Seasoned speech coach Paul Geiger offers tricks, techniques, and shortcuts that all seem shockingly simple; but it is the retraining of the mind and body that is the hard part. He details practical daily exercises that lead to better speech habits and addresses the causes of ineffective speech patterns in both personal and business settings. The physical and mental aspects of speech are explored in the context of forming a strong speech technique foundation that never loses sight of the importance of always sounding authentic. By offering action steps and helpful online tutorials, Geiger provides readers with the tools necessary to make lasting changes that will enhance speaking skills in all facets of business life.

Read a review of the business book Time and How to Spend It here.

My Review:

Author Paul Geiger has some actionable advice for business speech in his book. I am sharing a few favorite tips with you but the best part of the book were the practical exercises you could do in the book to improve your public speaking!

Top Ten Quotes:

1. “Bumper stickers is the term I use to describe concise messages. A bumper sticker always includes your understanding and perspective, and it is short enough to fit on the back of a car bumper. It isn’t an elevator pitch;they’re much too long. The discipline of finding and using bumper stickers leads to clarity of thought and the increased confidence many refer to as Executive Presence.”

2. ” The next step to good presentation preparation is clearly defining the three most important ideas that brought you to your bumper sticker. Three ideas in any one sitting are pretty much any listener’s limit. Don’t get lost int he light show of information. Allow only one sentence for each reason. This will make the connection between how you feel about some thing and why you feel that way.”

3. “What to do. Learn from a good speaker. Instead of worrying about keeping up pay attention to the things they are doing well. Watch where they take their breaths. This may be difficult to detect as their breathing is completely integrated into their communication style that it seems relaxed and effortless. They may use a combination of fast breaths that quicken the pace and more deliberate breaths that indicate thoughtfulness or gravitas regarding the things they say. Either way, the breathing is there, and they are using it.”

4. “The smooth transition from one gesture to the next allows you to connect ideas with body language. By holding a gesture until the impulse for the next gesture comes along, you no longer need to think about where you put your hands when speaking.”

5. “Try each of them out slowly at first. You can then begin slightly increasing the pace of your delivery.

• The Rewind: pointed finger drawing a small circle (try with each hand individually)
• The Either Or: palms facing upward alternating racing and falling
• The Ball of Wax: hand surrounding a small ball
• The Hammer: a clenched fist softly hitting the open palm of your other hand (try alternating hands)
• The Back There: a closed hand with your thumb extended pointing behind you (try with each hand individually)
• The No Way: palms facing downward, one over the other at the start and motioning away from each other to opposite sides
• The Authentic: palm open moving toward and lightly touching your chest”

6. “Let’s take a look at some alternate gestures that can be used when speaking the same short phrases. Notice how each gesture alters the meaning and the intonation; that is, the rhythm and pitch , of a phrase. These are the subtle nuances you are looking to project.

• The Here and Now: open hand starting near the chest and dropping slowly to waste height (try with each hand individually)
• The This or That: both hands, parallel to each other and a few inches apart, landing on one side of your body and then the opposite side.
• The Big Picture: palms at chest height, facing down, one over the other at the start, that move downward at the same rate, outlining a globe shape
• The Hard Work: hands clenched at chest, as if holding ski poles, and motioning downward together
• The Mover: both on your right side , right hand open toward the body and left hand out, move simultaneously to your left side switching in and out positions (try starting on the left and moving to the right)
• The Wait a Minute: open palms out, at chest height, pull back slightly and then move forward with an abrupt stop
• The Heartfelt: one open palm on chest while the other open hand starts at the chest and slowly moves down to waste height”

7. “Trimming the fat. Overstuffing a presentation or a conversation is a common speaking mistake. You increase the clarity and power of your message by learning how to distill information. Streamlining your presentation is always a plus in your fast-paced business world.It is also crucial to the process of discovering your bumper stickers.”

8. “Lack of body language awareness can be a major kink in the hose that allows your spoken ideas to flow.You know what it feels like to be in the flow, and you know what it feel like when you’re not. Body language that is stiff, held back, or passive can actually cause you to deliver your ideas in a choppy and disjointed manner. The body and mind connection is very strong and needs to be used everyday. Effective speech is a full-body experience.”

9. “Good speakers use deliberate breathing. Good speakers gesture fully and completely. Good speakers vary their intonation: pitches are high and low; rhythms are fast and slow. Good speakers have a cadence that is deliberate and sweeping. Good speakers understand the importance of eye contact: appropriately balanced in small groups and inclusive in large groups. Good speakers use bumper stickers that are clear and concise. Good speakers return to their bumper stickers often for emphasis.”

10. “Vulnerability can be projected by showing a willingness to share your experiences and your perspective. The confidence of knowing what you want to talk about is the key to being able to do this well. Try using a good all-purpose statement like, “This gathering (topic, conversation) reminds me of the time…” You will be connecting your current circumstances with an experience from your past, allowing your perspective to shine through. This is a very clear invitation for your listener to relate to the story you are telling.”

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My name is Maria Dismondy. I am a children’s book author who also founded the publishing company, Cardinal Rule Press.

Finding ways to market my messages is a passion of mine. I want to help you gain greater recognition of your brand, to generate new readers and improve your sales. Why? Because I love to GIVE and CONNECT and I truly believe we are all in this together!