“Nothing in life is more important than the ability to communicate effectively.” – Gerald R. Ford

Communications in its multiple forms pervades today’s business environment. With numerous job interviews, conference calls, meetings, product presentations, workshops, and public events, more and more leaders realize the importance of developing good interpersonal communication skills within their company. Yet the majority of executives and employees continue to neglect and overlook the use of public speaking, leaving the advancements and better career opportunities for those who take proactive steps to master the art of speaking in public.

The truth is that you might have the best products or services, years of experience or an outstanding business idea, but if you do not communicate this to your target audiences, you are limiting your effectiveness. All too often, the very best and inspiring stories in organizations and companies go untold because of people’s reluctance to or fear of taking the stage.

Whether your goal is to enhance your professional growth, take your business to the next level, or inspire, persuade and motivate other people to follow your lead, you will have to learn how to convey your ideas in front of a group of people in a clear, structured and captivating manner.

However, becoming an effective public speaker does not have to turn into one of the necessary, yet unpleasant goals on your professional advancement list.

The art of public speaking holds many practical benefits that go far beyond delivering a project presentation or holding a successful meeting.

Developing your communication skills and learning to speak in public:

• Opens up new opportunities for career advancement
• Positions you as an authority
• Sets you apart from your competition
• Attracts the right customers to your business
• Presents technical or business information effectively
• Produces a faster sales cycle
• Allows you to effectively market your business or promote your products to larger audiences
• Improves internal communication
• Helps you to easily assume leadership and train others
• Increases employees’ productivity
• Prepares you for spontaneous speaking challenges (e.g. delivering a speech at short notice)
• Establishes greater credibility and helps your clients’ loyalty
• Motivates and persuades other people to reach and attain professional goals
• Makes you a desirable guest on local, regional and national conferences, seminars and public speaking events
• Personal and Social Benefits of Public Speaking

A series of psychological studies conducted at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, show that it takes people on average three to five seconds to form an impression about someone they meet for the first time.

Improving your ability to speak in front of others and learning to talk about who you are and what you do with natural grace and authenticity can go a long way in expanding your social circle, building strong relationships with successful, like-minded people and making new friends.

Other personal benefits of public speaking include:

• Increased self-confidence
• Improved communication skills
• Increased organizational skills
• Greater social influence
• Enhanced ability to listen
• Greater possibility of meeting new people
• Lesser anxiety and fear when speaking in front of others
• Improved memory
• Enhanced persuasion ability
• Greater control over emotions and body language