The Quality of Ones Life Rests on Effective Communication Skills

I used to stutter. I had a difficult time as a child putting words together and when I did, they came out in sporadic unintelligible banter. What made it worse was my lisp. My tongue seemed too big for my mouth and my lips too big for my face.  It wasn’t easy.

It didn’t help any bit that my speech coach was a Mr Krinsthski. Try saying that and it not sound lispy. At a young age burdened with what some would call impairment, kids my age didn’t give me a moment of peace. I was bullied on the way to school, at school, and on the way home.

While I corrected my impediment by the age of 14, the bullying continued throughout Jr High and into High School. As a result, I had to learn to fight. And fight I did.

I’m pretty sure I was suspended more times than any kid who ever went through my high school for fighting. I can remember at least a half dozen 10 day suspensions which were welcomed vacations from daily beatings. I didn’t just learn to fight with my fists, I also learned to fight with my tongue.  My speech coach created a sharp tongued warrior.

As a result I made numerous trips to the school psychologist who was a man of Polish decent standing at 5 feet “tall”. This is one man who understood what it meant to be a target. He sided with me and encouraged me to keep my head up and focus on protecting myself and proving to myself that I was OK. I read lots of self help and books on motivation and began to see my place in the world.

As a result of my life experience, self defense and personal security became my life’s passion and today my life’s work.  I pursued professions revolving around security and at the same time increased my vocabulary and communication skills. I knew if I ever wanted to “sell myself” as a security professional I needed to effectively communicate.

Early on at 25 years old I attended an event with the New England chapter of the National Speakers Association.  Here I witnessed professional communicators who had tremendous passion and spoke for a living about what they loved. They actually got paid to talk! In the days of Aristotle and Socrates we would refer to them as Orators.  Here I am a few years out of the Principals office surrounded by the same people whose books I read as a kid. How do you like them apples?

Ive been a member of NSA for more than 15 years and now I’m on the Board of Directors in New England. Today I am writing this from a café in NY City across the street from 1211 Avenue of The Americas, which houses Fox News. I’ve been in that building a dozen times. Today I’m shooting a live spot on Fox for one of the largest most respected security companies on the planet. Thank you NSA.

On June 10^th and 11^th at the Waltham Woods Conference Center, in Waltham MA, sponsored by the National Speakers Association, New England Chapter.  There will be two full days of exceptional courses for business leaders on how to speak like a pro and leverage speaking to build your business, advance in your career, and sell more products and services.

Speaker U is a quick, easy way to gain confidence, credibility, and clients:

For the Professional Speaker:  School of Sustainability: Keeping your professional speaking business growing, going, and thriving

For the Newer/Emerging Speaker:  School of Speaking Careers: Building a successful professional speaking business

For the Corporate/Professional Service Speaker: School of Professional Presentation: Mastering the essential skills to set you

apart from the competition!

Do you want to know how to:

• Keep your professional speaking business growing, going, and thriving?
• Add charisma, energy and pizzazz to your speech?
• Build credibility and new business in a changing market?
• Create and sustain successful professional speaking business?
• Eliminate stage fright and speak with absolute confidence?
• Develop a natural, compelling, authentic style?
• Get away from notes and PowerPoint when speaking?

• Master the essential skills that set you apart from the competition?

The courses will be taught by professional speakers and business people who coach top executives and professionals.  What’s remarkable about this is the incredible value.  My professional association, NSA New England, decided to offer it for a fraction of what you usually pay for most conferences like this.

The early bird rate is $297 if paid by April 25^th, $357 if paid by May 21^st.

Courses you’ll find at Speaker “U”

• Speak Like a Pro: 7 Steps to Highly Effective Presentations
• Book Me, Book Me! What’s Really Happening in the Meeting Industry
• Never, Ever be a Dud Presenter: Proven Strategies to Stand out at Industry Conferences and Events
• The Art of Movement on Stage: Learning through Improvisation
• Blood from a Stone: How to Sell in Any Market
• Professional Dress for the Professional Speaker
• Book Schmook! How to Create Product that Builds your Brand
• PR/RX: A Foolproof Prescription for a Healthy PR Plan
• Pop! Your Business, Brand Book and Speaking Career!
• The Art of Being Fabulous: Make a Powerful First Impression with Clients
• The Dating Game, Speaker Edition: Do you Have What it Takes to Get Booked
• Social Media for the Aspiring Speaker
• Get your Book Published This Year!
• This is No Time to Be Shy: How to Reach Out And Build Relationships
• PR and Promotion Strategies for the Emerging Speaker
• How to Find Your Topic and Niche Market
• The New Rules of Marketing/PR
• And more!

And don’t forget to put it on your calendar – June 10^th and 11^th at the  Conference Center at Waltham Woods , 860 Winter Street,  Waltham, MA.

So if you’re around, come hang out and learn something. Check out the courses and sign up on line at  www.nsanewengland.com