Keep Your Audience Talking

I recently did a presentation for a company with twelve people in attendance.  The topic was communication.  While this was a new topic I was presenting, I have been in front of audiences of all sizes for many years and have been able to engage them through questions and examples.

There were only two ladies in the group that would answer the questions I would ask.  A third woman would make negative comments throughout the presentation.  It was a difficult presentation and I struggled to get interaction, which I found surprising.  I would ask a question, wait for a response and not hear a thing.  What really made the whole presentation worse was one evaluation form I received back had a comment that I could not engage the audience!

What!! I wanted to scream when I read this comment later that night.  I did everything but stand on my head to get participation.

An audience that responds to the trainer will gain more from the presentation.  The trainer isn't asking questions to have a break from talking or cannot fill the allotted time.  The trainer wants the audience to be engaged to increase their comprehension of how the information can be used back in their work environment and how their fellow participants are processing the information.

Later that evening I thought about what else I could have done to encourage the rest of the group to participate.  I went through my experience: asking open ended questions, relate the information to their industry, ask how they could apply this information to their positions, give my personal examples, and listen to clues where some of the questions were leading.  Check to all the above, I did these things.

I realized some people will not say anything in a group.  I also realized some people just want to be heard and will try to hijack the presentation from the speaker.  It can be a challenge to find the balance.

Sometimes no matter how hard you try, you cannot keep an audience talking.  What other ways do you get an audience to keep talking?


Until the next blog, Keep Speaking!

Denise

Denise Ann Galloni, Owner & President

DG Training Solutions, Inc.

Website:  https://www.DGTrainingsolutionsinc.com

Email:  dgtrainingsolutionsinc@gmail.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/deniseanng

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/DGTrainingSolutionsInc

LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/deniseanngalloni


 

 

 

 

How Large is Your Digital Footprint?

We have all heard - be careful what you put on the internet.  It is there forever and could potentially harm you or your reputation. But is not having a digital footprint harmful to you professionally?

As someone self-employed, I have very little funds in my marketing budget and carefully examine how to allocate those funds.  I try to maximize all opportunities available to me:  my website, business Facebook page, LinkedIn, Twitter, and all of my professional organization profiles.  I belong to a number of professional organizations and have quite a few profiles to manage.  I didn't spend too much time on their content, who would really look anyway?  Why take the time to put all that effort into my profiles and keep updating them?  Boy was I wrong.  I will say it again, I was wrong! In the past year I have made an effort to redo all of those profiles.  Did it make a difference?  I will let you be the judge if it is worth your time and effort by giving you a few examples of my experience. 

I belong to a Women's Business Organization that has almost 400 members.  One day I received an email from the editor for the newsletter of this particular organization asking if she could print two of my blogs in the newsletter.  She thought the two blogs had great information the members would enjoy reading. I asked how she found me.  She was looking through the Member Directory, came across my name, clicked on my profile and clicked the link to my website.  Then from my website home page, she spent time reading my blogs.  I was excited, this was free advertising for my business that was going to 400 women without me doing anything extra. 

Four months later the same editor contacted me again and asked if she could print another blog in the newsletter. All this because I kept my profile updated. 

A few weeks ago I was on a business trip and received an email from a company in California, they were looking for someone to fill in and give two presentations the next week in Pittsburgh (which is where I live).  They found my information off of one of my profiles in a Pittsburgh training organization website. From that profile, they went to my website and hired me on the spot to complete the presentations.  Now I have another new client!

These opportunities came out of the blue all because I have updated information on my profiles and people were able to see my abilities, past experiences and skills.

Isn't it time to increase your digital footprint?

Until the next blog, Keep Speaking!

Denise

Denise Ann Galloni, Owner & President
DG Training Solutions, Inc.
Website:  https://www.DGTrainingsolutionsinc.com
Email:  dgtrainingsolutionsinc@gmail.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/deniseanng
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/DGTrainingSolutionsInc
LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/deniseanngalloni

But Why Are You Different?

I attend a lot of networking events.  Some of the networking events and groups I belong to are women only, and some include men.  I have noticed a trend whenever I hear someone give their one-minute commercial (or elevator speech).  Now with complete honestly, I must admit I was also guilty of this until I changed my strategy.

Whether you are giving your one-minute commercial or giving your elevator speech consider this, like myself there are people in attendance who participate in multiple networking events and groups.  Most of us hear the same commercial each time.

Hello my name is (insert name).  I work for (insert company).  If you would ever need (insert service or good they are trying to sell), I would love to meet with you and be of assistance.  Now sometimes the commercial is not verbatim, but close enough to what I just said.

Okay what do you think is wrong with this?  It doesn't stand out and people will not remember it.  I run into many insurance salespeople, financial advisors, and direct sales people all the time.  Explain why you are different from everyone else out there in your industry who is also trying to obtain my business.

I mentioned in the beginning of this blog I was guilty of this myself.  Here is my new commercial:
"Hello everyone.  My name is Denise Galloni and I am the owner and president of DG Training Solutions, Inc. My company will assist your organization in maximizing employee potential through training and development (this is my mission statement I use every time I talk about my company).  I can create a training plan including videos, manuals and on-site employee training.  I can also help your organization with standardization, process improvement or branding.  I work with my clients for 8 hours, 8 days or 8 months, whatever is needed to succeed in their goals.  This will increase your profits and save you money by contracting with me short term rather than bringing a new employee onboard."

Did you see the difference in the scripts?  It may take a few times to really get this to flow when you are introducing yourself, but it is worth the effort to tell everyone why you are different!


Until the next blog, Keep Speaking!

Denise

Denise Ann Galloni, Owner & President
DG Training Solutions, Inc.
Website:  https://www.DGTrainingsolutionsinc.com

Email:  dgtrainingsolutionsinc@gmail.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/deniseanng
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/DGTrainingSolutionsInc
LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/deniseanngalloni
Blog:  http://DGTrainingsolutionsinc.blogspot.com

Expand Your Comfort Zone

Are you one of those people who go to the same restaurant and order the same food every time?  Most of us do this, at least occasionally.  It’s comfortable, easy and we don’t have to think because we know we like this item.  I’m guilty of doing this myself.  If my husband and I are going out to eat I know what I am going to order before we even get there.

Almost two years ago I stepped out of my comfort zone.  I quit my full time job making a very good salary without another job.  While deciding where to apply for another position, I stepped out of my comfort zone further and started my own company.  For years I have wanted to start my own business.  I went from wanting to own a consignment store, to wanting to own a specialty gift basket store, and the list went on and on.  Now was my time to do it!

I just want to mention I took baby steps when I stepped out of my comfort zone.  I wasn’t ready for a giant leap yet.  I started a company doing basically the same thing I have done for years.  But now I would be my own boss of my own company.  I wasn’t sure if I was sick in my stomach from the excitement or fear.  But a year and a half later, I am still in business and doing well. 

What’s next?  Since I have expanded my comfort zone, I want to step out a little further and push myself a little more.  I am taking my business in a different direction and adding different ways to generate revenue to my company. Again, it is scary but I can do it. 

Are you comfortable in what you are doing or are you happy doing what you do? There is a difference.  Once I sat and listened to someone complain about how much he hated his job.  "Look for something else" I told him. “What do you want to do” I asked?  "I can do a lot of things" he replied.  "But what do you want to do" I kept asking.  He didn’t have an answer.

I’m not advocating quitting your job without something else lined up or having another income source.  But while you are deciding what you want to do, take baby steps to get there.  If you want to start your own business in a few years, you may want to do market research or take a class on starting a business.  If you want to do something different, try learning some new skills.  Before you know it you will wonder why you were so intimidated to step out of your comfort zone.

Abraham Lincoln once said “I will study and prepare myself and someday my chance will come".  This is great advice, be ready for when your chance comes. 

What baby steps will you take today?

 
Until the next blog, Keep Speaking!

Denise

 
Denise Ann Galloni, Owner & President

DG Training Solutions, Inc.

Website:  https://www.DGTrainingsolutionsinc.com

Email:  dgtrainingsolutionsinc@gmail.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/deniseanng

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/DGTrainingSolutionsInc

LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/deniseanngalloni

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes You Need to Say "I Don't Know"!

I was sitting in a training class when one of the participants asked a question.  The trainer very confidently looked at her and answered the question.  That is the way it is supposed to work, right?  Someone asks a question and the trainer or subject matter expert provides an answer.  In this case the answer was wrong.  I looked over at my co-worker sitting next to me, he leaned over to me and said “I don’t think that is the right answer, it doesn’t make any sense”.


When the class was over out of curiosity we researched the answer.  The trainer was blatantly wrong!  Obviously he did not know the answer so he made something up.  What do you think that did to his credibility with us?  It destroyed his credibility.


I have taught over 300 classes and there have been times when someone asked a question that I did not know the answer.  It happens to the best of us.  You can be an expert in what you are teaching or presenting and a question comes out of left field and you wonder how someone could come up with such a question.


In some of the cases you can say, “In my opinion or I think” and give your answer and that is a suitable answer for the type of question being asked.  Never should you make up an answer to make yourself appear to know everything.  No one can know everything!


I have found the best course of action in these cases is honesty.  Just say “I don’t know, but that is a great question and I will find out the answer for you”.  I have never had anyone say to me you don’t know what you are talking about.  People understand and are usually patient to get the correct answer, they want to know the correct answer. 


Now to keep your credibility, don’t forget to let everyone know the answer.  If it is a small class, you can email the answer to them if you need more time than a break to do some research.  If it is in a larger setting, you can refer people to your social media accounts and tell them you will post the answer on a specific day.  What a great way to also increase traffic to your social media accounts!  Not only will you gain more followers, people will respect the fact you took the initiative to find the answer for a participant.


I think most of us have been in a setting where the “subject matter expert” talked around the question but did not really say anything.  Sometimes you just need to say “I don’t know”.

Until the next blog, Keep Speaking!

Denise



 Denise Ann Galloni, Owner & President

DG Training Solutions, Inc.

Website:  https://www.DGTrainingsolutionsinc.com

 Email:  dgtrainingsolutionsinc@gmail.com

 Twitter: https://twitter.com/deniseanng

 Facebook:  www.facebook.com/DGTrainingSolutionsInc

 LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/deniseanngalloni

Am I a Trainer, a Presenter or an Actress?

Besides Trainer, Presenter, or Actress, I can add other labels to the title of this blog.  A Facilitator, Speaker, Teacher….the list can go on and on.

You may be wondering what acting has to do with anything.  Am I acting like I know what I am talking about?  No, that is not what I mean.  When I say I am an actress in front of an audience I mean that I step out of being just Denise to being engaging Denise to my audience.  I learned this many years ago and have always kept this in the back of my mind.

Let me give you an example.  Twenty years ago I was a Tupperware lady.  At this time you had to order Tupperware from a Tupperware representative.  We didn’t have online ordering, probably because we didn’t have online at the time.  There was no website.  I would drive all over and conduct Tupperware parties for my hostesses.  I used to have a great time and lots of fun doing this.  I had a sign on my display that said “I get paid to party at work”.

I noticed when I wasn’t feeling well or in a bad mood the sales of my parties reflected this.  Since I made a percentage on the Tupperware I sold, this was an issue.  It took a few unsuccessful parties before I realized something.  I had a moment of clarity:  the hostess and her friends didn’t care if I was having a bad day, going through a difficult situation or not feeling well.  They were there to have fun, socialize with their friends, and buy Tupperware.

An audience feels the same way.  They want to be engaged.  Think back to the last presentation you sat through and thought to yourself this speaker would rather be anywhere else.  How did you feel as a member of the audience?  You gave up your time and money to be there and the speaker didn’t engage, motivate you, or even want to be there.

I’m an actress in a sense that I perform in front of my audience, classroom, and colleagues.  I’m not over the top with drama or wild with hand gestures.  I am positive, energetic, and engaging.  The audience would never know anything about how my day was going or how I felt.

How do I know this is true?  While giving a speech at my local Toastmaster club, I started to get a migraine.  My migraines cause me to have visual auras which means the room changes colors, flashes of lights (similar to strobe lights), and waves run in front of my eyes.  I kept right on delivering my speech without any reaction even though I could no longer make out the faces of the audience.  When I sat down someone commented that I am always smiling, positive and in a good mood.  They had no idea I was in the middle of a terrible migraine while delivering the speech.

Yes I am a Trainer, a Presenter, and an Actress!

Until the next blog, Keep Speaking!

Denise

Denise Ann Galloni, Owner & President

DG Training Solutions, Inc.

Website:  https://www.DGTrainingsolutionsinc.com

 Email:  dgtrainingsolutionsinc@gmail.com

 Twitter: https://twitter.com/deniseanng

 Facebook:  www.facebook.com/DGTrainingSolutionsInc

 LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/deniseanngalloni

Did the Light Bulb turn on?

Did someone ever say something to you and you felt the light bulb go on over your head like in the old cartoons?  All of a sudden you got it!  Wow you thought, that is so true or now I understand it completely! 

This has happened to me a few times.  Someone said something that resonated with me so much I have added to my mantras and it has shaped me into the person I am today.

One time was in my very first college course.  It was an Accounting I class.  I don’t know why I picked Accounting I as my first class when I decided to return to school while working full time, but I did.

The professor told a story about when he was in the military and his commanding officer gave him some advice.  He told him to take advantage of everything available to learn while he was there.  If they offer a knitting class (he actually used knitting as an example), take it.  You never know when this knowledge will be useful.  "No one can ever take away the knowledge you have learned and knowledge is power".

This experience was too many years ago to tell you how many, but I always kept that in the back of my mind.  If someone was offering a free webinar, I signed up for it.  If there was workshop that was in my price range, I signed up for it.  I read books with subjects I didn’t know anything about and articles not necessarily in my industry or in my area of expertise to gain additional knowledge.   

So what’s the point of this blog you may be wondering?  Following this mantra has encouraged me to be exposed to subjects that normally I would have skipped or been intimated by.  This philosophy has given me an endless supply of speech material and now an idea for this blog.

I don’t remember that professors name after all these years, but I wish I could to tell him what an effect that story from his military career had on one nervous student sitting in the first row.

By the way, I passed Accounting I and went on to take several other Accounting classes.  I may not ever use the theory of LIFO/FIFO, or cost accounting, but no one can ever take that knowledge away from me.

What is the mantra that you follow?  How has it impacted you?

Until the next blog, Keep Speaking!

Denise

Denise Ann Galloni, Owner & President

DG Training Solutions, Inc.

Website:  https://www.DGTrainingsolutionsinc.com

 Email:  dgtrainingsolutionsinc@gmail.com

 Twitter: https://twitter.com/deniseanng

 Facebook:  www.facebook.com/DGTrainingSolutionsInc

 LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/deniseanngalloni