Public speaking is said to be the biggest fear for most people. For your employees, however, it doesn’t have to be. There is no debate that communication is essential for successful business. Yet, many struggle to “find their voice.”
In a recent survey by an online presentation platform, 70% of employed people agreed that public speaking skills are critical for their success at work. But, in this same study, 20% of people also stated that they would do anything to avoid presenting. This included pretending to be ill or asking a co-worker to give it instead.
If public speaking is so important in a business setting, why is it such a burden for employees?
A major reason people are so terrified of public speaking is a perceived lack of skills or experience. Employees just aren’t comfortable public speaking when they haven’t had enough guidance to grow and practice their craft.
Fortunately for employers, all these issues are easily corrected with the proper instruction. There are courses on offer to support employees as they learn how to effectively communicate and instil confidence while doing so. There are many group public speaking workshops for teams that will even tailor their content to meet your individual business needs. This skill is so crucial for your business that proper training is necessary and worthwhile. Presentation skills training from Corporate Class Inc. is a perfect way to become the confident, effective presenter you’ve always wanted to be.
These courses provide workers with so much more than just the ability to “talk.” By investing in public speaking courses for your employees, you will also cultivate these five essential qualities in your staff.
- Connectedness
You are only as valuable as the ideas you share. Employees need to be able to communicate and connect with co-workers and customers. Public speaking skills help in building relationships with both groups.
Teamwork is a fundamental aspect of your company’s daily routine. There are very little tasks in today’s business environment that don’t require collaboration of some kind. Communication must be clear, direct and purposeful. Public speaking strengthens how employees relate to and engage with one another. Active listening is also enhanced for practiced public speakers as they learn to read people and adapt their message.
While speaking with colleagues and team building is more informal, quality presentations are critical for the continued success of your business. Poor presentations result in failed products and missed opportunities. Bad presentations hurt your business. This seems like a huge price to pay for neglecting to develop such a basic skill. Public speaking helps employees to learn the necessary planning and structure needed to create and deliver engaging presentations.
- Persuasiveness
Just as the old “ABC” adage implies, your employees should “always be closing.”
To “close” with clients or customers, you must be persuasive. Public speakers are taught to craft pitches, stay on message and motivate listeners to action. All these qualities assist in one’s ability to persuade.
While there undoubtedly is a product or service to sell, your employees are also selling you. They are responsible for your brand and your image. Every time they present to a group, speak at a conference or talk with a customer, your employees are a direct reflection of your business. Persuasiveness is key when selling your brand as well, and public speaking skills allow a better chance that customers will buy you and your company.
- Confidence
When employees conquer the biggest fear of public speaking, there isn’t anything else they can’t do.
The truth is that many employees don’t speak up because they are intimidated or afraid. Public speaking courses give employees a chance to practice in a safe, structured setting. With familiarity comes confidence. As employees gain greater confidence, they will be empowered and eventually feel poised and calm instead of fearful.
Confident employees are also more comfortable in leadership roles. Leaders are always valuable commodities in any business.
- Versatility
There is a misconception that public speaking is simply standing in front of a lectern and giving a prepared speech. In reality, the skill set derived from public speaking translates into all aspects of business.
Perhaps the most important ability is being able to think on your feet. Public speaking teaches employees to remain fluid. Even if you have a prepared message, there is always the need to adapt and be creative in your approach. Employees will be less rattled when a situation doesn’t go smoothly and respond by finding an alternative solution. This breeds innovation as your trained speakers learn to think outside the box and remain flexible enough to try new things.
- Knowledge
Strong public speaking does not just manifest out of thin air. It takes organisation, planning and research. Your employees will further their knowledge base by becoming more proficient at these. In addition, personal time management will improve when employees grow into better planners. As employees get more seasoned at public speaking, they will research deeper, more efficiently and can analyse data in a more usual way.
