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In These Hard Economic Times Women Need to Find their Voice
Ten Tips for Female Small Business Owners
PIEDMONT, CA, December 11, 2008 /Coaching - Mentoring PR News/ -- Now, more than ever, women are launching � " or planning to launch � " their own businesses.
The latest statistics show that women own almost half or 10.1 million of small businesses nationwide, and generate about $2 trillion in revenue. Yet, female small-business owners were awarded only 3.4 percent of annual federal contracts. As the numbers of women running their own businesses and looking to expand are predicted to rise rapidly, many women argue that they are frustrated that there is a lack of guidelines and roadmap for federal contracting and getting those in power to take them seriously.
A big issue is that women have issues speaking up about what they� re worth. Enter professional speaker and business consultant Cyndi Maxie who co-authored the just-released book, SPEAK UP! (St. Martin� s Griffin / September 2008 / $14.94) which helps women understand the value of speaking up, and teaches them how to do so.
Here are some quick tips and tools women small business owners need to be able to speak clearly, with confidence, and conviction, and present information effectively.
1. Get Poised. Poise is power. It gives you instant credibility and a decided advantage. Be yourself by tapping into your natural style with strength, but also keep in mind the needs of the audience.
2. Listen Up. Your voice is an important part of your charisma. The first step to putting power into your voice is to review how you sound. Call your voice mail. Record the opening to your presentation. Audio is a speaker� s best learning tool.
3. Use a microphone to enhance it. Never say no to a microphone, especially if the acoustics are poor or if you are speaking to a group of more than 50 people.
4. Be heard, literally and figuratively. How often have you heard someone say, � �Speak Up!� � at a meeting? Make sure this is not directed to you. Punch out your words with emphasis and volume. Combine strong eye contact with your increased volume.
5. Articulate. Articulate. Articulate. There seems to be an increased trend by young people, especially women, to mumble. Be sure to articulate and project.
6. Stand Up for Yourself. When you stand up a remarkable thing happens. Your voice changes. It becomes more clear, commanding and easy to understand. To speak with power, find your � �standing voice� � even when you are sitting down.
7. Just Breathe. Taking deep breaths helps deepen your voice and helps you avoid sounding squeaky. Make it a habit to take several deep breathes before you speak and during a presentation. The muscular action in the diaphragm and abdomen creates a column of air that supports the voice and helps create your optimal pitch.
8. Massage your message. Before you speak, write down and review the message you want your audience or receiver to remember. Map out your messaging points and practice them.
9. Be responsive, not defensive. Be very careful of appearing defensive when you present. Even if your data or your ideas are attacked, it is critical that you respond rather than react. Responding means asking clarifying questions such as, � �What specific point are you addressing?� � � �Can you help me understand why you feel so strongly?� �
10. Clarify your closing statement. Often, females have a tendency to end their sentences in the form of a question when they are nervous or unsure of themselves. The result is that the question lacks authority and impact. It sounds like this: � �Our team will be at the meeting? Ending each sentence on an upswing can undermine your influence, whether one to one or before a group.
About the Authors
Kevin E. O'Connor, CSP
Kevin consults with and speaks to individuals and teams. His specialty is working with physicians, pharmacists, and technical sales professionals. Kevin is a CSP (Certified Speaking Professional), the highest earned designation of National Speakers Association.
Cyndi Maxey, CSP
Cyndi is a speaker and consultant specializing in communication that drives profitable performance. She has spoken to and consulted with healthcare, engineering, foodservice, and government groups on presentations, teambuilding and communication. Cyndi also holds the Certified Speaking Professional designation with National Speakers Association. Less than 570 persons in the world hold this honor for speaking and presenting excellence.
Speak Up!
By Cyndi Maxey and Kevin E. O� Connor
Publication Date: November,11th 2008
St. Martin's Griffin / Trade Paperback Original / 0-312-37628-6 / $14.95 / 256 pages
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