Verbal Communication with Impact - Not just for Formal Presentations
When most people think about improving the impact of their verbal communication, they probably think about how to improve their presentation skills. That’s because most people would consider a formal, pre-prepared presentation to a specific target audience as the most common situation in which communication creates an impact.
In reality this is simply not the case. Most communication takes place on an informal, impromptu basis, probably only 10% of communication is a in a formal situation. The vast majority of the time, say as much as 90%, individuals will find themselves having to communicate in some familiar but unplanned situations; the boss or colleague calls for a “quick update”, a prospective customers calls out of the blue to ask about a latest proposal, a client calls unexpectedly to complain. Most of the skills learned on a presentation course will be of little help in these situations - what is required is the ability to think on your feet!
…as much as 90%, individuals will find themselves having to communicate in some familiar but unplanned situations…
Think about it. If a good presenter could communicate in the 90% of informal situations as well as they do in the formal environment, they could increase their impact by a multiple of 4!
…If a good presenter could communicate in the 90% of informal situations as well as they do in the formal environment, they could increase their impact by a multiple of 4…
Diagram one is a visual representation of the estimated proportion of time spent on different types of communication. You may be surprised at how much communication takes place on an informal, unplanned basis - yet it still counts when it comes to making an impact.
Diagram one - The Communication Spectrum Source: Illumine analysis
The skills required to handle formal, planned presentations to groups are typically learned on presentation skills course. While the skills to manage formal one to one meetings are often well covered by Neuro Linguistic Porgramming (NLP) training. So, what can you do to learn the skills required to communicate well in the remaining 90% of verbal communication situations?
The answer is - Think On Your Feet®(TOYF®) the globally recognised communication skills course which addresses not only the needs of formal presenters, but importantly teaches effective communication tools for the majority of informal, unplanned communication situations.
Diagram two shows how the different communication skills courses match to communication situations:
Diagram two - How Different Communication Skills Courses Match to Situations Where we Communicate Source: Illumine analysis
How does TOYF work in the informal communication environment?
TOYF seeks to develop communication based on clarity, brevity and impact. These three objectives are achieved by working on the principle that you need to organise your thoughts into a sort of mini-plan prior to delivering communication. In other words, clear thinking is the route to clear communication.
…the whole organisation benefits if everyone is communicating with greater clarity and brevity…
You will need a different mini plan for different situations. TOYF therefore teaches 10 plans that help you structure your thoughts quickly to get your point across clearly, concisely and memorably. These 10 plans are known as “capsules of persuasion”.
These 10 capsules are divided into three groups
| The three basic plans | The three Assertive plan | The four sub plans |
| the Clock plan | Zoom lens | Picture |
| the Global plan | Pendulum | Opposites |
| the Triangle plan | Benefits | Domino |
| W5 |
By understanding each of these plans, then learning and practicing when to apply them, an individual will considerably sharpen their communication skills in any situation. This not only benefits the individual, but it is especially valuable to the organisation if the individual is dealing with external parties, such as customer service managers and agents, sales staff, procurement, and supply managers, media relations staff and marketing. Of course, the whole organisation benefits if everyone is communicating with greater clarity and brevity.
Find out more about the Think On Your Feet® programme here. Or if you are interested in Presentation Skills Training take a look at our Professional Presentations course. Alternatively take a look here to see the whole of our communication skills training course range.
Think On Your Feet is delivered under licence from Think On Your Feet International and Think On Your Feet® is their registered trademark.
Tags: Formal communication, Informal communication, Think On Your Feet® (Training), Verbal Communication