Creating a Speech Part 5

Great day here in Colorado. Sunny, cool, snow rapidly melting and spring is everywhere! Wowsers!

I will end my exploration of speech writing for awhile by talking about "The Importance of Rhubarb". I was told long ago that when a Hollywood movie was being produced and they wanted the sound of a large crowd or mob in the movie, they had all of the extras say "Rhubarb" It does do an amazing job of making that sound. Here is why you care: when you have your participants do a live exercise and it is a good one, as I hope yours will always be, they get very involved and excited and it is nearly impossible to get their attention to continue your presentation. In larger group, I have spent 15 minutes walking around quieting noise so I could begin the seminar again, but that was before "Rhubarb".

Now, at the start of every presentation, I tell everyone to be aware that I will be raising my hand when it is time to return to the seminar and their job is to immediately raise theirs when they notice my hand go up and then to get quiet. We practice saying "Rhubarb" and having them get quiet as my hand is raised. This technique is so effective, I have seen it quiet a room of 500 participants in less than 60 seconds and all I did was raise my hand and smile. Cool huh?

Happy speaking!...Jack