In my preceding article “9 Secrets To Better Beginnings Of Any Presentation”, I wrote about the importance of presentation beginnings and best ways to capture the audience’s attention, as opening is one of the most crucial elements of a powerful presentation. In this article I would focus on how to practise the openers with a 5 point test that could be applied to get into the actual presentation.

Effective presenters know that the beginning part of a presentation should take between 5 and 10% of the allotted presentation time. For one hour presentation, this is between three and six minutes. It is only 30 to 60 seconds for a 10 minute presentation. Although one should spend not more than 10% of the delivery time on the beginning of presentation, over half of the preparation time may be spent on honing and crafting for opening. The hardest thing a presenter is required to do is to START. When you want to travel, the hardest part is to just go ahead and go. But once you start, everything follows. Once the beginning is set, it becomes easier to jump start the presentation and get audience attention almost immediately.

Test whether your presentation opener has the following statements:

1. Impact Statement

An Impact Statement is a brief narrative summarizing the outcome of your presentation which creates strong support to proceed further. To create an impact with your presentation, the audience have to get the message. That means they have to be able to hear it and understand it. And to do that, first they must listen. So the very first step in this whole process is to gain their attention and then keep it, so that they listen, hear what the presenter say, understand it, and then they can be influenced by it which is, after all, the essence of impact.

2. Statement that arouse curiosity or suspense

Best way to arouse curiosity is by hiding or obscuring or veiling or hinting but never revealing. An example statement: “We are close to being able to file hyper-linked legal documents on CD-Roms. Only one thing stands in the way and that is my topic today.”

3. Statement through Question

If you want to persuade the audience to use Copy right legislation, starting the presentation with a question might do the trick. ” Is there anyone here who has not violated the copyright law ? “. Here you are making a statement that your topic is all about copyright law.

4.Statement about startling statistics

A startling statistic can be great opener. ” According to a national survey reported in the Wall Street Journal 82% of respondents say they access pornography on the Net at work “.

5. Societal norm statement

If your presentation subject is “Helping Children Learn to Work”, your opening statement could be”Are We Losing our Societal Norms About Work ? With children becoming more sedentary due to study routines, entertainment options and the like, it is more important than ever to teach the value of work. We parents face the challenge of needing to create opportunities to work rather than just having them.”

Finally make sure to establish credibility upfront with the following ABCD checklist:

-Attract audience straight away with a statement at the beginning of presentation

-Begin to deal with ingredients of your presentation after your initial statement.

-Come out punching. Get to the point with right statement. Your audience expect nothing less.

-Drive rest of your presentation with sub-statements.

Follow this 5 point test and check list for your next presentation and if none apply then it is better to reschedule that next presentation until you are able to create a dynamic opening.

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Time to Negotiate a New Telecom Contract?

Great! After reading this article you’ll be ready to negotiate that next telecom contract like a seasoned pro. The first steps to successful telecom contract negotiation begins by simply understanding the key areas which most contracts are based.

Sound simple? It is, so let’s get started!

Telecom Contracts: Do We Really Need Them?

Businesses sign contracts for all types of telecom services. In fact, you may have contracts in place for local, long distance, wireless, voice and data, etc. Keep in mind that the information contained in this article can be applied to just about any telecom contract negotiations.

A telecom service contract is an easy way for a service provider to lock you into a predetermined rate structure and set of conditions for a specified period of time. Having contracts in place makes it easy for a carrier to count customers. Multi-year contracts also help solidify the customer base – in other words, they can count on predictable revenue.

Contracts can also be to your advantage as well. Having contracts in place eliminates the guess work when conducting routine audits of your telecom services. You’ll never be able to verify that your accounts are being billed correctly without using contract terms and rates as a comparison.

The 7 Key Elements Included in Almost All of the
Telecom Contracts You’ll Sign

Listed below are seven common characteristics and elements that will arise when negotiating your telecom contracts. Use them as a “checklist” before you begin. It’s best to know what you want before negotiations get under way.

Keep in mind that the best deals seem to materialize when there is the element of “win-win” involved. Concentrate your negotiations on just two or three critical items that will make the biggest difference and have the most value to you and your company.

1. Most carriers will combine different offerings to maximize overall volume and revenue. Today more than ever, carriers are fighting to be your one-stop shopping for a variety of telecom services. The fact that they CAN offer you every telecom service, doesn’t mean you should follow their advice. Handle one at a time, then see how the overall package can be put together for your benefit and maximum savings for your company.

2. All telecom contracts will require a minimum volume commitment. This commitment is usually in terms of pre-discounted revenue per month. Variations could include annual usage, net revenue amounts or total minutes of usage. Determine your level of commitment based on previous months or years. Be aware that there are often additional sub-commitments included for specific service elements. FACT: The more volume you offer the carrier, the better rates you’ll be able to negotiate.

3. All require a minimum term commitment.
Two or three year terms are most common, but contracts can be written for shorter or longer periods. Like volume commitments, the longer the term – the better the rates. Service providers are usually willing to renogotiate an existing contract , even if only half the contract remains. Before renegotiating an existing contract, be sure that there are no early termination penalties or fees in the existing one.

4. The net rates are usually expressed in terms of specific discounts off regular published rates.
However, some express specific rates in lieu of service guide pricing. Bottom line? Be sure you know which is which during negotiations! Always be sure that you know the EXACT terms of the agreement before you sign on the dotted line.

5. Some published rates may be specifically waived.
Such waivers are common for installation charges and certain elements of private line pricing. Make it a point to ask to have these kinds of charges waived during your negotiations. After all, you won’t get it unless you ASK!

6. Most telecom contracts include a provision that is included for promotional and other credits.
These are applied at scheduled times to off-set costs of converting from other carriers’ services. Be sure to make specific notes of these credits at the time of negotiation so that you can be sure they were actually credited in the future just as the contract reads.

7. All telecom contracts provide for penalties if violated.
Sounds basic but….ALWAYS be sure you understand the penalties and costs associated with violating the terms of the contracts you sign. Penalties and fees can be substantial so make sure all contract information is provided to new employees who will be overseeing telecom should the original negotiator leave the company or is transferred.

Business Downturn and Technology Clauses

While not always offered by the carrier, many businesses are now asking for business downturn and technology provisions.

For example: A business downturn provision would allow a customer to renegotiate the agreement if the company cannot meet its minimum commitment levels due to unforeseen changes in the business itself (i.e. bad economy, layoffs, etc.). Usually a carrier will renegotiate a lower commitment level in exchange for a longer term commitment.

The Technology Clause protects a customer if they decide to change services to more advanced technology, resulting in lowered usage levels on initial services. An example of this is a company moving from a private line network to a frame relay or virtual private network.

Successful telecom negotiation can mean a huge difference in your company’s “bottom line” telecom expenditures. Plan your strategy. Familiarize yourself with the basics, and always remember: Everything is Negotiable!

The years ending with ’0′ have always been deemed a ‘big year’. (with the exception of turning 21). It’s the end of a decade; a chance to look back at your achievements and look forward with high hopes and expectations.

It’s also a chance to give and receive gifts. Turning 30, 40, 50, 60, 70,80, 90 and 100 are all years worth celebrating. Each one a milestone in themselves.

Buying gifts for someone turning 30 can be a strain. They generally have enough resources to buy themselves what they want. The ideal present: A personalised number plate. Regardless of car type, make or model, a personalised plate could just be the right birthday present.

Why? It’s a little bit different. There are trends to show that presents of a personal nature, like photos mugs, calendars and canvases are growing in popularity. These make ideal gifts. But a personalised number plate really stands out as personal gift.

Have you a relative turning 30? If so, use the following names as creative thought:

1. Kate

A wonderful English name. In fact, it is the name of the future Queen of England. If you’ve called your daughter after Kate, Catherine or the Irish version of Kathleen, then these plates could be ideal for you.

• K30 ACF
• KAT 33B

2. Caleb

A name that has grown in popularity over the years, Caleb is a great name. The Kings of Leon front-man has brought a new love for the name. So consider this plate as a name:

• K30 ACF

3. Kelly

A wonderfully bright name.

Her own plate:

• KE11 YCX

Normal folk

Celebs are in the newspapers constantly but as you and I both know, up and down the streets of UK and Northern Ireland, there are boys and girls turning 30 throughout 2012. It’s a big year for them too, even if they don’t live the public eye.

Buying a number plate to celebrate their past achievements and hopes for the future is the ideal gift. Nothing else quite says you’re unique, than a number plate. Some ideas to include on their personalised plate include:

• Think names
• Think hobbies
• Think year of birth

And for those of us who are a little older than 30, the people turning 30 were born in 1982.

So as we celebrate royal 30thbirthdays, take some time to think what you’ll get your special person on this important year.