I recently competed in some Toastmasters speech contests. I won my club and Area contests but didn’t win at the Division level. It was a lot of fun even though my speech wasn’t the typical “inspiration” speech that is de rigor for these contests. My speech was The Secrets of Successful Service and here is a summary of my main points.
This topic was selected because we perform service all the time. Not just at work, but also at church, for an organization, home, and (especially for the target audience for the speech) Toastmasters! All of us are in this role at some time or another.
What is this and why should I care?
What’s the most important thing I should know about the service. Make sure the most important information is right up front, and tell me what’s in it for me! Â Every organization’s website should indicate what they’re about and what kind of service or benefit the website should provide. Â For example, the podcast I cohost has the info right on the header of the site: “That’s What She Said” – A Podcast About NBC’s The Office.
View the service or organization with the eyes of a brand new customer
Assume I know nothing about your service or organization, so don’t start throwing jargon at me. Too many people mention acronyms or other terminology that all current members know about – but what about new members of an organization? They have no idea what this is and why it is important. So, when you’re describing an upcoming event or a service, tell people what this actually is.
If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself
If you don’t like something go out there and change it! Â I don’t want to hear you complain. Fix it! Everyone has new and fresh ideas but it is up to you to put those ideas out there. Of course, this doesn’t mean you are stuck doing it forever. Change it, set an example, and train the next generation. Then pass on responsibility to someone else.