If developing your communication & leadership qualities is one of your New Year Resolutions, then Fujairah Toastmasters Club (FTC) is the answer to achieve your goal. A non-profit organization dedicated to helping people overcome their fear of public speaking and develop their leadership qualities

Mr Bala Kishore, Vice President, Software Quality & Creative Services at United Online Software Dev Pvt Ltd, spoke on “Power of Visualization” at Fujairah Toastmasters Club. The talk was very fascinating, and all the members were virtually mesmerized to learn about the use and techniques of using the visualization power. Visualization power can be used to achieve success in careers, speaking, sports and health.

Speaking Up in a Meeting

How to Present an Idea and Be Heard
If you‘ve been asked to present your findings, ideas or experience to a group meeting, then the skills you learn in Toastmasters Club meetings obviously benefit you. But what if you are in a meeting where an issue is on the table and you’re part of an open discussion? You may feel apprehensive about sharing your thoughts in this setting, especially if your superiors are present. You may be afraid that no one will support you or that your thoughts won’t come across effectively. Essentially, you lack the confidence required to speak up.

Consider the following strategies.
1. Be Prepared. Everyone feels frustrated when a vocal person comes to a meeting unprepared. This is why preparation is a critical part of being able to speak up and influence the outcome of a meeting. Prior to the meeting, gather as much information as possible on the topics you will be covering and the decisions you will be making. Review what happened in the last meeting, research new findings on the issue at hand, and know the pros and cons of each solution
2. Listening is just as important as talking:
Without good listening, you can not effectively critique others or ask good clarifying questions. When you go into a meeting, you may be eager to get your thoughts on the table. But often, listening before you talk makes what you have to say more effective. By letting everyone else talk first you can take the pulse of the room. Waiting also gives you the opportunity to synergistically build on what someone else says. For example, you may have a good idea, and someone else may have a good idea. But when you put the two together, you have an incredible idea.
3. Lead with questions: When your opportunity to talk comes around, leading with questions is often better than leading with solutions. If someone else has presented an idea and the group does not seem to be following his or her comment, you can use questions to clarify. At that point, you have a perfect opportunity to add your ideas. You have framed your thoughts by getting everyone to agree on the issue and narrowed the focus of the discussion, which means your message is more on target and is more likely to get support. You can also use clarifying questions to change the pace of a meeting
4. Look out for the Best: Realize that solutions are often a process and a product of the group as a whole. Do not get defensive when others do not fully support your idea. Remember that the point of meeting is to come up with the best solution for the whole, no matter who thinks of the idea.
5. Know when not to talk: Understand that you do not have to be vocal in every meeting. At times, sticking back and listening is more beneficial. You earn respect by thinking before you talk, so what you have to say adds value to the discussion. Remember, it is not the quantity, it is the quality of your comments that makes the difference.

When you are in an open discussion situation, these five techniques will strengthen your skills. But do not forget to speak with confidence, frame your points logically , back up your ideas with anecdotes from similar situations so people will be more likely to buy in .

A summary of the article “How to Present an Idea and Be Heard” by Sam Silverstein from Toastmaster Magazine, Sept 2006

Vidya Shivaprakash
Vice President – Public Relations

About us
Fujairah Toastmasters Club (FTC) Area 30, Division J, District 79, Club no. 687847 is an affiliate of the three million strong Toastmasters International. An organization dedicated to help people overcome their fear of public speaking and develop leadership qualities. The Fujairah Toastmasters meet every alternate Tuesday at the NEW & spacious venue Fujairah Men’s College.
Our next Scheduled meetings would be on 24th February 2009 and 10th March 2009 at 07:30 pm.

For more details please contact: Rana Chakma on GSM 050-590 7683, email: ranachakma@gmail.com or Shaj Thomas on GSM 050-738 2489, email: shaj77@rediffmail.com Vidya Shivaprakash on GSM 050-4337071, email: vidyasnair@hotmail.com

Keep watching this space for more news about the Fujairah Toastmasters Club.

Attention Please!

Fujairah Toastmasters are planning to publish a newsletter to be distributed to all the business community on the East Coast.
A golden opportunity for your company’s name & message to reach to EVERYONE. A chance you would not want to miss!
The Newsletter will be out in the market by April 2009. It will be a valuable source of information and tips about effective communication and leadership skills.
1000 copies to be distributed to all the business community in Fujairah. The newsletter will reach members of the following establishments:
• All Companies in the Free Zone
• Key hotels in the East Coast
• Higher Colleges of Technology
• Institute of Applied Technical
• Ajman University
• Companies in the Port
• Companies in the Trade Centre
• Government establishments
Book your advertising space now
Your participation will make a difference to our local Toastmasters club. Immediately contact:

For more details please contact: Vidya Shivaprakash on GSM 050-4337071, email: vidyasnair@hotmail.com, Shaj Thomas on GSM 050-738 2489, email: shaj77@rediffmail.com, Rana Chakma on GSM 050-590 7683, email: ranachakma@gmail.com