For Immediate Release
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Contact:
Ed Barks
(540) 955-0600
Click here to send an e-mail.
Business Author Rings Up Cell Phone Courtesy Tips
for Speaking in Public
Don’t let a ringing cell phone ruin your next business presentation. That’s the advice of business author and communications coach Ed Barks, who offers his six cell phone courtesy tips for confident communicators, just in time for Cell Phone Courtesy Month, observed in July.
“Confident communicators understand their cell phone addiction must take a back seat to their audience,” Barks said. “It is a no-no to steal a glance to check voice or text messages no matter how formal or informal your presentation.
“At the same time, those in the audience have a responsibility to pay attention to the speaker,” he continued. “If you’d rather be chatting on the phone or dealing with your e-mail, get up and get out. Don’t insult the presenter or your fellow audience members.”
Here are Barks’ six cell phone courtesy tips for confident communicators:
- Turn your phone to vibrate before you begin your presentation. If you fail to do so, you have only two choices, both bad. One, you can walk over and turn it off, interrupting your flow. Two, you can ignore the commotion and pray it stops ringing soon.
- Ask your introducer to remind audience members to turn off their phones and e-mail devices.
- As an audience member, show some respect and ignore the urge to check your phone messages during the presentation.
- If you are an observer in a meeting, do not consider it a time to send e-mails and text messages.
- If your phone vibrates while you are in the audience and you must answer (note: Only emergencies, such as a call from your day care provider, are allowed), leave the room. No, going to the back of the room doesn’t count. We can still hear you. And don’t answer “hello” until you are out the door. If you miss the call, big deal. Just ring your caller right back.
- Shut your phone down completely before you engage in a radio or TV interview. Sensitive microphones may pick up the vibration sound.
“Your callers can wait,” concluded Barks, author of The Truth About Public Speaking: The Three Keys to Great Presentations and president of Barks Communications. “Whether you are the speaker or an audience member, bear in mind that the people in the room with you deserve your utmost attention and respect.”
The Truth About Public Speaking is targeted toward business leaders and other professionals. It unlocks the secrets of Barks’ easy to remember Three Keys to Great Presentations™. The book is available from the publisher, Ogmios Publishing, at www.TruthAboutPublicSpeaking.com, and at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, booksamillion.com, walmart.com, and at bookstores everywhere.
Ed Barks is a trainer, author, and speaker who teaches today’s leaders how to deliver dynamic, message-packed presentations and how to work with the media. He has served as President of Barks Communications since its inception in 1997, guiding more than 2700 business leaders, government officials, non-profit leaders, physicians, athletes, association executives, entertainers, and public relations staff toward a sharper message and enhanced communications skills.
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