How do you make the simple changes that can really impact your daily health?

The place where good health begins is your kitchen.

The utensils that you use to cook, the wrapping that you store your food in and the method you use to reheat food can all affect your micro-nutrient status, especially that of Iron, Calcium, Zinc and even vitamins like B12, folic acid, etc. Micro-nutrient deficiencies can lead to imbalances in hormones, irritability, constipation, etc, all of which can make weight loss an elusive dream. So, if you want sustainable health and weight loss, this is where it all begins.

In fact, if you look around, you will notice that waists were slimmer when our kitchens were larger. Now we have homes with bathrooms larger than kitchens, because intuitively the real estate market knows that in the world of micro-nutrient deficiency, people are spending more time in their toilets than in their kitchens.

So here’s me trying to compress the big idea of sustainable health into three small but significant kitchen rules for a healthier and happier you.

1. Reduce plastic

2. Bring back the iron kadhai

3. Heat, don’t microwave

Reduce plastic

Plastic is a major pollutant not just for our environment but also for the hormonal balance in our body. It releases estrogenic chemicals in our body and disturbs the ratio between our male and female hormones. This is especially important if you have PCOD, adult acne or are a young girl at puberty.

Some quick places where you can start:

1. Use cloth bag instead of plastic bags to shop for vegetables and fruits. Avoid buying veggies and fruits that come individually packed in plastic or thermocol.

2. No plastic tiffin boxes, especially for hot food, and no plastic cutlery. Use your hands. Also, no cling films for fruits and dabbas. France by the way is the first country to ban plastic cutlery. Use steel dabbas and malmal cloth for wrapping rotis, etc.

3. Use steel or copper water bottles for drinking water when travelling and not plastic bottles (including mineral water bottles).

Bring back the iron pan /skillet

The iron pan is an important and undervalued source of iron in your diet.

Much of our lack of energy and enthusiasm, as well as anger, stems from low haemoglobin concentration. Micronutrient deficiencies don’t always need an expensive supplement, they just need an inexpensive change in the kitchen environment. Women who struggle with too much bleeding during periods or the complete lack of it are often prescribed iron tablets. But a lot of them are unable to take the supplement due to the digestion problems it causes. A simple change by cooking in an iron pan solves this problem.

1. Say goodbye to your Teflon-coated non-stick pan that have made you believe that glory lies in avoiding fat (you know now that it doesn’t).

2. Cook your stir fry  in an iron pan. Don’t forget to add ghee or oil and spices and I bet you will never fall short of iron ever again.

3. Also, let go of the aluminium vessels and foil too. You can use stainless steel or brass. Exposure to aluminium lowers the levels of zinc, an important mineral for our bodies, especially for brain health and diabetes prevention.

Heat, don’t microwave

First of all, if you are microwaving, it means you are just overcooking and then overeating, followed by overstoring and again overeating. So stop this vicious cycle and if you have to heat food, simply heat it slowly on a flame. Microwaving is harmful for the micronutrients in the food as it heats them quickly at extremely high temperatures at which their bonds break and they are oxidised, becoming toxic for your body.

If for some reason you have to reheat your food often, then do this: Take out the portion you want to eat in a small vessel and then slow-heat it on your gas stove. It may take a minute or two more than microwaving, but the nutrients and taste it retains is well worth the trouble.If you are unable to heat on a regular stove and microwaving is the only option, use a ceramic or glass bowl and avoid plastic. Every step in the right direction counts.

Kashmir Tea

Kashmiri Kahwa or Kehwa Chai or Kashmiri Tea is a traditional Kashmiri tea flavoured with cardamom and infused with cloves, cinnamon and saffron. It was traditionally prepared in a brass kettle known as samovar. It is basically green tea with flavours of spices

Kahwa tea drink is generally served with a sprinkling of chopped dry fruits like almonds, cherry pistachios or cashew nuts, almonds being the most popular.

It is usually served after meals in any Kashmiri household as it aids in digestion and burns the fat.

It reduces the risk of heart disease by keeping the deposition of cholesterol in check.

Saffron used in kahwa is rich in vitamin B12 and aids in immunity building and keeping the body’s defence mechanism in check.

Since it is rich in anti oxidants, it is a great stress buster and it also helps to improve metabolism. It is a great remedy for cold and cough and improves skin health.

The only thing to keep in mind while making Kahwa is that you should not add leaves while the heat is on.

How to prepare Kahwa?

Traditionally, kahwah is prepared in a copper kettle known as a samovar. A samovar consists of a “fire-container” running as a central cavity, in which live coals are placed keeping the tea perpetually hot. Around the fire-container there is a space for water to boil and the tealeaves and other ingredients are mixed with the water. Kahwah may also be made in normal pans and vessels, as modern day urban living may not always permit the use of elaborate samovars” – Wikipedia

Boil the water with spices and saffron and then switch off the heat. Let the water rest for a few seconds and then add the tea leaves. It helps to retain the nutritions in the tea intact and do not hamper with the taste.

You can get tea leaves from Amazon UK  

Why do we light candles or lamps when we pray ?

Candle burning goes as far back as the ancient Egyptians. They were not used by the Egyptians just for light, they also used them in forms of prayer and ritual. From ancient times all the way up to the present time candles are widely used in the practice of prayer and ritual. When you go into a church there are candles burning on the alter and it is certainly not because the priest needs some light. We see candles at weddings when they are lit to ensure a long happy marriage. They are even burned at funerals in honor of the dead. Candles have a special energy and power to them, a power that many are not aware of.

Candles are good for good for mindful relaxation, too, like when you intend to release negative energy, such as anxiety and stress. Also, candles are utilized during séances, wherein the psychic medium and the participants gather their collective energies, with the intention of communicating with the spirits of the departed. Many psychics also light candles when making psychic predictions, and while conducting a reading.

Furthermore, candles have a way of changing the ambience in a room, making it more subdued and calm. This sense of calmness that candles radiate allows you to become more sensitive to your psychic senses, and become more connected with the universe.

To use a candle to manifest your intentions, you can do the following:

• Select a candle that you feel most comfortable with. Listen to your intuitive senses when choosing the colour, shape, size, and scent.

Always use a new candle, because those that have already been lit have embedded energies in them from when they were previously used.

• Go to a quiet room with minimal wind or draft.

• Light your candle and close your eyes.

• Meditate. Relax your mind and body, and when your breathing becomes relaxed, express your intention. Visualize your desire in your mind, and mentally affirm it is what you want.

• Remember that when you state your desire, you need not plead or beg.

• Believe, claim, and thank the universe. Because you know without a doubt that what you intend will come to pass, it's only fitting that you send out your appreciation to the universe as well.

• Now, release your intention. You can do this by either blowing out the flame, or by allowing the candle to burn out on its own. Once you release your desire, stop thinking about it. The universe will handle the details. Know with confidence that it's yours, leaving the details up to the Universe

• Then bring your awareness back into the room.

Candles are a great psychic tool to use for focusing and releasing your power of intention.

A dangerous friendship of Sugar and Human Brain

Did you ever wonder why people love sweets so much and why they cannot stop eating the tempting treats once they get their hands on some? Well, it all started with our ancestors and chemicals in our brains.

According to an article published by Live Science, the human brain is actually hardwired to crave sugary foods. Ancient people were scavengers, and glucose-rich food served as a good source of energy. However, to help mankind survive, our brains evolved. See, back then things that tasted bad were dangerous as they might have been poisonous, and our ancestors did not have any other way to determine whether the food they were about to eat was dangerous or not. So, our brain started to flagged sweet things as good food, leading us to want more once we eat them.

When we eat sweet foods, the brain's reward system – called the mesolimbic dopamine system – activates. Dopamine is a brain chemical released by neurons and can signal that an event was positive. Hence, if you decide just to have a taste of the cheesecake you were offered, it is highly likely to you will end up wanting more than just a bite.

However, sugar not only negatively affects our brain but our bodies as well. Research shows that rats on high-sugar diets were less able to remember whether they had previously seen objects in specific locations. Sugar also increases the risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease, and studies have linked it to accelerated aging.


Next time you crave your favorite dessert, keep in mind: it is actually your brain craving it, not your stomach!

Happy X'mas 
2019

Source :http://theconversation.com/your-brain-on-sugar-what-the-science-actually-says-126581

Things to thoughts for 2020

Kathakali

1. Never resign before getting an offer.

2. Never disclose offer till the last day.

3. Leave the company on good notes.

4. Don't ask more than your capabilities.

5. Get your basics right, before allying with new technologies.

6. Smell the intention of your manager and identify whether he is giving you false or genuine commitments.

7. Give your 100% to the organization and expect the same in return.

8. Love your job and not the company, coz you never know when the company will stop loving you.

9. Learn to manage work-life balance. Always give priority to your happiness.

10. Take opportunities to travel and meet new people. 

Have your own Vision and Values and Career plan.

Eyes in Swiss Cheese

One of the most noticeable features of Swiss cheese is these famous “eyes”. For over a century, people believed that bacterial growth creates gases that make holes in the cheese. Except that’s not quite true.

During the milking process, tiny hay particles stick to buckets and stay in the milk. By controlling the number of hay particles in milk used to make cheese, the scientists could control the size and number of holes that appeared. The specks of hay cause weakness in the curd structure and act as a nucleation site for the carbon dioxide bubbles produced by the bacteria in the cheese to form. The rind is tough enough that it traps the air bubbles inside the cheese and creates eyes. The traditional milk bucket being replaced with modern technology explains the “cheese blindness epidemic”.

This is a bigger deal than you think because the US Department of Agriculture has a grading system for Swiss cheeses (defined as “cheese made by the Swiss process or by any other procedure which produces a finished cheese having the same physical and chemical properties as cheese produced by the Swiss process”, not cheese from Switzerland) based on the size of the holes. Grade A requires cheese to have “uniformly distributed well-developed round or slightly oval-shaped eyes" between 6/16 to 13/16 of an inch (1 to 1.7 cm). This rule only applies to Swiss-style cheese sold in the U.S. 

Source : https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/number-and-size-of-swiss-cheese-holes-can-be-programmed/

Benefits of fatty foods

1- Foods of plant origin do not contain cholesterol, which is only found in foods of animal origin. It is also not present in oilseeds such as walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, and peanuts.

2- Olive, sunflower, sesame, cottonseed, walnut, hazelnut, peanut, soybean, and corn take the lead in vegetable oils.

3- The increase in omega (n-3) fatty acids in the diet helps prevent coronary heart disease. These fatty acids must be taken with food. Linoleic acid (n-6) is found in sunflower oil, corn oil, soybean oil, and peanut oil. Linolenic acid (n-3) is available in green leafy vegetables, soybean oil, walnut oil, oily marine fish, and seafood. While n-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, on the other hand, are found in aquatic products and breast milk. It is also necessary for retinal and brain development.

4- Oilseeds are rich in water-soluble group B vitamins of Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2) Niacin, and Folic Acid, as well as vitamin E, one of the fat-soluble vitamins.

5- Hemicellulose is partially soluble pulp. It reduces intra-colonic pressure, increases fecal volume, and helps in regulating blood glucose and decreasing serum cholesterol. Foods with the highest content of pulp are legumes, followed by oilseeds (almonds, walnuts, peanuts), bran whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. The amount of pulp in a daily diet should be 25-30 grams.

6- Diet Pulp is the main component of dietary products in terms of creating a feeling of satiety. Hard-shelled fruits (walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds) are rich in pulp, which is necessary for the functioning of the digestive system. They soften the feces by drawing water and prevent constipation. Due to their soluble fiber content, they have positive effects on health in terms of regulating blood sugar, lowering cholesterol levels and protecting against cardiovascular diseases.

7- Vitamin E, which is present in high amounts in hard-shelled fruits, acts as a trap for free radicals in the cell membrane by antioxidant effect and prevents oxidation of unsaturated fats, which are vital for cell integrity. This protective effect, which is essential for the health of all cells, also helps to prevent many diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. These foods can be used in diet as an alternative to foods such as meat and eggs in preventing cardiovascular diseases due to their high energy content but lack of cholesterol.

8- Potassium, calcium, and magnesium are important minerals in controlling blood pressure. Due to the high potassium and magnesium but low sodium content in oilseeds, the recommended daily consumption may be efficient in controlling the blood pressure. Meanwhile, patients with hypertension should consume salt-free oilseeds

Frequently Asked Interview Questions

Presented below are some FAQs and their suggested answers. Once again, remember there is no right answer or wrong answer. The winner only gives the best answer out of all the other candidates. Below listed are some of commonly asked questions and their answers as per a wide survey of successful candidates. The reader can use these as a template and build upon each answer based on the position and their own personal experience.

Q1: Tell me about yourself. OR Tell me something not mentioned in your resume.

Ans: My background to date has been focused on preparing myself to become the very best at this job. I have done this by studying (mention latest academic qualifications) and working (mention any internship or work experience). This has helped me matching myself ideally to the position that you have open and I am confident I am a good fit. My skills will help you to save training time and result in quick efficiency.

Q2: Why should we hire you? OR Why did you apply for this job?

Ans: Because I sincerely believe that I'm the best person for the job. Compared to the other with similar academic qualifications, I have an additional quality that makes me the very best person for the job—my attitude for excellence. I can add tremendous value to a project as I have already experienced the potential problems and can help avoid time and resource wastage. I am not just saying this but have also demonstrated it by doing (mention any commendation, recommendation from an important person or award that you have received)

Q3: What is your long-range objective? Where do you want to be 10 or 15 years from now?

Ans: I have given this much thought and feel that ideally, I would like to break up my career in 5-year spans. Within the next five years I want to develop an operational expertise in my profile by gaining valuable filed experience. Based on this, in the next ten years, I would like to move onto a managerial role leading teams and thereon build on my leadership skills. I would like to be a part of winning teams throughout my career and would focus learning and training as necessary supplement to my job.

Q4: How has your education prepared you for your career?

Ans: As Mark Twain said: I have not let my studies interfere with my education (say this with a smile). I have taken courses and electives in my academic career keeping my desired profile and interests in mind. I also volunteered for being part of the fete organizing committee and was in the student's council. I have been a part of the NGO for teaching children. I was fortunate to study under some of the best academic teachers and professors and through them I have learn the value of applied knowledge. I am eager to test out this knowledge now at your organization.

Q5: Are you a team player? Do you like working in a team or solo?

Ans: I feel no single person alone can succeed in life. Behind success of every person lies the contribution of their team, network and family. I believe in teamwork. All through my academic and professional career I have volunteered to organize events. This has been possible only through working in teams. I also enjoy training people and creating teams. Teamwork and team integration are essential skills for a leader and I displayed the same recently (give a good example of how you completed a project within budget and before deadline through teamwork)

Q6: Have you ever had a conflict or problems with your boss or teachers? How was it resolved?

Ans: Yes, I have been in conflict situations in the past. In fact, I feel not all the conflict is bad. For example, in my previous organization, my boss and I had a disagreement on a particular team members role. But we eventually sat and discussed the problem without getting personal. Both of us displayed the maturity and found a win-win solution. That's the benefit of conflict. It also enables us to see another's point of view and find multiple solutions to a problem together.

Q7: What is your biggest strength

Ans: I feel my ability to understand people and technology is my biggest strength. I feel the future lies in a blend of the two and one is incomplete without the other. It's not just B to B or B to C. It's all about P to P i.e. People to People. This is my strength and it enables me to get along and work with people from different verticals and skill sets. I also like to read and in fact read the newspaper and latest blogs related to my field. My favorite blogger or writer or newspaper or book is (mention a specific name that you are totally familiar with)

Q8: What is your greatest weakness?

Ans: I would say my greatest weakness has been my tendency to overcommit to others in terms of time. I have in the past put my entire energy and time into doing a task on hand with the result that other projects were delayed. However, after receiving the necessary feedback I have invested in a time management tool (give the example of an app or productivity method or technology that you use).

Q9: How do other describe you? Or What do your colleagues say about in your previous job?

Ans: Dependable and professional is how most people describe me whether it is my superiors or colleagues. I believe in technology as a huge enabler and others to reach out to me for the latest in tech and current affairs. I am a high-energy person and others too have commented on my ability to keep going even in deadline oriented environments. My recommendations on LinkedIn and other media show these traits. Could I show you..? (if asked show them this information)

Q10: What is the worst feedback you have ever got?

Ans: I was told that I need to brush upon my presentation skills. I took immediate action and enrolled in a good Public Speaking training program. This enabled me to overcome my weakness in a short time.

Q11: What are the qualities of a good Leader or Manager?

Ans: A Good leader is a perfect mix of IQ and EQ i.e Emotional Intelligence. Proactiveness and Empathy are the two must-have qualities of a good leader. By being proactive the leader can anticipate potential problems and conflicts and take action. Empathy is displayed by good communication skills whereby the leader is approachable and surrounded by good professionals and teams. The manager thus becomes a good role model. One such leader is (give an example of a leader that you admire.)

Q12: What are your biggest accomplishments of your life? Or accomplishments of the past job?

Ans: "Although I feel my biggest accomplishments are still ahead of me, I am proud of (mention a project or paper or task that you did successfully in the past for which you have received a recommendation. Ensure that this project or task relates directly to the position that you are applying for currently)

Q13: How do you explain changing so many jobs? Or a big gap in your employment history? Or Being terminated from your last position particularly when that position gave you the skills that you'll need to succeed in your career field?

Ans: I agree I have changed several organizations in the past. Or changed my vertical or job profile in the past. It was a learning phase for me and Key thing is I have learned a lot from this experience. I was searching for a profile or organization which utilized my skills to the fullest and finally feel that your organization will give me this opportunity. I have made mistakes in the past but I can assure you that I have learnt from these mistakes and have no intention of repeating them. In fact, I would be glad to share my experiences with others so that they can avoid costly mistakes.

Q14: Why did you leave your last job?

Ans: At the time of joining there I was put in a team of my interest. The work and profile were interesting and I was learning a lot. But over a period of time, I was shifted to another team where I continued to work and perform. However, that was not related to my chosen field and I felt my skills getting unused. A sense of stagnation was building up and I had several interactions with the management who were unable to help me. In this scenario we agreed that it was best that I looked at opportunities outside the company

Q15: Does that mean you don't like change? OR Are you willing to change your project/profile when required?

Ans: I absolutely like change and in fact welcome it. I am open to work in other locations or profiles if the situation demands it. As a team player I would give my best to whichever team I am assigned. If my manager is communicating with me and likewise me with them, then it's a perfect situation as I know that my knowledge and skills will be utilized to the fullest.

Q16: What is the Salary that you expect? Or Do you have any other offer at hand?

Ans: I am very confident that the salary offered is as per my experience and qualifications. Your organization has reputation for salaries, which are as per industry standard and beyond. I have no doubt it will be a win - win for both of us. I do have some other offers and have had preliminary interactions with them but i am very keen on the position offered by you.

Checklist for the Interview-Preparation

Before you appear for the interview, please go through this checklist and answer each question. Be honest with yourself as that may influence the manner in which you answer questions in the actual interview. It will also help in being prepared and do wonders for your self-confidence.

1. Have you done research on the organization?
2. Have you determined why you want to apply for that post?
3. What do you know about the post for which you are being interviewed?
4. Can you convince someone that you are the best candidate for that post?
5. What do other people say about that organization?
6. What are your short-term and long-term goals?
7. What are your salary expectations?
8. Are you willing to relocate, travel on the job, work in other profiles, etc.?
9. If changing jobs, what information is important to you in making a decision about this job change?
10. What questions do you plan to ask the interviewer either about the job, financials or any other issue?

Power Tips for Success in the Interview

1. KISS: Keep it Short & Simple. Remember, be short, be brief and be interesting. No long lectures on your past or strengths. No one likes a bore! It should not take more than 90-120 seconds to answer a question.
2. Match your Strengths: With those of the organization's requirements. Find the fit between yourself and the position and tell the interviewer same. Don't assume that they will know this. Tell them!
3. Teamwork: Speak like you are part of their team. Talk about the organization, what you know about them, how excited you are at the prospect of being part of their winning teams. Show enthusiasm.
4. Look Feel and Behave confident: Your dress and voice should match with the organizations culture. Image is often as important as content. Don't wear a heavy deodorant or cologne. Dress as per the company's culture but one level higher than required. For example, if the company employee wears jeans and t-shirts to work, dress in a formal pant and shirt for the interview. Here a tie or jacket is not required.
5. Ask questions. This tells the interviewer that you are confident and curious. The types of questions you ask and the way you ask them can make a huge impression on the recruiter. Remember that Good questions require advance preparation.
6. Thank you note: Keep an interview journal. As soon as possible, after the interview send a thank you message to the recruiter or the company for giving you the opportunity. Then write a brief summary of what happened. Note any follow-up action you should take and put it in your calendar.
7. Sell yourself: As if you are the product and the company is the buyer. Just like any other sale, the product has to be packaged and sold in the most pleasing and efficient manner. It is the same with job interviews.
8. Know your Resume: You have to be the master of your own resume. Role-play each and every point in your resume with your friends and family and ask them to grill you any gaps, terminations, short periods of employments etc. You have to memorize the dates mentioned in your resume by heart.

Making the Presentation

Successful presentations are nothing but ways of presenting information to influence and convince others into believing what you want them to believe. A good presentation is much more than a bunch of slides thrown together. Often presentations fail because of the presenter's lack of preparation or ability to connect with the audience. The lack of effort and commitment shows in a hurriedly made presentation and this can adversely affect careers and relationships. Effective Public Speaking and Presentation Skills require to ensure that your message actually appeals to your audience and that they are motivated enough after listening to you to actually do something about it.

 COPTA-The Powerful Presentation Method

A presentation is generally the most effective mode of communication with a group of people as it allows the 'presenter' to interact personally with the 'audience'. Even if it is through the medium of video rather than face-to-face, still presentations are personal events. The audience in turn has the opportunity to interact with the presenter on their topic. This makes it essential for individuals to make that presentation count, to be passionate and motivating to get the desired results.

A good presentation is result oriented as it focuses on the outcome as much as the actual delivery.

COPTA is a very impactful and powerful technique to ensure that the presentation is made and delivered effectively. A good presentation needs to be a COPTA presentation. Use the COPTA method as a checklist to ensure that the presentation is complete and delivers the message in the most exciting and imaginative manner. COPTA stands for:

• C= Connect
• O = Organize
• P= Prepare
• T = Time
• A = Appearance

1 Connect

Connect with the audience is the rapport that you share with them. That personal connection which makes your audience feels that you are one of them and you want to better their lives in some way by informing, educating, displaying, launching or whatever the purpose of the presentation is.

Connection with the audience is very important. Different people need to be handled in different ways. The following are some fundamentals, which need to be kept in mind irrespective of the audience we address.

1. Audiences and their expectations vary widely. Knowing this will help in making the presentation more personal.
2. Knowing the number of people in the audience, their background, seniority level, cultural and economic make up.
3. The level of expertise of the audience ensures that the information is not too detailed neither is it too basic.
4. What are the inter-group politics or dynamics?
5. Who are the key decision makers?

Throughout the presentation, try to put yourself in the audience's shoes. Ask not 'What do I want to say?', Rather 'what do I want them to hear?'. A client does not want to hear the obvious features of your product. They want to hear the benefits of your product. Once you make the connection between the product and their lives, the sale is made.

Convince your listeners

Don't talk to Inform…Talk to Convince

Your goal in any presentation is actually very simple: you must convince your audience to act upon your message or adopt your point of view. The four rules of reaching that goal are:

• Grab their attention
• Make it easy for them to understand you
• Establish common ground for agreement
• Show them how your message benefits them

Case in Point: If you want your audience to quit smoking you have to give them good reasons. And just by saying that Smoking is bad, no one will be convinced. Instead by showing graphic visuals of people with cancer due to smoking, alarming statistics and giving some personal examples, the audience realizes how close they are to premature death if they don't quit. Scare them into quitting! Use that as a technique rather than giving information and figures which don't resonate with them.

Your Presentation must be Personal, but the benefits must be universal.

We must define aim and objectives accurately and write them down. The outcome that we desire from the presentation will determine our ability to relate to the audience. Our audience will have some objectives too. It is our duty as speakers to fulfill those objectives

Handling Difficult Questions from audience who are still not convinced

Most speakers like to present and sit down without having to face the audience again. However, your audience will need more convincing, especially if they have questions and queries. It is the duty of every speaker to answer their audience queries to their satisfaction

The 3 biggest fears of a speaker regarding questions are:

1. Having to Answer every question
2. Not knowing the correct answer
3. Losing Your Control

What to do when someone asks you a question?

1. Welcome questions - Don't be apprehensive. Be ready for the fact that you will be asked questions, so be prepared accordingly.
2. E.A.R = Remember this: EMPATHIZE * ACKNOWLEDGE * RESPOND
3. Set the Ground rules: Don't allow yourself to be interrupted in your main presentation. Inform the audience at the beginning that you will take questions and answer them after the end of your presentation.
4. Repeat the Question: to give yourself time to think of a reply
5. Analyze the question for: Content · Intent · The actual person asking
6. If you don't know the answer, don't lie. Instead, tell them you will find out later and let them know. And make sure to do that once the presentation is over.

2 Organize

Every presentation must have 3 parts:

• Introduction
• The Middle
• The Conclusion

While this may sound very obvious or basic, it is surprising how often presentations get spoilt due to lack of proper organization. The solution lies in using the Talk Organization Formula (TOF)

The Talk Organization Formula

Also known as the Magic Formula, it is an excellent guide for speech organization. This is very helpful due to the fact that as the speaker you are the driver who has to take the audience on a journey. The driver cannot be lost or take the long route, as this will make the audience bored or negative. Instead, the speaker must show that the speech or presentation is a logical flow of ideas. This gets the speaker credibility and respect.

The Talk organization formula enables you to:

1. Organize your thoughts in a logical manner.
2. Present those thoughts in a persuasive and entertaining manner.
3. Speak without having to worry about what to say next.
4. Successfully sell the benefits of any idea or product‥
5. Ensure that you don't have to struggle with your brain as to what to say next. By following a logical sequence your mind is free of tension and the words come easier.

THE FOUR PARTS OF THE FORMULA

PART 1

    ATTENTION

PART 2

    PROPOSITION

PART 3

    SOLUTION

PART 4

    BENEFITS

1. Attention
   Begin with a joke, example, story, anecdote or poem. Grab the audience's attention. Put your audience at ease and generally break the ice.
   Remember the Introduction:
   • Tell a relevant story.
   • Follow a logical chain of events.
   • Always be easy to understand.
   • Relate to the subject of the talk that will follow.
   • Always be short and sweet.
   The introduction
   • Don't jump straight into the presentation. Start with an example. Preferably from the speaker's personal experience. The example should be related to the main body of the speech that is to follow.
   • Even technical presentations should start on a lighter note with reference to a recent occurrence within the company (like a Hackathon, or Sports day) or some event that has just taken place (like a placement week) or some general comments.
   • The purpose of a good introduction is to grab the audience's attention and to hold it.
   • It also enables the speaker to relax and calm their nerves.
   • It acts as an ice-breaker with the audience and establish rapport.
   Ways to start a presentation
   • Finding something in common with the Audience.
   • Reference to recent Situation or events of common interest.
   • Challenge the audience!
   • Use an exhibit or visual aid
   • Surprise Audience with Claim or Statistic
   • Ask a rhetorical or Open-ended Question
   • Quotation or a Humorous anecdote: We may have a story which, may or may not be funny but it grabs attention in many ways. It may be a human interest preferably personal and based on real life events and ideally which happened to you.
2. Proposition
   • Tell your audience the purpose of your speech.
   • Demonstrate your technical knowledge of the subject
   • Share the features of your idea or product with them.
   • Tell them what you intend to tell them.
   • State the general situation, topic or problem that you wish to discuss.
   Answer the following questions:
   • How did that state of affairs come about?
   • How does such a problem, event, or situation occur?
     In the first part you grabbed audience's attention. In this part, hold their interest.
3. Solution
   • Give the solutions to that particular problem.
   • How can the particular situation that you are talking about- be changed?
   • What can be done to bring about positive changes in that particular situation?
   • Show the audience that you are a master of your subject.
     Your conviction and commitment to your topic should become apparent by the fact that you have concrete solutions, which you should articulate and explain.
4. Benefits
   Every person thinks about their own self-interest. A good speaker recognizes this and appeals to the audience's Dominant Self Interest Motive-DSIM. Once the audience sees the benefit of the proposition, they start getting convinced.
   Answer the following questions which your audience has in their minds, irrespective of the topic:
   • How will the solutions you have outlined help us in any way?
   • Why should we listen to you and your point of view?
     • This is the most important part of public speaking because here you put your entire speech in context.
     • You have taken up your audience's time. Justify yourself by telling them WHY they should act upon what you are suggesting. Always leave people wanting and asking for more.

Case in Point: Sample Speech based on the Talk Organization Formula

Topic: Sports in India

Example: Talk about famous Sportspeople of India: Sania Mirza, PV Sindhu, Virat Kohli, Abhinav Bindra, etc.

Proposition: Why does India not produce large amount of sportspeople? We are responsible, We are not a sporting nation, we don't run or play, no sports culture in the country, poor facilities, no money in sport-Youth has different aspirations from previous generations.

Solution: Be active-love your body-involve youth, like other countries have talent nurturing programmers starting in schools, more exposure-love your country.

Benefits: Healthy, happy nation, alternate careers, more opportunity for retired sportspeople, more money, Laurels for the country.

3 Preparation

Good Preparation shows in the ease with which the audience can relate to your presentation and consequently the ease with which the speaker can present. A presentation without struggle, strain or stress is an ideal presentation that the speaker has prepared well.

Tips for using PowerPoint and Similar Software

1. Font: Use large, legible font. Preferably 20 pt., Calibri, Helvetica or Times New Roman.
2. Heading: Every slide to have a Heading in a bigger font, separated by the main body.
3. Images: Use illustrations on all slides. But too much artwork will distract rather than attract.
4. Transition: Use simple 'fly in' or 'appear' for transitions between slides
5. Background: white with a dark color font, preferably dark navy blue.
6. Organization: One idea only per slide
7. The 6 × 7 rule
   1. No more than 6 lines per slide
   2. No more than 7 words per line
8. Animations: use 'fly in' to have the text appear one at a time.
9. Consistency: be consistent in using bullets and numbering. Use the same type of fonts, colors, bullets and numbers across the presentation
10. Typefaces: Avoid full caps, italics and bold
11. Walk around making eye contact rather than looking at the screen.
12. Use visual aids or objects to highlight points being shown on the slides.
13. Others:
    1. Use a slide changer with a laser pointer
    2. Don't just read from the slides.
    3. Use the Presenter view option with timer.
14. Remember PowerPoint is just another tool for your presentation. It is not your presentation.

Tip: Your audience can read faster than you can speak. Putting a lot of information on the slides will divert the audience attention and they will begin to tune off from your speech and instead start reading. So, always have just a few keywords on the slide and then proceed to explain and elaborate on those keywords.

4 Timing

Have you ever sat through a speech or presentation wondering when the presenter will sit down? Presentations that are too long tend to drag on forever and bore the audience.

In presentations, being boring is a sin.

1. Time yourself while practicing to ensure that all the material has been given importance. Also, prepare yourself for the duration you will be speaking. Ask the organizers how much time you have for making your presentation
   • Practice all the visual aids and other tools beforehand, not during the presentation. Do not use any untested tool or technique that you are not familiar with as it wastes time
   • The point of satiation is reached at the peak of popularity. Every audience has a threshold beyond they will lose patience. Attention spans are limited. Hence end while you are getting a good response, not when people start yawning or looking restless!
   • Always have a watch or software clock in view
   • You'll never have enough time to say everything. So, decide what is important and end with that.
     Adherence to time shows respect for the audience and nothing can impress an audience more than being shown respect

5 Appearance

First Impressions matter a lot in effective public speaking. Your audience will often assume how you will be presenting, by the way you look. Hence it is very important to look your best. However, looking your best is not just paying attention to your clothes. It is the overall package of your body and mind. The following need to be kept in mind:

"Dress maketh a man"- Shakespeare

1. Your voice: How you say it is as important as what you say. Your voice needs to be strong, varying in pitch and volume.
2. Posture: Have a confident, erect posture, no slouching or drooping shoulders.
3. Smile: Use the power of a smile to make others feel at ease. Your smile can diffuse the most serious of situations. So, make sure you smile at appropriate times even if you are feeling nervous. Keep smiling!
4. Dress appropriately: For the occasion. Find out the dress code of the people you are addressing and blend in. A rule of thumb is to dress one level above the audience. For males, wear a tie if the audience wears pant/shirt to work; Wear a suit if it is a very formal occasion. Indian or western formals are appropriate for ladies.
5. Grooming: Has to be impeccable. Don't wear very strong cologne or perfume. Personal cleanliness and hygiene are essential in all respects.

Becoming a charismatic speaker

Q:

What is Charisma?

A.

Charisma leaves an impression on the audience, large or small, that makes them want to come back for more. A Charismatic Public Speaker is a Popular Public Speaker. People will want to hear what you speak and you in turn get the chance to become their leader.
Politicians, film actors and other celebrities have charisma. They may not have the best looks or wealth but when they speak, people stop to listen. Ex-US president Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narender Modi are classic examples.

A few simple steps to build charisma

1. Show enthusiasm: the audience's biggest excitement is your passion!
2. Avoid unnecessary criticism, condemnation or complaining: Stop being a cribber!
3. Involve your audience. Ask questions, talk to them!
4. Learn to love people. Be a people's person. A good way to cultivate this is to join a meet-up or social networking group, develop some hobbies and interests outside of your area of work.
5. Give honest and sincere appreciation and praise.
6. Be a good listener.
7. Use your common sense ;)
8. Be prepared for Murphy's Law. Things will go wrong at the worst possible moment. Always have a Plan-B ready.
9. Always give credit when quoting others or borrowing materials for making the presentation. Respect other's intellectual property. No one respects a cheater or an obvious cut-and-paste job.
10. Leave your personal problems at home when you are out 'there' in the Real world.