How to overcome a public speech and anyone have reliable sources of Merrill Lynch?

[Deleted User]

Okay,

I have never been good at public speaking. I have never been good at speaking among a small crowd or gathering. Anyone have any suggestions or comments of how to overcome this?

I have to do a presentation on Merrill Lynch. But I must be able to answer any questions that anyone may have. So to prepare myself, I must know several things. First, how did Merrill Lynch get into trouble? Second, why did Merrill Lynch feel like they have to be bought out by Bank of America, or where the options open to any others and why so. Third, what were the terms of the merger deal between Merrill Lynch and Bank of America?

I am not good with speaking publicly, nor am I good with presentations. I have to present this, like a business proposition, meaning, slides.

Could any one assist me? What do you do when you have to go into the public? And does anyone have reliable resources of the topic? Wiki is not acceptable.

Halen

[Deleted User]

Let me add. Liquid courage overcomes all, but it does not apply here. I could not be drinking or have alcohol in my system when doing this. I need to overcome my fears. Your 2 cents will be priceless to me.

dkg999

Join toastmasters to learn how to be more effective at public speaking, or take a Dale Carnigie course. I can personally recommend both.

Merrill Lynch - I don't have any good answers on that mess.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Toastmasters is a good suggesstion for speaking publically.

As for the ML stuff, no offense but if you're asking those basic questions you're probably not 'qualified' to be using them as speaking points. If that's going to be necessary and people are going to be asking you questions then I suggest you get your read on and know everything there is to know about the whole scenario.

Kris Siegel

halenhoang wrote: »

I have never been good at public speaking. I have never been good at speaking among a small crowd or gathering. Anyone have any suggestions or comments of how to overcome this?

I've had to do some mild public speaking and demonstrations (they never go right). I'm typically a relaxed person and while I don't like speaking in front of others I usually don't mind (unless it's something I'm not familiar with).

My advice would be to relax and be confident in what you're saying.

halenhoang wrote: »

I have to do a presentation on Merrill Lynch. But I must be able to answer any questions that anyone may have. So to prepare myself, I must know several things. First, how did Merrill Lynch get into trouble? Second, why did Merrill Lynch feel like they have to be bought out by Bank of America, or where the options open to any others and why so. Third, what were the terms of the merger deal between Merrill Lynch and Bank of America?

Are you asking us do give you the answers? I'm all for helping with things like these as long as some initial effort is shown. What have you found so far?

halenhoang wrote: »

Wiki is not acceptable.

I disagree. Wikipedia typically requires citation for almost everything so it can be a great source of information. You can read up on some information at Wikipedia and visit the source that was cited and use that instead.

Kex

I agree with Kris: If you know nothing about the subject, Wikipedia can be a good place to get some basic background information, then research further from there (links will be provided at the bottom of the article). Maybe also try reading the finance websites and recent issues of the Wall Street Journal articles on the topic, and others (Financial Times, all the big city papers that are household names).

It seems like a tall order to fill, but I'm guessing they want you to demonstrate your ability as a speaker on a fairly complex topic that is not your area of expertise. The wifey does this sort of thing all the time, but I'm not lending her out to you (and besides, her boss charges $475/h for her time :eek:). Try to find some anecdotes that relate to the topic, and humor to wake things up when you need to (the Obama and McCain speeches at a charity event last night made good use of humor, for example), it helps people to listen better. ... You're going to need practice, and then more practice. You will need to feel secure in your knowledge so that you can answer any questions with clarity, even one's you think are based on incorrect assumptions.

Maybe somebody has a suggestion of a good book on public speaking. I hope you have time to prepare (and again, practice).

polktiger

who are you presenting to? why are are doing the presentation?

SKsolutions

I can relate to the fear thing. I took the rational approach, and it sounds like you don't have time for the experience route, so this might be helpful.

Identify the fear. Where does it come from, and what is it exactly that you are afraid of , , and why? Make peace with it, however you can. Mine was completely irrational, and a force of will was required to speak for the first time.

Know your subject inside-out. Make a list of questions that might be asked, you will already have the answers. Flow chart the thing if you have a problem with all the interconnects.

Speak somewhere first. You will need the confidence. If you cannot do a mock run with non-peers, then you need to get out of your comfort zone and speak somewhere. Grab Hamlet, and go to the park. Start reciting/reading it with other people around. It's even better if they come and listen. It's corney, and you might be embarrassed, but that's what it's about. You won't spontaneously combust. You can get in your car afterward, and drive away. Done deal, nobody cares. . . just like your speech:D The key is becoming more comfortable with being uncomfortable.
That's how I did it. I went from botching my brothers wedding toast to speaking successfully in front of a couple of thousand people. YMMV. Good luck.

wz2p7j

Make some slides in Powerpoint with bullet points about everything you want to say. Practice in a room with no one there over and over. You'll feel stupid the first couple passes but it will pay off. I used this technique to make some board room presentations where I came off quite well, and, frankly, I'm a crappy public speaker. Chris

petrym

I love speaking in public, the key is competence in your subject and knowing the possible questions you might be asked and knowing the responses ahead of time*. If you can, get a script from your doctor for beta blockers, they get rid of the adrenaline shakes.

*I once was tasked in the STRATCOM Command Center, as the senior J2 intel rep, to brief a contingent of foreign military officers. They asked some pointed questions and I dodged them all very well, but I could see the J3 Controller full-bird Colonel in the background cringing at the questions and imagiining just what I might say.

[Deleted User]

Thank you very much for your responses. Each and every one of the responses were read carefully. Let me try and answer some of the answers posted.

First, the thing about the qualified part. I believe, the questions were very broad and general, the ones that I asked, making it cover everything about the topic. If the questions were specific, it would be only a part of the whole. The broad questions, sums up, that I must expect the unexpected.

Second, I am not asking for answers. I noticed, from reading a lot on this forum, that many of you have a lot of resources. I would like to attain your resources, such as reputable sites, or the place you would go to, if you were to have a project. Once again, all because you know it does not mean that I know it.

Third, I am wanting to challenge my own shortcomings. The reason why I am doing this presentation. Pardon my grammar, is because I want to overcome my weaknesses. If you are good at something and you continue doing it, great. But, if you could overcome you natural born fears, it will make you more well rounded. We only live once right? I want to live it with my strengths, and also live it, knowing, I fought my fears.

I completely welcome all constructive criticisms, through that, makes me better.

Once again, I thank everyone for the input.

BAD ASP

SKsolutions wrote: »

I can relate to the fear thing. I took the rational approach, and it sounds like you don't have time for the experience route, so this might be helpful.

Identify the fear. Where does it come from, and what is it exactly that you are afraid of , , and why? Make peace with it, however you can. Mine was completely irrational, and a force of will was required to speak for the first time.

Know your subject inside-out. Make a list of questions that might be asked, you will already have the answers. Flow chart the thing if you have a problem with all the interconnects.

Speak somewhere first. You will need the confidence. If you cannot do a mock run with non-peers, then you need to get out of your comfort zone and speak somewhere. Grab Hamlet, and go to the park. Start reciting/reading it with other people around. It's even better if they come and listen. It's corney, and you might be embarrassed, but that's what it's about. You won't spontaneously combust. You can get in your car afterward, and drive away. Done deal, nobody cares. . . just like your speech:D The key is becoming more comfortable with being uncomfortable.
That's how I did it. I went from botching my brothers wedding toast to speaking successfully in front of a couple of thousand people. YMMV. Good luck.

+1
Subject knowledge is key. Keep your answers in your Q & A short. Babbling about a subject is way worse than a short albeit incomplete answer. It is better to have follow up questions which narrow the focus and keep the subject matter less confusing and difficult to make a point.
During responses well timed pauses to gather your thoughts is always better than ... and, and, and, hmmm, ummm etc.

Just a couple of pointers.

Good Luck and learn to relax, knowledge is key and it will be fun. As said earlier You will walk in and you will walk out, what goes on in between will be fun for you if you look at it in the proper perspective.