How to prepare for an Icebreaker?

Following are the aspects one need to consider for his/her Icebreaker speech

Objectives of a good Icebreaker

• Icebreaker speech asks you to speak in front of the audience and help your audience to get to know you. That's all !! :) 
• How?
• By giving insights into your life- from childhood to your present life
• This should include where you are born, Family details, Education, hobbies, your aspiration etc..
• Why?
• To build a personal connect with audience whom you are going to make friends. Probably for life time!! 
• Also, It helps to connect with like minded people 
• Ex: same alumni, same state, same future aspirations or hobbies)
• Speech duration : 4 to 6 mins with 30 sec grace time
• Considering the average word count (100/120 words per minute). Recommended word count is 500-550 words
• Have an Opening, Body and Conclusion

Please answer these questions for yourself

1. Will audience know me better after my speech?
2. Am I speaking about all the important aspects of my life?
3. Is there any take away message from my life to the audience? ( optional)

You can find the descriptive Icebreaker document from Toastmaster at this link. 

Yours,

Vish

Project 5: "Fake it until you make it"

Surprised to see that the Bangalore TM club has taken effort to upload my speech. Thank you.

This is my project 5 and objectives are to improve body language and stage presence. Here I talk about my childhood fear of dog. This fear is well know to all Bangaloreans for the fact that we face this menace at every nook and corner of the city.

Hope the speech drives you with a clear take away message.
You may provide your comments and suggestions.




Urs
Vish

My Humorous Speech- Area D3 Contest

Here is my novice attempt to make audience laugh in my club- Express2Lead, Bangalore at Area D3 Level Toastmaster contest, which was held on 27th September 2013. Humor or Comedy has always been a difficult and daunting task for me. Sometimes I end up laughing at my own jokes lest no one laughs. I could get 3+ laughs from audience during the talk and I consider that as a success from the beginner's perspective. :)

Some of my B.Tech friends should be able to co-relate the talk with an incident in my college. :P
Hope you like and enjoy the video.
Please provide your comments and feedback.

PS: Toastmasters watching this video, please provide your suggestions to improve my Humorous skills.



Urs,
Vish

My Journey of Toastmasters

Year 2011 and place Hyderabad

Big surprises come in small packets and it was an invite to a non-work related meeting. This meeting had a different aura as all our HR's were actively promoting it and I wondered what is so special? With nudging from our manager, I accepted the invite and skeptically sat in the conference room.

The meeting started with a high pitched eccentric person shouting “Good Morning” multiple times. This person was so persistent to get a Good morning that I wondered if I was listening to a desperate School principal asking for Good Morning. I later learnt that he is called “Sargent-At-Arms”J. The meeting continued with MC and other role players.

All this seemed well rehearsed and did not impress me much until one session of the meeting. Yes, it was a Table Topic session and I was called as a speaker. I managed to mumble and fumble for 1 min and stood silent for the next. 

During then I realized how difficult it is to speak just for two minutes in front of an audience. This part of the session showed me the scope for impromptu speaking and convinced me to associate with Toastmasters. I visited nearby club for next 4 weeks, but could not join as I was contemplating to relocate to Bangalore.

I joined Express2Lead TM Club in April 2012 and continued to be an active member till date. Currently I am Vice-President- Education of out club helping members reach their goals. I am amazed by my increased ability in public speaking and looking forward to learn at every meeting and from every member.

Dear Toastmasters, remember: Big surprises come in small unwelcome packets. Look out for them and seize! J

Urs,
Vish