Does the idea of public speaking – whether giving a birthday toast or standing up in front of the Business Partnership – bring you out in a cold sweat?  Would you rather hide under the table than utter a few short bon mots to more than one person?  In that case, you need to read ‘Raise your glasses, please’!

 

Public speaking isn’t every one’s cup of tea, and even experienced speakers can suffer the sweats and shakes, and many would go to great lengths to avoid it.  However, it can be a real buzz standing up in front of a crowded room and delivering your carefully scripted speech to rapt attention and rippling applause.

‘Raise your glasses, please!’ is an excellent resource to help you construct your speech or toast, providing helpful hints on length, structure and how to introduce a little humour into the proceedings.  It’s also got a wide range of quotes, sayings, proverbs and ditties  to help you break the ice and make sure that you short presentation is remembered.

Even if you’re not preparing for a speech any time soon, the book has a wealth of interesting snippets about the history of customs and ceremonies that we all take for granted.  Did you know, for example, that a wedding ring is worn on the third finger of the left hand because it’s this finger that contains a vein leading directly to the heart?

We’ve tried a few of the suggestions contained within the book at various functions – from Partnership meetings to gatherings of friends – and have genuinely found that they’ve made our lives easier.  We’ve been more relaxed during our speeches, funnier, stayed on topic longer and enjoyed ourselves a lot more!

‘Raise your glasses, please’ is a must-have for the corporate bookshelf.  Lend it to your staff and see how their client presentations improve.  Use it yourself and improve the way that you can stand up and do business.

Raise Your Glasses, Please!
Jackie Arnold
ISBN 978-1-84528-209-7
Available at all good bookstores priced at £7.99
Orders: 01476 541080
www.howtobooks.co.uk