In a few days it will be the turn of the year. For some, making a toast over dinner at the office comes naturally; for others, it is an annual torment.

In this blog you will receive tips from Lars Duursma, expert in public speaking and from chatbot Chat GPT. Lars gives tips on how to best reach and keep your audience engaged and Chat GPT gives tips on how to best build your New Year's speech. 

In 2019, we spoke with Lars. He is the founder of Debatrix and coaches CEOs, government leaders and TED speakers. As a communications expert, Lars regularly appears in the media to analyze speeches and debates. If you want to improve your public speaking skills, Lars is the person to talk to.

"First of all," he says, "it is important to realize that a Christmas speech is usually different from a New Year's speech. The former looks back and reflects on the past year, the latter looks forward and focuses on what is to come.'

Of course, nothing is fixed. Sometimes the two tend to overlap. The important thing is to be sure what you want to communicate.

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The 4 tips from Lars Duursma

1. Conveying feelings, not information

According to Lars, speeches are not suitable for an ordinary transfer of information. 'Your audience is not listening with a voice recorder or paper in hand. They will probably only remember two, at most three, of the things you said.' That need not be a bad thing, Lars says, as long as you are aware of it.

He quotes American poet and activist Maya Angelou, who said, "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

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2. Keep it short

It may seem obvious, but anyone who has ever had to listen to an interminable speech knows how easily some people just keep babbling on and on. Lars: "When it comes to a New Year's speech, I would say the shorter, the better. 

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3. Don't be the hero

Stories are the key ingredient of a perfect speech, according to Lars. 'Obviously, you want to tell stories that support your message. If you want your speech to evoke a sense of pride, tell stories that show the difference your company has made.'

Many CEOs tend to tell stories about themselves, but you should avoid that, says Lars. "Always ask yourself: who is the hero in this story? You don't want that to be you. Highlight your employees, especially those who are easily overlooked.'

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4. Practice

This may seem obvious, but public speaking is a skill that requires practice - lots of practice. Lars compares public speaking to tennis. "If you only do it once a year, you will never get good at it.

Do at least one tryout, film yourself with your phone so you can see how your emotions come across when you look at yourself as you speak. 

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The following 5 tips come from chatbot Chat GPT and focus on building your New Year's Eve speech. 

1. Start with a word of thanks

Thank attendees for attending and contributing to the past year. This creates a cordial and grateful atmosphere and shows that you appreciate people. This ties in with Las' 4th tip for putting your employees in the spotlight. 

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2. Reflect on the past year

Create a brief summary of the major events and successes of the past year. This provides context and shows what was accomplished.

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3. Set goals for the new year

State what you hope to accomplish in the new year and how you will do it. This provides direction and motivation for the coming year.

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4. State what you expect from the attendees

Clearly state what you expect from the attendees in the new year and how they can contribute to the goals you have set. This shows your confidence in their abilities and provides guidelines for their role in the new year.

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5. End on a positive note

End with a positive and inspiring quote or message to motivate and enthuse everyone for the new year. This creates a good feeling and leaves attendees feeling confident about the new year.

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Good luck writing and practicing your New Year's speech!

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If you want to learn more about the chatbot Chat GTP, listen to Remy Gieling's Work Professor episode.

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