Let’s play the Segue Game

         It’s like playing ‘Telephone game-start a message and see how it changes, combined with some Improv using the ‘Yes, and concept.

         Pick a topic-(How to build business?) Give audience cards that are Segues like:

1.   Speaking of

2.   Pondering the question

3.   That reminds me of

4.   I like

5.   As I hear myself

6.   An opposing view

7.   Another way to look at this

8.   Now that we are on the same page

9.   Here is what fits next

         The above are all third tier segues.

         Tier 1-Fillers-uh, er, um, like you know (the answer to such inanity is “If I know why are you telling me again?”)

         Tier 2-So, Ok, Now

         A professional does not rely or use tier 1 or 2, most of the time.

         Game begins with the host or emcee passing out the cards with 3^rd tier segues. Then makes the topic state- “How to build a business,” and calls on a member of the audience to use their card.

         “Speaking of building a business a great model is Apple.

         The next participant uses “Pondering the question” looking toward Apple we see major success.

         “That reminds me of the basic rule of business; provide the customer what they want.

         “I like the phrase the customer is always right, which means I need to know what is right for my customer.

         “As I hear myself say that I am brought tone of the core values many people have, the Golden Rule and knowing what is right for you is golden.

         “An opposing view may say that is selfish, however being selfish means having an opinion, maybe even taking action.

         “Another way of looking at this, is we care about our customer “and now we are on the same page. The page where the customer is always right. (Bonus points for this player for using two segues.)

         ‘“Here’s what fits next, organize your business team or buddies to get into the specifics of building a business.

         Segues can start a conversation and elegantly lead to the next concept to support an idea or bring forth the next concept.

Segues

-Here is a suggestion that can slow down a presentation and add a smoother transition from one thought to another when speaking, the well planned SEGUES.

         85% of the world does not use appropriate SEGUES, instead they  use filler words (eh, er, um) or minor or irrelevant words  (so, OK, and) instead of using phrases that directly relate to what has been said and leads to the next thought,  next point or story. Here are three examples 1- Speaking of _____, 2- Pondering this question of ______,  3-That reminds me________.         

         The ultimate SEGUE is the PERIOD. Punctuate your idea with the MEANINGFUL PAUSE. In writing it is the period. Hold the space for the audience to consume your last idea and use that idea to lead to the next idea.

Example:

         “The Fall is one of my four favorite seasons.  It is a time to reflect upon our personal harvest.

         ”Speaking of harvest there are few items we can gather during all the season, and one of them is gratitude.

         Gathering our harvest of gratitude can easily be done by using the Five Friends-Who, What, Where, When and Why. These are friends that act as SEGUES, and also help control the internal, eternal often infernal Private Speaking of our inner chatter by asking questions. Using questions to control our mind is the basis for education and my favorite tool to handle the resistance we have to creating life as we wish and curing Seriousitis™.

         Who I am grateful for are my children and the joy they bring.         

         Speaking of joy the Church Choir rehearsal have been a joy to me and the children. I invite you to join us for our public presentation.

         When I think of a public presentation I think of speaking coach Gary C Smith. We are working together to keep our enthusiasm about life and slow our speaking so we can all feel the excitement of harvesting our gratitude. J

         Where are you most grateful?

         What has your enthusiasm?

         Why not get excited about the wonders of life before our act is closed?

         In closing, it is how we SEGUE from one idea to the next that connects all of us together as one people, seeking peace and happiness this fall season.”

         Recapping:

         A SEGUE is a transition from one idea to another. Using a pause we can move past the ums, so, and, and use verbs to connect to the next idea. Often it is a case of repeating the last phrase, the next idea connects to the last.

         SEGUES are what makes an ARIA powerful, an essay make sense, a reason to pause to honor our audience.

            SEGUES keep our audience paying attention.