經濟復甦的明確跡象 老手教你提高演講的激情

Asure sign the economy is recovering: more invitations for paid speaking engagements. During tough times the frequency of such gigs slumps because everyone wants a speech for free. But recent experience suggests that budgets have been boosted, and diaries are busier.

經濟復甦的一個明確跡象是：有償演講的邀請越來越多了。在經濟困難時期，這類演講大幅減少，原因是誰都不想爲演講掏錢。但近來我的經歷表明，相關預算已經增加，演講日程也變得更繁忙了。

I usually only undertake gratuitous speaking assignments if they fall into one of two categories: either the sponsor is a charity where I have some connection; or the occasion is directly relevant to my work.

我通常只接受無償的演講任務，前提是它們屬於下列兩類之一：要麼主辦方是一家與我有聯繫的慈善機構，要麼這個活動與我的工作直接相關。

Over the years I’ve learnt to be firm: otherwise you can end up travelling hundreds of miles at your own expense to address an audience of four in a village hall – without even so much as a thank you afterwards.

這些年來，我已經學會了堅持上述原則，否則你可能千里迢迢自費來到一個村莊的議事廳，結果發現觀衆只有四個人，而且他們在演講結束後連句謝謝也不說。

For the past decade I’ve probably delivered between 30 and 50 speeches a year, the substantial majority gratis. Of course I enjoy it – both preparing and performing – otherwise I wouldn’t do it.

過去十年間，我大概每年做30到50場演講，其中多半都是無償的。當然，我享受演講——包括從準備到演講的全過程——否則我就不會去做這件事。

The fact is nowadays virtually all ambitious executives are required to present in a public forum in a fluent and confident way. There are ever more conferences, conventions, seminars, symposiums and suchlike. In the age of digital communication, such face-to-face oration becomes even more important. If you suffer a phobia about public speaking – as many do – then I recommend you organise media training. If you choose the right instructor it can work wonders.

當今，幾乎所有心懷抱負的高管都必須有能力在公開場合流利和自信地發表演講。小會、大會、研討會、座談會……諸如此類的活動比任何時候都多。在數字通信時代，面對面的演說變得愈發重要。如果你和許多人一樣，對演講有恐懼感，那麼我建議你接受媒體素養訓練。只要找對教練，就會有意想不到的效果。

Apart from certain rules about which bookings to accept, I have learnt first-hand my limitations when it comes to execution. I never drink before my slot: alcohol is sure to impair your performance – and you will enjoy a glass a great deal more when you sit down after the act.

除了一些在接受演講預約時需要遵循的原則，我從親身經歷中學到，在演講時不能做什麼。我從來不在上場前飲酒，因爲酒精勢必會讓你的表現打折扣。而當你在演講後坐下來時，則可以更盡情地享受一杯酒的樂趣。

Meanwhile, I always draft my own material: at Channel 4 TV when I was chairman, the very competent PR supremo wrote a speech for me, but it just wasn’t my style, and I felt a fake reading his lines. It takes time to compose an address, but at least it means your pitch is authentic.

另外，我向來都是自己打草稿。我擔任第四頻道(Channel 4)董事長那會兒，公關主管爲我寫了一篇演講稿。他非常能幹，但這稿子就是不符合我的風格，所以我感覺自己是在冒充別人照本宣科。自己寫稿子雖然很費時間，但至少這是你真實的心聲。

I never use tools such as PowerPoint. I think these devices distract from the content – listeners don’t know whether they should be listening to you or scribbling down the bullet points from your slides. And the audiovisual system so often packs up, leaving you without a prop in mid-flow.

我也從來不用PowerPoint這樣的工具。我認爲，這些工具使人們不能集中精力關注演講內容——聽衆不知道是該聽你演講，還是匆忙記下幻燈片上一條條的內容。何況視聽系統卡殼出錯的時候太多了，這使你在講到一半時沒了依靠。

I try to hold the attention of the crowd without visual props but with my words. That means avoiding jargon, and putting forward ideas with impact that can inspire.

我設法憑我的語言來抓住人們的注意力，而不是借用視覺方面的輔助。這意味着要避免專業術語，並提出令人啓迪的觀點。

After all, straightforward information is available everywhere: what audiences desire at a live event is something uplifting and memorable.

畢竟，內容直白的信息從哪兒都能獲取：觀衆渴望從現場活動中得到的是一些提升心智、能給他們留下深刻印象的信息。

I can’t really tell jokes so don’t attempt to craft witty speeches. At the Edinburgh Festival I have witnessed at close quarters many dozens of brilliantly funny stand-up comedians do their acts. They are full-time experts, and what they do is really difficult for amateurs to pull off.

講笑話我實在不在行，因此就不費力去構思機智幽默的演講。在愛丁堡藝術節(Edinburgh Festival)上，我近距離目睹了許多令人捧腹的脫口秀演員的表演。這些人是全職從事滑稽表演的專家，他們的工作對業餘愛好者來說真的很難搞定。

It takes great skill and practice to make audiences laugh, and if you fail your speech will disappoint. I recommend that you only try to be amusing if you know you have the gift and are willing to put in the time to rehearse.

讓觀衆發笑需要高超的技巧和大量的實踐，一旦失敗，你的演講會叫人失望。我的建議是，在知道自己有天賦、也願意投入時間反覆演練的前提下，再嘗試製造幽默。

Usually I am willing to give talks only on topics I know well and where I have something to say – subjects that matter, where I possess personal experience, so that my stories resonate.

通常，我只願對我熟悉的、有話可說的話題發表演講。話題要有重要性，有我個人的經歷在裏頭，以便讓我的故事引起共鳴。

Typically a host will ask me to speak for 30 or even 45 minutes. But I know that at most modern gatherings the attendees do not want to sit and listen to such a long monologue. They much prefer a punchy 15- or 20-minute piece and then interaction and participation. My father once told me always to make your speech slightly shorter than the audience was expecting – and I think he’s right.

一般來說，主辦方會讓我講30分鐘、甚至45分鐘。但我知道，在多數現代會議中，與會者不想坐下來聽一個人講這麼長時間。他們更喜歡一個15或20分鐘的簡短有力的發言，然後進入互動和參與環節。父親曾告訴我，永遠要讓你的演講比觀衆預期的時長稍短一點，我想他是對的。

Hence I always suggest an extended question and answer session rather than a droning speech that bores people. Moreover, questions are actually more fun and challenging. You cannot really prepare in advance, and you are more likely to say something indiscreet or controversial in response than during an entirely scripted rendition.

因此，我總是建議延長問答環節，而不是絮絮叨叨講個不停，讓觀衆感到無聊。觀衆的問題其實更有趣，也更有挑戰性。你真的沒法事先準備，比起完全照稿進行的演講，你也更有可能說出一些未經縝密思考的話，或是引發爭議的話。

Giving speeches is ultimately a form of showing off, yet mastering the art can be both satisfying and good for one’s career.

演講歸根到底是一種表現自我的形式，而掌握演講的藝術，不僅會給人帶來滿足感，也有利於事業的發展。

The writer is chairman of Risk Capital Partners, a private equity firm, and The Centre for Entrepreneurs

本文作者是私人股本公司Risk Capital Partners董事長，獨立智庫The Centre for Entrepreneurs主席。