A presentation on how to select the right Advanced Communication Manuals in Toastmasters.

1. How NOT to Select an Advanced
Communication Manual
By Ron Billimoria, ACB, ALS

2. DTM is a marathon, not a sprint.
It requires proper planning and
pacing of yourself.
One of the most important factor
is selecting the right Advanced
Manual
How NOT to Select an Advanced Communication Manual

3. Most common mistakes when selecting manuals
Not doing adequate research
Misunderstanding the purpose of the manual
Doing a manual because someone else is doing it or VP Ed selected it.
Doing it because it sounds interesting
Doing it because it sounds easy
Not introspecting before making the choice.
How NOT to Select an Advanced Communication Manual

4. What are the factors that you should consider
when choosing a manual?
Does it interest you?
Does it meet your personal or professional goals?
Is it something you can handle with your current skill set?
What are the key challenges of the manual?
How NOT to Select an Advanced Communication Manual

5. Key Challenges of a Manual
Difficulty in finding material or speech topics
Time needed for each project.
Will it require a lot of research and preparation?
Is special equipment, location or props needed in the manual.
Will it require a second or third person to assist?
How NOT to Select an Advanced Communication Manual

6. Looking
At The
Manuals
Foundation • Entertaining Speaker
• Speaking to inform
• Storytelling
Personal Growth • Persuasive Speaking
• Specialty Speeches
• Interpretive Reading
• Special Occasion Speeches
• Humorously Speaking
Professional Growth • Technical Presentations
• Facilitating Discussions
• Interpersonal Communication
• Speeches By Management
Special Interests • Public Relations
• Communicating on Video
• The Professional Speaker

7. Some Tips for Selecting the right manual
Consult your mentor or a senior Toastmaster before
deciding.
Understand what is easy or difficult for YOU and take
one easy and one difficult manual.
Tie your advanced manual goal to your club goals. This
will give you motivation to complete them.
How NOT to Select an Advanced Communication Manual

8. Getting Stuck in an Advanced Manual
Switch to another manual and do another project. Come
back to this manual after a small break.
Consult a senior Toastmaster to break the rut!
Look at YouTube videos for speeches by people doing
the same manual.
Post a cry for help on Facebook!! We will come to the
rescue.
How NOT to Select an Advanced Communication Manual

9. Evaluations for Advanced Manual Projects
Bring your own evaluator. Shortlist and arrange for an evaluator in
advance.
Its Ok to be evaluated by Toastmasters who are lower in the
communications track.
If a competent evaluator is not available defer your speech to another
meeting.
Give some speeches in other clubs which have senior Toastmaster so that
they can evaluate you easily.
How NOT to Select an Advanced Communication Manual

10. THANKS
How NOT to Select an Advanced Communication Manual