Why stand up?

29/3/09

A question you often hear from new members in BNI is - Why do I have to stand when I am talking?

I’ve also seen many visitors stay sitting when it is their turn to speak, lots of frantic gesturing from the members trying to get a person to stand and, most often, a request from the Chapter Director for someone to stand, this being followed by an uneasy or embarrassed rise by the person concerned from their chair.

So, why do we stand when talking?

Well, I guess the easy answer is that it is more business like. But, in truth there are far more important reasons than that and they all add up to just one thing. More business!

When we stand to talk we naturally speak louder, we can be seen and everyone’s attention is focused on us. Our words are clearer and more easily heard, which means that our presentation is far more effective. I hope that you will agree that it’s not too hard to connect a more effective presentation to gaining more business.

And, don’t rush when you do stand to speak. Only start talking once you are standing and finish talking before you sit down again. I miss so much of members' 60 Seconds who start talking the moment they start to rise from their seats and trail off as they sit again at the end.