homework

Building your Nichols Two Things© Learning Objectives—what you will learn 1. Package your ideas using the Nichols’ Two-Things© message packaging strategy 2. Effectively communicate your ideas using the Nichols’ Two-Things© message delivery

method:

• Create and deliver messages using Sense Memory© • Use repetition to reinforce your ideas (essential in oral communication) • Embed your message in your listener’s mind by showing how concepts tie-in to each

other • Use a question opening to capture attention; this clears your listener’s mind allowing you • Deliver a Cold Closing© that anchors your ideas, projects your love and confidence, with

your two big ideas firmly grounded with your listener

3. Coach your fellow participants in the Grand Tanian Exercise©:

• Bring out the best in others through Coaching (see Coaching below) • Integrate your understanding and gain mastery of the Effective Communication concepts

by teaching others • Build relationships with coworkers

The Exercise—what you will do 1. Select a topic you like best for your presentation: • Low fat diet • Road Runner versus The Coyote • Running Shoes • Chinese food

2. Working with your partner(s), apply the Nichols’ Two-Things© message packaging strategy.

Your goal is to fill-in the Nichols’ Two-Things© form with a phrase or one or two words at each level.

3. Select one team member to act as facilitator. The other partner(s) develop the message by

responding to the facilitator’s questions:

Questions to develop Big Messages:

“When you think of (topic), what is the first thing that comes to mind?” “What is the second thing that comes to mind?”

Questions to develop sub-points of Big Messages: “When you think of (topic) and (Big Message One) what comes to mind?” or, “(Topic) and (Big Message One), tell me more…”

Hint: Pick a topic in which you are a Master of the Message; a topic you like and can have fun with. Use words that describe the pictures you see flashing in your head as you think about the topic.

4. Report back to the main meeting room on time. 5. Only if you have time: As soon as you have your Nichols’ Two-Things© message ready and

one of your teammates is ready to coach you, stand and present your Nichols’ Two-Things© message.

Tips • Feel friendly, enjoy sharing your ideas with your listeners, have fun • Remember: you will say things you did not plan to say and you’ll forget to say things you

planned to say—that is a sign of good communication • Begin by asking your listeners a question, allowing them to begin thinking about your

topic • Talk your way through the Nichols’ Two-Things© message • Shoot pictures into your teammate’s heads: look into your memory and describe what you

are seeing, feeling, hearing, etc. • Tie-in your ideas by showing how they relate to each other in the Nichols’ Two-Things©

structure • End with a Cold Closing© that signals “this is the end” by:

• Reminding your listeners of your two big ideas • Telling what you hope the two big ideas will mean to them in the future • Projecting your best wishes and good feelings for your listeners

• Talk to your teammates not to the camera (if video taped)

Coaching 1. Tell the speaker specifically what you liked about their presentation. Point out what things

they did that they should repeat in the future.

2. When the speaker is ready to hear suggestions on how they can improve say, “and to be even better next time,” or, “to improve in the future” and make a recommendation of what they should do next time.

3. Visualize what you see them doing next time and describe it to them. Do not tell them what

they did wrong. Frame your coaching as a prediction of how they will perform the next time.