It might sound like heresy — but a public speaking expert said yesterday that public talks should not start with the traditional Bermudian “good morning”.

Jan Fraser, owner of Jan Fraser Business Training, said: “It’s a wonderful thing, but when I first came to Bermuda and started doing sessions at the Chamber of Commerce, I had a little introduction I did and they said ‘you have to say good morning’.”

But Ms Fraser explained the best technique was first to grab the attention of the audience — then say good morning.

She said: “I draw them in first, I entice them with something that will make them listen to me.”

But she added: “I don’t discard the good morning — what I do is I entice them first, then say good morning.”

Ms Fraser was speaking as she prepared to host a full day workshop on how to put on a top-grade presentation next Wednesday.

She said that — even in an era of instant electronic communication — good speaking and presentation skills would never go out of fashion.

Ms Fraser added: “It’s still important — even if it’s your peers, your sweetheart, your boss, you still have to have those presentation skills because presentation is the key to business.

“If you can present yourself and think on your feet, you can be one of the highest paid people in the world.

“I don’t think that verbal communication will ever be obsolete.”

The seminar, to be held at Bermuda Media on Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton, next week, is designed for business people who want to improve their sales presentation skills and to speak more effectively in meetings of from podiums.

Participants will be videotaped and given personalised tips on how to improve their speaking style.

Ms Fraser said that, to ensure personal attention, the workshop would be limited to ten people.

But she added: “People don’t have to speaking every minute. They have to listen as well, know where a person is coming from and respond appropriately.”

Ms Fraser said that a common mistake when speaking in public, even among speakers in command of their subject, was the use of “filler words” like ‘um’ and ‘ah’.

She added: “We all have this talent already, but sometimes people need a little boost to make it clear and professional and without using filler words.

“There are certain filler words that block our conversation and presentation skills.

“The minute people start using filler words, they are inviting their audience to tune out and we don’t want that to happen. We want them to stay right there with us.”

Ms Fraser, a professional speaker for more than 30 years, began her career in the sector as a trainer for American Airlines, travelling the world to teach customer service and leadership to company staff.

She said: “I was also a flight attendant trainer and they are a tough audience because they’re really looking at everything. These were sone good audiences to cut my teeth on.”

And Ms Fraser admitted: “I used to be shy and afraid to speak up in a group.

“But with a few simple techniques, I was able to overcome my fear of speaking and feel comfortable and confident sharing my ideas and thoughts with others.”

The seminar costs $447 per person, which includes lunch.

For more details, visit www.janfraserbusinesstraining.com, e-mail kgrant@bm.bm or phone 492-7271.