Picking on telemarketers is a national pastime in America, but Tyrone, Ga., Financial Advisor Jean Raines says we’re being too hard on the poor saps struggling to make a living in one of America’s least attractive professions. Telemarketers aren’t the problem, she argues; it’s their delivery that’s lacking.
So, as the president of the local Toastmasters International club, where presenting and critiquing speeches is the name of the game, Raines has taken it upon herself to offer up some friendly advice to all the downtrodden telemarketers out there. And, what better venue for an important speech like this than a humorous speaking contest?
Well, on October 2 in Atlanta, Raines offered up a crowd-pleasing rendition of her speech, Telemarketers Have to Eat, too, taking home the top prize in the 2010 State of Georgia Humorous Speaking Contest. In the speech, Raines takes three imaginary telemarketers to task, using Toastmaster International techniques to analyze and comment on their sales pitches.
“The idea truly came out of dealing with telemarketers,” she says. “When they call, I always talk to them so I have an idea about what they are pitching to my clients.”
Toastmasters International is a non-profit organization with over 260,000 members, which allows participants the opportunity to practice and hone communication skills, by giving impromptu speeches and critiquing and analyzing the speeches of other members.
“This organization was so incredibly helpful to me,” Raines says. “It helps you to speak intelligently, and most importantly, know when to be quiet. As sales people we have problems knowing when to be quiet.”
Raines first tried out for the humorous speaking competition last year, winning a hard-fought battle at the club level, but falling short in area competition. This time around, however, Raines skated through the club, area and division levels, making it all the way to the state competition. There, she beat out nine of the best public speakers in the state of Georgia for the gold (so to speak).
“The competition was great,” Raines says. “I was absolutely astounded by the level of excitement in the room. Everyone was applauding and screaming.”
For her efforts, Raines took home several ribbons and a two-foot plastic trophy that now sits in her office at First Command. The hardware is already paying dividends, she says.
“The trophy is a great ice breaker,” she says. “When somebody really wants to know something about you, they have that as an opening.”
First Command Financial Services, Inc.