Keynote Speaker Training Program

“The only way on earth to influence other people is to talk about what they want and show them how to get it.”

- Dale Carnegie:

Which is why Toastmasters is truly an ideal platform to channel your potential to the apex. This Community is driven by aspirational speakers who dedicate their time and effort to hone their public speaking skills. To further leverage this raw potential, District 92 has been successfully running the ‘Keynote Speaker Training program’, designed for speakers to tap into their fullest capabilities as a keynote speaker.

This program also extends support to already proficient speakers who wish to elevate to excellence. It aims to bridge the gap between being a great speaker and achieving keynote-worthy status.

In the heart of District 92’s dynamic environment, we sat down with DTM Rohit Koka, IPDD and the initiator of the Keynote Speaker Training Program; TM Giridhar, the organiser who brought the event to life and TM Charulatha, one of the dedicated participants of the program.

Meet the initiator of KSTP: DTM Rohit Koka

Q: What inspired you to start the keynote speaker training program?

Rohit Koka: You see, district managers have leaders. We are known worldwide for our leadership potential and quality. I also realised that we have some amazing speakers. Some of these people are established individuals in their realms and verticals. I notice that many high-profile events seek keynote speakers, education speakers, and often request similar individuals, such as myself, other distinguished leaders, or past champions from previous contests. This recurring pattern caught my attention, and I wanted to explore it further. Furthermore, I

understood that it’s not that others don’t want to take up these roles; it’s that they lack the necessary skill set or ability. Before Pathways made its debut, there was an advanced manual called the Professional Speaker Manual, designed for individuals who wanted to pursue professional speaking as a legitimate career. That manual helped me learn how to deliver keynote speeches and address large audiences. I believe

Pathways does not have a similar resource, nor do I see any district offering a program that teaches people how to become keynote speakers. We have programs like JTP, Forte, and district officer training, but there is nothing to help individuals become ‘keynote-worthy speakers’. Therefore, the inspiration was to create a program for members who are interested and qualified to learn the nuances of giving keynote speeches.

Q: While we’re on the topic, how does one structure their ideas into a tangible reality? What was your thought process in bringing your vision to life?

Rohit Koka: One aspect I’ve always observed is that there are abundant ideas and great thoughts. Implementing these ideas doesn’t require a specialised skill set or advanced thought process; you need to take a leap of faith and just start your initiative. We often tend to look for

perfection, but it doesn’t have to be utopian. When you envision something perfectly and then try to bring it down to a practical level, it often doesn’t work out. And that's the most ideal break. I started to understand that if I have an idea, I should try it and start working at the

grassroots level. If it doesn’t happen perfectly or even if it fails, it’s better to have tried and failed than not to have tried at all. If there’s a vision and it can inspire and make an impact, give it a shot. Focus on getting

started, iterate as you go, and know that you don’t have to do it on your own. Network with other Toastmasters and you’ll always find people who are eager to support new ideas.

Q: What were the primary goals you aimed to achieve when creating the program?

Rohit Koka: The ideology was to create a program where aspiring speakers could receive professional training to become adept and skilled. We aimed to bring in expert speakers who aren’t just effective public speakers but also specially qualified for professional speaking and can offer exemplary training at Toastmasters at no cost, unlike expensive external programs. Eventually, our long-term goal was to build a speaker pool for District 92, which could be featured on our website and used for corporate engagements, such as training programs. District 92 could then directly assist in connecting these speakers with corporate clients, which would ultimately facilitate more professional engagement opportunities for them.

Q: What advice would you give to the upcoming leaders, both within the district and beyond, who want to develop their own initiatives

Rohit Koka: There’s always Toastmasters, an excellent platform to test out your visions and initiatives. Personally, I created this keynote speaker training program as a testing ground; if it works here, it can be applied elsewhere, including in my company. Consequently, I took the opportunity, and you’ll always discover numerous opportunities in Toastmasters to experiment with ideas that can enhance both your professional and personal lives. When you have an idea to solve a problem or improve a process, develop it and discuss it with your colleagues. If you hold a position of power, enable it wisely; if you are a member, engage with your club, area, division, and district leaders and take action. Many successful programs, like LDP, started from simple ideas. Moreover, even if an idea fails, it’s still a valuable learning experience. District 92 has 4,000+ members; just imagine if I had one idea and it became a keynote speaker training program. If each of us has an idea like that, think of the impact we can build. The biggest asset a Toastmaster has is not the program or the platform. It’s the network of people that we bring together—the community of people who are involved in something bigger than themselves. If we tap into that, there’s a lot of potential, and ideas can really spread like wildfire if we just let that spark start. This is precisely what I told Daniel Rex, the CEO of Toastmasters International. To all the upcoming leaders, seize every opportunity you get, learn from your setbacks, embrace the entirety of your journey, strengthen your network, and, most importantly, persevere with conviction.

Meet the Organizer of KSTP: TM Giridhar

Q: What personal experiences/insights have shaped on how you organize this program?

Giridhar: Four other members were involved in the project. The successful organization of the program, I think, has much to do with enthusiasm and a strong interest in organizing events. Regarding personal skills, I would emphasize all the interpersonal and communication skills that I developed through Toastmasters. These experiences included attending meetings of other clubs, rendezvous meetings, and organizing LDPs. With my active participation in these meetings, I've been able to establish contacts with necessary individuals and improve coordination of the project. Furthermore, this exposure familiarized me with various area, division, and district leaders, which was crucial for organizing and disseminating information about the program.

Q: What were some of the challenges you faced during the run of the program and how did you overcome them?

Giridhar: One of the main challenges we encountered as a team was managing timelines because the program required us to cater to the entire batch we selected. Given that we had to organize 3-4 sessions, with a series of festivals lined up, and the unavailability of trainers during this period, it necessitated that we shorten the timeframe to one month. Keeping track of the timeline and rescheduling was a primary challenge for our cohort. Furthermore, finding the right keynote trainers and ensuring their availability was quite arduous as well. We successfully managed this task by collaborating on ideas, brainstorming various approaches and receiving support from district leadership. Our collective determination to achieve our end goals helped us address this challenge and successfully deliver the program.

Q: What metrics do u use to evaluate how well the training is working?

Giridhar: I believe when evaluating the program's success, we aimed to focus on a few pivotal metrics. We keenly observed the participation and engagement of the selected batch of 25 individuals. Secondly, and a very apt yardstick for measuring success, is assessing the participants' capacity to successfully deliver their own keynote speeches after the conclusion of the program. We are delighted to say that most of our speakers were able to come through and deliver exemplary keynote addresses at various events, such as open houses and professional work lines. At last, the ultimate demonstration of the program’s effectiveness was the number of participants who became district-certified keynote speakers upon the conclusion of the event.

Meet one of the participants of KSTP: TM Charulatha

Q: What specific skill or insight you’ve gained from the training has been particularly valuable?

Charulatha: The D92 keynote speaker training program has been instrumental in enhancing my abilities as a speaker. One particularly valuable insight I've acquired is the multifaceted purpose of a keynote speech: to educate, inspire, and motivate the audience, leaving a memorable impact that may shape their views or inspire action. This understanding has guided me to refine my skills systematically. Key learnings from the program include the judicious acceptance of speaking invitations, thoughtful topic selection, comprehensive research, strategic speech construction, and dynamic delivery tailored to the audience's interests. These components are crucial for development and success of any keynote speaker.

Q: What motivated you to join this program? And how did it align with your personal ambitions?

Charulatha: My motivation to join the D92 keynote speaker training program stemmed from a longstanding commitment to personal and professional growth in my capacities as a coach, trainer, and speaker.

As a dedicated Toastmaster, I am constantly seeking opportunities to refine my oratory skills and elevate my proficiency to a more professional level. The advent of this program resonated with my personal ambitions to excel in public speaking and to offer more value in my engagements. The moment D92 announced this initiative, I recognized it as a perfect fit for my goals, and I eagerly seized the opportunity to apply and participate.

Q: How do u incorporate the tools and resources you’ve gained from this program into your work

Charulatha: Since completing the training program, my approach to speaking engagements has evolved significantly. Now, I meticulously examine the subtleties of each speech, including its details and structure, and I engage in thorough preparation before committing to an invitation. My focus has shifted from merely relying on my expertise in the subject matter to emphasising the delivery of content in a manner that is both engaging and valuable for the audience. I've become more attuned to my unique speaking style and have actively integrated the elements that were previously lacking, enhancing the overall impact of my keynote presentations.

Left to Right: Rohit Koka, DTM, Giridhar, Charulata