Do you ever feel like you're slaving away in obscurity while other people are getting the promotions and choice assignments? If so, then what can you do about it? The answer, "Stand Up, Speak Out and Win! I believe that if you speak out on what you are most passionate about in your work, unexpected good fortune will occur. I can hear you saying, "Hold on Mark, I'm not a speaker. I do good work, but I don't particularly like talking about it to an audience." This may be true. But what if I could help you, in a relatively painless way, gain more visibility and recognition for your work? Let's face it, people are more than willing to take your ideas and present them as if they were their own. Why shouldn't you stand up, speak out and get credit for your own good work?

This is the time of year when consultants like me design their marketing plan for the year. You can advance your career by designing your own marketing plan with speaking as the centerpiece. Listed below are three critical steps in putting your best foot forward.

1. Define Your Passion - Have you ever noticed that when you talk about things that mean a lot to you your expressiveness goes off the chart? When you called your best friend to tell him or her about the birth of your first child, I doubt if your voice was monotone. The first step in delivering effective presentations is to select a topic that excites you. What are you currently working on that is most turns you on? It could be related to innovation, quality, team-building or customer service.

2. Select a Comfortable Forum - I'm not suggesting that you start out by appearing on Oprah's TV show. The second step is to remain in the driver's seat by selecting a forum that meets your current comfort level. As you become more skilled, raise the bar and present at the next level on the chart. Check out the following set of possibilities and select the one where you can really shine.

   Solo presentation to professional association Joint presentation with consultant to professional association Solo poster presentation at conference Member of panel at local professional association Brown bag seminar for colleagues at work Presentation at department staff meeting

3. Get the Training You Need - There should be no mystery to delivering effective presentations. The techniques and skills have been well defined and are available to everyone. This third step in our plan suggests that you get reliable feedback on your presentation skills and work on improving your delivery. There are several training options available to you including: Company sponsored public speaking courses, Community adult education programs, Toastmasters International, www.toastmasters.org, Dale Carnegie Seminars, www.dalecarnegie.com or hire a professional speech coach, like my colleague Tom Kennedy, www.kennedygroupboston.com.

If you follow this three-step plan, you will gain much deserved visibility, tremendous networking opportunities, consideration for exciting job opportunities and increased confidence. What are you waiting for? Select your topic, identify a comfortable forum and brush up your skills. This time next year I expect that things will be very different for you and your career.

I'm interested in your success. If I can answer any questions related to this article or if you have a comment about the article, please let me know at mark.campbell48@verizon.net.