CMA Speech Craft Program develops leadership and speaking skills of Batch 22

Batch 22 virtual final meeting and awards ceremony

The CMA Speech Craft Batch 22 commenced the program on 6 December 2020, and within seven weeks successfully completed the program online and held the final awards ceremony meeting online on Sunday, 17 January 2021.

The Speechcraft program which is mandatory for all CMA final year students, trains students to communicate more effectively at work, home or socially. Also, to present their ideas convincingly in an organised and logical manner. It enables them to improve their self-confidence in front of an audience.

Students could achieve their communication skills to meet the needs of the workplace through the globally recognised Toastmasters International Speechcraft program.

Speechcraft is a program designed to develop your public speaking ability and so much more. You will gain confidence in all aspects of communication, including written and impromptu speeches, audio-visual aids, body language, active listening, and critical evaluation.

The Speechcraft program exposes each participant to a wide range of communication and learning experiences. Each participant receives a professionally published Toastmaster International Speechcrafter Manual plus a range of learning materials. Participants prepare and present speeches in a relaxed atmosphere. Speeches are designed with the novice in mind – you do not need any experience!

During each meeting, short impromptu speaking sessions are conducted to help you learn to think on your feet. After each presentation you receive a constructive speech evaluation, initially from the course trainers and then from your peers. This process recognises speaker’s strengths and provides valuable guidance on how future presentations may be improved.

Speechcraft participants are encouraged to embrace the Toastmasters International motto: ‘Better Listening, Better Thinking, Better speaking’.

Prof. Lakshman R. Watawala giving the Chief Guest’s address at the awards ceremony held on Zoom, commended the Batch 22 participants for an excellent performance delivering speeches on relevant and inspiring topics. Prof. Watawala expressed the importance of communication skill development for the furtherance of the career success of the CMA Management Accountants who will be the future corporate leaders. The participants were encouraged to attend conferences with local and international presence to improve the knowledge base and volunteer to make presentations in professional ‘fora’ to gather confidence and climb the corporate ladder.

The Speechcrafters expressed their individual appreciation to Prof. Watawala for making the speechcraft program mandatory though some had reservations at first but they realised sooner than later the invaluable knowledge and confidence gained to overcome fear of speaking in public, ingredients and structure of an effective speech in addition to critical topics on leadership such as positive thinking, teamwork and time management.

CMA Sri Lanka Toastmasters Club President T.M. Mayuran Ramanathan appreciated the visionary leadership of Prof. Watawala for ensuring that CMA students receive the full package of communication and leadership skill development through the speechcraft program and thanked his fellow Toastmaster members for the cooperation extended to assist in the 12-session program.

President Mayuran also conducted the certificate awarding ceremony online with Chief Guest Prof. Lakshman R. Watawala giving away the certificates for Batch 22 students who successfully completed the Speech Craft program.

A speechcrafter delivered an elegant and comprehensive Vote of Thanks on behalf of the 22 members who completed the course, giving special note of appreciation to Course Director Dian Abeyewardene, CMA Director Member Services Shanthi Maheswaran, and the IT team of CMA for the efficient online facilitation of all sessions, especially in the final meeting.

The commitment and dedication of Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka President Prof. Watawala, to empower the CMA students in all aspects as future leaders irrespective of all challenges experienced with the COVID-19 pandemic, was greatly appreciated by all students who acknowledged the immense benefits received by following the Speech Craft program. The next two batches comprising a weekday and weekend batch has commenced registrations and students’ applications should be sent on or before 25 February to Shanthi; email: [email protected]/mobile 071 4705536.