Dr. Dilip R. Abayasekara This is Me

Education

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1. 1. So Long, Stage Fright: Banish public speaking jitters with 10 top strategies

   www.speakerservicesunlimited.c - [Cached]

   Published on: 5/25/2008   Last Visited: 5/25/2008

   by Dr. Dilip Abayasekara
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   Georgia found hers in Dilip R. Abayasekara, founder of Speaker Services Unlimited, a consulting firm in Mechanicsburg, Pa. Abayasekara is one a mission to help professionals rid themselves of debilitating jitters.
   
   Tropical To TopicalAt first glance, Abayasekara is an unlikely master for such a task.Born on the tropical island of Sri Lanka, off the southern tip of India, he grew up speaking mainly Sinhalese.But Abayasekara's parents attended British-run schools where they learned the Queen's English, which they then taught their seven children.
   
   Abayasekara's fascination with public speaking started when he was a boy.His family employed a child as a domestic."He and I would often compose speeches in Sinhalese and give them to each other", Abayasekara recalls."When I grew older I studied great American and English speeches, like those of Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, and other famous orators."
   
   After completing high school, Abayasekara came to the United States on an exchange program, "The Experiment in International Living".He was hosted by several families in Dayton, Ohio.He went on to earn a B.S. in chemistry and a Ph.D. in organic chemistry and polymer science from Virginia Commonwealth University, in Richmond.
   
   During his college career, Abayasekara pursued his interest in public speaking by taking every related class open to non-speech/drama students."These courses were a welcome respite from the arduous studying I had to do for my chemistry, physics, and math classes", he says, adding that he immediately entered an oratorical contest organized for students."It didn't even cross my mind that my accent might be an obstacle", he recalls."Looking back, I think the professor who organized the contest was surprised that a foreign student entered.I placed second".
   
   Following graduation, Abayasekara pursued his vocation as an industrial scientist for 12 years but continued to practice his avocation by joining Toastmasters, an international nonprofit organization that promotes better listening, thinking and speaking for individuals.He thought of it as means to help him excel in his career, and he embraced the concept of "learning by doing in a supportive atmosphere".
   
   Award-Winning SpeechesAbayasekara quickly moved from learning to teaching.In six years, he had topped the mantel in his home with more than 45 trophies from speech competitions, including a second-place award at the World Championship or Public Speaking.He was receiving invitations to speak and to lead public speaking seminars.
   
   In 1992, Abayasekara took the next step by starting a Toastmasters club at the company where he worked in response to requests from other scientists and engineers to help them polish their presentations."I led lunch-time workshops and also conducted eight-week sessions on effective speaking at several plants in my company", he says.
   
   It wasn't long before Abayasekara decided to turn his part-time hobby into a full-time occupation.In 1996, 10 years after his first Toastmasters meeting, he turned in his chemist's flask for a speaker's microphone and never looked back.Today, Abayasekara sits on Toastmaster's International Board.
   
   Those Who Can, CoachAbayasekara has a number of clients throughout the Northeast, many of whom prefer anonymity because of high-profile positions.His list of clients includes professional organizations, colleges, and the Pentagon.But what he loves to do more than anything is to serve as a private coach.He has coached company presidents, university professors, physicians, city officials, scientists, engineers, clergy, and even speech contestants.
   
   "Dr. Abayasekara taught me the importance of using mind mapping, which is a valuable tool that assists the presenter in remembering important topics", says one client, a marketing specialist from Delaware.He also shared tips such as "know your topic, memorize your opening statement, pause throughout your speech to make a point, and always smile."
   
   The president of a marketing/communications company says Abayasekara customized a program to meet specific needs."As a successful business owner, I knew that my skill level at oral presentations was my greatest weakness".Videotaping the sessions was very helpful in identifying unconscious gestures, hesitations, etc.I learned that, like in everything else in life, preparation is the key to being an effective speaker."
   
   Find Your GiftsIf you should decide to hire a speech coach, look for one who will address the emotional issues involved in effective speech-making, not just techniques, Abayasekara says.
   
   "Effective public speaking is 95 percent mental preparedness and 5 percent technique.If only the 5 percent is learned, the client will be a technical robot and speech training will not have a long-term impact," he says.
   
   Perhaps what makes Abayasekara most important to his clients is his ability to convince them that they are remarkable individuals with something of importance to share with an audience.He believes that the most powerful "technique" for converting self-consciousness to self-confidence is to believe that you have something significant to offer.
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   Dilip R. Abayasekara, Ph.D., A.S. is a professional speaker, trainer, speech coach and CEO of Speaker Services Unlimited.He specializes in helping organizations develop leaders and helping people think, speak, and sell more effectively."Dr.Dilip" is the author of "The Path of the Genie ... Discover and Grow Your Own Genius" (available in video and audio cassettes).He delivers seminars and workshops on Mind Mapping, relationship building, presentation skills, impromptu speaking skills, sales, and leadership to corporations and organizations.He also offers seminars that are open to the general public and private coaching in presentation skills and sales.Dr. Abayasekara can be reached at Speaker Services Unlimited at (717) 612-1600 or send e-mail to: drdilip@drdilip.com
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   Dilip Abayasekara, Ph.D., A.S. | Mailing Address: Dr Dilip, PO Box 405, Enola, PA 17025
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   Copyright © 2006 Dilip Abayasekara, All Rights Reserved

2. 2. New Book by Dilip Abayasekara, Ph.D

   www.drdilip.com/new_book.html - [Cached]

   Published on: 2/4/2008   Last Visited: 2/4/2008

   by Dilip R. Abayasekara, Ph.D.
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   Dilip R. Abayasekara, Ph.D., A.S. is a highly sought after public speaking coach, trainer, and keynote speaker.He is owner of Speaker Services Unlimited, a coaching and training company which "Prepares Leaders to Communicate Effectively."Author of The Path of the Genie - Your Journey to Your Heart's Desire, he has presented in the USA and abroad and has coached a wide cross section of business executives, professionals, and elected officials.Visit www.drdilip.com.Dr. Abayasekara or "Dr.Dilip" can be reached at drdilip@drdilip.com.
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   Dilip Abayasekara, Ph.D., A.S. | Mailing Address: Dr Dilip, PO Box 405, Enola, PA 17025
   ...
   Copyright © 2004-2007 Dilip Abayasekara, All Rights Reserved

3. 3. Press Release September 10, 2004

   www.drdilip.com/press_9_10_04. - [Cached]

   Published on: 9/10/2004   Last Visited: 2/4/2008

   RANCHO SANTA MARGARTIA, CA - Dilip Abayasekara of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, was elected to the position of Senior Vice President of Toastmasters International during the organization's recent 73rd annual International Convention in Reno, Nevada.
   
   As Senior Vice President, Abayasekara will be the second-ranked officer in this nonprofit organization, which is dedicated to teaching skills in public speaking and leadership.Toastmasters members from around the world elected him to the one-year volunteer office.
   
   An active member for more than 17 years, Abayasekara has held leadership positions within Toastmasters ranging from club president to international director.He is the president of Speaker Services Unlimited, a company that provides coaching and keynote speeches to organizations and individuals, as well as providing training in areas such as leadership, presentation skills and problem solving."My Toastmasters experience has given me greater knowledge, leadership and communication skills and a clear vision of how to achieve my goals," he says.
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   Dilip Abayasekara, Ph.D., A.S. | Mailing Address: Dr Dilip, PO Box 405, Enola, PA 17025
   ...
   Copyright © 2004-2007 Dilip Abayasekara, All Rights Reserved