Toastmasters can save businesses money

Who are you?

Most folks don’t invest a lot of time or effort into an answer, but respond with “doctor,” “lawyer,” “truck driver,” “stay-at-home mom” or some other description of their function in life as the activity that occupies the most time of their day.

How do you excel within the current economic situations, even a hostile environment? How do you gain a competitive edge and improve your self-worth and resources for your endeavors?

I submit the answer to both questions is participation in Toastmasters.

The Toastmasters club offers two meetings a week — one in the morning in Wasilla for early birds and another meeting in Palmer during an evening for the night owls. It is so much fun, yet professional, courteous and respectful.

We are encouraging membership in our clubs this time of year. So, what’s in it for you?”

Any employer that loses an employee will spend two years, including additional resources in human relations, training, management and operations, to restore staffing to its previous level. No business can accept such operational losses. Studies show that employees will be retained with greater loyalty and productivity in a happy atmosphere. The national average is an investment by companies of 5 percent increases annually benefit rather than risk such loses of talent.

Often employers seek to increase their skill sets, but do not know how. Toastmasters can help. In a safe, non-threatening atmosphere club members assist one another with measurable benchmarks to improve both communication and leadership skills at their own pace.

Many employers and business owners realize this great value to their people and the “bottom line,” encouraging membership and even paying for the cost of their memberships. It is a good deal and a good deal more.

For more information, contact vpm@matsutoastmasters.org.

Patrick Brown is the vice president of public relations for the Mat-Su Toastmasters Club. Contact him at vppr@matsutoastmasters.org.