Have you ever given a speech at work? Have you ever had to give an impromptu speech? If the answer is yes or no, read on.

After completing a six month course in Medical Assisting, I mainly worked in the medical field.

Even though I trained in the back office of a doctor's office, I ended up working in the front office as an Office Manager, receptionist, and medical billing person.

I was working in an Ambulance transport company doing Medical Billing over 10 years ago. It was a very large office probably about 75 employees.

As most large offices go there was a lot of office politics. It is always best to stay out of office politics but when you are young, sometimes you have to learn things the hard way.

I was working in the Medicare department. Medicare is insurance for senior citizens as well as the handicapped.

In ambulance billing in order for a person to get Medicare to pay for there ambulance ride there were many strict guidelines to follow.

In particular we had to use a specific form in which the doctor had to fill out and sign. THE FORM was written inadequately and created more problems than it solved.

THE FORM was submitted to Medicare along with their claim (bill) for Medicare to pay our patient's ambulance claims. If Medicare did not pay the patient was responsible.

I had to work very hard just to get the doctors office to acknowledge this form and fax it back. If THE FORM was filled out incorrectly as - in most cases Medicare did not pay the claim.

I brought this inadequate form to my supervisor's attention many times. It went into one ear and out the other. I even went to the manager and tried to explain to her the problems with this particular form. It all went on deaf ears.

I was supposed to do my job - but I did not have the right tools with which to do it. You probably have all worked in this very same type of situation in your field of employment.

We had a monthly meeting of the entire staff. During this meeting we had one representative of a department speak out about their job description. Since all departments had to network together it was interesting - as long as the speaker made it interesting. At the end of the speach we were allowed to ask questions.

One day, on the way into the meeting my supervisor informed me I was to be the speaker at the meeting. I was shocked, I had never given a speech before in my life, and I wasn't prepared. She said just talk about your specific job and what you do.

Well I had a brain storm. If I was going to speak about my specific job, I decided to take the chance and speak out about THE FORM.

I gave my little speech about what my department does. I then spoke in detail about THE FORM and why it was not working for my department. I made suggestions on how it could be improved and work more efficient.

Guess what? We had a very lively 15 minute discussion from every department about THE FORM - and it was immediately changed.

Sometimes you have to open your mouth and speak out. I was taking a chance. The meeting could have gone the other way. Not only that - but several of my co-workers told me my speech was actually interesting.

That was the first speech I have ever given. Speaking out on a subject which is very important to you can work - or it can back fire. Be careful.

Thank you for reading my article. Please feel free to read any of my numerous articles on various subjects.

Copyright Linda E. Meckler 2007

Linda is the author of her first published book, "Ghost Kids Trilogy. "Christy, 12 and her Brother Brad, 16 moves into an old house on top of a mountain and meet two Ghost Kids.

Then we have a mysterious, magical Blue Vase where Uncle Charlie the villain is trapped. He wants out of the Blue Vase and exchange he will tell Christy and Brad where Pirates' Treasure is Hidden.

Take a walk with Christy and Brad down a dark hall hunting for Pirates" Treasure. You will think were you there right there with them.

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