I am honored to speak this month at the 2015 Toastmasters International Convention in Las Vegas. The semifinalists in the 2015 Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking competition have just been announced. Those who make it to this international speech competition have won competitions, beginning with club contests and continuing through area, division, and district level contests. Just 96 of 30,000 initial participants made it. Statistically, contestants had a better chance of being admitted to Harvard! The work it takes to get to this level of competition is an education in itself.
Public Speaking – What Fortune 500s Know
Does your organization encourage, or even better, provide training to equip your employees with competitive communication and leadership skills? Have you considered your own in-house Toastmasters club or perhaps Fripp Virtual Training? If you are reluctant to allocate employee time or company resources to presentation training because you worry “they might leave,” consider what my friend and colleague Jim Cathcart says, “What if you don’t train them, and they stay?”
Read More...The Day King Crimson Exploded onto The Scene
My brother, Robert Fripp is known around the world as a legendary guitarist and a member of King Crimson, but not everyone knows he is in fact a superb and entertaining speaker! I had the pleasure of presenting with him at the 2015 Lady & the Champs Speakers’ Conference. (Our presentations were recorded and are now available.) I loved this article, featured last week on the Discipline Global Mobile website – Sid Smith shares the history of a remarkable King Crimson milestone. Enjoy!
Read More...How to Successfully Moderate A Panel Discussion
Most people are aware that a formal presentation requires research and rehearsal, but keep in mind that preparation can ensure your success in all speaking situations. If you have been asked to moderate a panel, be aware that there is more to this than simply firing off a few questions and hoping your panelists will respond with scintillating conversation. My friend and retired corporate speechwriter Ian Griffin and I had a conversation about the challenges of moderating a panel. Enjoy some of the advice that came from our conversation. We hope they will help you prepare when you find yourself with the awesome responsibility.
Read More...Sales – How to Focus Your Conversations on Your Prospects
Do you think of yourself as the center of the universe? Hopefully not. Unfortunately, if we’re not thoughtful in our approach to sales conversations we can sound like we do.
When it comes to sales, the word “I” can be a barrier to connecting with prospects and clients.
Read More...How to Prospect in Any Economic Climate
Frippicism: It is not your clients’ and prospects’ job to remember you. It is your obligation and responsibility to make sure they don’t forget you. A recent Wall Street Journal article entitled, “U.S. Recovery Stumbles Yet Again,” declared that despite the current economic recovery, unusually harsh winter weather at the start of this year caused our Nation’s GDP to shrink. Regardless of the ups and downs in the economic climate, or in the weather itself, your marketing efforts must be ongoing, consistent, and relentless. Here are a few strategies to help you market yourself and your business in any economy:
Read More...Where Will You Be on June 20th? Join Me & NSA of Arizona
Where will you be on June 20th?
If you are in Arizona, and are interested in becoming a more powerful and persuasive presenter, you will definitely be at the National Speakers Association of Arizona’s meeting in Phoenix.
Whether you speak in the boardroom, training center, or convention hall… I can help you. Join me as I share the secrets to powerful presentations.
Read More...Training Breakthrough Webinar Series
Just a heads up in case you are interested… Along with my good friends, Hall of Fame speaker, customer service expert, and this year’s National Speakers Association President Shep Hyken; Hall of Fame speaker, leadership expert, and popular author Mark Sanborn; and sales guru and author Jeffrey Gitomer, I am part of a Tortal Training’s Breakthrough Ideas in Training webinar series. In total, you can learn from 22 training experts.
Read More...Sometimes It’s Better Not to Speak
To be a better speaker, sometimes it’s better to not to speak. Deliver your key phrase or question and then pause… and pause… and pause. Get comfortable with silence. Darren LaCroix is a World Champion of Public Speaking, professional speaker, and presentation expert. We team up for speakers’ conferences. I share this from Darren who explains why we cannot overlook the pause:
Toastmasters Awards Golden Gavel to Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization teaching public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network.
I was honored to deliver the opening keynote at the 2015 Toastmasters International Convention in Las Vegas. The last time I addressed a Toastmasters International Convention was in 2001, when I watched my colleague, Darren LaCroix, win the World Championship of Public Speaking and my friend, a fellow NSA (National Speakers Association) Past President, Jim Cathcart win Toastmasters Golden Gavel Award. The 2015 Golden Gavel going to Nobel Peace Prize winner, Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh, this promises to be a truly international and exciting event!
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