Preparation Is Crucial in Crisis Communication

Executive Speech Coach, Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE
Executive Speech Coach, Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE

In the event of a crisis, your organization might be overwhelmed by the media or by the disaster itself; it could become nearly impossible to provide thoughtful responses and accurate information without a crisis communication plan already in place.  In light of the recent and tragic loss of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, I share this from Ragan Communications:

Never believe that any crisis is too big or too complicated to prepare for. You can prepare a crisis communications plan that will address every scenario you may face. Your crisis communications plan can have an addendum of pre-written news releases and media advisories for even an extended crisis like Malaysian Airlines. You can test your crisis communication team, your crisis management team, and your spokesmen with a crisis communications drill annually. You can conduct media training annually for everyone who may have to serve as a spokesman.

Read More...

Opportunity Does Not Knock Once

Screenshot from Fripp Virtual Training
Executive Speech Coach, Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE

Opportunity does not knock once, it knocks all the time. The trick is, we don’t always recognize the sound. The key to becoming more successful is to find opportunity in everyday life – not just wait for that life-altering, retire-in-the-Caribbean bolt from the blue.

Here’s how to start: Each day this month, you’re going to take a good, hard look at one aspect of your job, business, or presentation…and improve it.

Read More...

Leadership – It’s Not about Who Has The Best Ideas

Laura Stack
Laura Stack, MBA, CSP

My friend and colleague, Laura Stack’s newest book, Execution IS the Strategy was released today. Laura has been working with leaders in the areas of strategy execution, employee productivity, and team performance for 22 yeas; she is a true expert in her field. In Execution IS the Strategy, Laura explains that a leader’s biggest challenge isn’t creating the strategy—it’s executing the strategy. It’s not about who has the best ideas—it’s who executes their ideas the best. Laura shows us how to quickly drive strategic initiatives and get results from our teams. She shares her L-E-A-D Formula™ with us; consider whether you have the necessary elements in place for successful strategy execution and identify the areas that need improvement:

Read More...

How to Close Your Presentation – Expert Presentation Advice

The first and last thirty seconds of your speech have the most impact on your audience. Last words linger. Unfortunately, there are some common mistakes you can make in closing your presentation that will actually undermine your message. Learn how to craft the closing of your presentation so that it reinforces your message. In this brief video sample from FrippVT, I explain what you should not say at the close of your presentation and share some strategies to help you close your presentation with power.

Read More...

Story Strategy to Improve Your Sales Presentations – Part 2

Sales Presentation Expert, Patricia Fripp
Sales Presentation Expert, Patricia Fripp

In the first part of this series of story strategies for sales presentations, we walked through the first formula for a good story well told:  Situation, Solution, Success. This second formula will help you learn how to create a story your potential buyers can relate to.

Whenever you are telling a story to a prospect, make sure it is populated with flesh and blood characters, just like the people you are talking to. Craft your story so that your listeners identify with both the people and the situation you present.

Formula 2 – Character, Dialogue, Dramatic Lesson Learned

Read More...

Are Business Cards Dead? Make What You Do Obvious

Two People Sharing Business Card
When you receive a card, honor it by looking at it and looking at the person who has given it to you.

“Hello” can lead to a conversation. A conversation can lead to a relationship. A relationship can lead to profitable business. My friend and colleague, Susan RoAne is an expert in turning small talk into big business.  Her book, How to Work a Room, is a bestseller. In a recent television interview, Susan explained that success in business comes from being able to make connections – both online and in person.  I like to remind people that even a conversation in an elevator or at the water cooler can do as much to boost your career as delivering a formal presentation. As you form new relationships at business events, use your words and your business cards to make what you do obvious.  Here are ten of Susan’s helpful tips to help you benefit from business cards:

Read More...

Story Strategy to Improve Your Sales Presentations – Part 1

Sales Presentation Expert and Executive Speech Coach - Patricia Fripp CSP, CPAE
Sales Presentation Expert & Executive Speech Coach, Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE

Even the most hardened prospect can’t resist a good story – when it is well told. The reason you must tell stories is because your prospects will not remember everything you say; they will, however, remember what they see in their minds and feel in their hearts while they listen to you share a story within your sales presentation. I give you the first of three story formulas to help you improve the effectiveness of your sales presentations:

Formula 1 – Situation, Solution, Success

Read More...

Eight Great Strategies for “Working” Any Room

Handshake
The key to connection is conversation.

The key to connection is conversation, and the secret to successful conversations is asking good questions. My brother (the legendary guitarist, Robert Fripp) has often said to me, “Sister, you ask people such personal questions!” Though this is true, nobody has ever said to me, “That’s none of your damn business.” People love talking about themselves. A conversation may lead to a relationship, and a relationship may lead to new business. A business relationship when nurtured can and will lead to long term success.

If shyness prevents you from meeting and conversing with new people, you may be missing important business and career opportunities.  My friend, bestselling author and professional speaker, Susan RoAne is known as the The Mingling Maven® for her savvy socializing techniques for business growth. I share these tips from Susan:

Read More...

How to Evaluate Your Presentation Flow?

Legendary Comedienne, Phyllis Diller (Photo Courtesy of Brian Hamilton) Wikimedia Commons
Legendary Comedienne, Phyllis Diller (Photo Courtesy of Brian Hamilton)

The Wit and Wisdom of Phyllis Diller

My friend Brian Palmer is one of the most creative and ethical professionals in our speaking industry.  He is president of the National Speakers Bureau   which was founded by his father, John Palmer.  Back in the day, John was a well-known bandleader and performed with Phyllis Diller.

Brian told me this about his Dad’s work with the legendary comedienne, “Phyllis was constantly working on her craft. My father would be off on the side of the stage, and she would ask him to look at his watch and make a notation every time there was a laugh, and then measure the amount of time between laughs. My dad believed that speakers should have the same understanding of their presentation flow.”

As speakers, we can learn a lot about pacing from the world of comedy. Brian went on to say, “To this day, I look at my watch and measure the average length between emotive responses.

Read More...

Michael Hauge Remembers Legendary Hollywood Screenwriter Syd Field

Syd Field
Syd Field

Legendary screenwriter Syd Field was true Hollywood pioneer. He is regarded as the first to reveal the inside secrets of Hollywood screenwriting. His bestselling book, Screenplay is known as the “the screenwriting bible.” I feel fortunate to have attended his screenwriting seminars over the years; Hollywood knows how to emotionally connect with their audience in a way that many speakers do not. Last year, my World Champions’ Edge colleague, Darren LaCroix and I attended one of Syd’s presentations; what an honor sit at the feet of the master and take in his screenwriting genius just a short time before his passing. I share this remembrance from Syd’s fellow Hollywood screenwriter, Michael Hauge:

Read More...