Toastmasters’ Golden Gavel Award

Rohana Rozhan to accept prestigious award at event in her honor on Aug. 22, 2014.
Rohana Rozhan to accept prestigious award at event in her honor on August 22, 2014.

Before I became a professional keynote speaker, before I had the honor of serving as the first female president of the NSA (National Speakers Association), and long before I became an in-demand speech coach… I joined Toastmasters. Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network. This year, for the first time, Toastmasters International is holding its International Convention outside North America, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  The 2014 recipient of Toastmasters’ prestigious Golden Gavel Award is a pioneer in international broadcasting, Rohana Rozhan.  Congratulations Rohana!

Astro’s CEO, Rohana Rozhan Receives Toastmasters’ Golden Gavel Award

Toastmasters International will honor noted Malaysian media CEO Rohana Rozhan as the recipient of its prestigious Golden Gavel award. The award, presented annually to an individual distinguished in the fields of communication and leadership, will be presented to Rohana during the Toastmasters International Convention Aug. 20-23, 2014, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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Harness The Power of Third-Party Endorsements

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

A third-party endorsement is alchemy of sorts, taking hours of conversation and interaction and condensing it into a couple of sentences. You cannot and must not lie when sharing third-party endorsement client stories, but you can condense a conversation. You can even dramatize an endorsement story as long as it is authentic and emotionally true.

So, think of one of your good clients. They are listed on your website, and you already use them as a reference. Now, take the next step – call them and ask this question, “Do you remember when we first did business; can you remember what your major challenge was or why you chose us out of the three competitors?”

Listen carefully, because your clients will always give you the most compelling language. Get their exact words about their situation and the solution.

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Are You Insulting Your Prospects?

Sales Presentation Meeting
Successful sales conversations are always focused on your potential client’s problem, goal, or challenge – NOT on your product or the service you provide.

Successful sales conversations are always focused on your potential client’s problem, goal, or challenge – NOT on your product or the service you provide.  Never presume you can meet a prospect’s needs before you have invited them to tell you what their needs actually are. My friend, sales expert and sales coach, Scott Plum shares this story, demonstrating the fact that successful sales always begin with asking the right questions. Enjoy!

How Not to Turn Your Product into A Commodity
by Scott Plum

I was working in the office one afternoon when two salespeople from an office supply company walked in. After they introduced themselves, they wasted no time noticing the laser printer on my desk. One quickly stated, “I see you have the Brother 2170. I can save you money on your toner.” With a saddened look and tone, I asked, “Why do you have to be like that?”

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What Do Public Speaking And Ballet Have in Common?

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Passion, connection, presence, artistry, discipline, technique, freedom, purposeful movement, and rehearsal are essential elements of both ballet and public speaking.

I recently heard from my friend Carol Andrew, a fellow Dorset girl – from the same small region of England as I am!  Not only do we both live in the United States now, but we are also both National Speakers Association members, both speakers, and both speech coaches. Unlike me, Carol studied at London’s Royal Ballet School! If you are familiar with my work, you already know that I encourage speakers to adopt useful strategies from the world of performers. I share this article from Carol, explaining the elements common to both public speaking and ballet.  Read her helpful tips for speakers and enjoy!

Speakers and Dancers . . . Surprisingly Similar
by Carol Andrew

Passion, connection, presence, artistry, discipline, technique, freedom of body movement, moving on purpose, rehearsal.

Each of these elements is common to both public speaking and ballet. I bet you never imagined two such seemingly disparate forms of presenting to an audience could have so much in common. You’re probably thinking “But dancers don’t even speak.”  In reality, the entire body of a dancer speaks to an audience and his choreographer speaks through the bodies of her dancers. I’m a public speaking coach and trainer with an extensive background in ballet, imported from London’s Royal Ballet in the UK to the USA years ago to teach ballet. I am blessed to incorporate my many years of ballet teaching experience, and theatre training and experience into my speaking coaching and presenting.

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How to Become a Well Paid Professional Speaker – Expert Advice

If your goal is to become a professional speaker here is my advice as a  past president of the National Speakers Association. Many of the best strategies to build your speaking business are the same you would use to establish any new business. My overnight success took many years of gradual, constant growth. I worked all the time to prepare for the opportunities that were to come. Do not wait around for opportunities, thinking that after these come along, you will begin to do the work. Over the last 3 decades, I have often  been asked, “How  do I become a well-paid professional speaker?”

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How to Make Your Business Head Shot Look Good

actlikeyoumeanbusinessbiesenbachDoes your business headshot do you justice?

My friend, corporate communications expert, Rob Biesenbach was there. Rob is both an actor and a professional speaker and combines these disciplines to help executives communicate more persuasively and successfully.

Like actors and professional speakers, business professionals must have a business headshot. Is your headshot up-to-date? Or are you still using a picture from years ago? Does your headshot reflect your professionalism? Or are you using a picture a coworker snapped for you in the company break room?

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Silicon Valley Executives Can Improve Persuasion Skills with New Interactive Online Training

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Silicon Valley Speech Coach, Patricia Fripp now is now available 24/7 through  Fripp Virtual Training.

How often do we ask our friends and associates “What’s new?” As you will read I am now virtually everywhere!

Silicon Valley Executives Can Improve Persuasion Skills with New Interactive Online Training from Patricia Fripp, Nationally-Renowned Executive Speech Coach

Best Online Training Presentation Techniques Are Now Available for 3-Day Free Trial

SAN FRANCISCO, MAY 13, 2014 – Technology executives who want to convince venture capitalists to fund their companies or encourage others to adopt their ideas can learn persuasion and presentation techniques when they participate in online training offered by Fripp Virtual Training

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How to Maximize Your Webinar Success

Fripp explaining how to deliver a successful webinar through Fripp Virtual Training.
Patricia Fripp explains how to deliver successful webinars through Fripp Virtual Training.

I was recently featured in an article called, “How to Give a Killer Webinar: Tips from the Pros,” by Michael Ventimiglia, who asked a dozen marketing, presentation, and webinar experts, “What are your best tips for giving a webinar?”  I share a few of the very useful strategies Michael gathered from the pros:

Before Your Webinar

According to marketing and communications expert, Gini Dietrich, you should start marketing your webinar at least six weeks in advance.

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Effective Sales Presentations Are All About “You”

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

Successful sales presentations are always you-focused. For example, let’s take this sample opening – a sales manager pitching an association to host their annual conference at his hotel – and break it down.

“In the next eight minutes, you will decide the best choice you can make for your association and your members is to bring your convention to San Francisco and the Fairmont Hotel.”

Count it up, and that is five uses of “you” or “your” and one “Fairmont Hotel.” That is emotionally connecting.

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Are You Using Filler Words?

Ben Decker, CEO of Decker Communications
Ben Decker, CEO of Decker Communications

As an executive speech coach, I recommend that when preparing your presentation, you record yourself and then listen carefully to identify and eliminate all unnecessary words and phrases.  Cut out anything that will dilute your message, including your personal verbal “tics,” clichés, and filler words. Business communications expert, Ben Decker of Decker Communications reminds us that when we edit out filler words, we increase the clarity and credibility of our business communications:

Literally – Just a Filler Word
by Ben Decker

If there were Survivor for words, I’d vote off “literally.”

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