When my brother, Robert Fripp and I were little, if our mother was upset or frustrated, she would swear by saying, “Sugar” or “Spit.” All the emotion without teaching her two sweet, innocent children ‘naughty’ words. Recently, I watched the Michael Smerconish talk show. He discussed the rise of swearing in political ads and even […]
Read More...What a Story Contest Really Teaches You About Speaking
Recently, I had the pleasure of giving a rehearsal coaching session for the National Speakers Association Northern California (NSANC) Last Story Standing contestants. Six speakers. Six powerful stories. Five minutes each. And every single one of them was well-scripted. Let me say that again. Every. Single. One. The level of thought, structure, and emotional intelligence […]
Read More...Do You Have the Talent and the Patience for Great Success?
As a seasoned professional speaker, I am frequently asked for advice by up-and-coming speakers. They enjoy my programs on How to Open Your Presentation with Impact and Under the Magnifying Glass: Good to Great Presentations. However, there is one piece of advice they do not always like. “You may not lack the talent to become […]
Read More...When Brilliant Executives Suddenly Need Presentation Skills
I am frequently asked how I work with executives who are exceptional at what they do and have never had the time, opportunity, or need to improve their presentation skills. Until. A new position. Higher visibility. And a mandatory 45-minute presentation to senior leadership and the board of directors. Now the stakes are high. The […]
Read More...Why Coming to America at 20 With $500 Seemed Like a Good Idea
January 18 is my personal anniversary. It is the day I arrived in the United States. When people ask, “Why did you come to America at age 20 with no job, no contacts, and $500?” my honest answer is, “It seemed like a good idea at the time.” And it did. At that point in […]
Read More...Your First Step is to Think
It is never too early to begin thinking about a speech. Before they meet me, many of my corporate clients believe “preparation” starts the week before the presentation. Some believe it starts the night before. Too many believe it starts when they open PowerPoint. That is not preparation. That is assembly. A powerful presentation begins […]
Read More...Design Your Best Year Ever: How High Performers Turn Intention into Income
Every December, I hear the exact phrase from talented professionals and speakers: “Next year is going to be my best year ever.” Naturally, I am one of them! However, I am smart enough to know that hope is not a strategy. High performers do not drift into exceptional years. They design them. If we want […]
Read More...Do You Know How Long Before True Performers Earn their Success?
One December evening, with some of my closest friends, Joe Veneto, Marilyn Sherman, and Ford Saeks, I watched Frankie Moreno at his Christmas show at Myron’s Cabaret Jazz. As seasoned professional speakers, we were not simply entertained. We were reminded of something essential. True performers earn their success over decades, not moments. Frankie’s career began […]
Read More...You May Be Shocked at What the Sales Manager Admitted
A few years ago, during a presentation-skills training session, the sales leaders sat in the room and heard what I was teaching. After the first lunch break, the national sales manager walked to the front of the room, looked at his sixty top associates, and said, “At lunch, the executive sales team and I decided […]
Read More...No Overnight Success—A Reminder for Us All
Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking for the Florida Speakers Association. What a treat to discover their meeting was held at the fabulous Fort Lauderdale Improv! The venue itself inspired me to share one of my favorite stories and offer a suggestion every speaker can use. For those unfamiliar, Budd Friedman was the founder […]
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