Are you guilty of using lazy language? In my speech coaching sessions, one of the most frequent questions I ask is, “If it were not a thing, what would it be?” For example, one brilliant engineer preparing for his company’s User meeting said, “There are two things people love about…” You guessed it; I asked, […]
Read More...Add Historical References to Add Interest to Your Modern Day Speeches
When you give a speech and use a reference from the past, do you research it? For instance, one of my executive coaching clients asked for help with his Father of the Bride speech. He wanted to use the phrase tying the knot. I asked, “Do you know the historical reference?” We researched it and […]
Read More...Want to Become Confident in Your Public Speaking Skills? This is How
As a professional speaker and speech coach, I am frequently asked, “Were you always this confident?” The answer is, “No.” Confidence in public speaking doesn’t come naturally to everyone. It’s built over time through a commitment to learn, improve, get coached, review your presentations, and continuously stive to hone your skills. Even those with natural […]
Read More...Do You Know How Your Visual Aids May Harm Your Audience Members?
I help high-tech companies with product launches and customer user conferences to highlight the value of their technology. It is a privilege to assist brilliant technical presenters in better understanding how to talk like real people speaking to real people. Their presentations need to simplify the complexity of technology without ever using the words basic […]
Read More...Remind Your Associates the Grass is Not Always Greener: A Good Example
As a keynote speaker, I used this example when clients asked me to help them boost retention and remind their associates that “the grass looks greener” elsewhere. Remember how exciting it was when you first fell in love? Your heart somersaulted every time you met the one you loved. The two of you sat up […]
Read More...One Frequently Overlooked Technique That Makes You Look Good
Long before the world shifted to remote work, I championed the effectiveness of virtual meetings for coaching and training top professionals. The goal is simple: connect deeply and persuasively with your audience, no matter where they are. Here’s how you can enhance your virtual engagement: Set the Stage: Always ensure your background is neat and […]
Read More...Elevate Your Speaking Career: Gain Unparalleled Insights with Patricia Fripp & Lois Creamer
In the crowded arena of professional speaking, standing out is not just about having a message; it’s about having the right strategies to deliver it and the savviness to market it. That’s where we come in. Join industry experts Patricia Fripp and Lois Creamer for an up-close-and-personal session that promises to elevate your speaking career. […]
Read More...From Boring to Brilliant
From Boring to Brilliant In the realm of professional presentations, capturing your audience’s attention from the first few seconds is our goal. According to my speaking philosophy, the initial moments of your presentation are crucial to arouse interest and set the tone for what’s to come. It’s about making your audience sit up and think, […]
Read More...Discover How to Clean Out the Closets of Your Life
What Is in Your Closet? Earlier in my speaking career when I was often hired to speak at Spouse Programs at conventions, my speech was called, “Clean Out the Closets of Your Life.” The premise was, we can relate to cleaning out the garage and attic. How about the people, habits, and thoughts that could […]
Read More...The “No” Chronicles: Tales from The Front Lines
Recently, I had the pleasure of joining Derek Arden’s Monday Night Live chat show for his fourth-anniversary show. Derek asked us all to give five ideas in five minutes. Alongside my esteemed colleagues Tim Durkin, Tracy Hooper, and Will Kintish, we embarked on a mission to distil our wisdom into five-minute nuggets. However, in a […]
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