In a recent interview, I was asked, “What advice do you have for virtual meetings? I have been coaching people virtually for at least 10 years. Even before Zoom was invented, I had my own virtual studio. Although I still speak professionally, my major business now is helping other people with their presentations, whether they […]
Read More...What Does it Take to Make Your Presentation Introductions Exciting?
The purpose of a speaker’s introduction is to establish their credentials, to create interest from the audience, and often to sell the importance of the subject to that audience at that time. Recently at a client’s conference, one of my roles and responsibilities was to introduce other speakers, all of whom I had recommended. A […]
Read More...The Best Way You Can Introduce A Speaker With A Dramatic Life Story
I introduced my long-time friend, Nacole Schapiro before her speech to the Golden Gate Breakfast Club. Although she is a professional keynote speaker who often presents on negotiation and change, I knew our group would love to hear her personal story about growing up under communism. Her family lived in fear that they would be shot if […]
Read More...How Do You Take an Opportunity to Speak and Maximize the Impact?
There is nothing more exciting for an executive speech coach than to help craft the words of a well-intentioned leader who has an exciting message to deliver and is committed to the collaborative process. Finding Opportunity in Adversity – A Timely Message Delivered by Tabassum Zalotrawala, Chief Development Officer, Chipotle Finding Opportunity in Adversity Growing […]
Read More...My Coaching Client Gave His Speech and Was Handed a $500,000.00 Check
… and then I Danced with a Billionaire Robert Bigelow asked, “Can we survive death?” He offered a reward of more than $1 million to anyone who could help him answer that question. Most of us would be interested in the answer. Mr. Bigelow, however, is not just anyone or just any 76-year-old mourning his […]
Read More...The Best Way to Structure Your Presentation: The Fripp Speech Model
“Good structure gives you the confidence to be creative.” Patricia Fripp How often have you sat in an audience and been mesmerized by a speaker? Was it their compelling content? Were their stories scintillating? Were they able to reach out and grab you in such a way that you thought, “Wow, the speaker is talking […]
Read More...Success: One Frippicism at a Time – Take Every Crumb They Throw You
Opportunity does not knock once. It knocks all the time, but we do not always recognize the sound. Early in her career, TV host Joan Lunden received great advice from Barbara Walters. “Take every crumb they throw you, and handle them magnificently.” You never know which magnificent crumb is going to be your big break. […]
Read More...Success: One Frippicism at a Time – Why Did You Do It That Way?
Lessons from Everyday Heroes My brother, the legendary guitarist Robert Fripp, played on David Bowie’s Heroes. In our presentations Robert says, “There are three kinds of heroes. The occasional hero, the everyday hero, and the superhero. “The occasional hero may perform a heroic act; however, it is not repeatable. “The superhero knows what happens in […]
Read More...How You Can Create a Great Story with a Message Every Time
What makes a Hollywood movie great? Exactly the same principles that will make a good keynote speech great. A great story with a message. Screenwriter Robert McKee says, “Stories are the creative conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clearer, more meaningful experience.” We all love stories because when told well, have larger-than-life characters, […]
Read More...Where Great Stories Come Alive: Enjoy the Anatomy of a Speech – Part Nine
I was invited to deliver the opening keynote speech at the Toastmasters International Convention in 2001. In this 10-segment series, you view the anatomy of a keynote presentation. “I’ve mentioned my brother, Robert Fripp, a couple of times. You may have heard of Robert Fripp. He has a group called King Crimson, and he travels […]
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