How I Turned One Executive Conversation into Six Clients

Several years ago, after a presentation to professional speechwriters, John, the head of corporate communications at a large technology company, walked over and said, “I am going to set up a conversation with my boss, an executive with a Fortune 500 company. He is a...

The Emotional Charge of the F Word: Why Smart Leaders Think Twice

 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...

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...

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...

The Virtual Event Moderator: The Most Underrated Role in Event Success

Never underestimate the importance of a moderator. In virtual events, the moderator is not the filler between speakers. The moderator is the glue that holds the entire experience together. When virtual events succeed, audiences credit the content. When they fail,...