How do you handle a sales presentation when a new relationship is potentially worth millions? These four principles will help you and your sales team build a strong foundation for a new client relationship. Imagine my surprise when a national sales manager addressed his top 60 associates and said, “At lunch, the sales team and […]
Read More...How to Calm Your Nerves Before Every Presentation
Are you ready to learn how to calm your nerves before your next big presentation? Want to know a secret? Even the most seasoned speakers feel slightly nervous before a high-stakes presentation. It’s completely normal—just a human reaction, not a professional flaw. So, how do you transform that nervous energy into a presentation that captivates […]
Read More...How to Appreciate Your Life Experiences and Transform Your Speeches
When I talk to my executive speech coaching clients, I always say, “Your life experience is a reservoir of unique experiences and insights.” I love to ask questions that pique my curiosity to help them uncover a treasure trove of content they can weave into their speeches. This approach makes them effective, memorable and authentic. […]
Read More...Want to Drive More Sales? Nobody Can Resist a Good Story Well Told
Want to Drive More Sales? Nobody Can Resist a Good Story Well Told Please do not overlook one of the most powerful tools in sales—storytelling. If you’re in sales, you might have noticed that it often feels like our prospects are trained to resist our presentations. I promise you that a well-told story can break […]
Read More...Let Us Set the Record Straight: Clarifying the 7-38-55 Rule
The famous 7-38-55 Rule from Albert Mehrabian’s research is often misquoted, especially when people try to apply it to public speaking or keynote addresses. Let’s set the record straight. What the 7-38-55 Rule Really Means Mehrabian’s research, from which the 7-38-55 Rule is derived, was actually about a particular kind of communication: situations where a […]
Read More...How to Connect with an International Audience: Secrets of Working Effectively with Interpreters
The dictionary tells us that “translate” is a verb and means to change from one language into another or form or medium into another, essentially making sense of a language. On the other hand, “interpret” is similar yet different. The primary definition is to make sense of, assign meaning to, or explain something. Understanding this […]
Read More...Are You Overlooking a Powerful Tool to Create Compelling Content?
As a presentation skills expert, I often tell my clients that the best content for their talks comes from unexpected places. Often in fascinating conversations with intriguing people. Engaging in exciting dialogues with diverse individuals is not just a delightful experience; it’s a goldmine for your presentations and personal growth. Conversations are an endless source […]
Read More...If It Were Not a Thing, What Would It Be?
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...Never Make the Mistake and Overlook the Power of Moments to Reflect
Alan Alda says, “The space between the lines makes a great performance.” Yes, you guessed it. That means you must never underestimate the power of the pause. This is true in acting, speaking, and music. My brother Robert Fripp, the legendary guitarist and one of Rolling Stone magazine’s “100 Greatest Guitarists,” explains, “The music is […]
Read More...Secrets to Help Your Audiences Remember Your Message: Your Phrase That Pays
Every day, we are bombarded with more information than we can remember. Whatever your role, you want your message to be remembered and repeated to others. When we do that, we are speaking to the audience of our audience. In selling, managing, inspiring, leading, training, copywriting, and, in fact, all forms of communication, we must […]
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