It is mind-boggling how much time and energy some highly-intelligent, well-educated, and ambitious people put into finding creative ways to get OUT of public speaking. Public speaking is the number one tool of leadership. If you avoid public speaking at the high cost of your success, why not get the training you need to speak confidently […]
Read More...Leadership – It’s Not about Who Has The Best Ideas
My friend and colleague, Laura Stack’s newest book, Execution IS the Strategy was released today. Laura has been working with leaders in the areas of strategy execution, employee productivity, and team performance for 22 yeas; she is a true expert in her field. In Execution IS the Strategy, Laura explains that a leader’s biggest challenge […]
Read More...How to Close Your Presentation – Expert Presentation Advice
The first and last thirty seconds of your speech have the most impact on your audience. Last words linger. Unfortunately, there are some common mistakes you can make in closing your presentation that will actually undermine your message. Learn how to craft the closing of your presentation so that it reinforces your message. In this […]
Read More...A Good Speech Is Like a Good Conversation
In my opinion, there is nothing more exciting than stimulating conversations with interesting people. This is one reason why I loved working in the Financial District of San Francisco as a men’s hairstylist. My clients gave me an education while I cut their hair. Now, as a professional keynote speaker, researching my clients’ companies and as […]
Read More...When You Are Speaking, Are Your Hands Contradicting You?
It is not only what you say that matters, it is also how you say it – what your body language conveys. Does your delivery detract from your message? When rehearsing your presentation, your must develop a strategy for eye contact and movement that supports your message. Know the difference between purposeful movement and involuntary […]
Read More...Edit for Clarity, Specificity & Emotional Connection
Be brief. The fewer words you can use to convey your message, the better. Jerry Seinfeld says, “I spend an hour taking an eight-word sentence and making it five.” That’s because he knows that shorter is funnier. In public speaking, shorter is more memorable and more quotable. I often advise my speech coaching clients, “Edit […]
Read More...Story Strategy to Improve Your Sales Presentations – Part 2
In the first part of this series of story strategies for sales presentations, we walked through the first formula for a good story well told: Situation, Solution, Success. This second formula will help you learn how to create a story your potential buyers can relate to. Whenever you are telling a story to a prospect, […]
Read More...Public Speaking – Are You Afraid of Failure?
My brother, the legendary guitarist Robert Fripp says that with music as with speaking, “When you do something well, everyone says, ‘Oh, he’s a natural.’ ‘Oh, she doesn’t have to worry; this comes naturally.’ However, even when it appears effortless – even with natural talent – you still need the discipline of following the process […]
Read More...Are Business Cards Dead? Make What You Do Obvious
“Hello” can lead to a conversation. A conversation can lead to a relationship. A relationship can lead to profitable business. My friend and colleague, Susan RoAne is an expert in turning small talk into big business. Her book, How to Work a Room, is a bestseller. In a recent television interview, Susan explained that success […]
Read More...Why Bother with Public Speaking?
There is a reason why the spoken word is the best way to to explain the complex, motivate, and train – it’s human nature! My friend and colleague, presentation and persuasion expert, Sims Wyeth shares this insight into why excellent public speakers are so naturally persuasive. Why Do We Present? by Sims Wyeth Why don’t […]
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