Making It Look Easy Isn’t Easy When we watch a brilliant comedian, captivating speaker, or talented entertainer, it’s easy to think, “They make it look so effortless!” That’s precisely the point. The smoother the performance, the more hours of preparation, refinement, and quiet struggle are behind it. Years ago, I had the privilege of hearing […]
Read More...Guaranteed this is the Best Way to Gain More Time: Say “No”
Let’s be honest—we all have too much to do. If you’re anything like me, there are times you feel overwhelmed just looking at your to-do list. My brilliant friend Ford Saeks often says, “Fripp gets more done in an hour than most people do in a day.” I appreciate the compliment. I only wish it […]
Read More...Lost Without PowerPoint? 7 Tips to Make It Powerful
When I ask my clients, “How long is your presentation?” it scares me when they answer, “Twelve slides.” Even worse is when I ask, “How do you design your presentation?” and they respond, “We get the slide deck.” Let’s be clear: PowerPoint is a very valuable tool, not a presentation. If you start with your […]
Read More...Norfolk: A Vacation Destination Full of History, Charm, and Creative Fuel
Whenever I return to the UK, I explore somewhere new I have never visited, even after decades of back-and-forth trips across the Atlantic. This time, it was Norfolk, and what a delightfully surprising choice it was. One of my greatest pleasures is listening to thrillers on Audible. Recently, I’ve been captivated by J.M. Dalgliesh’s Hidden […]
Read More...Need a New Perspective, Fresh Ideas, and Inspiration for Your Next Speech?
Then perhaps you need to take a vacation? I am now one week into my three-week vacation in the UK. This isn’t just a holiday, it’s a meaningful pause, a reconnection with my roots, and a chance to enjoy quality time with some of my favorite people. My long-time friend and negotiation expert, Derek Arden, […]
Read More...Are You Looking for a Secret Weapon to Make Your Presentations Successful?
Audience interaction is more than asking questions or inviting a show of hands. It is about engagement, connection, and curiosity. In my decades as a keynote speaker and executive speech coach, I have learned that when you interact with your audience, they feel seen, heard, and valued. They do not sit back passively; they lean […]
Read More...Storytelling: Your Secret Weapon in Recruitment
Want to Attract Top Talent? Tell Better Stories Hiring the right people is difficult—it’s expensive when you get it wrong. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a bad hire can cost up to 30% of that employee’s annual salary. That doesn’t include the emotional cost to your team or the loss of momentum. All […]
Read More...Mentors and Coaches Shorten Your Learning Curve and Get You Results Faster
Mentors and Coaches Shorten Your Learning Curve and Get You Results Faster There are two primary ways to learn: on your own or from learned others. In my experience, the second option accelerates success and deepens insight. When I was a young hairstylist in England, my first mentors were senior stylists, coworkers, and generous bosses […]
Read More...What Women Must Know to Command the Stage Without Distractions
When professional women step onto the stage to present, we want to look confident, competent, and polished. Of course, we want to look good; however, never at the expense of our message. Every choice we make either reinforces our message or distracts from it. Your audience should be captivated by your words, more than your […]
Read More...Blank Page to Standing Ovation: The Fripp Formula for Powerful Presentations
Your Speech Structure Frees You to Be Creative As you prepare your upcoming presentations, your content is everything you want to say. Your structure helps you organize your brilliant ideas so they land with clarity and impact. Think of it like this: Your content is the flesh over your structure, which is the skeleton. One […]
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