“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...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...Does Your Audience Like You? Enjoy the Anatomy of a Speech Part Six
This Episode Includes a Lesson from Great Comedians “In 2001, I was invited to deliver the opening keynote speech at the Toastmasters International Convention. In this 10-segment series, you will view the anatomy of a keynote presentation. Enjoy segment 6. “Now, think about that. That was a speech called ‘Opportunity Does Not Knock Once.’ “I […]
Read More...Want to Write Great Speeches? Enjoy the Anatomy of a Speech Part One
Back in 2001, at the Toastmasters International Convention, I was invited to deliver the opening keynote speech. In this 10-segment series, you view the anatomy of a keynote presentation. (1 of 10) You will notice I have made comments on how I would give advice to the 2001 speaker…who is me! Come out punching. The […]
Read More...The # 1 Way to Organize and Remember Your Presentation
Every presentation you deliver needs to be built around your premise, central theme, or big idea. Your next step is to organize your “chunks” of content in a way that they are easy for you and your audience can remember your message. The first chunking example: Explanation, Example, Application Once you introduce your point of […]
Read More...A Great Second Step for You to Structure Your Presentation
Clarifying Your Central Theme or Premise (Part 2) Your first step in creating your speech structure is to answer this question: “Based on my subject, what is my premise or central theme?” This is the big idea you want to get across. Every TV show, movie, and book has a clear premise. So does your […]
Read More...Want to Get Promoted? Here is One of the Secrets
If you do not enjoy the position, salary, or respect your feel you deserve, I recommend you dress and speak for the role you aspire to, not the one you now have. When I was growing up, my mother gave me great advice. She said, “Patricia, of course, it is the inner you that is […]
Read More...The Number 1 Way to Make Your Sales Conversations Successful
It is not your client’s job to remember you. It is your responsibility to make sure you are unforgettable. Here is a great action step to take. Call your five best clients, those whom you currently use as references. Even if you leave a voicemail, say “Bob, I never get tired of telling the story […]
Read More...Where Confidence Comes From – Will’s Story
Boost Your Confidence and Credibility Developing good public speaking skills will boost your confidence in front of your senior management. Will is a Staff Performance Engineer with a large technology company in Silicon Valley. Like many brilliant technical experts, they invest years developing their skills and suddenly find themselves pushed more into the spotlight. Will […]
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