Rehearsal Is the Work in Sales Presentations Oscar winner Sir Michael Caine said, “Rehearsal is the work; performance is the relaxation.” That applies equally to delivering a sales presentation. When delivering a recent sales presentation skills training Dan, the national sales manager, told me, “It takes us a year to have the opportunity to deliver […]
Read More...What Happened on April 18? A few highlights.
On the evening of April 18, 1775, Dr. Joseph Warren summoned Paul Revere and gave him the task of riding to Lexington, Massachusetts, with the news that British soldiers stationed in Boston were about to march into the countryside northwest of the town. Paul Revere never shouted the legendary phrase later attributed to him “The […]
Read More...This Habit Will Dash Your Hopes of Success. Do You Irritate Your Audience?
Whenever you open your mouth, whether your audience is one person or one thousand, you want to get a specific message across. Maybe you want your opinions heard at a meeting, or you will be giving a formal talk. Perhaps you deliver sales presentations. To present, persuade, and propel with the spoken word, be aware […]
Read More...Want to Know a Terrific Technique That Transforms Speaking and Writing?
As a speech coach, I introduce my clients to the importance of using parallel structure in speaking and writing. Parallel structure, also known as parallelism, is the repetition of a grammatical structure within a sentence or multiple sentences. This technique can make your speech or writing more memorable and easier to understand. When you write […]
Read More...Want to Know the Secret of Powerful Presentations?
Emotional Connection To win over your audience, you must connect emotionally. With well-chosen words, you can open your presentation and establish an immediate emotional bond. s a presentation skills coach, when I work with a group, I’ll invite individuals to come to the front and deliver their opening lines. On one occasion, up walked Stephen. […]
Read More...What Makes a Good Story Great? Your Personal Experience
Let’s look at some not-so-basic story basics. Stories and examples are best when they come from your experience. Your audience has a chance to relive them from their perspective. Here is an important point to make your stories credible. Point one, make your story part of your own experience. If you tell a story that […]
Read More...Are You Overlooking One of the Best Ways to Find Stories?
Had any good conversations recently? In this message, we’re going to clarify what you may believe are two conflicting ideas. The point of retelling stories you heard, and the idea of only telling stories from your own experience. If you are retelling stories you heard in conversation, and you make heroes of the people who […]
Read More...Would You Like to Know Two Words that Devalue Your Products and Services?
Watch Your Use of “Basically” and “Simply” Many of my clients offer complex solutions to solve their customers’ problems, streamline their businesses, and protect their valuable assets.
Read More...How Do You Accept An Award? Be Gracious. Be Modest. Be Prepared!
Tips on How to Give an Acceptance Speech Accepting an award is like walking a tightrope. You need to be gracious, grateful, and humble, yet not so humble or self-deprecating that the audience thinks you are trivializing the honor. In May of 2022, Dan Maddux, my best long-time client and Executive Director of the American […]
Read More...Powerful, Persuasive Presentations: 5 Techniques that Lead to the Results You Want.
Are you confident your important presentations always lead to the results you want? Do you have the peace of mind knowing everyone on your team communicates your message with clarity and consistency? Are you losing sales you feel you deserve to make? In case we have not had the pleasure of meeting, I am presentation […]
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