As an executive speech coach I’ve had corporate speakers bring me sheets of statistics and say, “Here’s what I want to talk about.” “Why should your audience care about all this?,” I ask. “Where is the excitement? Where is the story?” Then we set about turning the numbing data into stimulating descriptions of what it […]
Read More...Robert Fripp & Toyah Willcox on All Star Mr & Mrs
My brother, legendary guitarist Robert Fripp and my sister-in-law, British singer and actress Toyah Willcox recently appeared on ITV’s All Star Mr & Mrs hosted by Phillip Schofield. Brother is well known within the music industry for being erudite and very considered in his views. However, from Mr & Mrs his sense of play and […]
Read More...Want to Become an Effective Public Speaker? Ten Intriguing Rhetorical Devices
Ragan Communications is a great source of information for communicators. They hold various conferences including the Ragan Speechwriters Conference that I have been honored to keynote. The more you study writing and public speaking the more you realize there is to learn. This list is challenging me and certainly teaches me new information. Hope you enjoy!
Read More...Powerful Sales Presentations Focus on Client’s Problems
Powerful sales presentations are always focused on your client’s problem, goal or challenge – not on your product or the service you provide. If a client’s needs are not seen, or not of interest to you, the client will not want to talk to you. Remember, there is an underlying reason you’ve gotten an initial […]
Read More...Robert Fripp Steals the Show in David Bowie Documentary
British music journalist and editor of Uncut magazine, Allan Jones devotes most of his recent Editor’s Diary column to my brother Robert Fripp in a piece called, “Robert Fripp steals the show in David Bowie documentary.” Jones writes: “I don’t know if you saw it, but BBC2’s David Bowie documentary, Five Years, screened at the […]
Read More...Executive Presentations Need to Sound Original and Thoughtful
Frequently I am asked if executives should dumb down their communications. No, not necessarily. The Patricia Fripp suggestion is to speak conversationally. If you would use that word or phrase at the dinner table, or in your boardroom include it in your speech or conversation. However, you must also consider whether you sound original and […]
Read More...Life Lessons Through Laughter And Ethics: Mary Ellen Did it Right! Do You?
When you speak to business and professional speakers and Toastmasters, as I do, about public speaking and advanced presentation techniques, it is assumed that you will be quoted. In fact, I encourage the best way to learn a public speaking technique or idea is to teach someone else what you think you just learned. However, there is a […]
Read More...Powerful, Persuasive Sales Presentations Coaching Camp
Powerful, Persuasive Sales Presentations Coaching Camp Are you confident that your sales presentations are powerful, professional, polished, and focused on the needs of your prospects and clients? Can your competitors match your references, results and reputation? Could you benefit from a competitive edge? Do you realize that when everything else seems equal a powerful, persuasive sales […]
Read More...Communication Skills: Can You Do Better?
Even as an expert in business communications I constantly learn from my friends and mentors in the National Speakers Association. Don and Kathleen Thoren write, speak and coaching on Life Enriching Tips. Enjoy…. WHAT DO I SAY NOW?! Has someone said something and you weren’t sure what to say back??? Seconds tick by and your mind […]
Read More...Want to Improve Your Public Speaking? How about Awesome?
As an executive speech coach and frequent presenter on “How to Go From Good to Great to Awesome” I was interested and amused by this article from Ragan.com. Ragan first came to my attention when they booked me to speak at the Ragan Speechwriters Conference. Their newsletters are always amazing.
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