On Monday, January 22, several pals texted, “USA Today has used another of your quotes in their ‘Don’t Quote Me’ segment.” It was “If you don’t act as if your name is on the door, it never will be.” Consider this: every interaction your organization has with customers either strengthens or weakens your relationship. Especially […]
Read More...Fripp’s Speaking Habit and a Garth Brooks Experience
Last December, my show partner and fellow Hall of Fame speaker Marilyn Sherman and I had the pleasure of attending a Garth Brooks concert at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace—arguably the finest venue on the Las Vegas Strip. The experience was not just a musical delight; it was a profound lesson in audience engagement, mirroring […]
Read More...Crafting a Winning Oscar Speech: Why Every Word Counts
Academy Award speeches are not the best examples of great acceptance speeches. There are, however, many unforgettable moments. Here you will find my second list of favorite Oscar segments. We will look to see why. Oscar examples that make the speech bigger than the recipient. Meryl Streep, Best Actress, The Iron Lady, said, “This is […]
Read More...What Makes an Unforgettable Moment from Academy Award Speeches?
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 general, Academy Award speeches are not the best examples of great acceptance speeches. There are, however, many unforgettable moments. A few of my […]
Read More...Train Your Sales Team Better and Faster than Your Competition
Imagine the impact if your team’s sales presentations are not just good… they were magnetic. This is not a far-fetched dream; it’s a very achievable reality. The Challenge: A Common Hurdle in Sales Not long ago, a prospect called and said, “Help! My team’s presentations are terrible. We do not consistently tell the same story, […]
Read More...Punch Up Your Presentations with Your Life Experiences
As a presentation skills expert, I’m often asked, “Where do I find good stories and examples for my presentations?” The answer lies in our everyday experiences. Here are a couple from my own journey, focusing on the important role of customer service. Consider this: every interaction your organization has with customers either strengthens or weakens […]
Read More...Be the Star of Your Own Show: Hollywood’s Advice on Dressing for Success
Do you hold the position, earn the salary, or command the respect you believe you deserve? If not, I encourage you to dress and speak for the role you aspire to, not merely the one you currently have. When I was growing up, my mother gave me great advice. “Patricia, of course, it is the […]
Read More...Don’t Fade into the Background
When you count your riches, do you do it in money or memories? For me, memories win out every time. At this point, most of my friends and I enjoy experiences together instead of exchanging gifts. Many years ago, on my first and only trip to speak at a series of events in South Africa, […]
Read More...Once Upon a Time Technique
Every story has a “Once Upon a Time.” The place where the intricate weave of values, experiences, and influences begins to shape the fabric of our lives. As a speech coach, I guide my clients to revisit their own “Once Upon a Time,” unraveling the threads of their past to better understand the tapestry of […]
Read More...Develop Your Storytelling Abilities: Life Lessons from Movie Stars and Hollywood
When we reminisce about Hollywood, it’s often the stories that movies tell that captivate us the most. Screenwriting teacher Robert McKee eloquently states, “Stories are the creative conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clearer, more meaningful experience. They are the currency of human contact.” Storytelling: The Cornerstone of Effective Leadership Many of us […]
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