Even highly intelligent, well-educated, and ambitious executives can find themselves at a loss when called on to deliver a powerful presentation. The good news is, even if you’re not a born speaker, you can learn how to inspire action and commitment. I share the ROCK Star Principles one shy engineer used – and you can […]
Read More...Is That Great Speaker Really You? It Can Be Here is How
If you have one of your past presentations recorded, watch it. Take notes on what you do well and what you believe you could do better. When you’re watching your recorded presentation, it’s a good idea to pretend you’re watching somebody else. This allows you to be more objective. What did this speaker do right? […]
Read More...Rock Star Communication: How to Steal the Show Every Time 2 of 4
If you think you can use the first 45 seconds with an audience to “warm up,” think again! Use your opening to immediately engage your audience, so they realize from your first words, “Wow! This is going to be good!” In an era of tough competition, presentations that persuade, educate, motivate, and inspire give you […]
Read More...An Expert on The Basics of A Good Presentation
Let’s go over the basics of a good presentation. Whether it’s an important conversation or a formal presentation, you need: Scintillating content Strong speech structure You need to: Start on a high Close with the impact And you need:
Read More...Rock Star Communication: How to Inspire Action & Commitment
In an era of tough competition, presentations that persuade, educate, motivate, and inspire give you a competitive edge. Good presentation skills are no longer simply nice to have; they can mean career life or death. Imagine yourself in the front row of a ballroom at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. Sitting with you are […]
Read More...Sales Presentations – How to Be Clear ; Concise: Start with Structure
When you know you’ll you have a few minutes to present to a true decision maker, what do you say? Don’t panic. This is a great opportunity. Be prepared and get to the point. Remember, with a senior-level executive you must be clear, concise, credible, and able to articulate your bottom line. Always start with structure. […]
Read More...Want to Be An Effective Speaker? Say No More . . . Pause!
Second, a pause provides dramatic interest for your audience. Of course, if you’re really nervous you have your own drama taking place, whether your audience knows it or not. But, a moment unspoken provides the silent drumroll to announce your next important point.
Third, a pause helps your audience to follow you better—they become better listeners. And, as they become more attentive, you relax and so do they. Your audience does not want to be nervous on your behalf.
I recently delivered a workshop at the American Payroll Association’s Annual Congress (May 2011) titled, “Effective Business Communications: On Paper, Online, and On Your Feet.” While at the conference, I also enjoyed a presentation called “Advanced Career-Building Speaking Skills”conducted by professional presentation skills trainer and speech coach, Patricia Fripp. Fripp’s delivery and timing served as an excellent model. She made exceptional use of the pause. As an energetic presenter it helped to slow her down, and the audience could absorb what she was saying. In effect, it’s a “listening cue,” providing you, the audience, a signal to take note of what’s about to be said.
To demonstrate the power of the pause, Fripp asked one of the audience members to come forward. Within five minutes, the volunteer had added pauses between the three major points and just before the conclusion of the persuasive argument she was preparing for senior management. The presentation did something else to improve her delivery: Fripp counseled her to make eye contact with a different member of the audience—near, middle, and far—to accompany each of the pauses. The results were dramatic.
According to Fripp, “Few sales presentations have enough pauses. Good music and good communication both contain changes of pace, pauses, and full rests. This is when listeners think about important points you’ve just made. If you rush on at full speed to crowd in as much information as possible, chances are you’ve left your prospects back at the station. Give them enough time to ask a question or even time to think over what has been said. Pauses allow pondering and understanding.”
To help prepare for your public speaking opportunity, you can write a narrative to help you rehearse. It helps to identify the places in your presentation where a pause will come naturally, just as you might accent a word or phrase for other additional emphasis.
Read More...Do You Know How to Keep A Remote Audience Engaged?
Ambitious individuals realize that powerful and persuasive business communication skills are critical to success. Ever-evolving technology and shrinking travel budgets make face-to-face meetings increasingly rare. Our latest communications challenge is to deliver effective business presentations remotely.
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Patricia Fripp, World Champions Edge, Speaking and Presentation Skills, Overcome shyness,
Read More...An Expert Explains How to Structure Your Presentation
To Advance Your Career You Must Know This When you are a professional, you know that in order to advance in your career and boost your income, good presentation skills can make the difference between stagnation and success. When your message is memorable, your communication clear, and your presentation powerful you will position yourself for […]
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