Recently, I had the honor to be a guest on the PBS show Side by Side with Nido Qubein. Dr. Qubein is the President of High Point University, a great speaker, corporate advisor, author, and past president of the National Speakers Association. He asked me, “Can anyone become a good speaker?” “Why do so many […]
Read More...What Does it Take to Make Your Presentation Introductions Exciting?
The purpose of a speaker’s introduction is to establish their credentials, to create interest from the audience, and often to sell the importance of the subject to that audience at that time. Recently at a client’s conference, one of my roles and responsibilities was to introduce other speakers, all of whom I had recommended. A […]
Read More...The Best Way You Can Introduce A Speaker With A Dramatic Life Story
I introduced my long-time friend, Nacole Schapiro before her speech to the Golden Gate Breakfast Club. Although she is a professional keynote speaker who often presents on negotiation and change, I knew our group would love to hear her personal story about growing up under communism. Her family lived in fear that they would be shot if […]
Read More...My Coaching Client Gave His Speech and Was Handed a $500,000.00 Check
… and then I Danced with a Billionaire Robert Bigelow asked, “Can we survive death?” He offered a reward of more than $1 million to anyone who could help him answer that question. Most of us would be interested in the answer. Mr. Bigelow, however, is not just anyone or just any 76-year-old mourning his […]
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...Success: One Frippicism at a Time – Opportunity Does Not Knock Once
It Knocks All the Time, We Do Not Always Recognize the Sound. I have had the good fortune to be successful in three careers: as a hairstylist, a professional speaker, and now as an executive speech coach. Although they may seem dissimilar, they have many aspects in common. For one, I have had the opportunity […]
Read More...Where Great Stories Come Alive: Enjoy the Anatomy of a Speech – Part Nine
I was invited to deliver the opening keynote speech at the Toastmasters International Convention in 2001. In this 10-segment series, you view the anatomy of a keynote presentation. “I’ve mentioned my brother, Robert Fripp, a couple of times. You may have heard of Robert Fripp. He has a group called King Crimson, and he travels […]
Read More...Want to Write Great Speeches? Enjoy The Anatomy of a Speech Part Seven
Want to Write Great Speeches? I was invited to deliver the opening keynote speech at the Toastmasters International Convention in 2001. In this 10-segment series, you view the anatomy of a keynote presentation. 7 of 10 “I was working with a company in Petaluma that had hired me to work with all its marketing managers, […]
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...Great Advice from the Rabbi that Robert Fripp Never Forgot
My brother Robert Fripp, is an internationally-acclaimed guitarist, founding and ongoing member of King Crimson worked in a hotel dance band while going to college. It may interest you to know that he took the job over from a friend who moved to London. His friend was Andy Summers, of the famed rock band, The […]
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